JP4780674B2 - Scaling method and image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to scaling for magnifying image data that is sequentially input in line units and arranging it on a specified size screen, and an image processing apparatus that performs the scaling, and in particular, effective image size and specified size after scaling. Relates to data transfer when different margins are generated. The present invention can be used for, for example, document image reading, image transfer, facsimile transmission, image storage, image printing, copying, and the like.

JP-A-10-276320 JP2003-87557A.

  In Patent Document 1, image data obtained by reading a document is sequentially stored in units of lines. When sequentially stored in a memory unit for at least two lines and read out from the line memory, the image data is read in accordance with an address designated by the image range designation unit. An image processing apparatus is described in which image data is read and white data is added to a designated range on the line by white addition designation means. When enlargement or reduction is designated, enlargement or reduction is sequentially performed while reading out an image from the memory means according to the address setting designated by the image range designation means and the white addition designation means. Patent Document 2 describes an image forming apparatus that calculates an optimum scaling ratio according to a document size and a paper size, displays a warning because a margin is generated when the scaling ratio is outside the appropriate range, and enables interruption processing. Yes.

  When margins are generated by scaling, conventionally, the time for outputting image data of the transfer paper size is longer than the time for outputting image data of a document at the same magnification, and the time for sequentially reading a plurality of documents is increased. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the A3 document surface Por is reduced by 50%, document data is fetched from the document scanner line by line per 1 lsync (main scanning synchronization signal; line synchronization signal). A process of making two lines into one line is performed in the multiplier. When the effective data after scaling is smaller than the transfer paper size Ppo, the margin filling data (margin data) is transferred, or the transfer paper size area Ppo is previously filled with the margin data. In the case of transferring margin compensation data for each line, as shown in FIG. 11B, the reduced image is supplied for one line in the original two-line output period in the image data output period of the original Por. Output.

  Therefore, when the reading of the original Por is finished, the image data is transferred only for the first half of the transfer paper size Ppo. Therefore, even after the reading of the document Por is finished, the compensation data is transferred to the blank area (margin 2) in the latter half of the transfer paper size Ppo. Accordingly, the output time of the image data after zooming becomes longer. When reading a plurality of originals sequentially, as shown in FIG. 12, the reading pause time between the originals becomes longer. Therefore, in the case of variable magnification reading that generates a margin, the reading time of the plurality of originals is equal to that at the same magnification. Also gets longer. That is, when the margin data is transferred, only the effective data after scaling is transferred during the time when the original is read (original fgate (frame gate signal) is valid). It takes extra time to transfer the margin data, and a lot of time between papers must be taken when reading continuous pages.

  An object of the present invention is to suppress the lengthening of the transfer time of the scaled image data due to the margin filling data transfer.

(1) In the scaling method of generating image data of the designated size screen (Ppo) by scaling the image data input in units of main scanning lines on the original screen (Por) and outputting in line units,
The screen after scaling of the original screen becomes smaller than the specified size, the line output pitch of the image data of the original screen after scaling becomes longer than the line input pitch of the image data of the original screen, and the sub-scan direction in the specified size screen When the margin portion (margin 2) is generated, data for compensating for the margin portion (margin 2) is output in a period between the line input pitch and the line output pitch. .

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of the corresponding element or the corresponding matter of the Example which is shown in drawing and mentions later in a parenthesis was added as an example for reference. The same applies to the following.

  According to this, since the data that compensates for the margin generated by the scaling is output during the period of outputting the scaling data of the original screen (Por), the scaling data output from the end of the scaling data output of the original screen (Por) The output of the margin filling data is eliminated or reduced, and the transfer time of the scaled image data by the margin filling data transfer is reduced.

  (2) The screen after scaling of the original screen (Por) is smaller than the specified size (Ppo), the line length of the original screen image data after scaling is shorter than the specified size of the line length, and the specified size When a margin portion (margin 1) in the main scanning direction is generated on the screen, a margin portion (margin 1) in the main scanning direction is set in an area between the line length of the scaled image of the original screen and the line length of the designated size screen. The scaling method according to (1), wherein data for compensating for the error is output.

  (3) The original screen is a document surface, and the input image data is output image data of the document scanner (10) that reads an image of the document, generates image data, and outputs the data in line units. Or the magnification changing method as described in (2).

  (4) The scaling method according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the designated size is a paper size of a printer that forms an image on paper.

(5) A document scanner (10) that reads an image of a document, generates image data, and outputs the image data in units of lines;
A scaling unit that scales image data output by the document scanner in line units to generate image data of a specified size screen (Ppo) and outputs the data in line units, wherein the scaled image of the document is When the line pitch of the image data output after scaling is longer than the line pitch for reading the original and becomes a margin in the sub-scanning direction at the specified size, the line pitch for the original reading is changed. An image processing apparatus comprising: a scaling unit (26) for outputting sub-scanning complementary data for compensating for the blank portion during a period between line pitches of the image data output after the magnification.

  (6) The scaling means (26) is configured such that the scaled image of the document image is smaller than the specified size (Ppo), and the line length of the scaled document image is shorter than the line length of the specified size. When a margin portion in the main scanning direction is generated on the designated size screen, a margin portion (margin 1) in the main scanning direction is formed in an area between the line length of the image after scaling of the original image and the line length of the designated size screen. The image processing apparatus according to (5), wherein main scanning complementary data to be supplemented is output.

  (7) The image processing apparatus further includes a printer (14) for forming an image represented by the image forming image data on a sheet of a specified size; and image data output from the scaling unit (26). The image processing apparatus according to (5) or (6), further comprising image data processing means (264) for correcting the image data for image.

  (8) The line length of the scaled image of the original image and the main scanning complementary data are sequentially stored as line data of the designated size screen from the beginning of the designated size area for storing the image data of the designated size screen. The image data storage means (MEM-C / MEM-F) for storing sub-scanning complementary data from the beginning or end of the blank area in the sub-scanning direction of the designated size area, further comprising: Image processing apparatus.

(9) The line length of the post-magnification image of the original image and the main scanning in ascending or descending order sequentially from one of the start and end of the specified size area of the image data storage means (MEM-C / MEM-F) An effective area storage address for storing image data using complementary data as line data of the specified size screen is generated, and a blank area storage address for storing sub-scanning complementary data is generated sequentially in reverse order from the other (FIG. 9). ), Address generating means (28, 29); and
When outputting the line length of the scaled image of the original image and the main scanning supplement data (margin 1) to the image data storage means as the line data of the designated size screen, the effective area storage address is set to the sub area. The image processing apparatus according to (8), further comprising: address selection means (30) for giving the margin area storage address when outputting the scan complement data (margin 2). According to this, the start edge of the margin area storage address can be set easily. Since the margin data (margin 2) is filled from the opposite direction to the effective area data, the scaling error can be eliminated.

(10) The line length of the post-magnification image of the original image and the main scanning supplement data (margin 1) are sequentially displayed in ascending order from the beginning of the designated size area of the image data storage means. The effective area storage address for storing the image data is generated, and the sub-scan complementary data (margin 2) generating a blank area storage address for storing (FIG. 10), address generation means (28, 29); and
When outputting the line length of the scaled image of the original image and the main scanning supplement data as line data of the designated size screen to the image data storage means, the effective area storage address is used as the sub-scan supplement data. The image processing apparatus according to (8), further comprising address selection means (30) for giving the margin area storage address when outputting. According to this, since the address generation means (29) calculates and sets the start of the margin area storage address, the data transfer control of the image processing controller (261) can be simplified.

  (11) The image processing apparatus further includes: a printer (14) that forms an image represented by the image forming image data on a paper of a specified size; and the image data read from the specified size area of the image data storage means The image processing apparatus according to (8), (9) or (10), comprising image data processing means (264) for correcting image forming image data of the printer.

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of a multi-function copying machine MF1 equipped with the image reading apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention. This full-color copying machine is roughly constituted by units of an automatic document feeder (ADF) 13, an operation board 11, a color scanner 10, a color printer 14 and a finisher 100. The operation board 11, the color scanner 10 with the ADF 13, and the finisher 100 are units that can be separated from the printer 14.

  The multi-function copying machine MF1 is connected to a local area network (LAN) connected to the personal computer PC1 and an exchange PBX connected to a telephone line PN (facsimile communication line). The printed paper of the color printer 14 is discharged to the finisher 100.

  FIG. 2 shows a document image reading mechanism of the scanner 10 and the ADF 13 attached thereto. The original placed on the contact glass 231 of the scanner 10 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 232, and the reflected light (image light) of the original is reflected by the first mirror 233 in parallel with the sub-scanning direction y. The illumination lamp 232 and the first mirror 233 are mounted on a first carriage (not shown) that is driven at a constant speed in the sub-scanning direction y. Second and third mirrors 234 and 235 are mounted on a second carriage (not shown) that is driven in the same direction as the first carriage, and the image light reflected by the first mirror 233. Is reflected downward (z) by the second mirror 234, reflected by the third mirror 235 in the sub-scanning direction y, converged by the lens 236, irradiated to the CCD 207, and converted into an electrical signal. The first and second carriages are driven forward (original scanning) and backward (return) in the y direction using the traveling body motor 238 as a drive source.

  As described above, the scanner 10 is a flatbed (original stationary reading method) original scanner that scans an original on the contact glass 231 with the lamp 232 and the mirror 233 and projects an original image on the CCD 207. However, sheet-through reading is also possible. As described above, when the first carriage is stopped at the home position (standby position) HP, there is a glass 240 as a sheet-through reading window at the reading visual field position of the first mirror 233, and the glass 240 is automatically above the glass 240. A document feeder (ADF) 13 is mounted, and a transport drum (platen) 244 of the ADF 13 faces the glass 240.

  The documents stacked on the document tray 241 of the ADF 13 are fed between the conveyance drum 244 and the pressing roller 245 by the pickup roller 242 and the registration roller pair 243, and are in close contact with the conveyance drum 244 and pass over the reading glass 240. Then, the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 248 serving as a pressure plate below the document tray 241 by the paper discharge rollers 246 and 247.

  When the image on the surface of the document passes through the reading glass 240 serving as a document reading window, the image is irradiated by the illumination lamp 232 that is moving immediately below the image, and the reflected light on the surface of the document is optical below the first mirror 233. The CCD 207 is irradiated through the system and subjected to photoelectric conversion. That is, it is converted into RGB color image signals.

  In the case of sheet-through reading, the paper sensor 223 detects a document fed out from the document tray 241, and generates a document passage detection signal at a level indicating the presence of paper while the document passes through the sensor 223. 10 is a signal obtained by adding a document passage detection signal to a delay (the number of occurrences of the line synchronization signal lsync) from the position of the sensor 223 to the center of the reading field of the glass 240, and a frame gate signal fgate (to be described later). FIG. 7) is output to the scanner image processing 263 (FIG. 4). In the case of original document reading, a frame gate signal fgate (FIG. 7) is generated based on a detection signal of a document size sensor (not shown) disposed below the contact glass 231.

  Between the reading glass 240 and the scale 251 for positioning the starting edge of the document, there are a reference white plate 239 and a base point sensor 249 for detecting the first carriage. Although the reference white plate 239 reads a document having a uniform density due to variations in individual emission intensities of the illumination lamps 232, variations in the main scanning direction, sensitivity variations among the pixels of the CCD 207, and the like, It is prepared to correct the phenomenon in which read data varies (shading correction).

  The base body 248 of the ADF 13 is hinge-coupled (hinge-connected) to the base body of the scanner 10 on the back side (back side of FIG. 2), and has a handle 250m on the front side of the base body 248 (front side of FIG. 2). By raising the base 248, the ADF 13 can be raised (opened). On the back side of the base body 248 of the ADF 13, there is a switch for detecting opening / closing of the ADF 13. A pressure plate 250p facing the contact glass 231 of the ADF 13 is attached to the bottom surface of the ADF 13. When the ADF 13 is closed, the lower surface of the pressure plate 250p is in close contact with the upper surface of the contact glass 231 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows the mechanism of the color printer 14. The color printer 14 of this embodiment is a laser printer. An assembly (image forming unit) of a photoconductor 56 and a developing device 55 and a charger, a cleaning device, and a transfer device (illustration unit) (not shown) that forms a one-color toner image is M (magenta), C (cyan), Y ( Yellow) and Bk (black) for each image formation, there are 4 sets in total, arranged in tandem along the conveying belt 57 in this order, and each color toner image formed by them is sequentially It is transferred onto a single sheet of transfer paper.

  The transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 48, the second tray 49, and the third tray 50 are fed by the first paper feeding device 51, the second paper feeding device 52, and the third paper feeding device 53, respectively, and are conveyed vertically. The unit 54 is transported to a position where it abuts against the photoreceptor 56.

  The image data read by the scanner 10 is corrected by the image input / output processing 262 (FIG. 4), once written in the local memory 276 (FIG. 4), read, and using the read image data. By the laser exposure from the writing unit 15, the uniformly charged photoconductor 56 is written by a charger (not shown), thereby forming an electrostatic latent image. As the electrostatic latent image passes through the developing unit 55, a toner image appears on the photoreceptor 56. The toner image on the photoconductor 56 is transferred while the transfer paper is conveyed by the conveyance belt 57 at the same speed as the rotation of the photoconductor 56. Thereafter, the image is fixed by the fixing unit 58 and discharged by the paper discharge unit 59 to the finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus. In the case of facsimile transmission, the image data read by the scanner 10 is transmitted after being stored in the memory 293 of the facsimile control unit (FCU) 287.

  The finisher 100 of the post-processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 can guide the transfer paper conveyed by the paper discharge unit 59 of the main body in the normal paper discharge roller 103 direction and the staple processing unit direction. By switching the switching plate 101 upward, the sheet can be discharged to the normal discharge tray 104 side via the transport roller 103. Further, by switching the switching plate 101 downward, the switching plate 101 can be conveyed to the staple table 108 via the conveying rollers 105 and 107. The transfer paper loaded on the staple table 108 is aligned by the paper aligning jogger 109 each time it is discharged, and is bound by the stapler 106 upon completion of partial copying. The group of transfer sheets bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the staple completion discharge tray 110 by its own weight.

  On the other hand, the normal paper discharge tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth (in a direction perpendicular to the sheet of FIG. 3). The paper discharge tray section 104 that can be moved back and forth moves forward and back for each original or each copy section sorted by the image memory, and simply sorts the discharged copy paper. When images are formed on both sides of the transfer paper, the transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 48 to 50 is not guided to the paper discharge tray 104 side, and the branching claw 60 for switching the path is used. By turning it downward, it is once guided to the reversing unit 112 and then stocked in the duplex feeding unit 111.

  Thereafter, the transfer paper stocked on the double-sided paper feed unit 111 is again fed from the double-sided paper feed unit 111 to transfer the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 56, and the branching claw for switching the path. 60 is returned to the illustrated horizontal position and guided to the paper discharge tray 104. In this way, when creating images on both sides of the transfer paper, the reversing unit 112 and the duplex feeding unit 111 are used.

  The photoconductor 56, the conveyance belt 57, the fixing unit 58, the paper discharge unit 59, and the development unit 55 are driven by a main motor (not shown), and each of the paper feeding devices 51 to 53 is also not shown. It is driven by being transmitted by each sheet feeding clutch. The vertical conveyance unit 54 is driven by transmitting the drive of the main motor by an intermediate clutch (not shown).

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the image processing system of the multifunction copying machine MF1 shown in FIG. The multi-function copier MF1 includes an engine 260 that reads a document image and performs color printing, a controller board 270, and an operation board 11. The engine 260 includes a CPU 261 that controls image reading and printing, the color scanner 10 described above, the printer 14 described above, and an image input / output processing 262 configured by an ASIC (Application Specific IC).

  The controller board 270 includes a CPU 272, a document storage control 273 configured by an ASIC, a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 271, a local memory (MEM-C) 276, and a system memory (MEM-P) 279. , North Bridge (hereinafter referred to as NB) 278, South Bridge (hereinafter referred to as SB) 285, NIC 280 (Network Interface Card), USB Device 281, IEEE 1394 Device 282, Centronics Device 283 and others. The operation board 11 is connected to the document accumulation control 273 of the controller board 270.

  The CPU 272 can transmit / receive document information to / from the personal computer PC1 connected to the LAN via the NIC 280 or the personal computer PC via the Internet. In addition, communication with a personal computer, a printer, a digital camera, or the like can be performed using the USB 281, IEEE 1394 282, and Centronics 283.

  The SB 285, the NIC 280, the USB device 281, the IEEE 1394 device 282, the Centronics device 283, and the MLB 284 are connected to the NB 278 via a PCI bus. As described above, the MLB 284 is a board that is connected to the engine 260 via the PCI bus. Then, MLB 284 converts the document data input from the outside into image data (image data), and outputs the converted image data to engine 260.

  The local memory 276, HDD 271 and the like are connected to the document storage control 273 of the controller board 270, and the CPU 272 and the document storage control 273 are connected via the NB278 of the CPU chipset. The document accumulation control 273 and the NB 278 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port).

  The CPU 272 performs overall control of the multifunction function copying machine MF1. The NB 278 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 272, system memory 279, SB 285, and document storage control 273. The system memory 279 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like for the multifunction function copying machine MF1. The SB 285 is a bridge for connecting the NB 278 to the PCI bus and peripheral devices. The local memory 276 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HDD 271 is a memory for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, LUT (Look Up Table), and the like. The operation board 11 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the user and performs display for the user.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of image data exchanged between the scanner 10 and the printer 14 and the image input / output device 262. The image input / output processing 262 includes shading correction, reading γ correction, filter processing (MTF correction), background density adjustment, change for each of R, G, and B image data generated when the color scanner 10 reads an original image. There is a scanner image processing 263 for doubling and the like, and the R, G, B image data is converted into C, M, Y corresponding to the image expression characteristics of the C, M, Y, K color writing units 210-213 of the printer 14. Printer image processing 264 for converting the print data into K print data. Further, the document reading image data RGB or CMYK is output to the document storage control 273, and the image data RGB or CMYK output by the document storage control 273 is output to the printer image processing 264. An image processing interface (I / F) 265 is provided.

  In the case of a single copy for printing one sheet per original, the CMYK recording color data is output from the scanner image processing 263 to the image processing I / F 265, and the image processing I / F 265 outputs these image data to the printer image processing 264. The printer image processing 264 performs scaling, image processing, and printer γ conversion and gradation processing as necessary, and outputs to each writing unit (each laser emitter of the laser writing unit 15).

  In the case of continuous copying in which a plurality of sheets are printed per document, RGB image data is output from the scanner image processing 263 to the image processing I / F 265, and these image data are output to the document accumulation control 273 by the image processing I / F 265. Then, it is temporarily stored in the local memory 276 or the HDD 271, read out for each copy, and supplied from the document storage control 273 to the printer image processing 264 via the image processing I / F 265. The printer image processing 264 converts RGB image data into C, M, Y, K print data by color correction, performs scaling, image processing as necessary, and performs printer γ conversion and gradation processing for each writing. Output to the unit.

  At the time of reading and registration of the document by the scanner 10 or transmission to the outside, the RGB image data output from the scanner image processing 263 is registered in the HDD 271 via the image processing I / F 265 and the image accumulation control 273, or The data is temporarily stored in the local memory 276 or the HDD 271 and then transmitted to the outside.

  When printing the registered RGB image data by the printer 14 or the RGB image data received from the outside, the RGB image data is given to the printer image processing 264 via the image accumulation control 273 and the image processing I / F 265. The printer image processing 264 converts the RGB image data into CMYK recording color data, and then performs scaling, image processing, printer γ conversion and gradation processing as necessary, and outputs the result to each writing unit.

  FIG. 6 shows a main part of the image input / output device 262 related to the implementation of the present invention. The RGB image data (document data) that the scanner 10 sequentially outputs in units of lines for each color is processed by a shading correction 21, a scanner gamma correction 22, a filter process 23, and a magnification change 26 that performs resolution conversion and image size change. Are stored in the memory 276 via the image processing I / F 265 and the document accumulation control 273. Alternatively, it is stored in the memory 293 of the FCU 287. The image area separation 24 detects the characteristics of each part of the image based on the image data and determines the image area such as a character area, a photographic area, and a background area. The filter process 23 performs a filter process using parameters corresponding to the image area. That is, sharpening processing is applied to the character area, and processing for smoothly expressing halftones is added to the photo area. The background density adjustment 25 adjusts the image density of the background area to a low level. The scaling unit 26 performs resolution conversion and image size conversion. The image processing I / F 265 has functions of an effective area address generation 28, a blank area address generation 29, and an address selection 30 used for carrying out the present invention.

  The scaling unit 26 scales image data output by the original scanner 10 in units of lines and subjected to correction processing equal to or less than the shading correction, and the paper size designated by copying, printing, page setting, or the image of the designated size screen. Data is generated and output in line units via the image processing 265, but the image after scaling of the document read by the scanner 10 is smaller than the paper size and is scaled after the scaling of the document reading line pitch. When the line pitch of the image data output becomes long and a margin portion (margin 2) in the sub-scanning direction is generated in the paper size, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the line pitch for document reading and the image data output after scaling are output. In the period between the line pitches, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, sub-scan supplement data (filling data for margin 2) for filling the margin portion is output. In this case, since a margin part (margin 1) is usually generated also in the main scanning direction, the scaling unit 26 generates a margin part in the main scanning direction on the paper size. The main scanning supplement data (the margin 1 filling data) for filling the margin portion in the main scanning direction is output to the area between the line length and the line length of the designated size screen. The margin data for filling the margin area, that is, the supplement data, is set in the margin data holding 27, and the margin data holding 27 gives to the magnification change 26.

  In the memory 276 or 293, for example, as shown in the screen Ppo in FIG. 9, the line length and main length of the original image after scaling from the beginning of the paper size area for storing the image data of the paper size (specified size screen) are stored. Scan complementary data (margin 1 in FIG. 7) is sequentially stored as paper size line data, and sub-scan supplement data (margin 2 in FIG. 7) is stored from the end of the blank area in the sub-scanning direction of the paper size area. Store.

  The effective area address generation 28 of the image processing I / F 265 generates an effective area address for storing the line length of the image after scaling of the original image and the main scanning complementary data (margin 1 in FIG. 7) in the memory 276 or 293. When the margin area address generation 29 is generated for the margin area address for storing the sub-scan supplement data (margin 2 in FIG. 7) and the address selection 30 is 50%, as shown in FIG. During the input of two lines of read image data, the memory 276 alternately stores one line of reduced image data (magnified image data + margin 1 supplement data) and one line of sub-scan supplement data (margin 2 supplement data). Alternatively, an address to be given to the memory is selectively output so as to be written to 293. That is, it switches.

  In this case, the effective area address generation unit 28 sequentially selects the line length of the post-magnification image of the original image and the main scanning supplement data (margin 1 supplement data) in ascending order from the beginning of the paper size area of the memory 276 or 293. The effective area storage address for storing the image data with the line size of the paper size is generated, and the blank area address generation 29 is performed in the reverse order from the end of the paper size area in the reverse order, the sub-scan supplement data (the blank 2 supplement data). A margin area storage address for storing is generated.

  For example, in the case of a copy that is printed on A3 paper by reducing the image of an A3 version document by 50%, as shown in FIG. 7, the fgate for the document has undergone shading correction, filter processing, etc. during the effective period. The original-read image data is reduced by 50% at the variable magnification 26. At this time, since the reduction is 50%, the effective data after scaling (reduced image data of the original) is output for one line in 2 lsync. Here, in this case, during one line period in which valid data is not output, the margin supplement data (margin 2) is transferred to the memory. A yohaku sel signal for distinguishing between the effective area period and the blank area period is output from the magnification change unit 26 to the image processing I / F 265. The yohaku sel signal is H level: margin area period and L level: effective area period.

  Upon receiving yohaku sel, the image processing I / F 265 switches the address of the memory 276 or 293 that is the image transfer destination between the memory address from the valid area address generation 28 and the memory address from the blank area address generation 29, Valid image data and margin data are transferred to the memory. As shown in FIG. 9, the address order in the margin area address generation 28 proceeds in the opposite direction to the address order in the effective area. As the margin start address, the last memory address of the transfer sheet area calculated from the designated sheet size is set and decremented.

  Thus, by filling the margin data from the reverse direction of the transfer paper area during the empty time of the effective area data transfer after scaling, as shown in FIG. Double image data + margin 1 supplement data) and margin area data (margin 2 supplement data) can be transferred, and the document reading time can be used effectively. Also, by filling the margin area data (the margin 2 supplement data) from the opposite direction. The magnification error can be eliminated.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the address order of the margin area address generation 29 is incremented by setting the start end to the next address of the valid area data (original scaled image data + margin 1 supplementary data). become. In this case, the blank area address generation 29 sequentially performs blank area data (filling data for blank 2) in ascending order starting from the last address after the effective area storage address determined by the document size, scaling factor, and paper size. ) Is generated. As a result, the number of registers set by software can be reduced.

1 is a front view showing an external appearance of a multi-function copying machine MF1 equipped with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a color document scanner 10 equipped with ADF 13 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing an outline of an image forming mechanism of the full-color printer 14 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing field stem of the multifunction function copying machine MF1 shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a flow of image data between the scanner 10 and printer 14 shown in FIG. 4 and an image input / output device 262. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a partial configuration of scanner image processing 263 and image processing I / F 265 illustrated in FIG. 5. FIG. 7 is a time chart showing image data input / output timing of the scanner image processing 263 shown in FIG. 6 when the image of the A3 size original is reduced by 50% and output to A3 size paper, and the horizontal axis is the time axis. . FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a document reading pause time (between sheets) between documents when a plurality of documents are read continuously and the image data input / output shown in FIG. 7 is performed for each reading. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an example of an address start end (start address) of memory writing determined for a paper size (Ppo) for outputting a reduced image when image data input / output shown in FIG. 7 is performed. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing another example of an address start end (start address) of memory writing defined in a paper size (Ppo) for outputting a reduced image when image data input / output shown in FIG. 7 is performed. (A) is a plan view showing an original image Por and a reduced image Ppo in a conventional reduction process, and (b) is a conventional case in which an image of an A3 size original is reduced by 50% and output to A3 size paper. 5 is a time chart showing the input / output timing of zooming, and the horizontal axis is the time axis. 12 is a time chart showing a document reading pause time (between sheets) between documents when a plurality of documents are read continuously and image data input / output shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

48: First tray 49: Second tray 50: Third tray 51: First paper feeder 52: Second paper feeder 53: Third paper feeder 54: Vertical transport unit 56: Photoconductor 57: Transport belt 58 : Fixing unit 59: paper discharge unit 60: branch claw 26: transport motor 55: developing device 100: finisher 101: switching plate 103: paper discharge roller 104: paper discharge tray 105: transport roller 106: stapler 107: transport roller 108: Staple table 109: Jogger 110: Paper discharge tray 111: Double-sided paper feed unit 112: Reversing unit 122: Hard disk device (HDD)
276: Local memory (MEM-C)
279: System memory (MEM-P)
287: Facsimile control unit (FCU)
293: Local memory (MEM-F)

Claims (11)

In the scaling method of scaling the image data input in units of main scanning lines of the original screen to generate image data of the specified size screen and outputting in line units,
The screen after scaling of the original screen becomes smaller than the specified size, the line output pitch of the image data of the original screen after scaling becomes longer than the line input pitch of the image data of the original screen, and the sub-scan direction in the specified size screen When the margin portion is generated, data for compensating for the margin portion is output in a period between the line input pitch and the line output pitch.   The screen after scaling of the original screen becomes smaller than the specified size, the line length of the image data of the original screen after scaling becomes shorter than the line length of the specified size, and the margin portion in the main scanning direction is added to the specified size screen. 2. The scaling method according to claim 1, wherein, when generated, data for filling a margin portion in the main scanning direction is output to an area between the line length of the image after scaling of the original screen and the line length of the designated size screen. .   The scaling according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the original screen is a document surface, and the input image data is output image data of a document scanner that reads an image of the document, generates image data, and outputs the image data in units of lines. Method.   The scaling method according to claim 1, wherein the designated size is a paper size of a printer that forms an image on paper. A document scanner that reads an image of a document, generates image data, and outputs the image data in units of lines; and
A scaling unit that scales image data output by the document scanner in units of lines to generate image data of a specified size screen and outputs the data in units of lines, wherein the scaled image of the document is the specified size When the line pitch of the image data output after scaling is longer than the line pitch for reading the original and a margin portion in the sub-scanning direction is generated in a specified size, the line pitch for reading the original and the post-magnification line pitch are reduced. An image processing apparatus comprising: a scaling unit that outputs sub-scanning complementary data that fills the blank portion in a period between line pitches of image data output.   The scaling unit is configured such that the scaled image of the document image becomes smaller than the designated size, the line length of the scaled document image becomes shorter than the line size of the designated size, and the designated size screen is displayed in the main scanning direction. 6. When the margin portion is generated, main scanning supplement data for filling the margin portion in the main scanning direction is output in an area between the line length of the scaled image of the original image and the line length of the designated size screen. An image processing apparatus according to 1.   The image processing apparatus further includes a printer that forms an image represented by the image forming image data on a sheet having a specified size; and image data that corrects the image data output from the scaling unit to the image forming image data of the printer. The image processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a processing unit.   The line length of the post-magnification image of the original image and the main scanning supplement data are sequentially stored as line data of the designated size screen from the beginning of the designated size area storing the image data of the designated size screen, and the designated The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: image data storage means for storing sub-scanning complementary data from the beginning or end of a blank area in the sub-scanning direction of the size area. The line length of the post-magnification image of the original image and the main scanning complementary data are sequentially calculated in ascending or descending order from one of the start and end of the specified size area of the image data storage means, An address generation means for generating an effective area storage address for storing the processed image data, and for generating a blank area storage address for storing the sub-scan complementary data sequentially in reverse order from the other;
When outputting the line length of the scaled image of the original image and the main scanning supplement data as line data of the designated size screen to the image data storage means, the effective area storage address is used as the sub-scan supplement data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an address selection unit that gives the margin area storage address when outputting. The image data storage means stores image data in which the line length of the post-magnification image of the original image and the main scanning complementary data are used as line data of the specified size screen sequentially from the beginning of the specified size area in ascending order. Generates an effective area storage address, and generates a blank area storage address for storing sub-scan complementary data sequentially in ascending order starting from the last address after the effective area storage address determined by the document size, scaling factor and specified size. Address generating means; and
When outputting the line length of the scaled image of the original image and the main scanning supplement data as line data of the designated size screen to the image data storage means, the effective area storage address is used as the sub-scan supplement data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an address selection unit that gives the margin area storage address when outputting.   The image processing apparatus further includes a printer that forms an image represented by the image forming image data on a sheet of a specified size; and image data read from the specified size area of the image data storage means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, 9 or 10, further comprising image data processing means for correcting data.

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