JPH07262377A - Method and device for processing color image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To more exactly detect and decide a specified original by outputting the image information of an input image original while changing the color sensation. CONSTITUTION:The image reading area of an original platen is divided into four parts in the sub scanning direction, and the specified image is compared with the input image original in each area. Concerning the information of that specified image, the information in two different color sensations for the same image is stored in a ROM 1204, and in the case of outputting that input image when the high similarity of both the two colors in the same area is decided, it is outputted while changing the color sensation. Concerning the division of the image reading area, in addition to the division in the sub scanning direction, the area can be also divided into two or three parts in the main scanning direction.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a color image processing method and an apparatus thereof, and more particularly to a color image processing method and an apparatus thereof for detecting a specific image included in a color image original by an input color signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to prevent erroneous determination when detecting a specific image included in a color image original, it is determined whether or not the specific image is included in each predetermined area of the input image. Technology is proposed.

Further, in order to prevent erroneous determination, when determining one specific image (for example, a bill), a plurality of different color spaces are used for comparison with the input image.
There is also proposed a technique of determining that an input image is a specific document when any one of these conditions is satisfied.

[0004]

However, in the above conventional example, when a specific image is detected using a plurality of color spaces for each predetermined area of an input image, when a plurality of conditions are satisfied in the same area, Since the determination condition is not set so that only the specific original is determined, the specific image may be erroneously determined.

For example, an input image in an apparatus configured so that the original table on which an input original is placed is divided into three areas, area <1>, area <2>, and area <3>, depending on the location of the original, and the determination is performed. FIG. 19 shows a case where two determination conditions (for example, the color space of tint A and the color space of tint B are used) are set as the tint of the specific image to be compared in the determination of comparison with the specific image. As described above, when the area of the input original is relatively large compared to the area of the original table and the portion similar to the specific original covers a considerably large area, the determination condition using the tint A is satisfied in the area <1>. , Region <3> satisfies the determination condition using the tint B. As a result, although the input document is considerably larger than the specific document to be detected, there is a problem that the input document is erroneously determined as the specific document.

The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and an object of the present invention is to provide a color image processing method and apparatus for detecting a specific image more accurately and preventing erroneous determination.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention has the following configuration.
That is, a color image processing apparatus that determines the degree of similarity between an input image and a specific image and controls image output based on the determination result, including a reading unit that scans an image document and reads image information, A storage unit that stores a plurality of tint information regarding an image and an image original scanning region of the reading unit are divided into a plurality of regions, and each region is compared by comparing the plurality of tint information regarding the specific image with each other. Based on the similarity determination by the determination means for performing the degree determination, the output means for outputting the image information, and the determination means, the similarity of the plurality of tint information of the specific image in the same area of the divided areas When it is determined that the image quality is high, the image information of the image original read by the reading means is controlled to change the tint and output. It comprises a color image processing apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, the degree of similarity between the input image and the specific image is determined using a plurality of tint information regarding the specific image stored in the storage medium, and the image is output based on the determination result. And a reading step of scanning an image original to read image information, and dividing a scanning area for scanning the image original into a plurality of areas, and storing each area in the storage medium. Based on the similarity determination by the determination step of performing a similarity determination by comparing with the plurality of tint information regarding the specified image, outputting the image information, and the similarity determination by the determination step, the division is performed. When it is determined that the similarity to the plurality of tint information of the specific image is high in the same area, the image information of the image original read by the reading step is changed in tint. That a control step of controlling to output Te comprises a color image processing method according to claim.

[0009]

With the above arrangement, the present invention determines the degree of similarity between the input image original and the specific original by comparing the plurality of tint information of the specific image for each area defined by dividing the image original scanning area. Then, when it is determined that the similarity of the plurality of tint information of the specific image is high in the same area of the divided areas,
It operates so that the image information of the input image original is output while changing the tint.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[First Embodiment] (1) Overview of Overall Structure (FIG. 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of the overall structure of a color copying machine as a typical embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a platen (document table) on which an image document is placed and a mechanism of a scanning unit which mechanically scans a scanner are omitted.

In FIG. 1, 101 is placed on the document table by electrically moving in a predetermined direction (main scanning direction) and mechanically moving in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction (sub scanning direction). A CCD color sensor for scanning the entire surface of the image original, 102 an analog amplifier, 103 an A / D converter,
Reference numeral 104 denotes a shading correction circuit for correcting variations in brightness depending on the reading position of the image signal, and 1105 denotes input color signals R (red), G (green), B (blue) for Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C. (cyan),
A print signal generation circuit for converting into a Bk (black) signal. Further, the print signal generation circuit 105 has a built-in delay circuit for compensating the time required for determining a specific image, which will be described later. The print signal output from this circuit is modulated by the real-time correction signal f.

Reference numeral 106 is a color space matching determination circuit for calculating in real time the degree of similarity between the read image data and a specific document (for example, bills or securities) in the three-dimensional color space, and 107 is a real-time correction signal. A real-time correction signal generation circuit for generating f, and a read synchronization signal generation circuit for generating a read cycle signal.
This circuit includes a main scanning section signal (HS) 109, a pixel reading basic clock signal (CLK) 110, and a section signal (VS) 11 indicating an effective area in the sub scanning direction for reading an original.
2 is generated. A color printer unit 110 prints out the input image original.

It should be noted that the shading correction circuit 104 corrects the distortion of brightness and tint due to the position of the original, and the shading-corrected color signal output from this circuit is used to change the position of the input original. However, the similarity determination in the color space can be accurately performed, but since this circuit is publicly known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(2) Configuration of Color Space Matching Determination Circuit (FIGS. 2 to 8) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the color space matching determination circuit 106. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1201 denotes an upper 5-bit signal of the 8-bit R signal output from the shading correction circuit 1104, 1202 denotes a higher 5-bit signal of the 8-bit G signal output from the shading correction circuit 1104, and 1203 It is a signal of the upper 5 bits of the 8-bit B signal output from the shading correction circuit 1104. Reference numeral 1205 denotes a timing generation circuit that generates various timing signals described later, and 1209 denotes SRA.
M and 1270 are address generators that sequentially generate all the addresses of the SRAM 1209.

Reference numeral 1204 denotes a ROM that stores information regarding the tint of a plurality of types of specific originals. When a 5-bit RGB signal is input to the address (A0 to A14), the input RGB signals are a plurality of types. Determination signals (X0 to X) indicating whether or not they match the color tones of the specific document of
7) is output from the data output terminals (D0 to D7).

Reference numerals 1220 to 1227 denote smoothing circuits for performing a smoothing operation based on the determination signals (X0 to X7) output from the ROM 1204. Reference numerals 1240 to 1247 calculate the similarity between specific image data and an input color signal in RGB space in real time. Then, the color space similarity determination signal (MK0 to MK
This is a color space determination circuit that calculates 7).

Reference numerals 1271-1272 indicate that when the sub-scanning section signal (VS) 112 is "0 (LOW)" or when the color space matching processing area signal (CCL) 1281 generated by the timing generation circuit 1205 is "0 (LOW). ) ”, The selector is used to clear the SRAM 1209 to zero according to the address signal generated by the address generator 1270. Reference numeral 1280 is a control signal (VSCL) used to clear the SRAM 1209 to zero according to the address signal generated by the address generator 1270, and the value of the signal is “0 (LO
W) ”, the SRAM 1209 is cleared to zero.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing information about the tint of a specific document stored in the ROM 1204. The tint information of the specific document is represented by a three-dimensional space having RGB color components as coordinate axes, as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the shaded area in the three-dimensional space corresponds to the tint of the specific document. Then, whether or not the input RGB signal is a region corresponding to the tint is determined by a combination of RGB coordinate values corresponding to the value of the input RGB signal. Is "1", and if not, the input / output relationship of the ROM 1204 is configured so that the output value is "0". In other words, it can be said that the ROM 1204 stores a table having an output value of 0 or 1 corresponding to the value of the input RGB signal. The data output terminal (D0
8 to D7) are provided in the RAM 1204 for each of four types of specific originals (hereinafter, referred to as first, second, third and fourth specific originals), two pieces of tint information. That is, this is because eight types of tint information are stored, and each terminal corresponds to one tint information.
For example, when the first specific document is a banknote having a face value, one piece of color information is information about a reddish color,
The other tint information is information about the bluish tint.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the input data and the output data for the data relating to the tint of a plurality of specific originals stored in the ROM 1204. First, of the input addresses (A0 to A14), A0 to A4 have 5-bit B
The signal is a 5-bit G signal for A5 to A9 and A10 to A9.
A 5-bit R signal is input to 14. The value of the input address (A0 to A14) is specified by this input signal,
Corresponding to this, the output values for the colors of the eight types of specific originals are determined. Then, for the 5-bit RGB data corresponding to each input pixel, data output terminals (D0 to D
From 7), judgment signals (X0 to X7) relating to the tint of eight different types of specific originals are output in parallel.

In this embodiment, the RAM 1204 stores two types of tint information regarding four types of specific originals, and the data output terminals D0 and D1 each relate to different tint information for the first specific original. Judgment signals are output to the color space judgment circuits 1240-1241, and from the data output terminals D2 and D3, judgment signals concerning color information different for the second specific original are outputted from the color space judgment circuits 1242-1.
243, and from the data output terminals D4 and D5, the determination signals relating to the information of different tints of the third specific originals are output to the color space determination circuits 1244 to 1245, respectively.
Then, from the data output terminals D6 and D7, determination signals relating to information of different tints of the fourth specific originals are output to the color space determination circuits 1246 to 1247.

Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the color space determination circuit 1
The color space similarity determination signals (MK0 to MK7) which are output signals from 240 to 1247 are MK2 to MK3 obtained by comparing the determination signals obtained when MK0 to MK1 are different from each other in color tone in the first specific document. Is the second specific original, and the determination signal obtained as a result of comparison with those having different tints from each other is MK4 ...
MK5 represents a determination signal as a result of comparison with a third specific original having different tints, and MK6 to MK7 represent determination signals as a result of comparison with fourth specific originals having different tints.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of the smoothing circuits 1220 to 1227. In FIG. 5, 1601, 1
Reference numeral 602 is a multiplier, 1603 is an adder, 1604 is a latch circuit, and 1605 is a comparator. Multiplier 160
1, 1602, and the adder 1603 take the weighted average of the input data and the previous data, and the judgment considering the continuity as shown in FIG. 6 becomes possible.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the input value (Xi) to the smoothing circuit and the smoothing operation value (Yi). According to the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 5, when the input value (Xi) is "1" continuously, the value of the smoothed operation value (Yi) increases as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the input RGB signals continuously match the color tone of the specific original, the output signals (C0 to C7) of the smoothing circuit become 1, and more accurate determination is possible without being affected by noise or the like. Becomes

In FIG. 7, the similarity between the specific image data and the input color signal is calculated in real time in the RGB space as shown in FIG.
~ MK7) color space determination circuits 1240 to 124
7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of No. 7.

The circuit shown in FIG.
The data (Di: i = 1,8) read from 9 and the output signal (Ci: i = 1,8) from the smoothing circuit are logically ORed, and the result is written again in the SRAM 1209.
Also, only when the data (Di) changes from 0 to 1,
The counter 1301 is counted up. Counter 1
301 is the rise of the sub-scanning section signal (VS) 112,
Alternatively, it is cleared in the low section of CCL1281.

The circuit block 1310 is a circuit for outputting the maximum value of the output value of the counter 1301 at an arbitrary timing, and like the counter 1301, it is cleared at the rising edge of the sub-scanning interval signal VS112 or at the low interval of CCL1281. . The output of the circuit block 1310 is input to the comparator 1302.

In this way, the comparator 1302 compares the maximum value (Zi) of the output values of the counter 1301 up to a predetermined timing with the constant δn of the register 1303. As a result, if Zi> δi, then MKi
= 1 and when Zi .ltoreq..delta.i, MKi = 0. δ
The value of i is set to the value of 1% of UORG shown in FIG.

Δi = (l / 100) × UORG Here, the UID is a predetermined coordinate axis in consideration of the values that the 5-bit input RGB data can take in the RGB coordinate space, as shown in FIG. It is a numerical value in which a unit volume is a cube formed by dividing the unit length into 32. On the other hand, UOR
G is the volume of the area formed in the RGB coordinate space by the data representing the tint of the specific image registered in the device. In the present embodiment, the value of 1 is set so that when the specific document is placed on the document table, the determination signal MKi = 1 when the document is read up to about half.

Reference numeral 1281 denotes a signal (color space matching processing area signal: CC) indicating an area for performing color space matching processing.
L), which is generated by the timing generation circuit 205 at the timing shown in FIG. 9 so as to satisfy the following expression.

Ls ≧ lm ≧ (ls) / 2 where ls is the size of the specific original in the longitudinal direction,
lm indicates a section distance in which the CCL1281 is "1 (High)". FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the relationship between the size of the document table and the size of the specific document and the range in which the color space matching is executed in the sub-scanning direction. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the determination of the specific image is divided into four areas in the sub-scanning direction and repeated.

As a result of the above processing, the observed image data of a certain section area (each area obtained by dividing the original table into four in the sub-scanning direction), that is, the data of the input color signal sequence in the certain spatial area, is converted into the image data of the specific original and RGB3. When the shapes are almost the same in the dimensional color space, the color space similarity determination signals (MK0 to MK
7) becomes "1".

(3) Control signal time chart (see FIG. 1)
0) FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a timing signal generated by the timing generation circuit 1205. 10, VS is a sub-scanning section signal, CLK is a basic clock, CLK4 is a clock signal obtained by dividing the basic clock (CLK) by 4, and OE is applied to the output enable (OE) terminal of the SRAM 1209 through the signal line 1208. , WE is a signal which is applied to the write enable (WE) terminal of the SRAM 1209 through the signal line 1207 and controls data writing to the SRAM 1209.

(4) Configuration of Real-Time Correction Signal Generation Circuit (FIG. 11) FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the real-time correction signal generation circuit 107. As shown in FIG. 11, this circuit is composed of an OR circuit and an AND circuit.
With this circuit, when a plurality of specific originals registered in the ROM 1204 are recognized as specific originals by both MK0 and MK1, or by both MK2 and MK3 as specific originals, or by both MK4 and MK5. When the document is recognized as a specific document by, or when both MK6 and MK7 are recognized as the specific document, the real-time correction signal f is "1".
(High) ”.

In other words, the real-time correction signal f becomes "1 (High)" when two different tint information regarding the same specific original is recognized from the input image original.

(5) Configuration of print signal generating circuit (see FIG. 1)
2) FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the print signal generation circuit 105.

In the masking UCR operation circuit 2101,
Normally, each color component YMCB of the density signal rather than the input RGB signal
When the input color signal is determined to match the specific original, the masking UCR calculation circuit 2102 generates the k signal and changes the tint (for example, strengthens the red tint) to generate each color component YMCBk signal of the density signal. To do. Then, the selector 2103 selects and outputs the signal from the masking UCR operation circuit 2101 or 2102 according to the real-time correction signal f.

As a result, when the conditions for the two tint information are satisfied for the same specific original in each divided area, it is possible to print out with different tints.

A LOG conversion circuit for converting the RGB signal, which is a 2104 luminance signal, into the YMC signal, which is a density signal.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the input document and the ROM 1 are provided in each area divided in the sub-scanning direction on the document table.
The tint information stored in 204 is compared, and the tint of the image can be changed and printed only when two tint conditions are satisfied for the same specific original.

[Second Embodiment] Here, processing is performed in the case where an image original which is short in the sub-scanning direction and long in the main-scanning direction and which has a wide range of tint similar to the specific original is input. Will be described.

In the method of detecting a specific image described in the first embodiment, the area for detecting the specific image is divided in the sub-scanning direction, so that an image original relatively long in the sub-scanning direction is placed on the original table and input. This is effective in the case of being processed, but when handling an input document that is short in the sub-scanning direction and long in the main scanning direction as shown in FIG. 13, erroneous determination may occur.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the main scanning direction is divided into two (area A and area B) and the specific document detection processing is performed.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the outline of the overall construction of the color copying machine according to this embodiment. In FIG. 15, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted here. Only the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described below. In FIG. 15, 106A and 106B are color space matching determination circuits, 107A and 107B are real-time correction signal generation circuits, 115 is a region switching circuit, and 114 is a signal (HSAB) for switching regions in the main scanning direction. However, the color space matching determination circuits 106A and 106
6B has the same internal configuration as the color space matching determination circuit 106 described in the first embodiment, and the internal configurations of the real-time correction signal generation circuits 107A and 107B have the same configuration as the real-time correction signal generation circuit 107 described in the first embodiment. Shall have.

The area switching circuit 115 is used for the HSAB 11
4, the output destination of the image signal is switched so that the image signal corresponding to the area A in FIG. 14 is input to the color space matching determination circuit 106A and the image signal corresponding to the area B is input to the color space matching determination circuit 106B. Then, the input document is divided into areas A and B in the main scanning direction, and is divided into four areas in the sub scanning direction in the same manner as described in the first embodiment to detect the specific image. To do.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the area is divided into two areas (area A and area B) in the main scanning direction, and each area is divided into four areas in the sub-scanning direction as in the first embodiment. Since the detection processing of the specific image is performed in a divided manner, it is possible to more accurately determine the specific original even for the input original placed on the original plate as shown in FIG.

[Third Embodiment] Here, the size of the image original placed on the original table is short in the sub-scanning direction, not so long in the main scanning direction, and the color tone similar to that of the specific original is wide. The processing when the used image original is input will be described.

In the specific image detecting method described in the second embodiment, in addition to the area division in the sub-scanning direction, the main scanning direction is also divided into two areas (area A and area B) to obtain the colors of the input image original and the specific original. The detection processing of the specific document was performed by comparing the similarity of the distributions. However, when an input document that is short in the sub-scanning direction and not long in the main-scanning direction is placed at a position as shown in FIG. However, in the area B, on the other hand, the determination regarding the tint A is not performed. Conversely, considering the tint B, the tint determination can be made in the area B, but not in the area A. in this way,
Depending on the size of the image original and the position of the original table on which it is placed, the detection of the specific original may not be successful.

Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to solve the above problems, as shown in FIG. 17, the area is divided into three areas in the main scanning direction (area A, area B). , Area C), the detection determination processing of the specific document is performed. Therefore, in the color copying machine according to the present embodiment, dedicated circuits are provided in the three areas.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing the outline of the overall construction of the color copying machine according to this embodiment. Note that, in FIG. 18, the same components as those described in the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Only the characteristic parts of the present embodiment will be described below. In FIG. 18, 106C is a color space matching determination circuit, and 107C is a real-time correction signal generation circuit. Each of these circuits has the same configuration as the color space matching determination circuit 106 and the real-time correction signal generation circuit 107 described in the first embodiment. The difference from the circuit shown in the first embodiment is that the HSAB 114 and the area switching circuit 115 can correspond to three areas of area A, area B, and area C, and a dedicated color corresponding to each area. The point is that the space matching determination circuits 106A to 106C and the real-time correction signal generation circuits 107A to 107 are provided.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the area switching circuit 115 follows the HSAB 114 and the area A of FIG.
The image signal corresponding to is the color space matching determination circuit 106
The output destination of the image signal is switched so that the image signal corresponding to the area A is input to the color space matching determination circuit 106B and the image signal corresponding to the area C is input to the color space matching determination circuit 106C. Then, the input document is divided into areas A and B in the main scanning direction, and the respective areas are processed by the same method as described in the first embodiment.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, the area is divided into three areas (area A, area B and area C) in the main scanning direction, and each area is divided into four areas in the sub scanning direction as in the first embodiment. Since the specific image detection process is performed by dividing into two areas, no matter how the input document is placed on the platen,
It is possible to more accurately determine the specific document.

In this way, the image original reading area of the original table is divided in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, and the size of the divided area is relatively smaller than the size of the specific original (for example, the size of the division size). Is more than half the size of the specific original in the longitudinal direction and less than that size), it is possible to accurately detect the specific original regardless of the orientation of the image original.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of tint information of a specific image is set for each area defined by dividing the image original scanning area into the similarity between the input image original and the specific original. When it is determined that the similarity of the plurality of tint information of the specific image is high in the same area of the divided areas, the hue of the image information of the input image original is changed. Therefore, even if the original is different in size from the specific original but uses a similar tint, it is possible to accurately detect and determine the specific original without erroneously determining this as the specific original. effective.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of an overall configuration of a color copying machine that is a typical embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a color space matching determination circuit 110 shown in FIG.
6 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of No. 6; FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually showing information relating to a tint of a specific original document stored in a ROM 1204 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between input data and output data with respect to data relating to tint of a plurality of specific originals stored in a ROM 1204 shown in FIG.

5 is a circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of smoothing circuits 1220 to 1227 shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is an input value (Xi) to the smoothing circuit and a smoothed operation value (Y
It is a figure which shows the relationship with i).

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of color space determination circuits 1240-1247 for calculating color space similarity determination signals (MK0-MK7).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing color characteristics of a specific image and an input image expressed in an RGB coordinate space.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the size of a specific manuscript and the size of a manuscript table,
It is a figure showing the range which performs color space matching processing about the subscanning direction.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a timing signal generated by a timing generation circuit 1205.

11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a real-time correction signal generation circuit 107. FIG.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print signal generation circuit 105.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a position of an input image document placed on a document table according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing area division in the main scanning direction according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an outline of an overall configuration of a color copying machine according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a position of an input image document placed on a document table according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing area division in the main scanning direction according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing an outline of an overall configuration of a color copying machine according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a color input image causing an erroneous determination according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1041-1043 ROM 1180-1187 AND circuit 1205 Timing generation circuit 1209 SRAM 1220-1227 Smoothing circuit 1240-1247 Color space determination circuit 1270 Address generator 1271-1272 Selector

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G03G 21/00 552 G06F 15/62 410 Z H04N 1/40 Z (72) Inventor Yoichi Takaragi Tokyo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A color image processing apparatus for determining the degree of similarity between an input image and a specific image, and controlling image output based on the determination result, comprising: a reading unit that scans an image original to read image information. A storage unit that stores a plurality of tint information regarding the specific image; and an image original scanning region of the reading unit is divided into a plurality of regions, and each region is compared with a plurality of tint information regarding the specific image. Determination means for performing similarity determination, an output means for outputting the image information, and a plurality of tint information of the specific image in the same area of the divided areas based on the similarity determination by the determination means. And a control unit that controls to output the image information of the image original read by the reading unit while changing the tint when it is determined that the similarity is high. Color image processing apparatus according to claim. 2. The reading means includes a CCD sensor, and the CCD sensor electrically scans the image original in a first direction, and in a second direction which is a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The color image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CCD sensor mechanically moves to scan the entire surface of the image original. 3. The color image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image original scanning area of the input unit is divided into a plurality of areas in the second direction. 4. The color image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the length of each of the divided areas in the second direction is shorter than the length of the specific original in the longitudinal direction. . 5. The color image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image original scanning area of the input means is divided into a plurality of areas in the first and second directions. 6. A color image process for determining the similarity between an input image and a specific image using a plurality of tint information regarding the specific image stored in a storage medium, and controlling image output based on the determination result. A reading step of scanning an image document to read image information; and a method of dividing a scanning region for scanning the image document into a plurality of regions, the specific image being stored in the storage medium for each region. A determination step of performing similarity determination by comparing with a plurality of tint information, an output step of outputting the image information, and based on similarity determination by the determination step, in the same area of the divided areas, When it is determined that the specific image has a high similarity to a plurality of tint information, the image information of the image original read by the reading step is controlled to be output with a different tint. Color image processing method characterized by a control step of.