JPH11196258A - Image processing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] When performing an editing process such as trimming or masking, only a part of the original image is displayed, so it is difficult to adjust the size and position of the editing area while viewing the preview image. SOLUTION: An area generating section 220 generates an area signal indicating an editing area to be subjected to editing processing, and an editing processing section 213 performs editing processing set based on the area signal on an image. The preview processing unit 217 monitors an editing area based on an input image or an output image on which editing processing has been performed, and an area signal.
Display at 219. The size and position of the editing area displayed superimposed on the input image can be corrected by the operation unit 244.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus having a function of displaying a result of image processing and a method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the enhancement of image quality and functions of digital color copying machines, it has become possible to considerably meet user expectations regarding the tint of output images and editing processing. Even in such a situation, in order to obtain an output image in which a desired color and editing result are reflected, it may be necessary to output the image many times, which is inefficient in terms of time and cost.

In order to eliminate unnecessary image output, an image processing apparatus having a so-called preview function for confirming an output image by displaying the processed image on a monitor or the like without outputting the processed image to recording paper has been proposed. Has been commercialized.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image processing apparatus having a preview function. Blocks denoted by reference numerals 101 to 109 constitute a full-color copying machine, and blocks denoted by reference numerals 110, 111, and 219 realize a preview function. The image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 forms a full-color image on recording paper by scanning a document three to four times.

Referring to FIG. 1 in more detail, reference numeral 101 denotes a CCD sensor for reading an original image and outputting an RGB image signal;
2 is an A / D & S / H section that performs sample hold and analog / digital conversion, 103 is a shading correction section that performs shading correction, and 104 is a color space for the input image signal in a standard color space such as NTSC-RGB. An input masking unit for changing, 105 is a LOG converter for converting a luminance signal into a density signal, 10
6 is a masking / UCR unit that performs a UCR process and a masking process according to the color reproduction characteristics of the printer, 107 is a trimming,
An edit processing unit for performing various image editing processes such as masking, painting, and scaling, an edge emphasizing unit 108 for emphasizing the edges of the image, and a printer unit 109 for forming a color image on recording paper.

Reference numeral 110 denotes an image memory for storing an RGB image signal output from the input masking unit 104;
Is a memory control unit that controls reading and writing of the image memory 110, that is, output of address values and exchange between a CPU (not shown) and the image memory 110, and 112 is a CRT for displaying an image represented by an image signal stored in the image memory 110. Such as a monitor.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG.
Is displayed on the monitor 112. However, even if the desired editing processing is added to the image by the editing processing unit 107, it is not reflected on the image displayed on the monitor 112.
Therefore, the CPU that runs software that performs editing processing equivalent to the editing processing by the editing
The image processing unit 107 accesses the image signal stored in the
By performing the same editing process as the editing process set in the above, the edited image is displayed on the monitor 112.

On the other hand, there has been a strong demand for high speed digital color copying machines. To meet this demand, a digital color copying machine having four photosensitive drums and each photosensitive drum having a YMCK one-color developing unit has been proposed. . In such an apparatus, an image memory is indispensable for compensating for a spatial displacement between the photosensitive drums, and a full image capable of storing an image for one page is required to realize more advanced image processing. It is desirable to have a page image memory.

[0008]

In an image processing apparatus having the above-mentioned preview function, even when an area editing function for setting an image editing process for each image area is used, the image editing result is confirmed on the monitor 112. it can.
However, if the size or position of the set editing area is different from the desired size or position, the size or position of the editing area is corrected based on the display on the monitor 112, and the image editing result displayed on the monitor 112 again becomes more appropriate. It is necessary to perform an operation of confirming whether or not a correct correction has been made. Alternatively, it is necessary to form an edited image on a recording sheet, accurately adjust the size and position of the editing area with a ruler or the like, and correct the size and position of the editing area.

Therefore, the area-edited image is displayed on the monitor 11.
2, an image processing device has been proposed which has a function of displaying on the monitor 112 a shape indicating an editing area in which area editing has been performed, and enlarging, reducing, and moving this shape on a preview image. According to such a device, the editing area can be adjusted to a desired size and position on the preview image, and the adjustment result is determined by the CP.
Sent to U for appropriate area editing.

However, when only a part of the original image is displayed, such as by trimming or masking, or when the image is filled with paint, it is not possible to adjust the size and position of the editing area while viewing the preview image. Have difficulty.

When displaying the shape of an image area to be area-edited and correcting the size and shape of the area, a polygon composed of a plurality of vertices, an area having no specific shape, and a traced area may be displayed. In the case of a region such as an open area, complicated processing is required to display the shape, and there is a problem that it is difficult to smoothly correct the size and shape of the area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and has an image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus capable of easily and accurately setting an editing area of an image to a desired size and position regardless of the content of editing processing. It is intended to provide such a method.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and method capable of easily and accurately setting an editing area having a complicated shape to a desired size and position.

[0014]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

[0015] An image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises: generating means for generating an area signal indicating an editing area to be subjected to editing processing; processing means for performing desired editing processing on an input image based on the generated area signal; Output means for outputting an image on which editing processing has been performed, the input or output image, and display means for displaying the edit area; and display means for correcting the edit area based on the display by the display means. Correction means.

Further, the image processing method according to the present invention generates an area signal indicating an editing area to be subjected to editing processing, and outputs an output image obtained by subjecting an input image to a desired editing processing based on the generated area signal. Generating the input or output image;
The editing area is displayed for correcting the editing area.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus includes a reader unit 351 for performing image editing processing and the like on an image read from a color original, and an image forming unit corresponding to four colors of YMCK. The printer unit 352 forms a color image on recording paper based on a digital image signal of each color component sent from the unit 351. Reference numeral 219 denotes a monitor such as a CRT or LCD for preview, which is connected to the image processing apparatus main body by, for example, a VGA interface.

[Printer Unit] In FIG. 2, a polygon scanner 301 scans a laser beam output from a laser element driven independently of MCYK by a laser control unit (not shown) and places it on a photosensitive drum of each image forming unit. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

The image forming unit 302 forms a magenta (M) color component image. The image forming units 303, 304, and 305 for other color components cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (K) also have the same configuration as the image forming unit 302, and therefore, the image forming unit 302 will be described below. .

In the image forming unit 302, reference numeral 318 denotes a photosensitive drum on which a latent image is formed by a laser beam. 313 is a developing device for developing the latent image on the photosensitive drum 318,
Inside the developing device 313, there is a sleeve 314 for applying a developing bias and performing development with toner. 315 is a photosensitive drum
A primary charger for charging the surface of 318 to a desired potential, and 317 is a cleaner for cleaning the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 after the transfer of the toner image. Further, as a configuration for enabling the photosensitive drum 313 to obtain good charge by the primary charger 315, 316 is an auxiliary charger for removing electricity from the surface of the photosensitive drum 318 cleaned by the cleaner 317, and 330 is a photosensitive drum 31.
8 is a pre-exposure lamp for erasing residual charges on the lamp. Also, 3
19 discharges from the back surface of the transfer belt 306 and performs photosensitive drum 318
A transfer charger for transferring the upper toner image onto recording paper.

Reference numerals 309 and 310 denote cassettes for accommodating recording paper, and the recording paper in the cassette 309 or 310 is supplied to the image forming unit by a paper feed unit 308. Reference numeral 311 denotes an attraction charger for attracting the supplied recording paper to the transfer belt 306, and 312 drives the transfer belt 306 to rotate, and forms a pair with the attraction charger 311 to charge the recording paper to the transfer belt 306. Transfer belt roller.

Reference numeral 324 denotes a static eliminator for facilitating separation of the recording paper from the transfer belt 306.
The separation chargers 326 and 327 prevent the image from being disturbed by the separation discharge when the separation is performed from the recording paper. It is. 322 and 323 are transfer belts 306
Is a transfer belt static eliminator for electrostatically initializing the transfer belt 306, and a belt cleaner 328 for removing dirt from the transfer belt 306. Reference numeral 307 denotes a fixing device that thermally separates the toner image on the recording paper, which is separated from the transfer belt 306 and recharged by the pre-fixing chargers 326 and 327, onto the recording paper.

Reference numeral 340 denotes a paper discharge sensor for detecting a recording paper on a conveyance path passing through the fixing device 307. Reference numeral 329 denotes a paper tip sensor for detecting the leading end of the recording paper supplied to the transfer belt 306 by the paper feeding unit 308.
2 is sent to the reader unit 351 and used to generate a sub-scanning synchronization signal when an image signal is sent from the reader unit 351 to the printer unit 352.

[Reader Unit] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image processing unit of the reader unit 351.
In accordance with the program stored in the program ROM 241 connected via the CPU, the control of the entire apparatus and the image processing are executed using the RAM 242 as a work memory. Note that other blocks to be described later are also connected to the CPU bus 243, and data is set by the CPU 240 and a control signal is supplied. Also,
The digitizer 243 is for specifying an image area to be subjected to area processing, that is, an editing area.

The CCD 201 is, for example, a CCD sensor of three RGB lines. The original 354 on the platen 353 is a halogen lamp 355
Exposure to light from The reflected light from the original 354 is guided from the mirror 356 to the mirror 358, and is reflected by the lens 359.

The image signal output from the input masking unit 204 is subjected to color conversion by a color conversion unit 205 and
As a result, the image data is combined with the image data stored in the image memory 208 as necessary. R output from combining section 206
The GB image signal is converted into a YMC image signal by the LOG conversion unit 207, and then scaled as necessary by the scaling unit 234.
The scaling process in the scaling unit 234 is performed in the next image memory 2
In consideration of the fact that the data compression performed when storing the image signal in 08 acts as a low-pass filter, only the enlargement processing is performed. The image memory 208 is composed of three blocks, a compression unit, a memory, and a decompression unit. The compression and decompression processing will be described later.

From the image memory 208, for example, Y
The image signal read with MC24 bit is masking / UCR
The unit 212 converts the color components into color component signals corresponding to the color reproduction characteristics of the printer unit 352, and generates an image signal of a black component. In other words, from the image memory 208, for example, YMC
K to generate 8-bit color component signals
A 24-bit image signal for three colors C is read.

The editing unit 213 performs free color processing and paint processing on an input image signal. The image signal output from the edit processing unit 213 is subjected to gamma correction by a gamma correction unit 214,
(11) Reduction processing is performed as necessary by the edge enhancement unit.
After the edge of the image is enhanced at 215, the image is sent to the printer unit 352.

Reference numeral 217 denotes a preview processing unit which includes an image memory for storing edited image data, a memory control unit for controlling the image memory, and the like. Although details will be described later, the image data stored in the image memory of the preview processing unit 217 is sent to the monitor 219 and displayed as a preview image.

Reference numeral 220 denotes an area generation unit, which is a main scanning synchronization signal HSNC2.
29 or the BD signal 228 sent from the printer unit 352, and the image sensor output signal DTOP226 and paper sensor output signal ITO sent from the printer unit 352.
The following signals are generated based on P227. During image formation, the DTOP signal 226, which is a timing signal, and the ITOP signal
Based on the signal 227, a sub-scanning enable signal synchronized with the rotation of each photosensitive drum is generated.

(1) A signal 221 for controlling a memory in the image memory 208. The signal 221 includes a total of seven signals, that is, two signals of a main scanning and sub-scanning write enable signal, and five signals of a main scanning read enable signal and a sub-scanning read enable signal corresponding to each color component. (2) A signal 238 that is generated in consideration of a delay due to compression and decompression processing of the image memory 208 and is supplied to the area memory 231 described later in order to adjust the timing of the image signal and the area signal in synchronization with the ITOP signal 227. . The signal 238 includes two signals (WLE, WVE) of a main scan and a sub scan write enable signal,
And five signals (RVEx) of a main scanning read enable signal (RLE) and a sub scanning read enable signal corresponding to each color component
Consists of seven signals. (3) A main scanning and sub-scanning enable signal 225 for the image memory in the preview processing unit 217. Reference numeral 230 denotes a second area generation unit which generates an area signal for each editing process. As will be described later, the area generation unit 230 controls a bitmap memory that stores each area signal and the bitmap memory, for example, Advanced Display Control
It is configured by a memory control unit such as ler (AGDC). Writing to the bitmap memory is performed by the CPU 240, and reading is performed by the DT
This is performed in synchronization with the OP signal 226 and the HSNC signal 229, that is, in synchronization with the image data of the document read by the optical scan.

The area generating section 230 outputs a color conversion enable signal 222, an image synthesis enable signal 223, and a free color / paint enable signal 236. signal
Delay unit DL232 for delaying 223, delay unit D for delaying signal 236
L237, area memory 231 to which signal 236 is input, scaling unit 23
5, and a delay unit 233 for delaying the output signal of the area memory 231 is a configuration for timing adjustment for synchronizing the image signal and the area signal.

More specifically, the DL 232 delays the image synthesis enable signal by a time corresponding to the processing time of the color conversion unit 205. The DL 233 also delays the signal 224 by a time corresponding to the processing time by the masking / UCR unit 212. DL2
37 delays the signal 236 by a time corresponding to the processing time of the color conversion unit 205, the synthesis unit 206, and the LOG conversion unit 207. Which DL
Also, the delay in pixel units is performed by a D-flip-flop, and the delay in line units is performed by a FIFO.

Further, the third scaling unit 235 includes the first scaling unit 2.
The same processing as the enlargement processing in 34 is performed, and the processing time is also the same.

The area memory 231 stores the image memory 208
The signal 236 is delayed by a time corresponding to the writing / reading time. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the area memory for the M color component. The configuration of the area memory for the other color components has exactly the same configuration except that a sub-scanning read enable signal corresponding to each color component is input. is there.

As shown in FIG. 4, the area memory for each color component includes a memory 2201, a write address counter 2202, a read address counter 2205, a selector 2208, and an AND gate 2.
203, a NAND gate 2209, inverters 2207 and 2212, and buffers 2210 and 2211. The write address counter 2202 includes a main scanning tank reset at the rising edge of the WLE signal and counting up the HSNC signal, and a sub-scanning counter reset at the rising edge of the WVE signal and counting up the pixel clock signal VCK. Also, the read address counter 2205
And a sub-scanning counter reset at the rising edge of RVEm to count up the HSNC signal and a sub-scanning counter reset at the rising edge of RVEm to count up the VCK signal.

Further, at the time of writing, the signal reg sent from the CPU 240 becomes “0”, the counter output of the write address counter 2202 is selected by the selector 2208, and the
It is supplied to the address terminal of 2201. Buffer 2210
Is enabled, the buffer 2211 is disabled, '1' is supplied to the OEN terminal of the memory 2201, and '0' is supplied to the WEN terminal when VCK falls, so that the counter output of the write address counter 2202 indicates Data is written to the address via the buffer 2210.

On the other hand, at the time of reading, the signal reg becomes "1",
The counter output of the read address counter 2205 is selected by the selector 2208 and supplied to the address terminal of the memory 2201. Also, buffer 2210 is disabled,
The buffer 2211 is enabled, and '0' is supplied to the OEN terminal of the memory 2201, so that '1' is supplied to the WEN terminal at the fall of VCK, and the data of the address indicated by the counter output of the write address counter 2202 is buffered. Output via 2211.

With the area memory 231 having such a configuration, area signals having different timings can be handled as if they were one plane.

[Flow of Image Signal in Each Operation Mode]
Next, the flow of the image signal in each operation mode, and
The setting of the I / O port will be described.

The flow of image signals during normal copying is the same as that of CCD 201
→… → A input of synthesis unit 206 → C output of synthesis unit 206 →… →
A printer unit 352. In this case, the sub-scanning enable signal 221 corresponding to each color component for controlling the memory in the image memory 208 and the sub-scanning read enable signal RVEx corresponding to each color component for controlling the memory in the area memory 231 are: , Are enabled by a time corresponding to the interval between the photosensitive drums of the respective colors.

Next, the flow of the image signal when the editing process in the RGB system, that is, the color conversion result by the color conversion unit 205 is displayed on the monitor 219, is as follows: CCD 201 →... → A input of the synthesis unit 206 → C output →... → edge enhancement unit 215 → preview processing unit 217 → monitor 219. In this case, since the image signal written in the image memory 208 has been subjected to color conversion, it is necessary to reread the original image every time the editing process is corrected based on the preview. The sub-scanning read enable signal 221 corresponding to each color component and the sub-scanning read enable signal RVEx corresponding to each color component rise at the same time and fall at the same time.

At the time of printout after the desired color conversion result is obtained, the original image is not re-read, and the image is formed based on the image signal read from the image memory 208. The sub-scanning enable signal corresponding to each color component at this time
221 is enabled with a time lag corresponding to the interval between the photosensitive drums of each color.

Next, the flow of image signals when displaying the results of CMYK editing processing, that is, paint and free color processing, on the monitor 219 is as follows: CCD 201 →.
Input → C output of the synthesis unit 206 →... → edge enhancement unit 215 → preview processing unit 217 → monitor 219. In this case, since the image signal written in the image memory unit 208 is not affected by the editing process, it is not necessary to re-read the document image even if the editing process is corrected based on the preview. Also, a sub-scanning read enable signal 221 corresponding to each color component and a sub-scanning read enable signal RVEx corresponding to each color component
Rise at the same time and fall at the same time.

At the time of printout after a desired color conversion result is obtained, an image is formed based on the image signal read from the image memory 208. At this time, the sub-scanning enable signal 221 corresponding to each color component is enabled with a time lag corresponding to the interval between the photosensitive drums of each color.

Next, the flow of an image signal when the image synthesis result is displayed on the monitor 219 is as follows.

The flow of the image signal when the first image is written to the image memory 208 is as follows: CCD 201 →.
The C output of the synthesizing unit 206 →. Then, the flow of the image signal of the first image at the time of combining with the second image and writing it again to the image memory 208 is the same as that of the image memory 208 →
… → the edge enhancement unit 215 → the B input of the synthesis unit 206. In this case, the masking / UCR unit 212 and the edge enhancement unit 215
Is set to a through path, and an inverse LOG table is set to the gamma correction unit 214 so as to output an RGB image signal. The flow of the image signal of the second image is as follows: CCD 201 →.
This is the A input.

Further, the flow of the image signal when the synthesized image is displayed on the monitor 219 is determined by the C output of the synthesizing unit 206 →... → image memory 208 →.
217 → monitor 219.

[Processing Procedure] Next, a description will be given of a processing procedure such as setting of an editing process using the preview function and printing out. 5 to 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the processing procedure, which is executed by the CPU 240. Operations such as selection of a process, input of a process parameter, and designation of a determination result are performed by the operation unit 244 shown in FIG.

When the editing process is selected in step S402,
In steps S406 to S409, at least one of color conversion, paint processing, free color processing, and color-in-color processing is selected, and the parameters of each editing processing are determined by the preview function. Then, step S403
Then, the determined processing parameters are set in the editing processing circuit 213, and the image signal processed based on the determined processing parameters is stored in the image memory 208. When the copy button of the operation unit 244 is pressed in step S404,
In step S405, an editing process is performed by the editing processing unit 213 on the image signal read from the image memory 208, and an image based on the edited image signal is formed on recording paper by the printer unit 352.

When color conversion is instructed in step S406,
In step S410, the process shown in FIG. 6 is performed. First, in step S501, whether the range of the color conversion is the entire surface or a predetermined area is selected. When performing color conversion of the predetermined area, an editing area is set using the digitizer 243 or the like in step S507. Next, in step S502, the color before conversion is specified, and in step S5
03 specifies the converted color. At this point, the data necessary for color conversion has been determined for the time being.

In the following step S504, whether or not to preview is selected. When the preview is selected, the document image is read, and in step S505, the preview image is displayed on the monitor 219. Then, in step 506, it is determined whether or not the editing process is to be corrected based on the preview image. If so, the process returns to step S501; otherwise, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

When a paint process is instructed in step S407, the process shown in FIG. 7 is performed in step S411. First, an editing area is set in step S601, and a paint color is specified in step S602.

In the following step S603, whether or not to preview is selected. When the preview is selected, the document image is read, and in step S604, the preview image is displayed on the monitor 219. Then, in step 605, it is determined whether or not the editing process is to be corrected based on the preview image. If so, the process returns to step S601.
Return to the main routine shown in 5.

If free color processing is instructed in step S408, the processing shown in FIG. 8 is performed in step 412. First, in step S701, whether the range of the free color processing is the entire area or a predetermined area is selected. When performing the free color processing of the predetermined area, an editing area is set using the digitizer 243 or the like in step S706. Next, a free color color is designated in step S702.

Subsequently, in step S703, whether or not to preview is selected. When the preview is selected, the document image is read, and in step S704, the preview image is displayed on the monitor 219. Then, in step 705, it is determined whether or not the editing process is to be corrected based on the preview image. If so, the process returns to step S701; otherwise, the process returns to the main routine shown in FIG.

[Preview Processing Unit] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the preview processing unit 217.

The image signal output from the edge emphasizing circuit 215 is first input to a 4 × 3 inverse masking circuit 217-1, and the following equation, which is the inverse operation of the matrix operation performed by the masking / UCR unit 212, is used. Will be applied.

The coefficients a11 to a34 are respectively
An arbitrary value can be set via the bus 243.
The image signals converted from the four-color image information Y1, M1, C1, and K1 into the three-color image information Y2, M2, and C2 by the above equation are input to the antilogarithmic conversion circuit 217-2. The antilogarithmic conversion circuit 217-2 uses LOG
The LUT is configured with an LUT that performs a reverse conversion to the LOG conversion of the conversion unit 207, but an arbitrary table can be set in the LUT from the CPU 240 via the CPU bus 243.

The image signal is converted from the YMC density information to the RGB luminance information by the inverse logarithmic conversion, and the image signal can be displayed on the monitor 219 such as a CRT. However, there are many types of monitors to be connected, and their color reproduction ranges are also different. Therefore, means for adjusting the difference in the color reproduction characteristics of the monitor is required. The 3 × 3 monitor color correction circuit 217-3 is a circuit for correcting the color reproduction characteristics of the monitor by calculating the following equation. Note that the coefficients b11 to b34 are
An arbitrary value can be set via the bus 243.

The monitor gamma correction circuit 217-4 includes a monitor 219
This circuit corrects the gamma characteristic of the LUT, and an arbitrary table can be set in the LUT from the CPU 240 via the CPU bus 243. The display edit circuit 217-5 is a circuit for performing various edits on an image displayed on the monitor 219 and controlling the monitor 219. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the display editing circuit 217-5. Display edit circuit 217-5
Is roughly divided into a part for processing the read image,
It consists of portions that generate information such as frames and characters to be added to the image.

In FIG. 10, a monitor gamma correction circuit 217-
The image signals output from 4 are stored in memories 217-11 and 217-11, respectively.
Input to 17-12 and 217-13. These memories are
Write address controller of display controller 217-10
With 217-17, writing can be performed from any address and CPU
Via bus 243, the start address in the X and Y directions,
In addition, an end address can be set. In the present embodiment, each of these memories has a size of 640 × 480 pixels × 9 × 8 bits corresponding to a VGA monitor. The reason why the memory size nine times as large as the display image size of the VGA monitor is prepared is to enlarge and display a part of the image. When writing an image signal to these memories, the image size can be reduced and written, and the magnification at that time can be set from the CPU 240.
Furthermore, the image can be rotated according to whether the image to be displayed is portrait or landscape, and this rotation is controlled by the write address control unit 217-17. At this time, the memory area other than the end address from the start address, that is, the memory area where the image signal is not written, is left outside the write area because the previous image signal remains or the display color is fixed. To display in any color
Can be set from U240.

In order to read the image signals written in these memories and display them on the monitor 219, it is necessary to specify an address from which the image signals are read. This designation is performed by designating arbitrary coordinates from the CPU 240 to the read address control unit 217-18.

Since the display image size of the VGA monitor is 640 × 480 pixels, for example, in order to display the entire image stored in the entire memory, it is necessary to thin out the pixels. The setting of the thinning rate in the thinning processing is performed by the CPU 240.
In the present embodiment, as will be described later, a single mode for displaying an image of the entire memory, a double mode for displaying an image of 4/9 of the memory, and a triple mode for displaying an image of 1/9 of the memory Can be selected.

The memory 217-20 in which the read address is controlled by the read address control unit 217-19 is a memory for storing figures and characters to be added to the image, and has a memory size of 640 × 480.
Pixel × 9 × 4 bits. That is, the memory 217-20 has a control plane and four planes of 1 bit each for RGB, and can independently develop figures and characters of eight colors. The additional information may be developed on the memory 217-20 by the CPU 240. However, if it is desired to further develop the additional information at high speed, a dedicated controller such as an AGDC may be used.

The image signals read from these memories are input to selectors 217-14, and when the bit signal read from the control plane of memory 217-20 is "0", memory 217
-11 to 217-13, an RGB 8-bit image signal is selected, and when the bit signal is '1', the memory 217-20
The image signal of each 1 bit of RGB read out from is selected.
The image signal output from the selector 217-14 is converted to an analog image signal by the D / A converter
Supplied to 9.

Note that the memory 217-
1 color palette signal of RGB output from 20
There is an LUT 217-15 for converting the image signals into RGB 8-bit image signals, and the conversion table can be arbitrarily set by the CPU 240.

[Color Conversion Unit] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the color conversion unit 205.

The color conversion unit 205 is divided into a detection unit and a conversion unit.
The detection unit includes three window comparators 1110, 1111 and 1112, two AND gates 1113 and 1115, and registers 1104 to 1109 in which comparison reference values reg1 to reg6 of these comparators are set by the CPU 240. Under the following conditions, each window comparator outputs '1' and A
The output of the ND gate 1113 also becomes "1". reg1 ≦ Rin ≦ reg2 reg3 ≦ Gin ≦ reg4 reg5 ≦ Bin ≦ reg6

That is, the output of the AND gate 1113 becomes '1' only when a certain color represented by (Rin, Gin, Bin) is input. When the area signal is “1”, that is, when the area signal indicates the editing area, the output of the AND gate 1115 is also “1”.

On the other hand, the conversion unit comprises three selectors 1119 and 1120
And 1121, and registers 1116, 1117 and 1118. When the output of the AND gate 1115 is “1”, the values reg8, reg9, and reg10 set in each register by the CPU 240
Are selected by selectors 1122, 1123 and 1124, and (Rou
t, Gout, Bout). When the output of the AND gate 1115 is “0”, (Rin, Gin, Bin) is selected and output.

[Editing Processing Unit] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the editing processing unit 213 which performs free color processing and paint processing.

The edit processing unit 213 is a multiplier 120 for each color component.
5, a selector 1210 and registers 1206 and 1207 whose values are set by the CPU 240. In addition,
FIG. 12 shows only the configuration of the M color component, but similar configurations are provided for the other three color components.

First, in the free color processing, the ND signal (M / 3 + C / 3 + Y / 3) generated by the masking / UCR unit 212
And the value of reg11 set in the register 1206 are the multiplier 120
The result is multiplied by 5, and the result of the multiplication is selected and output by the selector 1210. When free color processing is performed only on a partial area of an image, bit 0 of the area signal corresponding to that area is set to “1” and bit 1 is set to “0”. On this occasion,
Masking / UCR section 212 is controlled to output an ND signal only when bit 0 of area signal 224 is “1”.

In the painting process, the area signal 224 is controlled so that the value of reg12 set in the register 1207 is selected by the selector 1210. That is, bit 0 of the area signal 224 is set to “0” and bit 1 is set to “1”.

When the preview display is performed, control is performed so that the area signals 224 supplied to the respective CMYK processing units are simultaneously enabled.

[Operation Unit] FIG. 13 is a front view showing an example of the configuration of the operation unit 244. Reference numeral 500 denotes a numeric key, reference numeral 501 denotes a copy start key, reference numeral 502 denotes a stop key, reference numeral 503 denotes a residual heat key, and reference numeral 504 denotes an LCD display. Department.

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of a standard screen of the display unit 504. Reference numeral 511 denotes an apparatus state, 512 denotes the number of copies, 513 denotes a recording paper size, 514 denotes a magnification, and 515 denotes a touch for instructing a preview. Each represents a key. Before specifying the preview by the operator, after specifying the magnification, recording paper size, and editing process, the preview key
When 515 is pressed, the screen transits to a preview operation screen illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 15 shows an example of a preview operation screen.
521 is a preview start key, 522 is a display direction setting key, 523 is an area monitor, 524 is a display position setting key, 525
Is a display magnification setting key, and 526 is an area fine adjustment key.
The operator first sets a document on a document table or a feeder, and sets the orientation (portrait or landscape) of the document using the display direction setting key 522. Normally, images read in order from the document abutment position on the platen are displayed from the upper right of the monitor 219, but when the display direction setting key 522 is pressed, the display of the display direction setting key 522 is inverted between black and white, and 90 degrees. The rotated image is displayed on the monitor 219.

When the preview start key 521 is pressed, if a document is set on the feeder, the document is sent from the feeder to the document table. Further, when the pre-scan is set, a scan for detecting the size of the original placed on the original platen is performed. Then, a scanning operation for reading the document image is started. After the read image is subjected to the set editing process, it is sent to the preview processing unit 217, where the above-described conversion and correction are performed,
Further, the display direction and the scaling process set by the display editing circuit 217-5 are performed. At this time, the most efficient size that can store the entire image in the memories 217-11, 217-12, and 217-13 is calculated from the document size and the like, and the display controller 217-10 stores the most efficient size in these memories accordingly. An image signal is written. The image signals stored in these memories are sent to the monitor 219 to display a preview image.

The memory of the preview processing unit 217 has a size of 1920 × 1440 pixels corresponding to nine times the display image size of 640 × 480 pixels on the VGA monitor for each of RGB. Therefore, the image signal read from the memory is monitored by the monitor 219.
, The display controller 217-10 needs to scale the image based on the display image size of the monitor and the display magnification set by the display magnification setting key 525. Figure
16 is a diagram showing this specific example, in which an image is written in the memory. When one time is set by the display magnification setting key 525, the image stored in the entire memory is reduced to 1/9 by the display controller 271-10 and displayed on the monitor 219. When the display magnification is set to double, the memory
The image stored in the area of 4/9 is reduced to 1/4 by the display controller 217-10 and displayed on the monitor 219, so that the display image is twice as long vertically and horizontally when the display magnification is one time. It will be enlarged and displayed. Similarly, when the display magnification of 3 times is set, the image stored in the 1/9 area of the memory is displayed on the monitor 219 as it is (at the same magnification) by the display controller 217-10. In this case, the displayed image is enlarged and displayed three times vertically and horizontally.

When the display magnification is set to double or triple, part of the image stored in the memory is monitored.
Since it is only displayed at 219, an arbitrary portion of the image stored in the memory can be displayed by changing the read area of the memory. That is, when the downward arrow key of the display position setting key 524 is pressed, the reading start position of the memory moves downward by four dots. However, if a part of the read area of the memory reaches the end of the memory area, the read start position cannot be further moved in that direction, so that further movement in that direction is not possible. Therefore, the display position setting key 524 in that direction is displayed in a shaded manner, for example, and the display position cannot be moved even if the key is pressed.
An area monitor 523 is provided to indicate which area of the image is displayed when the display position is moved.

[Area Specification by Preview] The editing area is designated by the image displayed on the monitor 219 and the digitizer 243.
It can be done while comparing the points input from the editor such as. If the input point is different from the desired position, the position can be corrected while viewing the preview screen of the monitor 219.

When the operator specifies an editing area,
The preview mode key 515 is pressed to move from the standard screen to the preview operation screen. When an original to be subjected to area processing is set on the original platen or the feeder and the area designation key 527 is pressed, the operation screen is changed to an area designation screen as shown in FIG. 17 and the original placed on the feeder or the platen. Is read, and the read image is displayed on the preview screen of the monitor 219.

On the area designation screen, an area type selection key
531, a coordinate point correction key 532 and an area input end key 533 are provided. The operator first places a document on a coordinate input device such as the digitizer 243, and selects the type of the editing area using the area selection key 531. At this time, when a rectangle is selected, the selected rectangle key is inverted. When the first point of the editing area is designated with a pointing pen or the like, the coordinate position is calculated and the image generating unit (for example, AGD)
C) generates points. The generated points are stored in a memory for displaying points (for example, memory 217-20).
And displayed on the preview image.

A part of the memory 217-20 is allocated to a point display area.
Area 1 has the same size as the display image size of the VGA monitor, and has another assigned area (hereinafter referred to as the area).
2) is nine times the size of the display image on a VGA monitor. Therefore, when data is transferred from the area 2 to the area 1, the transfer range and the magnification of the area 2 are calculated from the set display magnification and display position in the same manner as the preview image, and the area 2 is transferred from the area 2 to the area 1 accordingly. Because data is transferred, every time the display magnification and display area settings are changed,
A point is displayed at an appropriate position following the preview image.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a preview image 551 in which a point 552 is displayed, and reference numeral 553 indicates an already set area. Operator preview image 551
By observing the upper point 552, it is confirmed whether the desired position has been correctly specified. If the point 552 is deviated from the desired position, by pressing the correction direction key of the coordinate point correction key 532, the point 552 displayed on the preview image moves in the specified direction. The position of the point 552 can be accurately corrected while watching.

When a second point is input with the pointing pen, the area specified by the area type selection key 531 is generated by the area generating section 230, and an excerpt of the generated area is displayed on the preview image. The operator checks and corrects the position of the point on the preview image as described above. When the second point is corrected, the area is recalculated according to the coordinate position, and the outer frame is displayed again.

When the area input end key 533 is pressed after all the areas have been input, the screen shifts to a selection screen for area processing contents, an example of which is shown in FIG. The operator determines a process to be performed on the previously set area from the selection screen. Note that the key indicating the selected area process is black-reversed.

As described above, a desired area is designated while looking at the points displayed on the preview image, and edit processing is set in those areas, and then the copy start key 501 shown in FIG. 13 is pressed. Then, an image in which the designated area has been designated and edited is formed on recording paper by the printer unit 352 and output.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the first system for displaying a preview image without passing through the image memory 208 and the second system for displaying a preview image after passing through the image memory 208. , It is possible to perform a preview display of all editing processes realized by the copying machine main body at a high speed and in a state close to the final output.

Further, according to the present embodiment, when an image processing apparatus having a preview function performs area processing, points input from a pointing device such as an editor or a digitizer 243 are displayed on a monitor in real time. Therefore, the input point is compared with the image, and when the position of the input point is different from the desired position, the position of the input point is corrected while looking at the image, thereby making it difficult to correct the editing area. For example, the editing area can be reliably set for the area processing for performing the processing, and the mistake of the area processing can be prevented.

[0094]

[Second Embodiment] An image processing apparatus and method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that, in the present embodiment, for a configuration substantially similar to that of the first embodiment,
The same reference numerals are given and the detailed description is omitted.

A method for specifying an editing area in the second embodiment will be described.

The operator operates the mode setting key shown in FIG.
When one of the area designation keys, one of 505, is selected,
The screen of 44 shifts to an area designation screen shown in FIG.

First, the operator instructs what type of editing area is to be set using the area type selection key 531. The selected key is inverted in black. Then, the operator specifies the coordinates of the editing area on the original placed on the digitizer 243 using a pointing pen or the like.
When a rectangle, an R rectangle, a circle, an ellipse, or an ellipse is selected, the coordinates of two points are pointed, and when a polygon is selected, the vertices of the polygon are pointed. When Free or Trace is selected, the editing area is specified by tracing the editing area specified by the pointing pen.

When the designation of the editing area has been completed and the area setting end key 533 has been pressed, the screen of the operation unit 244 switches to the area processing content selection screen shown in FIG. The operator selects the processing to be performed on the set editing area from the area processing selection keys 541, and then presses the area processing setting end key 542.

The above operation is repeated a plurality of times to determine the editing area and the contents of the editing process.

Next, a description will be given of a correction operation of the editing area by the preview.

When the editing area is set, a preview of the area-processed image is displayed on the monitor 219. Therefore, when the editing area is different from the designated position or size, or when the color of the processing result is slightly different, it is possible to adjust the editing area and the editing processing content on the preview screen.

When adjusting the editing area, the operator
Pressing an area adjustment key 526 shown in FIG. 15 moves to an area selection screen shown in FIG. When you move to the area selection screen, the specified edit area is displayed at the set copy magnification and display magnification,
In addition, the image is displayed on the monitor 219 in the set display direction.
These operations are performed by, for example, the area generation unit 230 such as AGDC, and a frame indicating the generated editing area is developed on the above-described area 1 allocated to the memory 217-20, and further transferred to the above-described area 2. Then, it is displayed on the monitor 219. At this time, the frame of the editing area displayed on the monitor 219 is displayed so as to overlap the current preview image. The outer frame is displayed in the display color set in the area 1.

FIG. 20 is a view showing an example of a preview image when an area is selected. A rectangular area 571 and a free area 572 are subjected to paint processing, and
A rectangular area indicated by, an elliptical area indicated by reference numeral 574, and a reference numeral 575
This is an example in which color conversion processing is performed on three circular regions indicated by.

As shown in FIG. 20, when a plurality of editing areas are set, the operator sets an editing area for correcting the editing content by using an area processing number setting key 581 or an area number setting key 582 shown in FIG. It is necessary to specify.

First, when the up arrow key of the area processing number setting key 581 is pressed, the rectangular area 571 and the free area 572 where the paint processing is set are selected. The frames of these editing areas are generated by the area generating section 230, and the generated frames are developed on the area 3 allocated to the memory 217-20. Further, the frame scaled to the set display magnification is transferred to the area 4 allocated to the memory 217-20, and is displayed on the monitor 219.
Displayed above. Therefore, since the display color set in the area 3 and the display color set in the area 1 can be different, it is possible to recognize the editing area to be corrected on the monitor 219 from among the plurality of editing areas. Becomes possible.

Further, by pressing the up arrow key of the area processing number setting key 581, the frames of the rectangular area 571 and the free area 572 written in the area 4 are erased, and the rectangular area 573 in which the color conversion processing is set. Are written in the area 4 and displayed on the monitor 219.

As described above, by selecting the editing area in which the processing whose editing contents are to be corrected is set and pressing the setting correction key 583, an area processing content selection screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed.
You can modify or adjust your edits.

Next, a case where the editing area is corrected (moved, reduced, or enlarged) will be described. First, similar to the procedure above,
Select the editing process that includes the editing area you want to modify, and
Use the area number selection key 582 to select the editing area to be modified.

For example, if it is desired to move the free area 572 where the paint processing is set to the left by 1 cm, select the paint processing with the area processing number setting key 581 and then press the area number setting key 582 to select the rectangular area 571. Is done. At this time, the best of the rectangular area 571 is expanded on the area 5 allocated to the memory 217-20, and this is expanded to the area 6 allocated to the memory 217-20.
And displayed on the monitor 219. Since the priority of each area is area 2 <area 4 <area 6, the operator can specify from among all the editing areas displayed on the monitor 219 without having to remember the number of the editing area to be corrected. The editing process and the editing area can be recognized.

Next, when the rectangular area 573, the elliptical area 574, and the circular area 575 for which the color conversion processing is set are designated by the area number setting key 582, the rectangular area 57 written in the area 6 is designated.
1 and the frame of the free area 572 are erased, and the rectangular area 573,
The frame of the elliptical area 574 and the circular area 575 is written in the area 6,
It is displayed on the monitor 219. After specifying the editing area to be corrected in this way, when the area correction key 584 is pressed, FIG.
Move to the screen for changing the area size shown in 2.

In FIG. 22, reference numeral 561 denotes an area correction key;
Is an area correction setting key, 563 is an area clear key, and 564 is an area correction key. In this case, the area 5
The frame of the area where the color conversion processing is set is erased, and at the same time, the minimum circumscribed rectangle circumscribing the area is calculated, and
Written to 5 and displayed on monitor 219. FIG. 23 shows a display example of the monitor 219 at this time, and a frame denoted by reference numeral 591 represents a minimum circumscribed rectangle of the editing area to be corrected.

To move the frame 591 shown in FIG. 23 to the left, for example, first, specify movement with the area correction setting key 562, and press the left arrow key of the area correction key 561. By this operation, the frame 591 written in the area 6 is once cleared, and the minimum circumscribed rectangle moved to the left by 4 dots is redrawn in the area 6 and displayed on the monitor 219. A frame 591 indicating the minimum circumscribed rectangle moves on the preview image. Of course, this movement amount is sent to the CPU 240, and when the image reading key is pressed again to display the image, the edited image is preview-displayed in the editing area whose position has been adjusted.

When the size of the editing area is corrected or adjusted, the enlargement or reduction is designated by the area modification setting key 562 and the area modification key 561 is depressed. The size of the frame 591 can be adjusted or corrected while viewing the image.

As described above, the size and position of the editing area and the editing content are corrected or adjusted while viewing the preview image. When a desired image is obtained on the monitor 219, the start key 505 is pressed. This prints the image on recording paper.

As described above, the modification of the editing area in the present embodiment involves displaying the circumscribing minimum rectangular image instead of the shape of the editing area, moving, enlarging,
Adjust the edit area by reducing it. Therefore, even in the case of an editing area such as a polygon composed of a plurality of vertices, an area not having a specific shape, or a traced area, which requires complicated processing to display its shape, a smooth image is displayed on the preview image. It can be moved, enlarged and reduced.

[0116]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus.
Needless to say, this can also be achieved by the PU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the OS running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that an (operating system) performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0119]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and method capable of easily and accurately setting an editing area of an image to a desired size and position regardless of the content of the editing processing.

Further, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and method capable of easily and accurately setting an editing area having a complicated shape to a desired size and position.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing apparatus having a preview function.

FIG. 2 is an overview of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing unit of the reader unit illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an area memory for an M color component;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the color conversion process shown in FIG. 5;

7 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the paint processing shown in FIG. 5,

8 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the free color processing shown in FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a preview processing unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the display editing circuit shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a color conversion unit illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of an editing processing unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13 is a front view showing a configuration example of the operation unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a standard screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a view showing an example of a preview operation screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view showing a specific example of scaling an image based on a display image size of a monitor and a set display magnification;

FIG. 17 is a view showing an example of an area designation screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a view showing an example of a preview image in which points for designating an editing area are displayed;

19 is a diagram showing an example of a selection screen for area processing content on the display unit shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a preview image when an area is selected,

FIG. 21 is a view showing an example of an area adjustment screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 22 is a view showing an example of an area size change screen of the display unit shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a preview image when changing the area size.

Claims (15)

[Claims] A generating means for generating an area signal indicating an editing area to be subjected to editing processing; a processing means for performing a desired editing processing on an input image based on the generated area signal; Output means for outputting an image, display means for displaying the input or output image, and the edit area, and correction means for correcting the edit area based on display by the display means. Characteristic image processing device. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input image is represented by an RGB image signal, and the output image is represented by a YMC or YMCK image signal. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an instruction unit for instructing the editing area and the editing process.
3. The image processing device according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The editing device according to claim 1, wherein the instruction unit includes: a shape specification unit configured to specify a shape of the editing area; a coordinate specification unit configured to input coordinates of the editing area; 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a process selecting unit for selecting. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display unit displays a point image corresponding to coordinates input by the coordinate designating unit on the input image. 6. The correction means includes a movement means for moving a point image displayed by the display means, and inputs the amount of movement or coordinates corresponding to the moved point image to the generation means. 6. The image processing device according to claim 5, wherein 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display unit displays a rectangular image circumscribing the editing area on the input image. 8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said correction means has an area selecting means for selecting a desired editing area based on a rectangular image displayed by said display means.
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 9. The correction means includes a movement means for moving the rectangular image selected by the area selection means, and inputs the movement amount or coordinates corresponding to the moved rectangular image to the generation means. 9. The image processing device according to claim 8, wherein: 10. An area signal indicating an editing area to be subjected to an editing process is generated, and an output image is generated by subjecting an input image to a desired editing process based on the generated area signal. And an image processing method for displaying the editing area for correcting the editing area. 11. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein a point image corresponding to input coordinates specifying the editing area is displayed on the input image. 12. The image processing method according to claim 11, wherein, when the point image is moved, the area signal is generated based on a movement amount or coordinates corresponding to the moved point image. 13. The image processing method according to claim 10, wherein a rectangular image circumscribing the editing area is displayed on the input image. 14. Selecting a desired editing area based on the rectangular image and moving the selected rectangular image generates the area signal based on the amount of movement or coordinates corresponding to the moved rectangular image. 14. The image processing method according to claim 13, wherein: 15. A recording medium on which a program code for image processing is recorded, wherein a code for generating an area signal indicating an editing area to be subjected to editing processing, and a desired editing based on the generated area signal A record comprising: a code for generating an output image obtained by performing processing on an input image; and a code for displaying the edit area for correcting the input or output image and the edit area. Medium.