JP2678098B2 - Image data automatic conversion method and image data automatic conversion device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and a setup parameter for automatically setting up a setup parameter of an image data conversion apparatus for converting image data of an original image represented by a color scanner into image data for recording. The present invention relates to an image data automatic conversion device capable of automatically setting.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a plate-making scanner (simply called a scanner) is provided with an input device for optically reading an image of an original image, and image data conversion for converting the read image data into recording image data. It is composed of an apparatus and an image recording apparatus for exposing and recording recording image data on a photosensitive film and the like. In order to perform high-quality image reproduction by such a scanner, highlight / shadow density and gradation are set so that the recording image data converted by the above-mentioned image data conversion device is in an optimum state for image reproduction. Reproducibility, change of color tone, etc., especially in a color scanner for reproducing a color image, many adjustment items, that is, values of setup parameters in the image data conversion device must be individually set according to various original images. I won't. That is, the values of many of these setup parameters are not fixed, and differ depending on the original image and the demand for image reproduction. Therefore, high-quality and efficient image reproduction is possible only when the value of the setup parameter is optimally and quickly adjusted for each image. For that purpose, it is desired that all the machines automatically and properly set the values of the setup parameters, rather than manually setting them.

The set-up parameters are a set of set-up parameters (second parameters) which are objectively determined by analysis of original image data and which directly affect reproduced image quality such as highlight / shadow density, gradation reproduction curve, and color tone change. It is subjectively determined by the orderer's designation and the relationship with the plate-making / printing process. For example, magnification, screen frequency, negative
Set-up parameters for positive decomposition, UCR, etc. (1st
Parameters) and. The setup parameters that directly affect the quality of the reproduced image are, for example, “Pr
oceedings of Neugebauer Memorial Seminar on Color
As disclosed in Reproduction "SPIE vol.1184 (1989) P.137, the method of automatically setting the decomposition condition by the original image data analysis is used. However, in order to carry out a completely automatic decomposition. In the latter case, the operator must set in advance the setup parameters determined by the orderer's side and the relationship with the plate making / printing process.
However, automatic setting of both parameters is an essential technology for labor saving.

Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-2336868 discloses a method for automatically solving the above problems by automatically converting image data by automatically determining the values of setup parameters without human intervention. There is a related art. In this conventional technique, a barcode representing data of image processing conditions of the original image or general management data is attached to the peripheral portion of the original image, the barcode is read by an input device of a scanner, and based on the information indicated by the read barcode. It is intended to set the value of the setup parameter of the image conversion apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing an original image having such a bar code. In the figure, an original image 111 is mounted on the original image holder glass 110 in the vicinity of the center thereof, and the above-mentioned bar code 112 is recorded on the surface of the margin at the upper right portion of the original image holder glass 110. That is, for each original image to be recorded, the barcode 112 is attached in advance to the corresponding predetermined position of the original image holder glass 110 using the barcode generator. The information to be recorded in this barcode 112 is
For example, there are highlights, shadow densities, shapes of gradation curves, screen rulings, magnifications, etc. for the three primary colors of light, and these information are, for example, binary digits 8 digits "000".
It is recorded with a code of 0000-11111111 ".

When the original image holder glass 110 is prepared as described above, the original image holder glass 110 is mounted in the original image holder, and the original image holder is set at a predetermined position of the input device of the scanner. Then, before reading the original image with the input device of the scanner, first, read the data recorded in the barcode with the input device of the scanner,
A preset control sequence is executed based on the read data, and the value of the setup parameter of the image data conversion device is determined. After that, the image data of the original image is read by the input device of the scanner,
The image data conversion device automatically converts the image data into predetermined recording image data.

As described above, if the operator first attaches the barcode together with the original image, then the machine sets the values of the setup parameters according to the desired conditions, and automatically and continuously performs the image data conversion. Since there is no need for human intervention during the actual image data conversion by the scanner, the burden on the operator is greatly reduced and the operating rate of the scanner can be improved. Become. Further, when the values of the setup parameters are already determined for each sensitive material type of the original image or each client, if those values are stored in advance, only the sensitive material type and the client name are recorded in the barcode 112. After that, the data stored in memory will be read out and the setup parameter values will be set automatically, so that the operating rate of the scanner can be further improved and the data can be managed. Have.

[0008]

The prior art is constructed as described above and has the above-mentioned effects, but the following problems have occurred.

First of all, a separate bar code generator is required to attach the bar code on the original image holder glass.

Secondly, since the processing conditions of image data and management data are recorded in bar codes, the contents cannot be easily read by humans. Therefore, erroneous data may be recorded as a barcode, and image conversion may be performed without noticing the error. Further, when the recorded data needs to be corrected or changed, there is a problem that the data cannot be corrected or changed promptly. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to establish a correspondence relationship between the original image and the original image holder glass on which the original image is to be mounted. That is, the operator cannot understand which original image should be mounted on the original image holder glass only by looking at the barcode, and there is a high possibility that another original image will be accidentally mounted. In order to avoid such an adverse effect, it becomes necessary to attach a new identification character or the like to the original image holder glass corresponding to the original image, and the significance of data management by the bar code is lost. In this way, the operator is forced to handle seemingly meaningless barcodes, and as a result, it becomes necessary to be careful in handling and also to be skilled in the handling, which rather reduces the work efficiency of the operator. There is.

Thirdly, it is not easy for the method using the bar code to flexibly adapt to each original image. That is, even if the previous values of some of the setup parameters can be used as they are, it is necessary to create a bar code one by one, which makes the work rather complicated.

Since a number of problems are newly generated in this manner, the bar code method loses the original effect of reducing the burden on the operator and automating the conversion of image data, and is applied to an actual scanner. Is not realistic.

The above-mentioned problems are not limited to the problems peculiar to the scanner, but also the problems generally occur in all devices that optically read the image data of the original image and automatically convert the image data into a desired recorded image. is there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and automatically converts image data without human intervention, and an image which is easy to handle and has high flexibility. It is a first object to provide an automatic data conversion method and an image data automatic conversion device.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus capable of applying such an image data automatic conversion method and apparatus to continuous automatic operation.

[0016]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data automatic conversion method, wherein a character representing processing information of image data of an original image is placed within a predetermined range of an original image holder having an original image. The description is written using natural language, and the original image holder is placed at a predetermined position. And the character is the item
After sequentially optically reading and photoelectrically converting the description field and the setting value description field , the obtained data is recognized as a character, and the setup parameter of the setup parameter of the image data processing device is recognized based on the recognition content. Set the value automatically. After that, after the image data of the original image is optically read and photoelectrically converted, the image data processing device is driven based on the automatically set setup parameters, so that the image data of the original image photoelectrically converted is recorded for desired recording. It is adapted to be converted into image data.

In the image data automatic conversion method according to the second configuration, the image data of the original image corresponding to the first setup parameter determined by human subjectivity is processed within a predetermined range of the original image holder on which the original image is mounted. Information and /
Alternatively, a character that means management data when performing image processing is described using natural language, and then the original image holder is arranged at a predetermined position. Then, by optically reading the image data of the original image in advance, and automatically analyzing the data obtained by photoelectric conversion, the value of the second setup parameter that is objectively determined is determined, and the characters are optically read and photoelectrically converted. After the conversion, the obtained data is recognized as a character, and the value of the first setup parameter is automatically set based on the recognition content. After that, the image data of the original image is optically read and photoelectrically converted, and then the image data of the original image photoelectrically converted based on the set first and second setup parameters is converted into desired recording image data. It was done.

Further, in the image data automatic conversion method according to the third configuration, the method according to the first and second configurations is performed every time the original image data is converted into desired recording image data.
A new original image holder, on which a new original image is mounted and in which characters indicating processing information of image data of the new original image is written, can be automatically arranged at a predetermined position.

Further, in the image data automatic conversion device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the original image to be recorded is mounted, and the characters representing the processing information of the image data of the original image are in a natural language within a predetermined range. The original picture holder described by using, the input means for photoelectrically converting the characters and the image data of the original picture in the original picture holder sequentially, and the input end is connected to the output end of the input means. Character recognition means for recognizing the obtained character data as a character and outputting a control signal for setting the value of the setup parameter from the output end based on the recognition content, and a first input end at the output end of the input means. And a second input end is connected to the output end of the character recognition means, and the setup parameter automatically set by the control signal input to the second input end is connected. The basis of the image data of the obtained original image by the input means and an image data processing means for converting a desired recording image data, input means smell
Item when reading the characters in the original image holder.
After reading the item described in the predicate column, the item description column
Reading of the indicated value described in the setting value description field corresponding to
Process for all the items described in order
It is obtained to perform in.

Further, in the automatic image data conversion apparatus according to the fifth configuration, the original image to be recorded is installed, and the image data of the original image corresponding to the first setup parameter determined by human subjectivity within a predetermined range. Processing information and /
Alternatively, an original image holder in which characters that represent management data when performing image processing are described using natural language, and an input unit that sequentially optically reads the characters and the image data of the original image in the original image holder to perform photoelectric conversion, The input end is connected to the output end of the input means, the data about the character obtained by the input means is recognized as a character, and the value of the first setup parameter is set in the image processing means described later based on the recognition content. By automatically analyzing the image data of the original image optically connected to the input end connected to the output end of the input means and the character recognition means for outputting the first control signal Objectively determined second
Value of the second setup parameter is determined to the image data processing means.
A setup parameter automatic analysis means for outputting from the output end as a control signal of the first input terminal, a first input end is connected to the output end of the input means, and a second input end is connected to the output end of the character recognition means. A third input end is connected to the output end of the parameter automatic analysis means, and the third input end is connected to the second input end by the first control signal input to the second input end. Image data processing means for converting the image data of the original image obtained by the input means into desired recording image data based on the automatically set values of the first and second setup parameters Is.

Further, in the image data automatic conversion device according to the sixth configuration, a new image data conversion device is newly added every time the original image data is converted into desired recording image data by the image data automatic conversion device according to the fourth and fifth configurations. A new original image holder is installed and a new original image holder with characters indicating processing information of the image data of the new original image is automatically added to a predetermined position in the input device. is there.

[0022]

In the inventions according to the first and fourth configurations, the processing information for instructing the set value of the setup parameter is represented by the characters described in the natural language which can be easily understood by humans. Then, before optically reading the image data of the original image, this character is called from the item description field to the setting value description field.
Optically sequentially read by flow, and indicated value for each item
After recognizing as a character, the value of the setup parameter of the image data processing device is set based on the recognition content. In this way, the human being can describe the character indicating the value of the setup parameter in advance before the image data conversion, and the value of the setup parameter is automatically set. After that, the image data of the original image will be read and the image data will be converted, so
Except for writing characters, image data conversion is automatically performed without human intervention.

In the inventions according to the second and fifth configurations,
Regarding the value of the second setup parameter that can be determined by automatically analyzing the image data among the setup parameters, the setup parameter automatic analysis means automatically analyzes the data obtained by optically reading the image data of the original image in advance. It is set by Then, the remaining setup parameters, that is, the values of the first setup parameter are optically read in advance in advance in characters written in natural language, the data is recognized as characters, and then automatically set based on the recognition contents. To be done. Thus, only the setup parameters that cannot be automatically set by the setup parameter automatic analysis means are automatically set through the characters described in the natural language.

Further, in the inventions according to the third and sixth configurations,
When the image data automatic conversion device converts one original image data into recording image data, the automatic supply means provided in the image data automatic conversion device displays a new original image and information for processing the original image data. A new original image holder having a character is automatically sent to a position to be arranged for optically reading the image data and the character of the original image.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (A) Electric Structure of Automatic Image Data Converter FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the electric structure of an automatic image data converter 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The case where it is used as an image data automatic conversion device is shown. In the figure, the flatbed scanner 1 is composed of an image data automatic conversion device 2 and an image recording device 3. Further, the image data automatic conversion device 2 has an original image holder 100 having an original image to be recorded, image data of the original image, etc. Input device 10 for optically reading a character recognition device 20 having its input end connected to a second output end 15 of a selector 13 in the input device 10 and a first output end 14 of a selector 13 in the input device 10. The image data processing device 30 is connected to the input terminal thereof.

An original image holder glass 101 is attached to the original image holder 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the appearance of the original image holder glass 101 with the lid 101A opened. As shown in the figure,
The original image 102 to be recorded is set at a predetermined position on the main body 101B of the original image holder glass 101. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the original image 102 to be handled is a color original image. Further, at a predetermined position below the original image 102 on the original image holder glass main body 101B, a paper 103 in which processing information of image data and the like is described in characters such as hiragana, katakana, kanji, numbers and alphabets is set together with the original image 102. There is. This paper 1
Reference numeral 03 denotes an item description column 103A in which items such as setup parameters such as “screen ruling”, “magnification”, and “USM” are described, and set values describing instruction values corresponding to each item. Although the description column 103B is provided, the character description of each of these description columns will be described in detail in “Operation procedure of automatic image data conversion device” described later, and only the above description will be given here. To do.

The input device 10 is composed of a light source 11 such as a halogen lamp, a photoelectric conversion device 12 including a light receiving element such as a CCD linear array and a lens system, and a selector 13, and the light source 11 and the photoelectric conversion device. Reference numeral 12 denotes a sub-scanning direction D perpendicular to the direction (main scanning direction) perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 1 via a moving mechanism (not shown) provided on them.
It is configured to be able to move to. Therefore, the light source 11
The irradiation light L1 emitted from the original image 1 in the original image holder 100
The entire surface of 02 and the entire surface of paper 103 are scanned. At that time, the determination as to whether the irradiation light L1 is to scan the original image 102 or the paper 103 is issued by the character recognition device 20 to the moving mechanism provided in the light source 11 and the photoelectric conversion device 12. This is performed by the select signal SCL. The operation of the selector 13 is also controlled by the select signal SCL as described later. The reflected light L2 reflected by the original image 102 or the paper 103 is photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion device 12, and the image data of the original image 102 and the paper 103 included in the reflected light L2 are electric signals ID and L, respectively.
Converted to D _ij .

On the other hand, the character recognition device 20 includes a handwritten character recognition unit OCR (optical character reading device) 21 and a CPU 22.
And a memory 24, and signals are exchanged between the handwritten character recognition unit OCR 21 and the CPU 22 via the bus 23. The output signal P _i of the character recognition device 20 is the second input terminal 32 of the image data processing device 31.
Given to.

In general, the handwritten kanji character OCR automatically reads handwritten Japanese data such as kanji and hiragana as described in "Nikkei Electronics" December 7, 1981, pp. 148-165. A device that can recognize as a character, and is roughly divided into an input unit that optically scans a sheet on which handwritten Chinese characters and the like are written to input a character pattern, and a recognition unit that recognizes the character pattern as a character. The recognition unit samples and binarizes the character pattern, further removes noise, and normalizes the character size, extracts "features" from the character pattern, and stores the "features" and standard patterns stored in advance. By comparing and, a series of processes of determining the character that the character pattern means is performed. In this embodiment, the input unit for such a handwritten Chinese character OCR is provided exactly as the input device 10 described above, and the recognition unit at the latter stage is just equivalent to the handwritten character recognition unit OCR21 in this embodiment.

(B) Operation Procedure of Image Data Automatic Conversion Device Next, the operation procedure of the image data automatic conversion device 2 will be described based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, in step S1, processing information of image data and the like are described in characters. That is,
An operator (a person other than the operator, for example, a work instructor) may use a natural language such as Japanese characters such as kanji, hiragana, katakana, etc., numbers, symbols, alphabets, etc., which are usually easily recognized, on the above-mentioned paper 103. Original picture 1
Information for image processing the image data of 02 is written by hand using a pen or the like. Such information to be described includes a setup parameter of the image processing apparatus 30 and its desired setting value. Paper 103 for such information
The example described above is FIG. 2 described above. In other words, the operator sets "screen ruling" and "magnification" which are setup parameters determined by human subjectivity including designation from the ordering side.
And "USM" as the value of "175 l / inc
When desiring to instruct "h", "200%", and "strongly", the characters "screen ruling", "magnification", and "USM" are handwritten in order in the item description field 103A. Then, in the setting value description field 103B, “175l
The characters "/ inch", "200%", and "strong" are handwritten.

The above is the case where the setup parameter and the desired setting value determined by human subjectivity are designated by characters. However, in addition to this, for example, management data and the like at the time of image processing are also designated by characters together with the setup parameters. You can also write it down. An example of such a case is shown in FIG.
It is.

FIG. 4 shows the item description column 10 of the paper 103.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the various items described in 3A. Figure 4
In FIG. 4, each item is described by grouping the item description column 103A into three groups 103A1 to 103A3 for convenience of description, but the description order does not need to follow the example shown in FIG. Totally free.

As illustrated in the figure, setup parameters such as "highlight density", "shadow density" and "gradation curve" are described as items in the group 103A1. These setup parameters are also parameters that can be directly obtained from the image data if the automatic analysis means described in the conventional example is provided in the scanner 1. Next, the next group 103
The items described in A2 are setup parameters determined by human subjectivity including designation from the ordering side, like the setup parameters shown in FIG.

Further, the items described in the next group 103A3 are items describing management data such as "client name", "scheduled date of submission / submission", and "other" corresponding to memo writing. is there. Writing such management data together is effective in the following cases. For example, by accumulating information according to the taste of the client and storing it in the memory 24 in the character recognition device 20, by describing the “client name” as in the above example, the stored client's name There is an advantage that information according to taste can be read and used for fine adjustment of setup parameters. Of course, the operator is required to enter the item description field 103A.
Set desired value for each item described in 1. Set value description field 1
It will be handwritten in the corresponding location in 03B.

In the above description, the operator is supposed to handwrite the characters with a pen or the like, but it goes without saying that the characters may be written in the paper 103 by a word processor, a typewriter or the like. Yes.

Next, in step S2, the original image holder 100 is arranged. That is, in step S1, the paper 103 in which the characters are written is set together with the original image 102 at a predetermined position on the original image holder glass main body 101B. After closing the lid 101A, the original image holder glass 1
01 is mounted in the original image holder 100, and the original image holder 100 is arranged at a predetermined position of the input device 10 as shown in FIG.

When the above preparations are completed, then only the characters written on the paper 103 in the original image holder 100 are optically read by the input device 10 (step S).
3). This is done as follows.

First, a select signal SCL for instructing to scan the characters written on the paper 103 is sent from the CPU 22 in the character recognition device 20 to the light source 11 and the photoelectric conversion device 12 via the bus 23. Given to.

In response to the select signal SCL, the moving mechanism moves the light source 11 and the photoelectric conversion device 12 in the sub-scanning direction D to a predetermined position where the paper 103 can be scanned. When the above preparation is completed, the light source 11 and the photoelectric conversion device 12 move in the sub-scanning direction next, and the irradiation light L1 emitted from the light source 11 irradiates the paper 103, and the reflected light L2 is photoelectrically converted. By being detected by the device 12 and converted into an electric signal, the character pattern described in a predetermined description field in the paper 103 is read as character pattern data LD _ij .

Here again, the paper 103 shown in FIG.
The reading of the above characters will be specifically described based on FIG. First, the irradiation light L1 irradiates the characters "screen frequency" described in the first line of the item description field 103A, is detected by the photoelectric conversion device 12, and is a character pattern of the setup parameter "screen frequency". Is read as data LD ₁₁ , for example. At the same time, irradiation light L1
Is "1" described in the first line of the setting value description field 103B.
Irradiate even on the letters "75 l / inch",
character pattern is read as data LD ₁₂ of ch ". Then, the irradiation light L1 is irradiated on the word written in the second line of the item description column 103A "magnification", the character pattern of the setup parameter called "magnification" is read as data LD _21, irradiating light L1 is "200" described in the second line of the setting value description field 103B.
% "Is also irradiated with the characters on the character pattern of" 200% "is read as data LD _22. Then irradiated described character of "USM" and "strong" simultaneously in the third row, each character pattern data LD _31, LD ₃₂
Read as. In this way, a series of reading operations are performed in which the character pattern data that describes the item name that the operator desires to set is read and the character pattern data that describes the setting value corresponding to that item name is read. , Every line.

Here, the selector 13 selects the select signal SC.
In response to L, it functions to switch its output terminals 14 and 15. Therefore, in step S3, the character pattern data LD _i1 and LD _i2 input to the selector 13 are output from the output end 15 and input to the handwritten character recognition unit OCR21 in the character recognition device 20.

Next, in step S4, the handwritten character recognition unit OCR21 analyzes the character pattern data LD _i1 and LD _i2 relating to the given character by the series of processes described above, and the obtained recognition contents are recognized as the recognition result RD _i1. Or RD _i2 to the CPU 22 via the bus 23. And CP
The U22 controls the control signal P for instructing the value of the setup parameter according to the contents of the recognition result RD _i1 or RD _i2.
i is output to the second input end 32 of the image processing apparatus 30, information stored in the memory 24 is read out, and the information is output to the second input end 32 as a control signal P _i . It also stores the information in. For example, the handwritten character recognition unit OCR21 and the CPU 22 have described the character pattern data L described as an example in step S3.
When processing D _{11 to} LD ₃₂ , the processing is as follows.

That is, the handwritten character recognition unit OCR21 is
Character pattern data LD ₁₁ and LD ₁₂ , LD ₂₁ and LD ₂₂ ,
LD ₃₁ and LD ₃₂ will be sent in this order. Therefore, along with the handwriting recognition unit OCR21 is First analyzes character pattern data LD ₁₁ recognizes the character string of the item name "screen frequency", and outputs the recognition result RD _11, pulling subsequently character pattern data LD
₁₂ is analyzed to recognize the character string indicating the set value of "175 l / inch", and the recognition result RD ₁₂ is output. Similarly, the character pattern data LD _{21 to} LD ₃₂ are also recognized and output as recognition results RD _{21 to} RD ₃₂ , respectively.

On the other hand, the CPU 22 receives the recognition results RD ₁₁ and RD ₁₂ , and sends a control signal corresponding to an instruction to the image data processing device 30 to "set the screen ruling to 175 lines per inch." Output P ₁ . As a result, the image data processing device 30 sets the screen ruling value to 175 l / inch according to the control signal P ₁ .
The CPU 22 also recognizes the recognition results RD _21, RD ₂₂ , and RD.
Similarly, for ₃₁ and RD ₃₂ , the control signals P ₂ , P
Outputs ₃ . As a result, the image data processing device 30 receives the control signals P ₂ and P ₃ and sets the magnification to 200% and the USM to strong.

Further, when the character pattern data LD _ij relates to management data such as "client name" or "scheduled submission / delivery date" shown in FIG. 4, the processing in the CPU 22 is as follows. For example, when the data LD _i1 is the character pattern data indicating the item name “client name” and the data LD _i2 is the character pattern data indicating the client name “X company”, the data LD _i1 , L
D _i2 is recognized by the handwritten character recognition unit OCR21, and the recognition results RD _i1 and RD _i2 are output to the CPU 22.
Based on the recognition results RD _i1 and RD _i2 , the CPU 22 reads out from the memory 24 the value of the setup parameter or the fine adjustment amount that can realize the finishing preference of “Company X” stored in the memory 24 in advance, and the other setup parameters. And outputs a control signal P _i that should be set to the image processing device 30. This allows the values of multiple setup parameters to be set at once.

Further, the data LD _i1 is character data of “scheduled date of publication”, and the data LD _i2 regarding the set value thereof.
If is the data of the character "xx month x day",
The CPU 22 newly sends to the memory 24 the information "scheduled date of publication xx month xx day" for storage.

If the character recognition fails in the above step S4 or if the recognized character string cannot be automatically set without collating with the item name of the setup parameter or the allowed setting value , for example, the CPU 22 illustrated It is also possible to directly output the control signal P _i by inputting addition or correction from a dialogue terminal or the like. FIG. 6 described later.
The same applies to the case of.

Since the values of the setup parameters of the image data processing device 30 are automatically set by the above steps S1 to S4, the image data of the original image 102 to be recorded next is converted.

That is, in step S5, CP
A selector signal SCL, which is a command signal for scanning the original image 102, is issued from U22, and the light source 11 and the photoelectric conversion device 12 receive the selector signal SCL and the original image 1
02 is moved to a predetermined position for scanning, the irradiation light L1 irradiates the original image 102, and the photoelectric conversion device 12 reads the original image 102 . Further, the selector 13 switches its connection from the output end 15 to the output end 14. As a result, the image data ID for each pixel of the original image 102 obtained by photoelectrically converting the reflected light L2 by the photoelectric conversion device 12 is:
It is provided to the first input end 31 of the image data processing device 30. Then, the image data processing device 30 displays the image data ID
Is digitized by an A / D converter (not shown) for each pixel, and predetermined processing such as gradation conversion, tone correction, color correction and sharpness enhancement is performed based on the value of the setup parameter set in step S4. Is performed and converted into recording image data VC.

At the same time, in the image recording apparatus 3, the exposure film is exposed based on the recording image data VC, and the image of the original image 102 is recorded on the exposure film (step S6).

In the above description of the operation of the image data automatic conversion device 2, the character description on the paper 103 is basically based on the free format. That is,
When the operator describes the name of the setup parameter and its setting value, the item name description field 1
03A and the setting value description field 103B must be described, and the names of the setup parameters can be described in any order. As a result, step S
When reading characters in 3, both the item name and its set value are optically read.

It is obvious from the above description that the present invention is not limited to the case of the free format as described above, but can be applied to the case of writing characters in the fixed format. That is, the item description column 1 of the paper 103
In 03A, the item names of all setup parameters and the like to be specified are printed from the beginning, and the operator only has to fill the setting value description field 103B (the characters in the setting value description field 103B. However, for example, "l / inch" and "%" shown in FIG. 2 may be printed in advance). In this case, if the item names described in the item description field 103A and their order are stored in advance, only the characters described in the setting value description field 103B need to be scanned in step S3. As a result of shortening the time required for character recognition, there is an advantage that the time required for the entire automatic conversion of image data is also shortened. Also, since the operator only has to fill the setting value description field 103B, the mental burden on the operator is considerably reduced.

Of the setup parameters that need to be controlled intentionally by humans, those that do not need to be changed each time the image data is converted, such as screen frequency and management data, and the previous values are used as they are. In such a case, it is possible that the operator does not have to describe the item name and the value for each image data conversion.

For example, when the character description format is the above-mentioned free format, the CPU 22 is instructed of the names of setup parameters and management data that need to be set in advance, and the recognition results RD _i1 and RD _i2 are It is stored in the memory 24 via the bus 23 for each image data conversion. Further, the operator decides a rule not to re-describe setup parameters and management data whose set values are not changed. In that case, the CPU 22 picks up the names of the setup parameters and the management data that are not finally recognized by the handwritten character recognition unit OCR21 in step S4, and
Further, the CPU 22 reads out from the memory 24 the values set at the time of the previous image data conversion corresponding to the picked up setup parameters and management data, and uses the read values as the values of the above-mentioned unchanged setup parameters. As a result, for the setup parameters not described in step S1, the values set in the previous image data conversion and the like are set as they are.

On the other hand, when the character description format is the above-mentioned standard format, the character description of the paper 103 is, for example, as shown in FIG.
By making the description in (a) or FIG. 5 (b),
As the value of the setup parameter that does not need to be changed, the value set at the previous image data conversion can be applied as it is. That is, in the case of FIG. 5 (a), a symbol specially determined in advance to clearly indicate that the values of the “screen ruling” and the “client name” are not changed, and “*” in FIG. 5 (a). Is described. Also, instead of using such symbols, FIG.
By setting the setting value description field 103B to be blank as described in (1), it is possible to distinguish the setting value from a parameter to be newly instructed. However, whichever descriptive expression is used, it is necessary to instruct the CPU 22 in advance what the symbol or blank means.

By using the above-described method, the operator does not have to write characters on the paper 103 each time for each set-up parameter that does not need to be changed, or only needs to write a symbol of about one character. This will be sufficient, and the burden on the operator will be further reduced.

(C) Other Embodiments FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration when the image data automatic conversion apparatus 2A according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to a flat scanner 1A. The difference from the image data automatic conversion device 2 shown in 1 is that a setup parameter automatic analysis device 25 is newly provided.

In the figure, the selector 1 in the input device 10
A first input end 31 of the image data processing device 30 is connected to the first output end 14 of the selector 3, an automatic setup parameter analyzer 25 is connected to the second output end 15 of the selector 13, and a third output of the selector 13 Character recognition devices 20A are respectively connected to the ends 16. Also, from the character recognition device 20A,
Control signal P1 _i of the image data processing device 30 is applied to the second input end 33 of the image data processing device 30, and the second control signal P2 is also supplied from the setup parameter automatic analysis device 25 to the third input end 34 of the image data processing device 30. Given to.

The reason why the automatic image data conversion device 2A is newly provided with not only the character recognition device 20A but also the setup parameter automatic analysis device 25 is based on the following concept. That is, for setup parameters that are often directly determined by analysis of image data of individual original images such as highlight density, shadow density, and gradation curve, which are more appropriate than those determined by human intention. Is
The setup parameters are set using an automatic analyzer as described in the section of "Prior art", and other setup parameters, that is, setup parameters depending on human intention, are set by the operator. The values are described in characters and the contents of the description are recognized by the character recognition device 20A to set those values. This kind of thought
By leaving the parts of the setup parameters that can be originally determined by the machine to the machine,
It is based on the idea of optimizing the value of set setup parameters, improving reliability, and reducing the burden on the operator as much as possible. Therefore, the function of the character recognition device 20A used in this embodiment is exactly the same as the function of the character recognition device 20 of FIG. 1, and the setup parameter automatic analysis device 25 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-5617.
It is an analyzer as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5 and no description of its function will be given here. Therefore,
Based on the above description, the operation of the image automatic conversion device 2A will be described below.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the automatic image conversion apparatus 2A.

First, in step S1A, the operator writes on paper 103 the first setup parameter and the desired setting value of the management data using a pen or the like. As the character description format, either the free format format or the fixed format format can be used as described above. Here, the first setup parameter is a setup parameter that is determined by a human intention such as the number of screen lines and the magnification, and when looking again at FIG. 4, the operator indicates to the groups 103A2 and 103A3 in step S1A. Only the specified item name and the setting value for it (in the case of free format format) or the corresponding setting value (in the case of standard format format) will be described.

Next, in step S2A, the original image holder 100
However, this step is the same as step S2 already described.

In step S3A, the irradiation light L1 is pre-scanned on the original image 102. At this time, the light source 11 and the photoelectric conversion device 12 move to a position where the original image 102 can be pre-scanned in synchronization with a select signal SCL issued by the CPU 22 by a moving mechanism (not shown).
Further, the selector 13 also connects its input end and the second output end 15 in synchronization with the select signal SCL, and opens the first and third output ends 14 and 16. Therefore, the image data PD of the original image 102 obtained by the prescan is sent to the setup parameter automatic analyzer 25. The setup parameter automatic analysis device 25 analyzes the image data PD to calculate the set values of the second setup parameters (highlight density, shadow density, etc.), and these calculated values are used in the image data processing device 30.
And outputs a second control signal P2 for setting.

At the stage when the value of the second setup parameter is set, the paper 103 is scanned, and the characters written on the paper 103 are read as the character pattern data LD _i1 and LD _i2 (step S3B). ), Character pattern data LD _i1 and LD
value P1 _i recognition result first setup parameter based on RD _i1 and RD _i2 of _i2 is, the image data processing apparatus 3
It is set to 0 (step S4A). Step S3
B and S4A are steps S3 and S4 of FIG. 3, respectively.
However, the selector 13 receives the select signal SCL and its input end and the third output end 16
The difference is that they are connected to each other and the first and second output terminals 14 and 15 are opened.

By the above steps S1A to S4A, the values of all the setup parameters necessary for the image processing apparatus 30 are automatically set, and thereafter,
The image data ID of the original image 102 obtained by scanning the original image 102 is converted into the recording image data VC by the image processing device 30 (step S5A), and the image recording device 40.
The image is recorded by (step S6A).

In the image data automatic conversion devices 2 and 2A shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, it was assumed that the operator placed the original image holder 100 at a predetermined position of the input device 10. However, instead of artificially arranging the original image holder 100, if the original image holder 100 can be automatically arranged by adding an automatic supply device such as used in a copying machine to the input device 10, The image data automatic conversion devices 2 and 2A, and therefore the flatbed scanners 1 and 1A, can be continuously and automatically operated, and there is an advantage that work efficiency and operation rate can be improved.

What was made in order to achieve such an object is
It is the image data automatic conversion device 2B shown in FIG. However,
The automatic supply device 50 is shown conceptually, and the details of the configuration will be described in a separate item.

In the figure, a setup parameter automatic setting unit 20B is a device for outputting a control signal PB for causing the image data processing device 30 to set the value of the setup parameter, and is a character in the image data automatic conversion device 2 of FIG. It corresponds to the recognition device 20 or a part in which the character recognition device 20A and the setup parameter automatic analysis device 25 in the image data automatic conversion device 2A in FIG. 2 are combined.

Further, the automatic feeding device 50 has an automatic feeding section 5
1 and a receiving section 52, and a plurality of original image holders are set in advance at predetermined positions of the automatic sending section 51. Then, the automatic feeding section 51 has a function of automatically feeding the original image holders sequentially to predetermined positions of the input device 10, that is, a feeding function. In Figure 8, just
The original image holder 100 is supplied to a predetermined position of the input device 10 and is set in the original image holder 100.
The image data of is automatically converted.

After that, when the conversion of the image data of the original image 102 set in the original image holder 100 is completed, C
A clock signal SPCL is issued from the PU 22, the original image holder 100 is sent to the receiving section 52 in synchronization with the clock signal SPCL, and a new original image holder 100A is supplied to a predetermined position of the input device 10. The operation of supplying and sending out the original image holder is performed by the clock signal S.
This is repeated every time PCL is issued, and the unmanned image data automatic conversion device 2B is realized.

Therefore, a specific configuration example of the above-described automatic supply device 50 will be described.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view schematically showing the mechanical structure of an automatic feeder 200 similar to the automatic feeder disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-401311 filed by the present applicant. . As shown in FIG.
Is roughly classified into an original image holder stack section 21 for accumulating an original image holder 100 on which an original image to be recorded is stored.
0, a discharging unit 22 for discharging the original image holder that has been transported
0 and the original image holder stacking section 210, and the carrying section 230 that carries them out to the discharging section 220 via the input device 10.

Here, the original image holder stack section 210 is provided with a plurality of original image holders 10 for automatically converting image data.
A supply stacker 211 in which 0 is loaded and accumulated in each shelf 211a, a motor 212 for moving the stacker 211 up and down, and a pusher 213 for pushing out the original image holder 100 from the supply stacker 211 are provided.

Further, the upper end portion 211 of the supply stacker 211
A part of the wire 215 is fixed to the C and the lower end portion, and the wire 215 is configured such that a part thereof is hooked on the rotary wheel 216 rotated by the driving force of the motor 212. Therefore, the supply stacker 211 corresponds to the rotation direction of the motor 212, and the supply stacker 211 is provided upright.
It will go up and down like an elevator along 14a and 214b. The upper limit detection sensor 201 and the lower limit detection sensor 202 are sensors for determining the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the supply stacker 211, respectively. Then, the supply stacker 211 descends from the upper limit position to the lower limit position each time each original image holder 100 is sequentially pushed out by the pusher 213 described later. That is, each time the translucent sensor 203 detects the original image holder 100 via the opening 211b provided on the side surface of the supply stacker 211,
The motor 212 stops. When the motor 212 is stopped, the heights of the original image holder 100 located at the bottom and the pusher 213 are matched.

Here, the pusher 213 is supported by two horizontal support bars 217a and 217b and is movable in a direction of coming in contact with and separating from the supply stacker 211, and a rotary belt partially fixed to the pusher 213. When the motor 219 drives the motor 218, the original image holder 100 in the supply stacker 211 is pushed out. As a result, the original image holder 100 is moved onto the rotating conveyor belt 231, and further conveyed by the conveyor belts 231 and 232 to a predetermined position on the input device 10 as shown in FIG.

Then, at a predetermined position on the input device 10, the image data of the original image mounted in the original image holder 100 is read by the method described above. After reading,
The original image holder 100 is transported to the discharge section 220 by driving the transport belts 232 and 233.

On the other hand, the discharging section 220 includes a discharging stacker 221.
A discharge stacker 221.
The configuration for elevating and lowering is similar to that of the supply stacker 211. The upper limit detection sensor 205 and the lower limit detection sensor 206 are sensors for detecting the upper limit position and the lower limit position of the discharge stacker 221, respectively, and when the upper limit and lower limit positions are detected by these sensors, The motor 222 is stopped. The upper limit position means that the upper surface 221a of the bottom plate of the discharge stacker 221 is the conveyor belt 23.
This is the position of the upper end portion 211C of the discharge stacker 221 so that the position becomes the same as the position of 3. The lower limit position is the position of the upper end portion 221C of the ejection stacker 221 when the original stack holder 221 is filled with the original image holder 100.

The original image holder 100 is stored in the discharge stacker 221 as follows. That is, first, the discharge stacker 221 is raised to the upper limit position where the upper limit detection sensor 205 is turned on, and then the discharge stacker 221 is lowered. Then, when the translucent sensor 207 detects the original image holder 100 through the opening 221b provided on the side surface of the discharge stacker 221, the discharge stacker 221 is stopped, and at this stop position, the conveyance belt 233 and the discharge roller 234 are used. The original image holder 100 is moved into the output stacker 221. At this time, when the original image holder 100 is housed in the discharge stacker 221, the upper surface of the uppermost one of the original image holder 100 substantially coincides with the upper surface of the transport belt 233, and the discharge stacker 221
When the original image holder 100 is not yet stored in the inside, the upper surface 221 a of the bottom plate is substantially aligned with the upper surface of the conveyor belt 233.

If the original image holder 100 is detected on the conveyor belt 233 while the discharge stacker 221 is moving up and down, a sensor for stopping the conveyor belt 233 and the discharge roller 234 provided on the exit side thereof. 204 is provided.

In the image data automatic conversion devices 2 and 2A described above, the desired setting values of the setup parameters and the management data were once written in a predetermined column of the paper 103 by a character such as a pen. It is not limited to the case of using the above paper, but the setup parameter and management data items and their setting values (in the case of free format) or the main body can be directly set at predetermined positions on the main body 101B of the original image holder glass 101. The corresponding desired setting value may be described (in the case of the standard format) according to the item name described on the section 101B.

Further, the image data automatic conversion devices 2, 2A and 2B described with reference to FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 are all applied to the plane scanners 1 and 1A for color plate making. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to, for example, a monochrome plate-making scanner intended for an original image such as a black and white film or a direct scanner having a structure in which an original image is attached to a cylindrical cylinder for scanning, and a digital scanner and an analog scanner. (In this case, it is necessary to set up after the recognition result once read is D / A converted.) Needless to say, it is applicable to both.

In all of the above cases, it goes without saying that a transmission light source can also be used for illuminating an original image, and it can be applied to a transmission original image.

Further, the image data automatic conversion apparatus and method according to the present invention is not limited to a scanner, and is an apparatus for automatically converting an image of an original image into recording image data and reproducing the image, such as a laser printer or a copying machine. Can also be applied to.

[0085]

According to the image data automatic conversion method and the image data automatic device of the first and fourth aspects, a person simply describes in advance the desired setup parameter value in characters before performing the image data conversion. Other than that, there is the effect that the image data of the original image can be automatically converted into the image data for recording without any human intervention.
Also, when reading, say "item description field → set value description field".
Free format by reading in order
Has been realized, and the operator can think about the setting items.
You can freely describe in the order in which they are attached, and later
Even if you want to add an item, add it to the last column of the item description column.
It becomes possible to add the item of.

Further, since the instruction of the value of the setup parameter is described by the characters in the natural language, it is possible for a person to easily recognize the described content, and as a result, it is possible to set the correct and appropriate setup parameter without error. In addition, there is an effect that preparation of an original image can be easily and easily performed.

Furthermore, since a special device for describing the value of the setup parameter such as a bar code generator is not required, there is an effect that the device can be downsized.

Further, it is possible to specify the setup parameters by characters with the minimum necessary description, and there is an effect that the burden on the human can be further reduced.

According to the automatic image data conversion device and the automatic image data conversion method of the second and fifth aspects,
In addition to the effects of the inventions of claims 1 and 4 described above, it is sufficient to describe only the value of the setup parameter determined by human intention in characters.
As a result of the values of other setup parameters being determined by the automatic analysis means, there is an effect that the values of setup parameters can be set more accurately and the burden on human beings can be further reduced.

According to the image data automatic processing method and the image data automatic conversion device of the third and sixth aspects,
There is an effect that image data conversion can be continuously and automatically performed without human intervention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image data automatic conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the outer appearance of an original image folder glass with a lid open.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the image data automatic conversion device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing various items described in an item description column of paper.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of character description on paper.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image data automatic conversion device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an operation procedure of an image data automatic conversion apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image data automatic conversion device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view schematically showing an original image with a barcode.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an automatic supply device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Automatic image data conversion device 2A Automatic image data conversion device 2B Automatic image data conversion device 10 Input device 11 Light source 20 Character recognition device 20A Character recognition device 20B Setup parameter automatic setting unit 25 Setup parameter automatic analysis device 30 Image data processing device 50 Automatic Supply device 100 Original image holder 102 Original image ID Original image data LD _ij Character pattern data LD _i1 Setting item name character pattern data LD _i2 Setting value character pattern data RD _ij Recognition result RD _i1 Setting item name recognition result RD _i2 Setting value Recognition result VC recording image data P _i control signal P1 _i first control signal P2 second control signal

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. (a) a step of describing a character, which means processing information of image data of the original image, in a predetermined range of an original image holder in which the original image is mounted by using a natural language; (b) the original image Mounted, and arranging the original image holder in which the character is described in the step (a) at a predetermined position, (c) optically reading and photoelectrically converting the character, and (d) the step After recognizing the data obtained in (c) as a character, automatically setting the value of the setup parameter of the image data processing device based on the recognition content; and (e) optically converting the image data of the original image. Then, the image data processing device is driven based on the setup parameter automatically set in the step (d) to read the photoelectrically converted original image. Converting the image data into desired recording image data, and in the step (a), a predetermined range of the original image holder is provided.
Items such as setup parameters in the item description field in
Enter the corresponding item in the setting value description field that corresponds to the item description field.
The corresponding instruction value is described, and in the step (c), it is described in the item description column.
Corresponds to the item description field after reading the item
Read the indicated value described in the setting value description column
Perform processing sequentially for all items described.
And a method for automatically converting image data. 2. An original image holder in which (a) an original image is mounted
Within the prescribed range, the first set determined by human subjectivity
Of the original image data corresponding to the up-up parameter
Management information for processing information and / or image processing
And (b) the original image is loaded, and the step (a) described above is performed.
Place the original image holder with the written characters in place
And (c) optically reading the image data of the original image in advance.
By automatically recognizing the data obtained by photoelectric conversion
The value of the second setup parameter that is determined objectively.
Determining step, and (d) optically reading and photoelectrically converting the character
And (e) the data obtained in the step (d) as characters
After the recognition, the first set based on the recognition content
Automatically setting the value of the up parameter, and (f) optically reading the image data of the original image and applying photoelectric conversion.
After conversion, the odor in the step (e) and the step (c)
The first and second setups automatically set by
Based on the parameters, the image data of the original image photoelectrically converted.
And a step of converting the data into desired recording image data, the image data automatic conversion method. 3. A new original image in which a new original image is mounted and a character meaning processing information of the image data of the new original image is written every time the original image data is converted into desired recording image data. The automatic image data conversion method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the holder is automatically arranged at a predetermined position. 4. (a) An original image holder in which an original image to be recorded is mounted, and a character representing processing information of the image data of the original image is described within a predetermined range by using a natural language, (b) Input means for sequentially optically reading and photoelectrically converting the image data of the character and the original image in the original image holder; (c) an input end connected to an output end of the input means, and the input means obtained by the input means. Character recognition means for recognizing data about a character as a character and outputting a control signal for setting a value of the setup parameter to an image data processing means, which will be described later, from an output end based on the recognition content, (d) the input means A first input end is connected to the output end and a second input end is connected to the output end of the character recognition means, and the automatic setting is performed by the control signal input to the second input end. Has been based on the value of the setup parameter, and an image data processing means for image data of the original obtained is converted to the desired recording image data by the input unit, in the input means, items of said original holder In the description field
After reading the described item, the item description field
Reading of the indicated value described in the setting value description field corresponding to
Sequentially for all the items that describe the processing
An image data automatic conversion device characterized by performing . 5. (a) An original image to be recorded is mounted, and
Within the given range, the first set determined by human subjectivity.
Of the original image data corresponding to the up-up parameter
Management information for processing information and / or image processing
The original picture in which the character that means is written in natural language.
Da and, (b) the image data of the character and original in the original holder
Input means for sequentially optically reading and photoelectrically converting data
When an input terminal connected to the output end of the (c) said input means, before
The data about the character obtained by the input means
It is recognized as a character and the human subjectivity is based on the recognition content.
Value of the first setup parameter determined by
The character recognition that outputs the first control signal that sets the
And (d) an input end connected to the output end of the input means,
Therefore, it was optically read by the input means and photoelectrically converted.
By automatically recognizing the image data of the original picture,
The value of the second setup parameter that is determined
The second setup parameter value to the second control parameter.
Setup parameter output from the output end as a control signal
Data and automatic analysis means, (e) a first input terminal connected is the output end of said input means
The second input end is connected to the output end of the character recognition means.
In addition, the setup parameter automatic analysis
A third input end is connected to the output end of the stage, and
The first control signal and the third control signal input to the input terminal of the
By the second control signal input to the input terminal of the
Each of the first and second set-ups set automatically
Based on the value of the
The original image data is converted to the desired recording image data.
Image data processing means for converting
A device for automatically converting image data. 6. A new original image in which a new original image is mounted and a character indicating processing information of the image data of the new original image is written every time the image data of the original image is converted into desired recording image data. 6. The automatic image data conversion device according to claim 4, further comprising an automatic supply means for automatically arranging the holder at a predetermined position in the input means.