JPH0888760A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To lay out a reduced image on recording paper as desired regardless of the size of an original image by using a layout means so as to lay out plural conversion processing image data to a desired area of a storage means thereby conducting conversion processing in response to the attribute of image. CONSTITUTION: When a CPU 516 reads image data from an external storage device 520, the CPU 516 controls a magnification rotation circuit 511 via a DMA controller 518 based on image attribute data read together with the image data. When images of originals of different sizes are laid out, the image data are reduced and rotated as required so that the number of picture elements of the multi-images in the X direction is identical to that in the Y direction. Thus, after a 1st image is laid out in a prescribed area of a 1st memory 506, reduction and rotation processing is applied similarly to 2nd and succeeding images and the resulting data are transferred to other prescribed area in the 1st memory 506. When the layout is finished, the CPU 516 is used to provide an output to a printer section via a dual port memory 515.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for performing various processes on input image data and outputting the processed image data.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, it has been possible to perform facsimile communication using a scanner and printer of a digital copying machine, or use a printer of a digital copying machine to expand code data from a computer into bitmap data and print it out. Complex machines have been put to practical use.

In such a multifunction machine, the copying function,
The facsimile function, printer formatter function, image electronic file function, image memory function, etc. are configured as a single unit under various combinations to enhance the functions and increase the added value. Since a scanner and a printer, which have been separately provided for the functions, can be shared, space saving and cost reduction are achieved in such a multifunction machine.

On the other hand, in a digital copying machine or an image electronic file device, a device has been devised in which a plurality of originals are reduced and printed out on one recording sheet.
The digital copying machine is configured so that a desired layout output can be obtained by designating a document image size, a recording paper size, and a layout type on the recording paper.

Further, in the image electronic filing device,
Based on the information about the original size of the document recorded on the magneto-optical disk, the resolution of each document image is converted at a fixed reduction ratio, laid out on recording paper and printed out, or fixed. There has been devised a method in which a document image whose resolution is converted in advance at a reduction ratio of 1 is recorded in a magneto-optical disk, and the reduced-recorded image is laid out on a recording sheet.

[0006]

However, in the above conventional image processing apparatus, for example, in the case of a digital copying machine, the original size of each image printed out on one recording sheet is specified as one size. Further, in the case of the image electronic filing apparatus, the resolution of the original image is converted at a constant reduction rate. Therefore, when a plurality of original images of different sizes are mixed, the original images are converted based on these original images. There is a problem that a desired layout cannot be performed on a sheet of recording paper.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an image capable of performing a desired layout of a reduced image on a recording sheet regardless of the size of the original image input by the image input means. An object is to provide a processing device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention according to claim 1 is an image input device for inputting image data, and a scaling for the input image data. Conversion processing means for performing at least one of conversion processing of rotation and rotation, storage means for storing the converted image data, and a plurality of the converted image data are arranged in desired areas of the storage means. It is characterized in that it is provided with an arranging means and a control means for controlling the conversion processing means according to an arrangement to be performed by the arranging means and an attribute of the image data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image input means is a scanner for reading an image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the image input means inputs image data from a computer.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the image input means inputs the image data recorded on the magneto-optical disk.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the image input means inputs the image data received by the facsimile communication device.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the attribute is resolution.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the attribute is the number of vertical and horizontal pixels.

[0015]

According to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the conversion processing means performs the conversion processing of at least one of scaling and rotation on the image data input by the image input means, and the conversion processing is performed. The image data is stored in the storage means, the arrangement means arranges the plurality of converted image data in desired areas of the storage means, and the control means arranges the arrangement data and the image data. The conversion processing means is controlled in accordance with the image attribute of.

According to the image processing device of claim 2,
The image input means is a scanner that reads an image.

According to the image processing device of claim 3,
The image input means inputs image data from a computer.

According to the image processing device of claim 4,
The image input means inputs image data recorded on the magneto-optical disk.

According to the image processing apparatus of claim 5,
The image input means inputs the image data received by the facsimile communication device.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a copying machine system configuration using an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. This system includes a reader unit 1, a printer unit 2,
The printer unit 2 and the external device 3 are connected to the reader unit 1, and the computer 4, the external storage device 5, and the telephone line 6 are connected to the external device 3. Has been done.

The reader unit 1 is equipped with a document feeder, a CCD image sensor, etc., and photoelectrically converts the image read from the document and outputs it as an electric signal. The printer unit 2
The image data output from the reader unit 1 or the image data from the external device 3 is printed out on a recording paper as a visible image.

The external device 3 includes a fax section 3a for performing fax communication, a file section 3b for converting various document information into electric signals and storing the same, a formatter section 3c for developing code information from the computer 4 into image information, and a computer 4. A computer interface unit 3d for interfacing with a core unit 3e for controlling signals and functions of the external device 3, an image memory unit for temporarily storing information sent from the reader unit 1 and the computer 4. 3f and a hard disk 3g. Also,
The external storage device 520 including a magneto-optical disk,
It is connected to the file unit 3b of the external device 3.

Next, the internal structure of the file unit 3b of the external device 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The file section 3b includes a CPU 516, a connector 500, a compression circuit 503, and a memory controller 51.
0th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th memories 506 to 509, timing generation circuit 514, dual port memory 515, SCSI controller 519, CODEC
(Encoding / decoding circuit) 517, scaling / rotation circuit 51
1, DMA controller 518, and decompression circuit 504
Is provided.

The compression circuit 503 and the timing generation circuit 51
4, dual port memory 515, and decompression circuit 50
4 are buses 551, 553, 554 and 555, respectively.
Is connected to the connector 500 via the compression circuit 503,
First to fourth memories 506 to 509, timing generation circuit 514, CODEC 517, scaling / rotation circuit 51
1 and the decompression circuit 504 are respectively connected to the buses 552,
564, 565, 566, 567, 559, 570, 5
It is connected to the memory controller 510 via 62 and 556.

The CPU 516, the memory controller 510, the dual port memory 515, the SCSI controller 519, the CODEC 517, and the DMA controller 518 are connected to each other via the CPU bus 560.

The scaling / rotation circuit 511 is connected to the DMA controller 518 via the bus 568, and the external storage device 520 is connected to the SCSI controller 519 and the bus 57.
It is connected via 2.

Next, the operation of each component of the file unit 3b will be described.

The connector 500 mediates various signals between the core section 3e and the file section 3b. Compression circuit 503
Converts the multi-valued image data input via the connector 500 into compression information and outputs the compression information to the memory controller 510.

The memory controller 510 includes a compression circuit 5
03 output signals from the first to fourth memories 506 to 50.
Control is performed so that any one of the nine or two memories is stored in a cascade connection.

Further, the memory controller 510 uses the CP
Based on the instruction of U516, the first to fourth memories 50
6 to 509, a mode for exchanging data with the CPU bus 560, and a CODEC 517 for encoding / decoding
Mode for exchanging data with the CODEC bus 570, and the first to fourth memories 506 to 509 and the scaling / rotation circuit 51 under the control of the DMA controller 518.
The mode for exchanging data with the bus 562 from 1 and the signal 552 under the control of the timing generation circuit 514.
Mode in which any of the first to fourth memories 506 to 509 is stored, and the first to fourth memories 506 to 5
It has five functions of a mode in which the memory content is read from any one of 09 and output to the signal line 556.

First to fourth memories 506 to 509
Have a capacity of 2 Mbytes, respectively, and store an image corresponding to A4 at a resolution of 400 dpi.

The timing generation circuit 514 is connected to the connector 5
00 and signal line 553, and control signals (HSYNC, HEN, VSYNC, VEN) from the core unit 3a.
Etc.) to transfer data from the core unit 3a to one or two of the first to fourth memories 506 to 509.
And a function of reading a signal from any one of the first to fourth memories 506 to 509 and transmitting the signal to the bus 556.

The dual port memory 515 is connected to a CPU (not shown) provided in the core portion 3e via a signal line 554 and a connector 500, and is also connected to a CPU 516 via a signal line 560. It mediates the exchange of commands between CPUs.

The SCSI controller 519 interfaces the file unit 3b with the external storage device 5.
The CODEC 517 reads out the image data stored in any of the first to fourth memories 506 to 509, and converts the image data into encoded information by a desired one of the MH, MR, MMR, and the like. Then, the image data is stored in any of the first to fourth memories 506 to 509, and the stored image data is read out and decoded by the same method as the encoding. The decryption information is stored in any of the first to fourth memories 506 to 509.

The external storage device 520 is specifically composed of a replaceable magneto-optical disk and stores image data and the like.

Next, the operation of the file unit 3b when storing file information in the external storage device 520 will be described.

Input from the reader unit 1 to the core unit 3e, and the file unit 3b from the core unit 3e via the connector 500.
The 8-bit multi-valued image signal input to is input to the compression circuit 503 via the bus 551, converted into compression information in the compression circuit 503, and input to the memory controller 510 via the bus 552. At this time, the detailed image attribute data of each image signal is input from the reader unit 1 in addition to the multi-valued image signal. The image attribute data includes, for example, the number of pixels in the main scanning direction, the number of pixels in the sub scanning direction, the resolution in the main scanning direction, the resolution in the sub scanning direction, the number of bits per sample, and the scanning direction of the document.

The memory controller 510 has a core section 3e.
The timing signal 559 is generated by the timing generation circuit 514 by the signal 553 from the above, and the compressed signal 552 is stored in the first memory 506 in accordance with this signal.

The memory controller 510 is the CPU 51.
According to the instruction of No. 6, the first memory 506 and the second memory 507 are connected to the bus 570 of the CODEC 517.
The CODEC 517 reads the compressed information from the first memory 506, converts it into encoded information by the MR method or the like, and writes it in the second memory 507.

Upon completion of this encoding, the memory controller 510 connects the second memory 507 to the CPU bus 560 according to the instruction of the CPU 516. CPU516
Sequentially reads the encoded information from the second memory 507 and transfers it to the SCSI controller 519. SCS
The I controller 519 sends the encoded information to the bus 572.
It is stored in the external storage device 520 via.

Next, the operation of the file unit 3b when the encoded information is extracted from the external storage device 520 and output to the printer unit 2 will be described.

The encoded information stored in the external storage device 520 as described above is read from the external storage device 520 by the SCSI controller 519 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 516 based on the information retrieval / print command. The CPU 516, which has received the read encoded information from the SCSI controller 519, instructs the memory controller 510 to connect the CPU bus 560 to the bus 566 of the third memory 508 and to perform the read encoding. The information is transferred to the third memory 508.

When the transfer of the encoded information to the third memory 508 is completed, the memory controller 510 causes the CPU 5
According to the instruction of 16, the third memory 508 and the fourth memory 509 are connected to the bus 570 of the CODEC 519.
The CODEC 519 reads the encoded information from the third memory 508 and sequentially decodes the encoded information, and then the fourth memory 50.
Transfer to 9.

Further, the memory controller 510, when outputting to the printer unit 2, when a scaling process such as enlargement / reduction of image data or a rotation process is necessary, the fourth memory 50.
9 is connected to the bus 562 of the magnification / rotation circuit 511, and DM
Under the control of the A controller 518, the image data read from the fourth memory 509 is converted into the scaling / rotation circuit 511.
Magnify or rotate at.

Next, the CPU 516 communicates with the CPU of the core section 3e via the dual port memory 515 to read the image data from the fourth memory 509,
Settings for outputting to the printer unit 2 via the core unit 3e are performed. When the setting is completed, the CPU 516 activates the timing generation circuit 514 and outputs a predetermined timing signal to the memory controller 510 via the bus 559.

The memory controller 510 reads the decoding information from the fourth memory 509 in synchronization with the timing signal from the timing generation circuit 514 and transmits it to the bus 556. The transmitted signal is input to the expansion circuit 504 and expanded, and the expanded signal is output to the core unit 3e via the bus 555 and the connector 500, and the core unit 3e
It is output to the printer unit 2 via e.

Next, the operation of the file unit 5 which characterizes the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow of a control operation performed by the CPU 516 when a plurality of images having different document sizes are reduced and / or rotated on one recording sheet and output in a layout in which they are all the same size and arranged in the same direction. It is a flowchart showing.

First, the CPU 516 adds the resolution and the Y direction in the Y direction added from the reader unit 1 to the multi-valued image signal.
Image attribute data such as the number of pixels in each direction is read by performing a predetermined access to the external storage device 520 via the SCSI controller 519 (step S1),
The data is transferred to the third memory 508 (step S2). Third
When the transfer of the image attribute data to the memory 508 is completed, the memory controller 510 connects the third memory 508 and the fourth memory 509 to the CODEC 517 via the bus 570 according to the instruction of the CPU 516.

Next, the CODEC 517 reads the image attribute data stored in the third memory 508, sequentially decodes it, and transfers it to the fourth memory 509.

Next, the CPU 516 controls the memory controller 510 to transfer the fourth memory 509 and the first memory 506 via the bus 562 to the magnification / rotation circuit 51.
1 and is controlled by the DMA controller 518,
The image data read from the fourth memory 509 is reduced / rotated, and this converted image data is stored in the first memory 506.
To the predetermined area (step S3).

At this time, the CPU 516 is the external storage device 5
When the image data is read from 20, the scaling / rotation circuit 511 is controlled via the DMA controller 518 based on the image attribute data read together with the image data,
As shown in FIG. 4, when the images of the originals of different sizes are laid out, each image data is adjusted as necessary so that the X-direction pixel number Dx and the Y-direction pixel number Dy of each image become the same. To reduce, and rotate if necessary. The rotation process is performed when the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the original are different from the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the recording paper. For example, in the example of FIG. 4, documents of A3 and A4R sizes are rotated.

In this way, when the first image is laid out in the predetermined area on the first memory 506 (step S4), the second and subsequent images are similarly reduced and rotated. Then, it is transferred to another predetermined area on the first memory 506.

In this way, when a predetermined number of images corresponding to one A4 recording sheet are transferred to the first memory 506 and laid out, the CPU 516 causes the CPU of the core unit 3e to operate via the dual port memory 515. And the CPU is set to output the image data stored in the first memory 506 to the printer unit 2 (step S6).

As described in detail above, according to the image processing apparatus of this embodiment, a plurality of sizes, resolutions, and input directions (scanning directions of originals) stored in a recording medium such as a magneto-optical disk are different. A uniform and orderly layout can be performed by unifying the number of converted pixels for all images.

In the above embodiment, the example in which the image data stored in the external storage device composed of the magneto-optical disk connected to the external device 3 is laid out on the recording paper has been described. The image data of various sizes, resolutions, and input directions read by the reader unit 1 is not limited to this, and a unique and orderly layout is performed by the same processing as described above.
Of course, it is also possible to print on recording paper.

Similarly, image data of various sizes, resolutions, and input directions input from the computer 4 via the computer interface section 3d and images of various sizes, resolutions, and input directions output from the formatter section 3c. Data, and further, image data of various sizes, resolutions, and input directions received by facsimile by the fax unit 3a are laid out in a unique and orderly manner by the same processing as described above, and printed on recording paper. Of course it is possible.

[0059]

As described above, according to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect, the conversion processing means performs conversion processing of at least one of scaling and rotation on the image data input by the image input means. The converted image data is stored in the storage means, the arrangement means arranges a plurality of the converted image data in desired areas of the storage means, and the control means arranges the arrangement means. Since the conversion processing means is controlled in accordance with the layout to be performed by and the image attribute of the image data, the number of pixels of all original images can be set regardless of the size and resolution of each original image input by the image input means. A unified layout allows for a neat layout.

According to the image processing device of the second aspect,
The above effect is obtained for the image read by the scanner.

According to the image processing device of claim 3,
The above effect can be obtained with respect to the input from the computer.

According to the image processing device of claim 4,
The above effect can be obtained with respect to the image data recorded on the magneto-optical disk.

According to the image processing apparatus of claim 5,
The above effect can be obtained with respect to the image data received by the facsimile communication device.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a multi-function peripheral system using an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a file unit 3b of an external device 3.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow performed by a CPU 516 of the file unit 3b.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an output image of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 reader unit 2 printer unit 3 external device 3a fax unit 3b file unit 3c formatter unit 4 computer equipment 506 first memory 507 second memory 508 third memory 509 fourth memory 511 scaling / rotating circuit 516 CPU 520 External storage device

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image input means for inputting image data,
Conversion processing means for performing conversion processing of at least one of scaling and rotation on the input image data; storage means for storing the converted image data; and a plurality of conversion processed image data. Image processing characterized by comprising: arranging means for arranging each in a desired area of the storage means, and control means for controlling the conversion processing means in accordance with an arrangement to be performed by the arranging means and an attribute of the image data. apparatus. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input unit is a scanner that reads an image. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input means inputs image data from a computer. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input means inputs image data recorded on a magneto-optical disk. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input means inputs image data received by a facsimile communication apparatus. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute is resolution. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute is the number of vertical and horizontal pixels.