JP2703563B2 - Image forming method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming method for reading a plurality of pieces of screen information stored in a storage unit and forming the same on a recording medium by an image forming unit. It is.

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, digital color image information is used as a device for temporarily storing input color image information in a storage means such as a semiconductor memory, reading the stored image information to form an image, and performing display output or print output. TVs, video printers, and the like have appeared.

However, these devices merely output a video signal for television, and the size of the image source of the video signal and the size of the output medium to be output are uniquely determined. The function was limited only by displaying or hard-printing the signal at a certain size.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In recent years, not only these video signals are displayed or output to an image processing apparatus such as a television receiver, but also an image from a color scanner or the like or from a personal computer or the like is output. Things are also needed.

However, images from a color scanner, a personal computer, and the like vary in size. Therefore, for example, when the input image is larger than the recording medium,
Part of the input image was missing and could not be output.

In a video printer or the like, it is desirable that the recording paper can use not only one size but also a plurality of sizes.

However, for the same reason as described above, part of the output image is missing or difficult to see.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above problems, and has the following configuration as one means for solving the above problems.

That is, when a plurality of pieces of screen information stored in the storage unit are read and formed on a recording medium by the image forming unit,
Designating a location and size where each of the plurality of pieces of screen information is to be formed on the recording medium, reading the information from the storage unit and forming an image at the designated location and size, and supplying the read image information to the image forming unit At this time, a scaling factor according to the designated location and size is set for each of the plurality of scaling means provided corresponding to the plurality of pieces of screen information, and the scaling factors are set in parallel by the plurality of scaling means. The image processing apparatus further comprises means for scaling the plurality of images.

[Operation] According to the above-described configuration, each of the plurality of scaling units is used to change the respective scaling factors according to the designated position and location of the corresponding image among the plurality of images. Since the scaling operation is performed in parallel, it is possible to obtain a scaled image at a higher speed than in the case where a plurality of images are sequentially scaled and synthesized, and further, the scaled image A large-capacity image memory required for synthesizing is not always necessary, and a plurality of images can be scaled to a desired position and synthesized by a simple configuration.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic internal configuration of a color image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. A digital color image reading device (hereinafter, referred to as "color reader") 1 for reading a color image, a digital color image printing device (hereinafter, referred to as "color printer") 2 for printing and outputting a digital color image below, and an image storage device And 3.

The color reader 1 of the present embodiment is an apparatus that reads color image information of a read document for each color and converts the color image information into an electrical digital image signal by using a color separation unit described below and a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD. is there.

The color printer 2 is an electrophotographic laser beam color printer that limits a color image for each color in accordance with a digital image signal to be output, and transfers and records a plurality of times on a recording paper in a digital dot form. .

Further, the image storage device 3 is a device for storing a digital image read from the color reader 1.

 Hereinafter, details of each part will be described.

<Description of Color Reader 1> First, the configuration of the color reader 1 will be described.

In the color reader 1 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 999 denotes a document, reference numeral 4 denotes a platen glass on which the document is placed, and reference numeral 5 denotes a full-color full-color sensor for condensing a reflected light image from the document exposed and scanned by a halogen exposure lamp 10. 6 is a rod array lens for inputting an image. An original scanning unit 11 is constituted by integrating a rod array lens 5, an equal-magnification type full-color sensor 6, a sensor output signal amplification circuit 7, and a halogen exposure lamp 10, and exposes and scans an original 999 in an arrow (A1) direction. . Image information to be read of the document 999 is sequentially read line by line by exposing and scanning the document scanning unit 11.
The read color separation image signal is amplified to a predetermined voltage by the sensor output signal amplification circuit 7 and then input to the video processing unit via the signal line 501, where the signal is processed. Note that the signal line 501 has a coaxial cable configuration to guarantee faithful transmission of a signal. A signal 502 is a signal line for supplying a drive pulse for the 1: 1 full-color sensor 6, and all necessary drive pulses are generated in the video processing unit 12. Reference numerals 8 and 9 denote a white plate and a black plate for white level correction and black level correction of an image signal, respectively, by irradiating with a halogen exposure lamp 10, a signal level of a predetermined density can be obtained, and a video signal Used for white level correction and black level correction.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a control unit for controlling the entire color reader 1 of this embodiment having a micro computer, and controls display and key input on the scanning panel 20 via the bus 508, controls the video processing unit 12, and the like. The signal lines 509 and 510 are output by the position sensors S1 and S2.
, The position of the original scanning unit 11 is detected.

Further, a stepping motor drive circuit 15 for pulse driving a stepping motor 14 for moving the scanning body 11 by a signal line 503 is controlled by an exposure lamp driver 21 via a signal line 504 to control ON / OFF of the halogen exposure lamp 10. , Light intensity control, digitizer 16 and internal key via signal line 505,
All controls of the color reader unit 1 such as control of the display unit are performed.

A color image signal read by the exposure scanning unit 11 at the time of document exposure scanning is input to the video processing unit 12 via the sensor output signal amplification circuit 7 and the signal line 501.

Next, the details of the original scanning unit 11 and the video processing unit 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

The color image signal input to the video processing unit 12 is separated into three colors of G (green), B (blue), and R (red) by the sample / hold circuit S / H43. Each of the separated color image signals is subjected to analog processing in an analog color signal processing circuit 44 and then subjected to A / D conversion to become a digital color image signal.

In this embodiment, the color reading sensor 6 in the original scanning unit 11 is formed in a staggered shape divided into five regions as shown in FIG. Using the color reading sensor 6 and the FIFO memory 46, the reading position shift between the 2,4 channels that are pre-scanning and the remaining 1,3,5 channels is corrected. F
The corrected signal of the positional shift from the IFO memory 46 is input to the black correction circuit / white correction circuit, and the color reading sensor 6 uses the signal corresponding to the reflected light from the white plate 8 and the black plate 9 described above. , Unevenness in the amount of light of the halogen exposure lamp 10, sensitivity variations of the sensor, and the like.

Color image data proportional to the amount of light input to the color reading sensor 6 is input to the video interface 101 and connected to the image storage device 3.

The video interface 101 has the functions shown in FIGS. 3 to 6. That is, (1) a function of outputting a signal 559 from the black correction / white correction circuit to the image storage device 3 (FIG. 3), and (2) a logarithmic conversion circuit 86 of the image information from the image storage device 3.
(FIG. 4), (3) a function of inputting image information from the image storage device to the printer interface 56 (FIG. 5), and (4) a signal 559 from the black correction / white correction circuit. It has the following four functions, that is, a function of sending the logarithmic conversion circuit 86 (FIG. 6). The selection of these four functions is switched by the CPU control line 508 as shown in FIGS.

<Description of Image Recording Unit 3> Next, the reading (capture) control by the color reader 1 and the control of storing the read image information in the image storage device 3 in this embodiment will be described.

The reading setting by the color reader 1 is performed by a digitizer described below. FIG. 7 shows an external view of the digitizer 16.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 427 denotes an entry key for transferring image data from the color reader 1 to the image storage device 3. The coordinate detection plate 420 is for designating an arbitrary area on a read document or setting a reading magnification and the like. Point pen 421 is used to specify the coordinates.

In order to transfer image data in an arbitrary area on the document to the image storage device 3, after pressing an entry key 427 in FIG.

This reading area information is sent to the video processing unit 12 via the communication line 505 in FIG. In the video processing unit 12, this signal is sent from the video interface 101 to the image storage device 3 via the CPU control line 508.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an address of information (points A and B) of the area designated by the point pen 421 of the digitizer 16.

In addition to the area information, the video interface 101 outputs a VCLK signal, an ITOP 551, a signal 104 from the area signal generation circuit 51, and the like to the image storage device 3 together with image data. FIG. 9 shows the timing chart of these output signal lines.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the start button of the operation unit 20 is pressed, the stepping motor 14 is driven, and the original scanning unit 11 starts scanning and reaches the leading end of the original.
The ITOP signal 551 becomes "1", the original scanning unit 11 reaches the area designated by the digitizer 16, and the EN signal 104 becomes "1" while scanning this area. Therefore, the ▲ ▼ signal 104
Color image information (DATA105,106,10
7) should be imported.

As shown in FIG. 9, the image data transfer from the color reader 1 is controlled by controlling the video interface 101 as shown in FIG.
R data 105, G in synchronization with the control signal 04 and the VCLK signal
Data 106 and B data 107 are sent to the image storage device 3 in real time.

Next, based on the image data and the control signal, how the image storage device 3 specifically stores the image data is shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG.

The connector 4550 is connected to the video interface 101 of the color reader 1 via a cable,
Data 106 and B data 107 are 9430R, 9430G, 9430B respectively
Is connected to the selector 4250 via the. VCLK sent from video interface 101, ▲ ▼ signal 104, IT
OP551 is input directly to the system controller 4210 through the signal line 9450. Prior to reading the document, the area information designated by the digitizer 16 is input to the reader controller 4270 through the communication line 9469, and is read by the CPU 4360 via the CPU bus 9610 from there.

The R data 105, G data 106, and B data 107 input to the selector 4250 via the 9430R, 9430G, and 9430B are synchronized with the signal by the selector 4250.
R, 9420G, 9420B, FIFO memory 4050R, 4050G, 405
Input to 0B.

 FIG. 11 shows a detailed configuration diagram of the selector 4250.

As shown, the image data 9430R, 9430G, and 9430B sent from the color reader 1 are connected to selectors 4251R, 4251G, and 4251B.
And is input to the FIFO memories 4252R, 4252G, and 4252B.

Here, an input signal to the selectors 4251R, 4251G, and 4251B is selected by a SELECT signal 9451.

In the FIFO memories 4252R, 4252G, and 4252B, image data 9421R, 9421G, and 9421B for one main scan line (1 minute width: from address 0 to address 4752) shown in FIG.
Is stored.

This FIFO memory 4252R, 4252G, 4252B has a digitizer 1
Signals other than the effective area specified in 6 are also stored.

Next, the data stored in the FIFO memories 4252R, 4252G, and 4252B correspond to CLK9453 inside the image storage device 3 and ▲ ▼ 9.
Read out in synchronization with 452. That is, the difference between the clocks of the color reader 1 and the image storage device 3 is determined by the FIFO memory 4252.
Absorb by R, 4252G, 4252B.

The system controller 4210 has a FIFO memory 4252R, 4252
Of the image data 9420R, 9420G, 9420B from G, 4252B, only the effective area of the image is transferred to the FIFO memories 4050R, 4050G, 4050B. At this time, the system controller 4210 also performs a trimming process and a scaling process at the same time.

These processes of the present embodiment are described in the circuit diagram of FIG.
This will be described below with reference to the timing chart in FIG.

That is, from the FIFO memories 4252R, 4252G, and 4252B, the FIFO memory 4
Digitizer before data transfer to 050R, 4050G, 4050B
The effective area in the main scanning direction of the area specified by 16 is transferred to the CPU bus 9
According to 610, it is written to RAM4212.

By controlling the selector 4213, the CPU bus 9610 side is selected and made valid, and “0” data is written into the valid area of the area designated by the RAM 4212, and “1” data is written into the invalid area.

Subsequently, the selector 4213 was controlled to select and enable the counter 4214 side, and was synchronized with ▲ ▼ 9452 and CLK9453. Write enable signals 9100 of the FIFO memories 4050R, 4050G, and 4050B are output from the RAM 4212 and the latch 4211, and only the effective area (A ') of the color image information (A) is written to the FIFO memories 4050R, 4050G, and 4050B. The written image data is delayed by one main scan, and is sequentially output from the address “0” for the effective area in synchronization with ▲ ▼ 9452 (90
90R, G, B).

In the above description, the FIFO memories 4252R, 4252G, 4252
FIFO memory 4050R, 4 with B image data as it is (at the same magnification)
The example of transferring data to 050G and 4050B has been described. But,
The present embodiment is not limited to the above control, and the RAM 4
Depending on the data to be written to 212, scaling processing and trimming processing can be performed.

FIG. 14 shows a timing chart when the scaling process and the trimming process are performed.

FIG. 14 shows a case where the image data from the FIFO memories 4252R, 4252G, and 4252B are scaled to be reduced by 50%, and the FIFO memories 4050R and 4050R.
It is a figure which shows the example of a timing chart at the time of transferring to 50G and 4050B.

As shown in FIG. 14, the write data (F
By setting the write enable signal to the IFO memories 4050R, 4050G, and 4050B to "1" (write-inhibited) in the image data effective area, reading is restricted and reduction is performed. In the case of FIG. 14, the write enable signal 9100 is “1”, “0”
The data is reduced by 50% by repeating the data alternately. As described above, by making the data written to the RAM 4212 correspond to the reduction magnification, the reduction processing at an arbitrary magnification can be easily performed in the image storage device 3.

This 50% reduced image data is delayed by one main scan.
Output from address “0” in synchronization with ▼ (14th
B ') in the figure.

As described above, desired image data can be reduced in the main scanning direction by the data to be written to the RAM 4212.

Next, from FIFO memory 4050R, 4050G, 4050B to memory 4060R, 4
The transfer of image data to the 060G and 4060B is performed using the counter 0 (4080
−0), and the control line 9170.

Here, magnification and trimming in the sub-scanning direction are performed simultaneously. The magnification in the sub-scanning direction is shown in the block diagram of FIG.
A description will be given below with reference to FIG. 16 showing a timing chart at the time of% reduction.

CPU 4360 has FIFO memory 4050R, 4050G, 4050B to 4060R,
Prior to data transfer to the 4060G and 4060B, the sub-scanning direction area of the area designated by the digitizer 16 via the CPU bus 9610 is
Data that controls writing to 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B (406
0R, 4060G, 4060B write enable signal) to RAM4217
Write to. The image invalid area is “1”, the effective area is “0” at the same magnification, and at the time of reduction, the data in both effective areas is “1” according to the reduction magnification. When the image is reduced by 50%, "1"
This is realized by alternately repeating “0” data.

At the time of this 50% reduction, as shown in FIG. 16, the write enable signal 9170 to the 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B alternates the data of "1" and "0" within the image effective area. Thus, the image data stored in the 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B are "D0" and "D2" in FIG. 16, and "D1" and "D3" are not stored.

As described above, according to the data set in the RAM4212,
Trimming in the main scanning direction and zooming are possible.
With the data set to 7, trimming and scaling in the sub-scanning direction are possible.

Since the memory capacity in this embodiment is 1 Mbyte for each color, 50% of the image data in the reading area in FIG.
As a result, the read image data is converted into data having the maximum capacity of the memory of the image storage device 3 and stored.

In the above embodiment, the CPU 4360 calculates an effective area from the information of the area specified by the digitizer 16 of the A3 document, and sets data corresponding to the RAM 4212.

In the present embodiment, since the data capacity of the read image is larger than the provided image memory capacity, a reduction process is performed, the data is converted into a storable capacity, and then stored in the image memory. However, when the data capacity of the read image is smaller than the provided image memory capacity, a plurality of screens can be simultaneously stored in the image memory by setting the CLR signal 9171 in FIG. 15 to "1". is there. In this case, the data written to the RAM 4212 and RAM 4217 for controlling the writing to the memory in the area designated by the digitizer 16 are all set to “0”, all are set to the state, and are made the same size.

Further, in order to store the read image in the memory while maintaining the aspect ratio (the ratio between the height and the width), the CPU 4360 first obtains the number of effective pixels “x” from the area information sent from the digitizer 16. Next, z is obtained from the maximum capacity “y” of the image storage memory by the following equation.

As a result, (1) When z ≧ 100, the entire effective image area is set to “0” in the RAM 4212 and the RAM 4217 and stored at the same magnification.

2) When z <100, both RAM4212 and RAM4217 perform z% reduction, and store them in the maximum capacity of the memory while maintaining the aspect ratio.

Also in this case, as the data to be written to the RAM4212 and the RAM4217, data of "1" and "0" may be appropriately written corresponding to the reduction rate "z".

By controlling in this way, it is possible to perform arbitrary scaling processing with easy control while maintaining the aspect ratio of the input image by controlling only the inside of the image storage device 3, and it is possible to effectively recognize the read image. Become. At the same time, the utilization efficiency of the memory capacity can be maximized.

<Read processing from image storage device> Next, the memories 4060R and 40 of the image storage device 3 described above
A process of reading image data from 60G and 4060B will be described.

The instruction input and the like when the image output from the memory is formed by the color printer 2 are mainly performed by the above-described digitizer 6 shown in FIG.

A key 428 in FIG. 7 is an entry key for forming image data from the 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B by the color printer 2 according to the size of the recording paper. Also key 42
9 is a coordinate detection plate 420 of the digitizer 16 and a point pen 421.
Is an entry key for forming an image at the position designated by.

First, an embodiment in which an image is formed in accordance with the size of a recording sheet, and then, an embodiment in which an image is formed in an area designated by a digitizer will be described.

<Image Forming Process Corresponding to the Size of Recording Paper> In this embodiment, the color printer 2 has two cassette trays 735 and 736 as shown in FIG. 1, and two types of recording paper are set. In this case, A4 size recording paper is set in the upper part, and A3 size recording paper is set in the lower part. The selection of the recording paper is input by the liquid crystal touch panel of the scanning unit 20. The following description is for the case where a plurality of images are formed on A4 size recording paper.

First, prior to image formation, by inputting read image data from the color reader 1 to the image recording device 3 described above,
Image memories 4060R, 4060G, 40 to be described later from the color reader 1.
In FIG. 60B, for example, as shown in FIG.
A total of 16 image data of “image 15” is stored.

Next, the entry key 428 of the digitizer 16 is pressed. As a result, the CPU (not shown) detects this key input and automatically sets the image forming position on the A4 size recording paper. In the case of forming 16 images shown in FIG. 17, for example, the image forming position is set as shown in FIG.

Details of the above image forming processing in this embodiment will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 10 and the timing chart shown in FIG.

The ITOP signal 511 sent from the color printer 2 shown in FIG. 2 to the color reader 1 via the printer interface 56 is input to the video interface 101 in the video processing unit 12 and from there to the image storage device 3. Sent. The image storage device 3 starts the image forming process in response to the ITOP signal 551. Each image sent to the image storage device 3 is stored in the image storage device 3 as shown in FIGS.
The image is formed under the control of the system controller 4210 shown in FIG.

In FIGS. 10A and 10B, the counter 0 (4080−
The output of 0) is selected by the selector 4070, and the memories 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B are accessed for reading by the memory address line 9110. This access allows each memory
The image data stored in the 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B is read, and the read image signals 9160R, 9160G, and 9160B from each memory are read.
Is sent to a lookup table (LUT) 4110R, 4110G, 4110B, where logarithmic conversion is performed to match the relative luminous efficiency characteristics of the human eye. Conversion data 920 from each LUT
0R, 9200G, and 9200B are input to the masking / black extraction / UCR circuit 4120. And this masking / black extraction / UCR circuit 41
At 20, the color correction of the color image signal of the image storage device 3 is performed, and at the time of black recording, UCR / black extraction is performed.

And these continuous masking /
The image signal 9210 from the black extraction / UCR circuit 4120 is
Each of the FIFO memories 4140-0 is separated for each image by 30.
To 3 are input. Until now, each image arranged sequentially can be processed in parallel by the operation of the FIFOs 4140-0 to 3140-3.

Read image signals 9160R, 9160G, 9160 from these memories
The relationship between B and the parallel output image information 9260-0 to 9360 from each FIFO is shown in the upper part of FIG. As shown, the main scanning direction 1
9260-0 to 3 corresponding to the read image information of the “0” line of “image 0” to “image 3” necessary for forming the line image
Are all ready for parallel processing.

The parallel image signals 9260-0 to 9260-3 are input to the following enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 to 4150-3. The enlargement and interpolation circuits 4150-0 to 4150-3 are
The layout of each image is controlled as shown in FIG.
The signal is enlarged and interpolated like signals 9300-0 to 9300-3 shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, a primary interpolation method is used.

The interpolated signals 9300-0 to 9300-3 are input to the selector 4190, and the image data processed so far in parallel is converted into a serial image data signal again. The image signal 9330 converted into serial image data by the selector 4190 is subjected to edge enhancement and smoothing (smoothing) processing by an edge filter circuit 4180. Then, it passes through the LUT 4200 and is input to the selector 4230. Selector 4230 is M
(Magenta), C (cyan), Y (yellow), BK (black) output, or R (red), G (green), B (blue) output. In this embodiment, M, C, Y, and BK outputs are performed, and the output is performed in a frame-sequential manner, so that valid image data is output only from the signal lines 9410R, 9410G, and 9410B. Then, the selected image data is input to the selector 4250, and 4251R and 4251R shown in the block diagram of FIG.
9410R, 9410G, and 9410B are selected by the selectors 4251G and 4251B, and output to the connector 4550 as 9430R, 9430G, and 9430B.

Hereinafter, when the formation of all the image data of “image 0” to “image 3” is completed, next, “image 4” to “image 7”, “image 8” to “image 11”, and “image 12” to “image 12” Images are sequentially formed in the order of “Image 15”, and “Image 0” to “Image 15” shown in FIG.
Are formed.

<Image Forming by Layout at Arbitrary Position> In the above description, as shown in FIG. 18, the control for developing an image automatically and forming an image has been described. However, the present embodiment is limited to the above example. Instead, an arbitrary image can be developed at an arbitrary position to form an image.

Hereinafter, as an example of this case, “image 0” to
The case where “Image 3” is developed as shown in the figure to form an image will be described.

First, under the same control as the image input control to the memory described above, the four pieces of image information read from the color reader 1 are stored in the image memories 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B as shown in FIG. Next, the digitizer 16 entry key
When the user presses 429, the apparatus waits for input of a designated position to form an image read from the digitizer 16.

Then, the user operates the point pen 421 to designate and input a desired development position from the coordinate detection plate 420. For example, the deployment area
Enter as shown in Figure 21.

The image forming process in this case will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIGS. 10 (A) and (B) and the timing charts shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.

FIG. 22 is a timing chart at the time of image formation on the “l ₁ ” line shown in FIG. 21, and FIG. 23 is a timing chart at the time of image formation on the “l ₂ ” line in FIG.

The ITOP signal 551 is output from the printer 2 in the same manner as described above, and the system controller 4210 starts operating in synchronization with this signal.

In the image layout shown in FIG. 21, “image 3” is obtained by rotating the image from the color reader 1 by 90 degrees.

This image rotation processing is performed in the following procedure. First, an image is transferred from the 4060R, 4060G, 4060B to the work memory 4290 by the DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 4380 in FIG. Next, after a known image rotation process is performed in the work memory 4390 by the CPU 4360, the work memory 4390 is converted to 4060R and 4060R by the DMAC 4380.
The image is transferred to 60G and 4060B, and the image is rotated.

The position information of each image laid out by the digitizer 16 and instructed and input is stored in the video processing unit 12 shown in FIG.
Is sent to the image storage device 3 via. System controller 4210 that has received the development position information for each image
Generates operation permission signals 9320-9 to 9320-3 for the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 to 3150 corresponding to each image.

In the layout at an arbitrary position in this embodiment, for example, the counter 0 (4080-0) is set to the image 9, the counter 1 (4080-1) is set to the image 1, and the counter 2 (4080-408).
2) operates corresponding to the image 2 and the counter 3 (4080-3) operates corresponding to the image 3.

Control at the time of image formation on the "l ₁ " line shown in FIG. 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

“Image 0” is read from the image memories 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B by the counter 0 (4080-0) from address “0” to address “0.5M” (the storage area of “image 0” shown in FIG. 20). )
Read up to. Switching of the outputs of the counters 4080-0 to 4080-3 is performed by the selector 4070.

Similarly, the reading of “image 1” is performed by the counter 1 (4080).
According to -1), the addresses from "0.5M" to "1M" (the storage area of "image 1" shown in FIG. 20) are read. The timing of this reading is shown as 9160R, G, B in FIG.

Here, the counter 4080-2 and the counter 4080-3
Does not operate according to the counter enable signals 9130-2 and 9130-3 from the system controller 4210.

The data of “image 0” and “image 1” are LUT4110R, 411
It is sent to a masking / black extraction / UCR circuit 4120 via 0G and 4110B, where it becomes a color signal 9210 in a frame sequence. The frame sequential color signal 9210 is parallelized by the selector 4120, divided for each pixel, and sent to the FIFO memories 4140-0 and 4140-1. Then, an operation permission signal 9320-0,9320 from the system controller 4210 to the enlargement / interpolation circuit 4150-0,4150-1.
When -1 is enabled, the enlargement / interpolation circuit 4150-0,41
50-1 enables the FIFO read signals 9280-0 and 9280-1, and starts read control.

The FIFO memory 4140-0,4140-1 outputs the signal 9280-0,92
The transfer of image data to the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 and 4150-1 is started by 80-1. Then, by the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-0 and 4150-1, the layout and the interpolation according to the area previously designated by the digitizer 16 are performed.
This timing is shown in FIG. 22 at 9300-0, 9300-1.

The “image 0” and “image 1” data which have been laid out and interpolated are selected by the selector 4190 and then input to the LUT 4200 through the edge filter circuit 4180.
Subsequent processes up to the connector 4550 are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the timing of the “l ₂ ” line shown in FIG. 21 will be described with reference to FIG.

Enlargement / interpolation circuit 415 from image memory 4060R, 4060G, 4060B
The processes from 0-1 to 4150-2 are substantially the same as described above.

However, since “image 1” and “image 2” are output in the “l ₂ ” line, the counter 1 (4080-1)
And the counter 2 (4080-2), FIFOs 4140-1 and 4140-2, and the enlargement / interpolation circuits 4150-1 and 4150-2 operate. These controls are performed according to control signals from the system controller 4210.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the “l ₂ ” line, “image 1” and “image 2” overlap. In this overlapped portion, either the image is formed or both images are formed can be selected by a control signal 9340 from the system controller 4210.

 The specific control is the same as in the case described above.

The signal from the connector 4550 is connected to the color reader 1 by a cable. Therefore, the color reader 1
The video interface 101 selects and outputs the image signal 105 from the image storage device 3 to the printer interface 56 through the signal line path shown in FIG.

In the above description, the case of M, C, Y, and BK has been described. By controlling the selector 4230 in FIG. 10 for the image data output from the image storage device 3, the R, G, B It can also be output. At this time, the video interface 101 of the color reader 1 transfers image data through the signal line path shown in FIG.

The details of the process of transferring the image information from the image recording device 3 to the color printer 2 in the image formation in the above-described embodiment will be described below with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

As described above, when the start button of the operation unit 20 is pressed, the printer 2 starts operating and starts transporting the recording paper. When the recording paper reaches the tip of the image forming section,
The signal 551 is output. The ITOP signal 551 is sent to the image recording device 3 via the color reader 1. Image storage device 3
Are the respective image memories 4060R, 4060G,
After reading out the image data stored in the 4060B and performing the above-described processing such as layout, enlargement and interpolation, the processed image data is transferred to the video processing unit of the color reader 1.
Send to 12. The video interface 101 of the video processing unit 12 transmits the type of data (R, G, B) / (M,
The processing method in the video interface 101 is changed according to (C, Y, BK).

In the present embodiment, since M, C, Y, and BK are output in a plane sequence,
The above operation is repeated four times in the order of M, C, Y, and BK, and an image is formed.

<Printer Unit> Finally, the structure of the color printer 2 for printing out the image signal processed by the video processing unit 12 as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

In the configuration of the printer 2 shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 711 denotes a scanner, a laser output unit for converting an image signal from the color reader 1 into an optical signal, a polygon mirror 712 of a polyhedron (for example, octahedron), and a rotation of the polygon mirror 712. And an f / θ lens (imaging lens) 713 and the like. Reference numeral 714 denotes a reflection mirror that changes the optical path of the laser beam from the scanner 711 indicated by a one-dot chain line in the figure, and 715 denotes a photosensitive drum.

The laser light emitted from the laser output unit is reflected by the polygon mirror 712, and the f / θ lens 713 and the reflection mirror 714
Scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 linearly (raster scan) to form a latent image corresponding to the original image.

Also, 717 is a primary charger, 718 is an overall exposure lamp, 723
Is a cleaner section for collecting residual toner that has not been transferred,
724 is a pre-transfer charger, and these members are the photosensitive drum 7
It is located around 15. Reference numeral 726 denotes a developing unit for developing an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 715 by laser exposure, and includes 731Y (for yellow) and 731M.
(For magenta), 731C (for cyan), 731BK (for black) are developing sleeves that directly contact the photosensitive drum 715 to perform development, 730Y, 730M, 730C, and 730BK are toner hoppers that hold spare toner, and 732 is for development It is a script that performs the phase of the agent. The sleeves 731Y to 731BK, the toner hoppers 730Y to 730BK, and the screw 732 constitute a developing unit 726, and these members are composed of the developing unit 726.
Around the rotation axis P.

For example, when forming a yellow toner image, yellow toner development is performed at the position shown in FIG. To form a magenta toner image, the developing unit 726 is rotated about the axis P in the figure, and a developing sleeve 731M in the magenta developing device is disposed at a position in contact with the photoconductor 715. Similarly, development of cyan and black is performed by rotating the developing unit 726 about the axis P in the drawing.

Reference numeral 716 denotes a transfer drum that transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 715 to paper, and 719 denotes a transfer drum 716.
An actuator plate 720 for detecting the movement position of the actuator, a position sensor 720 for detecting that the transfer drum 716 has moved to the home position position by approaching the actuator plate 719, a transfer drum cleaner 725, and a paper drum 727 Press roller, 728 is a static eliminator, 729 is a transfer charger,
These members 719, 720, 725, 727, 729 are disposed around the transfer roller 716.

On the other hand, 735 and 736 are paper feed cassettes for collecting paper (sheets), 737 and 738 are paper feed rollers for feeding paper from the cassettes 735 and 736, and 739, 740 and 741 are timing rollers for timing the paper feed and conveyance. The paper fed and conveyed via these is guided by a paper guide 749 and wrapped around the transfer drum 716 while the leading end thereof is carried by a gripper described later, and proceeds to an image forming process.

Reference numeral 550 denotes a drum rotation motor that synchronously rotates the photosensitive drum 715 and the transfer drum 716. Reference numeral 750 denotes a peeling claw that removes the paper from the transfer drum 716 after the image forming process is completed, 742 denotes a transport belt that transports the removed paper, and 743 denotes an image fixing unit that fixes the paper transported by the transport belt 742. In the image fixing section 743, the motor mounting section 748
The rotational force of the motor 747 attached to the printer is transmitted to a pair of thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745 via a transmission gear 746 to fix an image on a sheet conveyed between the thermal pressure rollers 744 and 745.

The printout process of the printer 2 having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the timing chart of FIG.

First, when the first ITO 551 comes, a Y latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 715 by the laser beam, and this is a developing unit 7.
The image is developed by 31Y, then transferred to the paper on the transfer drum, and magenta print processing is performed. Then, the developing unit 726 rotates around the axis P in the drawing.

When the next ITOP 551 arrives, an M latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum by the laser beam, and cyan print processing is performed by the same operation. This operation is similarly performed for C and BK corresponding to the following ITOP 551, and yellow print processing and black print processing are performed. In this way, when the image forming process is completed, the sheet is peeled by the peeling claw 750, the image is fixed by the image fixing unit 743, and the printing of a series of color images is completed.

Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 25 to 27.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a video image forming system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The system of this embodiment has a configuration in which a video image from a video device 1 is stored in an image storage device 3 and output to a monitor 4 and a color printer 2 as shown in FIG. The image processing device 3 also handles the input image.

<Control of Capture of Video Image> First, control of capture of a video image from the video device 1 to the image storage device 3 will be described with reference to the block diagram of the image storage device of FIGS. 26 (A) and 26 (B). Will be described.

In the drawing, the same components as those in FIGS. 10 (A) and 10 (B) are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description will be omitted.

A video image from the video device 1 is input in the form of an NTSC composite signal 9000 via an analog interface 4500, and the decoder 4000 outputs four signals of a separate R, G, B signal and a composite SYNC signal 9015R, G , B,
Separated into S.

Also, the decoder 4000 has an analog interface 4500
Is decoded together with the Y (luminance) / C (cross) signal 9010. 9020R, 9020G to selector 4010,
The signals 9020B and 9020S are input signals in the form of separate R, G, B signals and a composite SYNC signal. A switch 4530 is for controlling a selector 4010 for selecting and switching one of the signals 9030R-S and 9015R-S. Signal 9030R when switch 4530 is open
ＳS, and signals 9015R〜S when closed.

The 9050R, 9050G, and 9050B signals as the separate R, G, and B signals selected by the selector 4010 are subjected to analog / digital conversion by A / D converters 4020R, 4020G, and 4020B.

In addition, the selected composite SYNC signal 9050S
/ HV separation circuit 4030, and the TBC / HV separation circuit 4030 converts the composite SYNC signal 9050S to the clock signal 906.
0C, a horizontal synchronization signal 9060H and a vertical synchronization signal 9060V are generated. These synchronization signals are sent to the system controller 4210
Supplied to

TVCLK9 output from the TBC / HV separation circuit 4030 of the present embodiment
060c signal is 12.25MHz clock signal, ▲
▼ 9060H signal is a signal with a pulse width of 63.5 μS, ▲
The 9060V signal has a pulse width of 16.7 ms.

FIFO memory 4050R, 4050G, 4050B
▼ Reset by 9060H signal, TVCLK starts from address “0”.
Data 9060R, 9060G, 9060B are written in synchronization with the 9060C signal. Writing of this FIFO memory 4050R, 4050G, 4050B,
▲ ▼ signal output from system controller 4210
This happens when 9452 is energized.

This FIFO memory 4050R, 40 by this ▲ ▼ signal 9452
Details of the write control for 50G and 4050B will be described below with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

In the present embodiment, the video device 1 is an SV recorder of the NTSC standard. Therefore, when a video image from the video device 1 is digitized, the screen capacity is 640 pixels (H) × 480 pixels (V). Therefore, first, the image storage device 3
CPU 4360 writes “0” into the RAM 4213 for 640 pixels in the main scanning direction. Next, the input of the selector 4212 is set to the counter 4211 side, and the data from the RAM 4213 is used as the data for the signal control of the FIFO memories 4050R, 4050G, and 4050B in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Here, by writing “0” to the RAM 4213, the data for one main scan of the video image of 9060R, 9060G, 9060B, which is the output signal from the A / D converters 4020R, 4020G, 4020B, is stored in the FIFO memory 4050R, It is stored in 4050G and 4050B at the same magnification.

On the other hand, the input video image is reduced and the FIFO memory 4050R,
When storing in the 4050G and 4050B, the RAM 42 in the image effective area
By setting the data of No. 13 to “1” in accordance with the reduction ratio, reduction in the main scanning direction is possible.

The data transfer from the FIFO 4050R, 4050G, 4050B to the 4060R, 4060G, 4060B is performed by the color reader 1 in the first embodiment.
This is the same as the control of writing data to the 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B.

Reduction in the sub-scanning direction is also possible by setting data to the RAM 4217 in FIG.

The video device 1 of this embodiment is of the NISC standard, and the aspect ratio of the digital image in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction has been described as an example of 4: 3. The aspect ratio of 16: 9 according to the HDTV standard can be dealt with by rewriting the contents of the RAM 4213 in FIG. 27 and the RAM 4217 in FIG.

In addition, for the memory capacity of 2 Mbytes in the present embodiment, NTSC
Since the capacity of one screen of the standard is about 0.3 Mbytes, images of six screens can be stored. The storage of these six screens is also possible by setting ▲ 9171 shown in FIG. 15 to “1”.

HDTV standard 1840 pixels (main scanning direction) x 1035
In the case of (sub-scan), one screen can be stored in a 2-Mbyte memory by setting 917 9171 to “0”.

Furthermore, it is possible to cope with a higher band of the video device 1. That is, by increasing the TVCLK output from the TBC / HV separation circuit 4030 of this embodiment, it is possible to increase the number of pixels read in the main scanning direction.

The video image data stored in the 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B is read out by the DMAC 4380 and displayed on the display memory.
Transferred to 4410R, 4410G, 4410B and stored. The video image data stored in the display memories 4410R, 4410G, and 4410B is sent to the D / A converters 4430R, 4430G, and 4430B through the LUTs 4420R, 4420G, and 4420B, where they are synchronized with the SYNC signal 4590S from the display controller 4440. And converted into an analog R signal 4590R, a G signal 4590G, and a B signal 4590B.

On the other hand, from the display controller 4440, the SYNC signal 9600 is synchronized with the output timing of these analog signals.
Is output. This analog R signal 4590R and G signal 4590
By sending the G and B signals 4590B and the SYNC signal 4590S to the monitor 4, the contents stored in the image storage device 3 can be displayed.

In this embodiment, the mouse interface 43
From 00, the displayed image can be trimmed by the mouse 5 connected via the signal line 4570.

The CPU 4360 controls the display memories 4410R, 4410G, 4410B and the image memories 4060R, 4060G, 4 from the display memories 4410R, 4410G, 4410B based on the area information instructed and input by the mouse 5 under the same control as in the first embodiment.
Trimming is possible by transferring only the valid area to the 060B.

Also, in response to the area instruction information from the mouse 5, the RAM 4
The data is set in the RAM 213 and the RAM 4217 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the image data is input again from the SV recorder as the video device 1, so that the trimmed image data is stored in the 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B. Can be.

Reference numeral 4400 denotes a volume for adjusting the color tone of the color image displayed on the monitor 4. CPU4360 is
The resistance value (set value) of the volume 4400 is read, and the output adjustment correction data is set in the tables of the LUTs 4420R, 4420G, and 4420B from the set value. Also, when recording by the color printer 2, the adjustment correction data in the table of the LUT 4200 is changed in conjunction with the set value of the volume 4400 in order to match the display color of the monitor 4 with the recording color.

Next, when a plurality of images are stored in the image memories 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B, the layout of each image at the time of recording by the color printer 2 can be performed using the monitor 4 and the mouse 5.

First, the size of the recording paper is displayed on the monitor 4, and the layout information of each image recorded by the color printer 2 can be laid out by inputting the position information of the layout of each image with the mouse 5 while watching this display. .

At this time, the reading control of the stored information from the image memories 4060R, 4060G, and 4060B to the color printer 2 and the recording control in the color printer 2 are the same as those in the first embodiment described above, and the description is omitted.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when the size of the read image information from the image storage memory is larger than the size of the recording paper, the read image information can be easily reduced at the optimum magnification. It is possible to print out an image with an optimal size and without unnecessary loss of image information.

Therefore, regardless of the size of the input image information or the like, it is possible to select and print out a recording sheet of a desired size.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of scaling units are used to change each scaling factor according to a designated position and location of a corresponding image among a plurality of images. Since the scaling operation is performed in parallel by the plurality of scaling units, it is possible to obtain a scaled image at a higher speed than in a case where a plurality of images are sequentially scaled and synthesized. Further, a large-capacity image memory required for synthesizing the image after scaling is not always necessary, and a plurality of images can be scaled to desired positions and synthesized by a simple configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of one embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram of a color reader 1 of the present embodiment, and FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing an example of switching control of a video interface unit of the color reader 1, FIG. 7 is an external view of a digitizer of the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is instructed by the digitizer of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining address information, FIG. 9 is an output timing chart from the interface unit to the image storage device of this embodiment, and FIGS. 10A and 10B are detailed block diagrams of the image storage device of this embodiment. FIG. 11 is a detailed view of a selector section of the image storage device of the present embodiment, FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a system controller section and a FIFO memory of the image storage apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. FIF of system controller during 1: 1 processing FIG. 14 is a timing chart when data is stored in the O memory, FIG. 14 is a timing chart when data is stored in the FIFO memory of the system controller unit during the scaling process of the present embodiment, and FIG. 15 is an image storage device of the present embodiment. FIG. 16 is a detailed diagram of a system controller section and an image memory related configuration, FIG. 16 is a timing chart when data is stored in the image memory of the system controller section at the time of scaling processing of the present embodiment, and FIG. 17 is an image of the present embodiment. FIG. 18 is an image information layout diagram in the image memory of the storage device, FIG. 18 is an image forming layout diagram of this embodiment, FIG. 19 is a timing chart of an image forming process according to the image forming layout of FIG. 18, and FIG. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the image information shown in FIG. 20 is arbitrarily laid out, and FIG. ₁ "timing Chiya over preparative at the time of image formation in the line, FIG. 23 in FIG. 21," l ₂ "timing Chiya over preparative at the time of image formation in the line, Figure 24 is a timing Chiya over preparative image forming process of this embodiment, FIG. 25 FIG. 26 is a system configuration diagram of another embodiment according to the present invention, FIGS. 26A and 26B are block diagrams of an image storage device of another embodiment, and FIG. 27 is a block diagram of an image storage device of another embodiment. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a system controller. In the figure, 1 ... color reader, 1A ... video equipment, 2 ...
Color printer, 3 ... Image storage device, 4A ... Monitor
5A Mouse, 11 Document scanning unit, 12 Video processing unit, 3 Control unit, 16 Digitizer, 20 Operation unit, 46, 4050, 4140, 4252, FIFO
Memory, 56 printer interface, 101 video interface, 420 coordinate detection board, 421 point pen, 4000 decoder, 4010, 4070, 4130, 4190, 421
3,4218,4230,4250,4251 …… selector, 4020,4430 …… A /
D converter, 4060 …… Image memory, 4080,4211,4214,4219…
… Counter, 4110, 4220, 4420 …… LUT, 4120 …… Masking / black extraction / UCR circuit, 4150 …… Enlargement / interpolation circuit, 4210
…… System controller, 4220 …… Printer interface, 4212,4217 …… RAM, 4270 …… Reader controller, 4300 …… Mouse controller, 4360 …… CPU, 4380
… DMAC, 4400… Volume, 4410… Display memory, 4440… Display controller.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-57-196347 (JP, A) JP-A-59-180628 (JP, A) JP-A-64-73418 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] An image forming method for reading a plurality of pieces of screen information stored in a storage means and forming the plurality of pieces of screen information on a recording medium by an image forming means, the method comprising: Specifying the location and size where each should be formed, and when reading from the storage means and supplying it to the image forming means in order to form an image at the specified location and size, A scaling factor according to the specified location and size is set for each of the plurality of scaling units provided, and the plurality of images are scaled in parallel by the plurality of scaling units. Image forming method.