JPH07154588A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent designated areas from overlapping by inhibiting designation to a position within a from predetermined range from coordinates designated at a preceding time when a closed loop is designated. CONSTITUTION:A host PCC reads a source document on a read start request and sends image data to an editor via a data line. The data are stored in an image data storage DRAM via a line buffer FIFO. The data are transferred by a DMA circuit built in a CPU. The image data stored in the DRAM are transferred to a VRAM by the DMA controller of the CPU and optional part of the image data is transferred to attain magnification/reduction display or partial display. When plural closed loop areas are designated and after the area is designated at first it is checked whether or not the coordinates are within an input inhibit range with respect to the coordinates of the area inputted at first. When a succeeding area is designated an inhibit warning is issued waiting for reinput. Accordingly, the processing speed is not reduced even when the number of areas is increased.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus,
More specifically, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus used in various OA equipment such as a digital copying machine having an image display unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For a specific area of a read image,
Image forming apparatuses capable of performing various types of processing such as image extraction and deletion have been used in various OA equipment such as digital copying machines. In such an image forming apparatus, a first area for designating an area for processing is provided.
There is a method described in JP-A 1-212072. This method has a means for designating an area using a continuous line, and facilitates the area designation by performing image processing on the closed loop area designated by this. The second method adopted by the applicant is closed loop designation. In the first method, the operator uses the closed loop area designated by the continuous line, whereas in the second method, the closed loop area on the document is identified and recognized as one area, and the operator wants to designate it. An area can be designated by designating an arbitrary point in the closed loop on the document.

[0003]

However, such a second problem
In the closed loop designation in the method of (1), there is a possibility that a plurality of regions are designated in one closed loop. For example, even if there is an operation error such as pressing the area designation key twice, it may be accepted and a plurality of area recognition processes may be executed for one area. In such a case, the number of designated areas is limited by the memory capacity, so there are problems such as a reduction in the number of valid areas and a reduction in processing speed due to useless area recognition processing. The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of preventing a decrease in the number of designated areas and a reduction in processing speed due to an erroneous operation by prohibiting double designation in the same area. The purpose is to do.

[0004]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image reading means for reading an image, an image processing means for arbitrarily processing an image with respect to the read image, and a reading operation for preliminarily reading a target image. In an image forming apparatus including an area designating unit with a display section, in which an image is displayed on a display section and an operator can arbitrarily designate a processing area on the display section, a closed loop for designating a point surrounded by a closed loop by one point In the designation,
When a plurality of areas are designated, a designation prohibiting means for prohibiting designation of a position within a certain range from the coordinate designated one before is provided to achieve the above object. According to a second aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect further includes range setting means for arbitrarily setting a certain range prohibited by the designation prohibiting means.

[0005]

According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when a closed loop is designated by designating one point in the area surrounded by the closed loop, the designation prohibiting means causes the position within a certain range from the coordinate designated one before. Is prohibited. In the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the range setting means arbitrarily sets the fixed range prohibited by the designation prohibiting means.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. Figure 1
Shows the configuration of the entire digital copying machine. As shown in FIG. 1, the digital composite image processing apparatus includes a copying machine body (I), an automatic document feeder (II), a sorter (III), and a multi-sheet automatic duplex unit (IV).
It is composed of two units, and will be described in order below. Copying Machine Main Body (I) The copying machine main body (I) is composed of a scanner unit, a writing unit, a photoconductor unit, a developing unit, a paper feeding unit, and the like.

Scanner Unit The scanner unit is equipped with a reflecting mirror 1, a light source 3 and a first mirror 2, and is equipped with a first scanner that moves at a constant speed, a second mirror 4 and a third mirror 5. A second scanner is provided that moves following the first scanner at half the speed of the first scanner. An original (not shown) set on the contact glass 9 is optically scanned by the first scanner and the second scanner, and the reflected image is guided to the lens through the color filter 6, and the one-dimensional solid-state image pickup device is obtained. The image is formed on the surface 8.

As the light source 3, a fluorescent lamp or a halogen lamp is used, and a fluorescent lamp is generally used because of its stable wavelength and long life. In this embodiment, the reflecting mirror 1 is attached to one light source 3,
You may make it use two or more light sources 3. The solid-state image sensor 8 has a constant sampling clock,
In order to prevent an adverse effect on the image, a fluorescent lamp that is turned on at a higher frequency is used. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is generally used as the solid-state imaging device 8. Since the image signal read by the solid-state image sensor 8 is an analog value, analog / digital (A /
D) After conversion, various image processing such as binarization, multi-valued processing, gradation processing, scaling processing, and editing processing are performed on the image processing board 10, and converted into a digital signal as a set of spots.

In order to obtain color image information, in the present embodiment, a color filter 6 that transmits only the necessary color information is placed in and out of the optical path guided from the original to the solid-state image sensor 8. Color filter 6 according to the scanning of the document
It is possible to make a wide variety of copies by taking out and putting in and operating the functions such as multiple transfer and double-sided copy each time. In addition, a color original may be read using a 3-line CCD or the like in order to obtain three pieces of RGB information at the same time.

Image information after image processing is written on the photosensitive drum 40 in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of laser light in the optical writing unit. 2 and 3 show the configuration of the writing unit, and FIG. 4 shows the rayant and the optical path of the writing unit. The laser light output from the semiconductor laser 20 is converted into a parallel light flux by the collimator lens 21, and the aperture 3
The light beam is shaped into a uniform light flux by 2. The shaped laser light is compressed in the sub-scanning direction by the first cylinder lens 22, and then enters the polygon mirror 24.
The polygon mirror 24 is formed in an accurate polygon and is rotated by a polygon motor 25 in a certain direction at a constant speed. The rotation speed of this polygon mirror 24 is
It is determined by the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 40, the writing density, and the number of faces of the polygon mirror 24.

The reflected light of the laser light incident on the polygon mirror 24 is deflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror 24. The deflected laser light is reflected by the fθ lens 26.
It is incident on a and 26b sequentially. fθ lens 26a, 26b
Is converted into scanning light having a constant angular velocity so as to scan the photosensitive drum 40 at a constant speed, and forms an image at the minimum light spot on the photosensitive drum 40. There is. The laser light that has passed through the fθ lenses 26a and 26b is incident on the synchronization detection light input unit 30 by the synchronization detection mirror 29 arranged outside the image area. The incident laser light is propagated to the sensor unit by the optical fiber, synchronous detection serving as a reference for cueing in the main scanning direction is performed, and a synchronous signal is output. The image data for one line is output after a fixed period of time from the output of the synchronization signal, and thereafter, this is repeated to form one image.

Photosensitive member The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 40 has, for example, a wavelength of 780 nm.
A photosensitive layer having sensitivity to the semiconductor laser is formed. As the photosensitive layer, an organic photoconductor (OPC), α
-Si, Se-Te, etc. are known, and the organic photoconductor (OPC) is used in this embodiment. When performing laser writing on the photoconductor drum 40, a negative / positive (N / P) process of shining light on the image portion is adopted, but a positive / positive (P / P) process of shining light on the background portion is used. It is also possible. The charging charger 41 is a scorotron type having a grid on the side of the photoconductor drum 40, and uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductor drum 40 to (-). The image forming portion of the negatively charged photosensitive drum 40 is irradiated with laser light to reduce the potential of that portion. Then, the background portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 is -750 to -8.
The image portion irradiated with the laser beam of 00V has a potential of about -500V, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. For the electrostatic latent image, the developing devices 42a, 42
A bias voltage of −500 to −600 V is applied to the developing roller in b, and (−) charged toner is attached to make the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 40 visible as a toner image.

Developing Unit This digital composite image processing apparatus includes two developing units, a main developing unit 42a and a sub developing unit 42b. Main developing unit 4
Black toner is set in the toner replenishing device 43a corresponding to 2a and the toner replenishing device 43b corresponding to the sub-developing device 42b.
Color toner is set on. Then, during the development of one color, the development is selectively performed by changing the main pole position of the developing device of the other color. The sub-developing device 42b and the toner replenishing device 43b corresponding to the sub-developing device 42b are detachable so that they can be detached when printing in one black color. By using this developing unit, the color filter 6 of the scanner is switched to read each color information, and by combining the paper transfer system multiple transfer, double-sided copy function, and the like, multifunctional color copying and color editing can be performed. It is possible to perform three or more developments by a method of arranging three or more development devices around the photoconductor drum 40, a revolver method of rotating and switching three or more development devices, or the like.

The toner images visualized by the developing devices 42a and 42b are transferred to the photosensitive drum 4 at the transfer charger 44.
The positive (+) charge is applied from the back surface of the paper to the paper surface that has been synchronized to 0 and transferred onto the paper. The sheet on which the toner image is transferred is subjected to AC charge removal by a separation charger 45 which is integrally held with the transfer charger 44, and is separated from the photosensitive drum 40. On the other hand, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 40 without being transferred onto the sheet is scraped off by the cleaning blade 47 and collected in the attached tank 48. Further, the potential pattern remaining on the photosensitive drum 40 is erased by irradiating it with light from the static elimination lamp 49.

The developing device 42 is rotated in the direction of rotation of the photosensitive drum 40.
At the position behind and immediately after the development is performed, the photo sensor 50 that is paired with the light emitting element is arranged. The photo sensor 50 detects the reflection density of the surface of the photoconductor drum 40 at a position outside the image forming portion of the photoconductor drum 40 in the longitudinal direction. This is because the optical writing unit writes a fixed pattern, for example, a pattern of black or halftone dots, at a position corresponding to the reading position of the photo sensor 50.
This is developed. Then, the image density is judged from the ratio of the reflectance of the pattern portion after development and the reflectance of the photosensitive drum 40 other than the pattern portion, and if the image density is low, a toner replenishment signal is output.
In addition, the fact that the density does not increase even after replenishment is used to detect insufficient toner remaining amount.

Paper Feed Unit In this digital composite image processing apparatus, a plurality of cassettes 6
0a, 60b, 60c can be set, and the sheet once transferred can be passed through the re-feeding loop 72 to perform double-sided copying or re-feeding. When the start button is pressed after one cassette 60 is selected by the user or automatically from the plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c,
The paper feed roller 61 (6 near the selected cassette 60)
1a, 61b, 61c) rotate, and the sheet is fed until the leading edge of the sheet hits the registration roller 62. Although the registration roller 62 is stopped at this time, the registration roller 62 starts rotating at the timing of the image position formed on the photoconductor drum 40, and feeds the paper to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 40. After that, the toner image is transferred to the sheet at the transfer section, suctioned and conveyed at the separation / conveyance section 63, and supplied to the fixing roller. The fixing roller is composed of a heat roller 64 and a pressure roller 65, and the toner image transferred onto the paper is fixed on the paper surface here.

In the case of a normal copy, the sheet transferred and fixed in this way is sorted (I
It is guided to the paper discharge port on the II) side. On the other hand, during multiple copy,
The direction can be changed by the switching claws 68 and 69, and the sorter (II
It is guided to the registration roller 62 again through the lower re-feeding loop 72 without being discharged to the I) side. In the case of double-sided copying, there are two types, one is only using the copying machine main body (I) and the other is using the multiple-sheet automatic double-sided unit (IV). Here, the former case will be described. Switching claw 67
The sheet guided downwards by is further guided downward by the switching claw 68, and is guided by the next switching claw 69 to the tray 70 further below the re-feeding loop 72. Then, it is fed again in the opposite direction by reversing the roller 71, guided to the refeed loop 72 by switching the switching claw 69, and fed to the registration roller 62.

Automatic Document Feeder (II) The automatic document feeder (ADF) automatically guides the originals one by one onto the contact glass 9 and ejects them after copying. The operator turns the document upwards and
The document is placed on the DF document feeder 100. The placed guides are aligned in the widthwise direction by the side guides 101. The placed originals are fed one by one from the originals on the lower side by a paper feed roller 104, and are fed.
It is carried to a predetermined position on the contact glass 9 by the rotation of 2 and positioned. When the designated number of copies have been completed, the original is discharged to the discharge tray 103 by the rotation of the conveyor belt 102 again. Here, the reason why the lower original is fed is that the copied transfer sheets are discharged to the discharge tray in page order. The size of the document is detected by counting the position of the side guide 101 and the document feeding time.

Sorter (III) The sorter (III) selectively feeds the paper discharged from the copying machine main body (I), for example, in page order, page by page, or to preset bins 111a to 111x. It is a device. The paper fed by the plurality of rollers rotated by the motor 110 is guided to the selected bin 111 by switching the claws near the entrance of each bin 111.

Multiple-sided automatic double-sided unit (IV) In the case of only the copying machine main body (I), only double-sided copying can be performed for each sheet. It becomes possible to do. When making a double-sided copy for a plurality of sheets at once, the sheet whose development and fixing have been completed on one side is guided downward by the paper discharge roller 66 and is sent to the multiple-sheet automatic double-sided unit (IV) by the next switching claw 67. Multiple automatic double sided unit (IV)
The sheets that have entered are collected on the tray 123 by the sheet discharge rollers 120. At this time, the feed roller 121 and the side surface alignment guide 122 align the paper vertically and horizontally. Tray 12
The sheets stacked on the sheet 3 are re-fed by the re-feeding roller 124 at the time of back side copying. At this time, the refeed loop 72 is directly guided by the switching claw 69.

In FIG. 1, 27 is a mirror and 28 is a mirror.
Is a dust-proof glass, 31 is a lens holding unit, 46 is a separation claw for separating the paper on which the toner image has been transferred by the transfer charger 44 from the photosensitive drum 40, 80 is a main motor, 81 is a heat roller 64, and the copying machine main body is used. Inside is a fan motor.

Electrical Equipment Control Section FIG. 5 shows the construction of an electrical transmission control section for controlling the copying machine body (I), the automatic document feeder (II), the sorter (III) and the multi-sheet automatic duplex unit (IV). Is represented. Further, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the entire electric component control unit. The control unit of the digital composite image processing apparatus performs sequence-related control by a CPU.
(A) and a CPU that controls operations
It has two CPUs shown in (b). Both CPUs
(A) and the CPU (b) are connected by a serial interface (RS232C).

Sequence-Related Control First, sequence control will be described. The sequence is used to set and output conditions related to paper transport timing and image formation. Paper size sensors, sensors related to paper transport such as paper discharge detection and registration detection, duplex units, high-voltage power supply units, drivers for relays, solenoids, motors, etc. , A sorter unit, a laser unit, a scanner unit, etc. are connected. Regarding sensors, a paper size sensor that detects the size and orientation of the paper loaded in the paper cassette and outputs an electrical signal according to the detection result, a sensor related to paper transport such as registration detection and paper discharge detection, oil end, toner end, etc. There are inputs from sensors that detect the presence or absence of supplies, and sensors that detect machine abnormalities such as door open and blown fuse. In the duplex unit, the motor for adjusting the width of the paper, the paper feed clutch,
There are a solenoid for changing the transport path, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of paper, a side fence home position sensor for aligning the width of the paper, a sensor for transporting the paper, and the like.

The high-voltage power supply unit applies predetermined high-voltage power to the outputs of the charging charger, the transfer charger, the separation charger, and the developing bias electrode by the duty obtained by the PWM control. The PWM control is controlled so that the feedback value of each high-voltage power output is converted into a digital value by A / D conversion so as to be equal to the target value. Drivers include a paper feed clutch, registration clutch, counter, motor, toner replenishment solenoid, power relay, and fixing heater. It is connected to the sorter unit via a serial interface, and the paper is conveyed at a predetermined timing by a signal from the sequence and discharged to each bin.

To the analog input, a fixing temperature, a photo sensor input, a laser diode monitor input, a laser diode reference voltage, a feedback value of an output value from various high voltage power supplies, and the like are input. On / off control or phase control of the heater is performed so that the temperature of the fixing unit becomes constant by the input from the thermistor in the fixing unit.
The photosensor input is a photopattern input at a predetermined timing by a phototransistor, and by detecting the density of the pattern, the toner replenishment clutch is turned on / off to control the toner density. The toner end is also detected based on this density. An analog input of the A / D converter and the CPU is used as a mechanism for adjusting the power of the laser diode to be constant. This is controlled so that the monitor voltage when the laser diode is turned on matches a preset reference voltage (this voltage is set so that the laser diode becomes 3 mW in this embodiment).

Operation-related control The main CPU (b) controls a plurality of serial ports and a calendar IC. In addition to the sequence control CPU (a), an operation unit, a scanner, an application, an editor, etc. are connected to the plurality of serial ports. The operation unit has a display for displaying the operator's key input and the status of the copying machine, and informs the main CPU of the key input information by serial communication. Based on this information, the main CPU (b) determines whether the indicator of the operation unit is on, off, or blinks, and serially transmits to the operation unit. The operation unit CPU is the main CPU (b)
The display is turned on, off, and blinks according to the information from. Further, the CPU that performs the sequence control at the start of copying by determining the operating conditions of the machine from the obtained information.
Communicate the information to (a).

FIG. 22 shows an example of the external appearance of the operation unit. The operation unit includes ten keys 511, mode clear / preheat / timer key 512, interrupt key 513, guidance key 514, program key 515, start key 51.
6, clear / stop key 517, area processing key 51
Hard keys such as 8 and brightness adjustment knob 519, and
The touch panel keys 520 are arranged on the liquid crystal. Numeric keys 511 are used to input numerical values such as the number of copies. Mode clear / preheat / timer key 512
Is for canceling the set contents or setting to preheat by continuously pressing for a certain time or longer. The interrupt key 513 interrupts during copying to copy another original. Guidance key 514 displays a description of a function and a method of operating. The program key 515 is used to register and call frequently used settings. The brightness adjustment knob 519 adjusts the brightness of the screen of the touch panel. In addition, touch panel key 520
Sets a key area in the same range as the range of various keys displayed on the liquid crystal, and when the touch panel detects a press within the range, the key is processed.

FIG. 23 shows an example of the touch panel detection circuit, and FIG. 24 shows the setting states of X1, X2, Y1 and Y2. The controller sets the detection terminals to the High state, and sets X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 to the state shown in FIG.
4 as shown in FIG. Since the Y1 and Y2 circuits are pulled up by resistors, Y1 is +5 [V] when the touch panel is OFF and 0 [V] when it is ON. Therefore, ON / OFF from the output of the A-D converter
Check the status of. Controller is touch panel ON
When the state of is detected, it switches to the measurement mode. In the X direction, X1 is +5 [V], X2 is 0 [V], the potential of the input position is connected to the AD converter through Y1, and the coordinates are calculated. Coordinates in the Y direction are also calculated by switching the circuit. The detection position of the touch panel is detected by such a detection circuit.

FIG. 25 shows an example of a block diagram of the operation unit. The address signal from the CPU is fetched by the address latch and controlled by the signal from the CPU. A part of the address signal output from the address latch enters the address decoder, where a chip select for each IC is created and used for creating a memory map. Further, the address enters a memory such as a ROM or RAM or an LCD controller and is used for addressing. On the other hand, the data bus from the CPU is connected to the memory and the LCD controller, and bidirectional data communication is performed. The LCD controller includes an address bus and data bus from the CPU, an LED driver, a keyboard,
An analog touch panel, an LCD (liquid crystal) module, a display data ROM, a RAM and the like are connected. The LCD controller creates display data from the data in the ROM and RAM according to the signal from the keyboard and the signal from the touch panel, and controls the display on the liquid crystal. An optical transceiver is connected to the CPU to perform serial communication with the outside. A reset IC is also connected to the CPU.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a liquid crystal display screen. As shown in FIG. 26, automatic density on the screen, automatic paper selection, paper designation scaling, normal magnification, 100
% And the like are displayed on the liquid crystal of each key, and a key having the same size as the size of each display is set on the touch panel.

FIG. 27 shows an example of screen development by pressing the scaling key of the touch panel key. When the scaling key is pressed, the scaling setting screen is scrolled up from the bottom of the screen, and keys for standard scaling (scaling mode in which the scaling ratio is preset) are set on the scaling setting screen. There is. For example, 71% of the touch panel key 520
When is pressed, a scaling factor of 71% is selected and processing is performed. Further, on this screen, a zoom key and a size scaling key for selecting a scaling mode other than the standard scaling are set on the left side of the screen. The development of the liquid crystal display screen is performed not only from the touch panel key 520 but also from the hard keys 511 to 518.

FIG. 28 shows a hard key area processing key 51.
8 illustrates an example of screen expansion by pressing 8. When the area processing key 518 is pressed, the area processing type selection screen is displayed, and the creative editing key and the coloring editing key are set. When one of the keys (for example, the creative edit key) is pressed, the setting screen after that is expanded. Further, by using the existing hard keys in combination, expansion to a special screen is also performed. For example, after the mode clear / preheat / timer key 512 is pressed, the clear / stop key 517 is continuously pressed to expand the screen to a user program mode in which the user individually sets usage conditions. 29 and 30
Shows an example of a user program screen.
On the menu screen, the touch panel key is set for the item number, and the screen is expanded to each item by pressing this number. For example, when the No. 2 key is pressed, the special tray setting screen is displayed, and it is possible to set the cover dedicated tray, the slip sheet dedicated tray and the like according to the usability of the user. As another example, when the No. 9 key is pressed, the copy user is limited to a specific operator, and a screen for setting a user code for managing the number of copies for each operator is displayed. .

In FIG. 4, the scanner unit performs scanner servo motor drive control, image processing, serial transmission of information relating to image reading to the main CPU (b), and interface processing between the ADF and the main CPU (b).

The application is an interface between an external device (fax, printer, etc) and the main CPU (b), and exchanges preset information contents. The editor is a unit for inputting an editing function, and the image editing data (masking, trimming, image shift, etc) input by the operator is used as the main C.
Serial transmission to PU (b). This editor will be described later. The calendar IC stores the date and time and can be called up at any time by the main CPU (b). Therefore, by displaying the current time on the operation unit display and setting the machine on / off time, It is possible to control the power on / off with a timer.

Image Data Processing Next, the flow of image data processing will be described. The gate array is set to the following 4 according to the select signal from CPU (b).
The image data (DATA0 to DATA7) and the synchronizing signal are output in the direction. (I) Scanner control circuit → image control circuit In this case, 8-bit data from the scanner (however, 4b
The image signal sent continuously by (it or 1 bit) can be used as the synchronization signal PMS from the laser beam scanner unit.
Output to the image control circuit in synchronization with YNC. (Ii) Scanner control circuit-> application In this case, 8-bit data from the scanner (however, 4b
The image signal continuously transmitted by (it or 1 bit) can be output in parallel to the application. The application outputs the input image data to an output device such as a printer connected to the outside. (Iii) Application → image control circuit In this case, the application is 8-bit data from an input device (fax or the like) externally connected (however, 4 bits).
The image signal continuously transmitted by 1 bit can also be used as a synchronization signal PMSY from the laser beam scanner unit.
Output to the image control circuit in synchronization with NC. in this case,
When the image signal from the outside is 1 bit or 4 bit,
It is necessary to perform a process of converting to 8-bit data.

(Iv) Scanner control circuit → editor The display editor according to the present embodiment displays the document image data read by the scanner on the LCD,
It is for performing image editing such as trimming and designation of a masking area on the display screen. The operator can specify the position on the original with the original set on the contact glass 9 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the editor.
The editor is a command line and scanner control circuit 46 for exchanging commands with the main CPU (b).
The data line for receiving the image data output from 0 is connected to the host PPC (see FIG. 5). FIG. 21 shows the external structure of the display editor. In FIG. 21, reference numeral 311 is a start key for starting image reading, 312 is a screen magnification designation key for designating a display magnification, and 313 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying the read original image and edit data. 314 is a cursor movement key, 315 is a coordinate input key, 316 is an end (close) key for confirming the designated area, 317 is a clear key for canceling the input, 318 is for canceling all the image data and the editing data. Indicates all clear keys.

Next, the image reading operation will be described with reference to FIGS. When the reading start key 311 is pressed by the operator, the editor sends a reading start request to the host PPC through the command line. In response to this, the host PPC performs a document reading operation by the scanner. At this time, the signal switching gate array is switched to the editor, and the read image data is sent from the scanner control circuit 460 to the editor through the data line.
On the editor side, the sent image data is stored in the image data storage DRAM via the line buffer (FIFO) (FIG. 20). DM with built-in CPU for data transfer
Performed using the A controller. The scanner control circuit 4 determines the start and end of image data via the data line.
It is performed by the FGATE signal sent from 60. DR
The image data stored in the AM is displayed on the LCD 313 by being sent to the VRAM. DRAM to V
The transfer to the RAM is also performed by the DMAC of the CPU, and the enlargement / reduction display and the partial display can be performed by transferring an arbitrary portion of the image data.

Next, an area specifying method using an editor will be described. A cursor 319 is displayed on the LCD 313.
By moving with 4 and pressing the coordinate input key 315, the coordinates of an arbitrary point on the document can be designated. A scale display 320 is displayed on the upper and right sides of the read image, and a grid (point group) is displayed at a position corresponding to the scale memory in the image display area. The grid can be switched between display and non-display depending on the settings. Further, the display magnification of the image is set to 100%, 150%, 300 by using the magnification designation key 312.
It is possible to switch to three levels of%. Since the display after the magnification change is performed centering on the position where the cursor is on the screen before the magnification change, the display position can be easily designated especially when the magnification is increased.

Here, when a polygonal area is designated by the editor, each vertex of the area is designated by using the cursor movement key 314 and the coordinate designation key. When the start point is first input, a + mark indicating the designated coordinate position is displayed on the LCD 313. If the second and subsequent points are specified, a line will be drawn between the + mark and the + mark at the point specified immediately before. The area is confirmed by pressing the end key 316, and a line is also drawn between the start point and the end point at this time.

On the other hand, when the closed loop is designated by the editor, an arbitrary point in the closed loop region to be designated on the original image is designated by the cursor moving key 314 and the coordinates in the same manner as the designation of each vertex of the polygon input. Designate using the designation key. When designated, a + mark is displayed on the LCD 313 and the area is confirmed. The coordinate data of the designated area and the area designation method are sent to the host PPC through the command line.

Further, the editor can display the image image after trimming or masking the set area. At this time, the display magnification is automatically 100%
It returns to (Whole display) and returns to the original magnification when the image display is stopped. As a result, the user can try the edited copy result without wasting paper. Also, the area is 1
When only one is specified and the trimming mode is set, it is possible to calculate and display the optimum magnification and the display range on the document that fills the area of the editor screen.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the image scanner section. An analog image signal output from the CCD image sensor 407 is amplified and light amount corrected by a signal processing circuit 451 inside an image preprocessor (IPP), and then A / A
It is converted into a digital multilevel signal by the D converter 452. This signal is subjected to correction processing by the shading correction circuit 453, and the image processing unit (IPU)
454 is applied. Image process unit (IP
A schematic block diagram of (U) 454 is shown in FIG. The image signal applied to the IPU is high-frequency emphasized by the MTF correction circuit, electrically scaled by the scaling circuit, and applied to the γ conversion circuit. The γ conversion circuit optimizes the input characteristics according to the characteristics of the machine. The image signal output from the γ conversion circuit is converted to a predetermined quantization level by SW1 of the data depth switching mechanism. This switching mechanism switches to the three data types shown in FIG. The 4-bit conversion circuit outputs 4-bit data, and the binarization circuit converts the input 8-bit multivalued data into binary data by a preset fixed threshold value and outputs 1-bit data. The dither circuit uses 1-bit data to create an area gradation. SW1 selects one of three data types and selects DATA0 to DAT
Output as A7.

The scanner control circuit 460 is the main CPU
According to the instruction from (b), the fluorescent lamp ballast 458, the timing control circuit 459, the electric scaling circuit of the IPU, and the scanner drive motor 465 are controlled. Fluorescent light ballast 45
Reference numeral 8 controls ON / OFF of the fluorescent lamp 402 and light amount control according to an instruction from the scanner control circuit 460. A rotary encoder 46 is attached to the drive shaft of the scanner drive motor 465.
6 is connected, and the position sensor 462 detects the reference position of the sub-scanning drive mechanism. The electrical scaling circuit performs electrical scaling processing according to the magnification data on the main scanning side set by the scanner control circuit 460. Timing control circuit 45
Reference numeral 9 outputs each signal in accordance with an instruction from the scanner control circuit 460. That is, when reading is started, a transfer signal for transferring data for one line to the shift register and a shift clock pulse for outputting the data in the shift register bit by bit are given to the CCD image sensor 407. The pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK, the main scanning synchronization pulse LSYNC, and the main scanning effective period signal LGATE are output to the image reproduction system control unit.

This pixel synchronizing clock pulse CLK is C
The signal is almost the same as the shift clock pulse given to the CD image sensor 407. Also, the main scanning synchronization pulse L
SYNC is almost the same signal as the main scanning synchronization signal PMSYNC output by the beam sensor of the image writing unit, but is output in synchronization with the pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK. The main scanning effective period signal LGATE becomes the high level H at the timing when the output data DATA0 to DATA7 are considered to be effective data. In this example, the CCD image sensor 407 has 480 lines per line.
Outputs 0-bit valid data. Scanner control circuit 4
When the 60 receives a reading start instruction from the main CPU (b), the fluorescent lamp 402 for illumination is turned on, the driving of the scanner driving motor 465 is started, and the timing control circuit 459.
Control to start the reading of the CCD image sensor. In addition, the sub-scanning effective period signal FGATE is set to the high level H.
Set to. This signal FGATE becomes low level L after the time required to scan the maximum reading length (dimension in the A size longitudinal direction in this example) in the sub-scanning direction after being set to high level H.

FIG. 10 shows a block configuration of a memory system in the digital composite image processing apparatus.
An image signal from the photo sensor (CCD) is output as 8-bit data through an image preprocessor (IPP) having functions of shading correction, black level correction, and light amount correction. This data is selected by the multiplexer 1 (MUX1), and the spatial frequency high-frequency emphasis (MTF correction) function,
It is processed by an image process unit (IPU) that has a speed conversion function (magnification change), y conversion function, and data depth conversion function (8 bit / 4 bit / 1 bit conversion)
It is output to the printer section PR through 3.

In a system having a frame memory for image data, the image data from the IPU is temporarily stored in the memory device (MEM) as shown in FIG. PR). A general method is to output the image data from the IPU to the printer (PR), simultaneously store the image data in the memory device (MEM), and perform the second and subsequent copies with the image data from the memory device (MEM). there were. This apparatus is configured so that the data flow as shown in FIG. 12 is possible so that both the processed data and the raw data from the IPU can be loaded into the memory device. That is, the data flow is changed by switching the three multiplexers MUX1, MUX2, MUX3 shown in FIG. For example,
In the case of outputting a copy in which the parameters of a plurality of IPUs are changed by one-time scanner scanning, it can be achieved by the following procedure. (I) When scanning the scanner, set MUX1 to A and MUX2
To B to MUX3 to A and output the first sheet. This time,
Raw data enters the memory device (MEM) through MUX2. (Ii) After the second sheet, MUX1 is set to B, data from the memory device (MEM) is put into the IPU, and is output to the printer (PR) through the MUX3. At this time, the IPU parameter is changed every time one sheet is copied.

When holding compact data such as 1-bit data, MUX2 is set to the A side and IP
Capture the output of U into the memory device. In this case, the printer device switches to the binary data (1 bit) mode and copies. EXTIN and EXTOUT shown in FIG. 10 are an image data input signal from the outside and an output signal to the outside.

FIG. 13 shows the structure of the memory device (MEM). Compressors (COMP) and decompressors (EXP) are inserted before and after the memory unit (Memory Uni) to compress data other than actual data. Data can also be stored. In this configuration, the compressor (COMP) must operate at the speed of the scanner, and the decompressor (EXP) must operate at the speed of the printer. When storing the actual data, the multiplexers MUX4 and MUX5 are set to the A side respectively, and when the compressed data are used, they are set to the B side respectively. FIG. 14 shows the configuration of the memory unit shown in FIG. In this memory unit, an input data width converter and an output data width converter are provided in a memory block (Memory Bl) in order to handle three different types of image data and compressed code data.
It is arranged on the input / output side of The direct memory controller (DMA1, DMA2) writes and reads data at a predetermined address of the memory block according to the number of packed data and the memory data width.

FIG. 15 shows three data types of image data handled by the memory unit. Normally, the speed of image data from the scanner or the speed of image data to the printer is constant regardless of 8-bit data, 4-bit data, or 1-bit data. That is, the period of 1 pixel is fixed in the device. In this digital composite image processing device, 8
The MSB (Most Significant Bit) side of the data line of the book is defined by 1-bit data, 4-bit data, 8-bit data and MSB justification. The blocks for packing and unpacking this data in the data width (16 bits) of the memory block are the input data width converter and the output data width converter. By packing, the memory can be used according to the data depth, and the memory device can be effectively used.

FIG. 16 shows another configuration of the memory device. This memory device has a pixel process unit (PPU) instead of a compressor (COMP) and an expander (EXP) arranged outside the memory unit. The function of the PPU is to realize logical operations such as AND, OR, EXOR, and NOT between image data. This PPU calculates the memory output data and the input data and outputs it to the printer.
The memory output and input data, for example scan data, can be calculated and stored again in the memory unit. Switching between output destination printer and memory unit is MUX6, M
Perform at UX7. This function is generally used for image composition, and is used, for example, to put overlay data in a memory unit and overlay the scanner data.

FIG. 17 shows a structure for storing image data using an external storage device. When the image data is stored in the floppy disk, it is output from the EXTOUT of FIG. 10 to the floppy disk controller (FDC) controlled by the file controller (FileController) through the interface (I / F),
A floppy disk on a floppy disk drive (FDD) is used for storage. Under the control of the file controller, the hard disk controller (H
DC) and hard disk drive (HDD)
It is configured to be able to read and write on the storage medium of the hard disk. Hard disk drive (HDD)
Stores commonly used format data and overlay data so that they can be used as needed.

FIG. 18 shows still another configuration of the memory device. This memory device has a configuration capable of 100% recovery when the processing speeds of compression and decompression are not in time. At the same time as the scanner scans, the memory unit receives the compressed data and the image data in the memory unit. The incoming data is stored in different memory areas, but the compressed data is directly input to the decompressor (EXP) and decompressed. If the processing time of the compressor (COMP) and the decompressor (EXP) is completed normally in time for all the data of one page to enter the memory unit, only the memory area of compressed data remains and the area of raw data is canceled. . If the error detection circuit (Erro
r Detect) is a compressor (COMP) or expander (EXP)
When an error signal from is detected, the compressed data area is immediately canceled and raw data is adopted.

The memory management unit (MMU) is a unit for controlling the memory so that two input data and one output data can be simultaneously input / output to / from the memory unit. This real-time verification of compression and decompression made it possible to use the memory area efficiently and reliably. In this embodiment, this configuration allows dynamic allocation of the memory area by the memory management unit (MMU), but two memory units for raw data and compressed data may be provided. Figure 1
The memory device shown in FIG. 8 is most suitable for applications such as electronic sorting, in which a plurality of pages are stored and output to a printer in real time, in which both the number of stored pages and the printing speed must be compatible.

Application Unit FIG. 19 shows the configuration of the application unit. In this digital composite image processing device, APL1
(File unit), APL2 (FAX unit),
APL3 (on / off printer unit), APL4
Each application unit is composed of (LAN) and display (T / S, LCD).

(I) Base Section The base section is for performing basic control of the digital composite image processing apparatus. Base part is engine I / F
(Interface), this engine I /
F converts the image data supplied as serial data into parallel data. The parallel data stored in the page memory is serially converted by this engine I / F and output to EXTIN. The control signal is serial and is connected to the system bus via the engine I / F and SCI (serial communication interface). The page memory has a storage capacity for one page of A3 size paper.
The data speed of EXTIN and EXTOUT and the processing speed of the CPU are arbitrated as well as being converted into an image. The scaling circuit is used for enlarging or reducing the data on the page memory by this circuit, and D is used for high-speed processing.
High-speed processing is performed using a MAC without going through the CPU.

The rotation control unit is for rotating the transmission document by 90 degrees. That is, for example, in the case of a FAX transmission in which the original to be sent is A4 vertical and the receiving is A4 horizontal, the sending side automatically reduces the size to 71% and sends it, which makes the receiving side difficult to see. To prevent this,
If the horizontal and vertical sizes on the transmitting and receiving sides are different, the transmission original is rotated by 90 degrees to be converted, and the same size transmission is performed. As another function of the rotation control unit, it is used when the paper direction of the received data and the paper direction of the cassette differ by 90 degrees. That is, for example, when the receiving size is A4 horizontal and the cassette size is A4 vertical, the rotation control unit rotates the output image by 90 degrees and converts it to A4 vertical and outputs it. This eliminates the need to distinguish between the vertical and horizontal cassettes. The CEP is a circuit having functions of image data compression, expansion, and through. The bus arbiter performs processing of sending data from the AGDC to the image bus and sending to the system bus. The timer has a function of generating a predetermined clock. The RTC is a clock and generates the current time. The console is a terminal for control, and in addition to reading and rewriting data inside the system using this terminal, the console 1
Software can be developed using the debug tool, which is a function. The ROM is a read-only memory that stores various programs for realizing basic functions such as the OS. The RAM is a random access memory mainly used for working.

(Ii) APL1 SCSI is an I / F for HDD (hard disk), ODD (optical disk), FDD (floppy disk). R
The OM controls the HDD, ODD, and FDD via SCSI and stores a program as a filing system.

(Iii) APL2 APL2 is a unit for FAX control, and is composed of the following parts. The G4 FAX controller is a unit for controlling a protocol for G4, and here, it supports class 1, class 2, and class 3 of G4. The G4FAX controller also supports ISDN, and 2B + 1D (64K) in NET64.
(B × 2 + 16KB), so G4 / G4, G4
/ G3, G3 / G3, G4 only, or G3 only. The G3FAX controller is a unit for controlling the protocol for G3, and in this part is also equipped with a G3FAX protocol by an analog line and a modem for converting a digital signal into an analog signal. The NCU (Network Control Unit) has a function of dialing when connecting to the other party using an exchange or when receiving an incoming call from the other party.

SAF (store-and-forward) is for accumulating image data (including image data, code data, etc.) when transmitting and receiving a FAX. Here, a semiconductor memory, HDD, ODD, or the like is used. The ROM 2 stores a program for controlling the APL 2. Further, the RAM is used for its working and is made non-volatile by a battery, in which the telephone number of the other party, the other party's name, the F
Stores various data that controls the AX function,
It can be easily set using the T / S and LCD of the display unit.

(Iv) APL3 APL3 is a unit for controlling an online printer and an offline printer. DC (floppy desk controller) controls the floppy desk.
Some of the recent floppy devices support SCSI, and here the SCSI and ST506 interfaces are supported. SCI (Serial Communication Interface) is used for connection with the HOST computer. Centro I / F, like SCI, has HOST
Used to connect to the computer. The emulation card does the following: That is, when looking at the printers from the HOST, there are currently various printers for each company's products, and the specifications of these printers have changed somewhat. If the functions of these printers are not the same as seen from the HOST, the software used in the HOST may not run. In order to prevent such a situation, an emulation card is arranged so that the software contained therein can operate as a printer of each manufacturer when viewed from the HOST.

AGDC (Advanced Graphics
The display controller) develops the FONT image in the CGROM (character generator ROM) or CG card in the page memory at high speed according to the code data sent from the HOST. The ROM 3 stores programs for controlling these. CGR
FO corresponding to code data for OM and CG cards
NT data is stored, and as the format of FONT, there is data such as outline FONT. The CG card is an external CGFONT.

(V) APL4 APL4 is a LAN (local area network)
It is a unit for controlling. LA currently in operation
It controls N, which is an internet, omni, star run, etc. This APL4 (LAN) and APL2 (FA
X) works in the backland while other application units are operating.

(Vi) Display Unit A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is provided by this display unit.
And a touch switch (T / S). The LCD can display graphics and characters, and the CG (character generator) among them can be displayed in ANK (Alphabet Numeric Kana).
), The second level code of Kanji is built in. TS
C is a touch switch controller, where T / S
The T / S for controlling is divided by the grids of X and Y,
The size of the switch when used by the operator is TSC
With, it is possible to set freely by deciding the number of grids for one key. Also LCD and T / S
Has a two-layer structure, and the key size and the LCD key frame can correspond to each other.

Next, a description will be given of designation prohibition processing within a certain range when a plurality of closed loop areas are designated. FIG. 31 shows a processing operation when a plurality of closed loop areas are designated. First, the area number is initialized and the area number n is set to the initial value 1 (step 11).
Then, it is monitored whether or not the closed loop is selected (step 12), and when the closed loop is not selected, the process ends. On the other hand, when the closed loop is selected (step 12;
Y), the process waits for the input of the area designation key (step 13). When the area designation key is entered (Step 1
3; Y), the value of the area bar n is judged (step 1
4). Here, when n = 1 (step 14; Y), since no other area has been input yet, it is not necessary to evaluate the input coordinates, and the process proceeds to step 16. On the other hand, n ≧
When it is 2 (step 14; N), it is checked whether it is within the input prohibited range (step 15). That is, the coordinates of the area n to be input are set to P _n (X _n, Y _n ), and the coordinates of the previously input area n-1 are set to P _n-1 (X _n-1 , Y _n-1 ). When the range (described later) is r, the condition that Pn can be input is represented by the following mathematical formula 1.

[0066]

## EQU1 ## r ² <(X _n -X _n-1 ) ² + (Y _n -Y _n-1 ) ²

If it is not within the input prohibited range, that is, if Equation 1 is satisfied (step 15; N), the input area n
Is determined (step 16), the value of n is incremented (step 17), and the process moves to step 13 to wait for the next area input. On the other hand, if it is within the input prohibited range, that is, if Equation 1 does not hold (step 1
5; Y), after outputting the input prohibition warning (step 1
9) Then, the process shifts to step 13 to wait for re-input of the area. The user-specified range is set in the user program mode in which the user individually sets the usage conditions. The smaller the value of the set range, the more strict the condition of the above equation, and therefore the user who makes a detailed designation may reduce the value of the set range.

[0068]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the input is prohibited near the area previously input, the areas are not overlaid and designated, and the mistake of pressing the key twice is prevented. it can. In addition, since the evaluation is performed only for the previous area, even if the number of areas is increased, the processing can be performed without decreasing the processing speed. Claim 2
According to the described invention, the range of the overlapping evaluation of the areas is made variable, so that the setting suitable for the usage situation of the operator becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view showing a configuration of a writing unit of the above.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the writing unit of the above.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a rayant and an optical path of the writing unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electric transmission control unit that controls each unit of the digital composite image processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the electric equipment control unit.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an image scanner unit of the above.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of the image processing unit of the above.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a format of end data of the image process unit.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the memory system of the above.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow in a conventional memory system.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a data flow of a memory system in the digital composite image processing apparatus of this embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of the memory device of the above.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a memory unit in the memory device.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing three data types of image data handled in the memory unit.

FIG. 16 is another configuration diagram of the memory device of the above.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram when image data is saved using an external storage device.

FIG. 18 is another configuration diagram of the memory device of the above.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of an application unit of the above.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the editor of the same.

FIG. 21 shows the external structure of the display editor.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the operation unit of the above.

FIG. 23 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an example of a touch panel detection circuit of the above.

24 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting state of X1, X2, Y1, and Y2 of the detection touch panel detection circuit in FIG.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing an example of an operation unit of the above.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a liquid crystal display screen of the above.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen development by pressing the scaling key of the touch panel key.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of screen development by pressing the area processing key of the hard keys.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of an example of a user program screen of the above.

FIG. 30 is an explanatory diagram showing a part of the rest of the example of the user program screen of the above.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the processing operation when a plurality of loop areas are designated in the same as above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 light source 8 CCD 9 contact glass 24 polygon mirror 40 photoconductor drum 41 charging charger 42a main developing device 42b sub-developing device 43a, 43b toner replenisher 44 transfer charger 62 registration roller 64 heat roller 65 pressure roller 66 discharge roller 67, 68, 69 Switching claw 70 Tray 72 Refeed loop 100 Document feed tray 103 Paper ejection tray 104 Paper feed claw 311 Start key 312 Screen magnification designation key 313 Liquid crystal display 314 Cursor move key 315 Coordinate input key 316 End key 317 Clear key 318 All Clear Key 511 Numeric Keypad 512 Mode Clear / Preheat / Timer Key 513 Interrupt Key 514 Guidance Key 515 Program Key 516 Start Key 517 Clear / Stop Key 518 Rear working key 519 brightness adjustment knob 520 touch key I copier body II ADF III sorter IV large number automatic duplex unit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image reading unit for reading an image, an image processing unit for arbitrarily processing the image with respect to the read image, and a read image in which a target image has been read in advance is displayed on the display unit for display by an operator. In an image forming apparatus equipped with an area designating unit with a display section capable of arbitrarily designating a processing area on a set, one area is designated when a plurality of areas are designated in a closed loop designation for designating a region surrounded by a closed loop by one point. An image forming apparatus comprising: a specification prohibiting unit that prohibits specification of a position within a certain range from previously specified coordinates. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising range setting means for arbitrarily setting a fixed range prohibited by the designation prohibiting means.