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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. An image reading and editing apparatus, comprising:
image reading means for reading an image on an original and generating
image data;
attribute data storing means for storing attribute data representing how
the image data is to be processed, said attribute data being set for each
of a plurality of small sections into which the entire region of the
original containing said image is divided, said attribute data including a
prohibition attribute;
attribute data input means for designating an area equal to or larger than
one of said small sections in the entire region of the original, setting
attribute data for the designated area, and storing the attribute data in
the attribute data storing means;
means for instructing that a composite image is to be formed from two or
more image portions on areas designated in different originals by the
attribute data input means; and
image data output means for processing the image data generated by said
image reading means based on the attribute data stored in said attribute
data storing means and outputting the processed image data to an external
apparatus so that null data is output with respect to small sections for
which the prohibition attribute is set when said instructing means
instructs that a composite image is to be formed.
2. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said image reading means comprises color image reading means for
reading a color image and generating image data for each of three primary
colors and said attribute data further includes a color code attribute.
3. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said two or more image portions includes a foregound image portion
on an area designated in one of original by said attribute data input
means and a background image portion on an area designated in another
original by said attribute data input means.
4. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 3,
further comprising selection means for selecting either a first output
mode in which first image data according to said foreground image portion
is generated and output and then second image data according to said
background image portion is generated and output, or a second output mode
in which the second image data is generated and output and then the first
image data is generated and output.
5. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance to claim 4, wherein
said image data output means comprises control means for setting the
prohibition attribute in said attribute data storing means for the
designated area corresponding to said foreground image portion after
output of the first image data when said first output mode is selected,
whereby output of the second image data does not influence the first image
data.
6. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 4,
wherein said image data output means comprises control means for setting
the prohibition attribute in said attribute data storing means for areas
other than the designated area corresponding to said foreground image
portion after output of the second image data when said second output mode
is selected, whereby output of the first image data does not influence the
second image data.
7. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 6,
wherein said control means sets the prohibition attribute in said
attribute data storing means for the entire region and then sets the
attribute data for the designated area corresponding to said foreground
image portion after output of the second image data.
8. An image reading and editing apparatus, comprising:
image reading means for reading an image on an original and generating
image data according to said image;
attribute data storing means for storing attribute data representing how
the image data is to be processed, said attribute data being set for each
of a plurality of small sections into which the entire region of the
original containing said image is divided, said attribute data including a
prohibition attribute;
attribute data input means for designating an area equal to or larger than
one of said small sections in the entire region of the original, setting
attribute data for the designated area, and storing the attribute data in
the attribute data storing data;
means for instructing that a composite image is to be formed two or more
image portions on areas designated in different originals by the attribute
data input means; and
image data output means for processing the image data generated by said
image reading means based on the attribute data stored in the attribute
data storing means and outputting the processed image data together with
the prohibition attribute to an external apparatus when said instructing
means instructs that a composite image is to be formed;
said external apparatus having a buffer memory to store the processed image
data therein and means for writing the processed image data into the
buffer memory based on the prohibition attribute.
9. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 8,
wherein said image reading means comprises color image reading means for
reading a color image and generating image data for each of three primary
colors and said attribute data further includes a color code attribute.
10. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 8,
wherein said two or more image portions includes a foreground image
portion on an area designated in one original by said attribute data input
means and a background image portion on an area designated in another
original by said attribute data input means.
11. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 10,
further comprising selection means for selecting either a first output
mode in which first image data according to said foreground image portion
is generated and output and then second image data according to said
background image portion is generated and output, or a second output mode
in which the second image data is generated and output and then the first
image data is generated and output.
12. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 11,
wherein said image data output means comprises control means for setting
the prohibition attribute in said attribute data storing means for the
designated area corresponding to said foreground image portion after
output of the first image data when said first output mode is selected,
whereby output of the second image data does not influence the first image
data.
13. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 11,
wherein said image data output means comprises control means for setting
the prohibition attribute in said attribute data storing means for areas
other than the designated area corresponding to said foreground image
portion after output of the second image data when said second output mode
is selected, whereby output of the first image data does not influence the
second image data.
14. An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with claim 13,
wherein said control means sets the prohibition attribute in said
attribute data storing means for the entire region and then sets the
attribute data for the designated area corresponding to said foreground
image portion after output of the second image data.
15. An image reading and editing method for processing image data
corresponding to first and second image portions in different originals
and outputting the processed image data to an external output apparatus by
using an image reading apparatus,
the image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for generating
image data corresponding to each original, attribute data storing means
for storing attribute data for representing how the image data is to be
processed, said attribute data being set for each of a plurality of small
sections into which the entire region of each original is divided,
attribute data input means for designating arbitrary small areas each
equal to or larger than one of said small sections in said entire region,
setting attribute data for each of said small areas, and storing the
attribute data in the attribute data storing means, and image data output
means for processing the image data generated by said image reading means
based on the attribute data stored in said attribute data storing means
and outputting the processed image data, said method comprising the steps
of:
designating an area corresponding to the first image portion and setting
attribute data for the same in said attribute data storing means such that
a white attribute representing a white color is set for areas other than
the area corresponding to the first image portion in said attribute data
storing means;
outputting first image data corresponding to said first image portion to
said external apparatus by using said image reading means and said image
data output means;
setting attribute data for an area corresponding to the second image
portion in said attribute data storing means while setting a prohibition
attribute for prohibiting output of image data for the area corresponding
to the first image portion, and
outputting second image data corresponding to said second image portion to
said external apparatus by using said image reading means and said image
data output means, whereby said first image portion is combined with said
second image portion to form a composite image by using said external
output apparatus.
16. An image reading and editing method for processing image data
corresponding to first and second image portions in different originals
and outputting the processed image data to an external output apparatus
having a buffer memory for storing image data by using an image reading
apparatus,
the image reading apparatus comprising image reading means for generating
image data corresponding to each original, attribute data storing means
for storing attribute data for representing how the image data is to be
processed, said attribute data being set for each of a plurality of small
sections into which the entire region of each original is dividend,
attribute data input means for designating small areas each equal to or
larger than one of said small sections in said entire region, setting
attribute data for each of said small areas, and storing the attribute
data in the attribute data storing means, and image data output means for
processing the image data generated by said image reading means based on
the attribute data stored in said attribute data storing means and
outputting the processed image data, said method comprising the steps of:
setting attribute data for an area corresponding to the first image portion
in said attribute data storing means;
outputting first image data corresponding to said first image portion to
said external apparatus by using said image reading means and said image
data output means;
designating an area corresponding to the second image portion, and setting
attribute data for the same in said attribute data storing means while
setting a prohibition attribute for prohibiting output of image data for
areas other than the area corresponding to the second image portion, and
outputting second image data according to said second image portion to said
external apparatus by using said image reading means and said image data
output means,
whereby said second image portion is combined with said first image portion
to form a composite image by using said external output apparatus. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading and editing apparatus
having a composite image forming function and particularly to a color
image reading and editing apparatus to be used in association with a
digital printer or an output memory device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional digital image processing apparatus for processing an image
by digital data comprises an image reader for reading an image of an
original and outputting digital data of the image, and a digital printer
for printing an image based on the digital image data.
Such a conventional digital image processing apparatus is capable of easily
performing various editing operations such as trimming or masking of an
image, or composite image formation, since images are processed in the
form of digital data.
Such a conventional digital image processing apparatus having the above
described advantages performs image editing operations in the below
described manner. For example, in order to compose two images separately
trimmed from two originals, two image memories are provided. Then, digital
data of the two image portions are stored in the respective image memories
and a composite image is formed by transferring the data between the two
memories. Thus, the two image memories each having a capacity for storing
image data of an entire region of one page of the original are required in
the above described conventional digital image processing apparatus.
Consequently, the apparatus is not economical in view of the manufacturing
cost as well as operation efficiency.
Under the circumstances, the assignee of the present invention proposed in
Japanese Patent Application No. 61-24836, published as Japanese Kokai No.
62-181570, a monochrome image reader capable of editing images without
requiring an image memory for storing image data of entire regions of two
originals. This image reader has an attribute memory having a data region
smaller than that of such an image memory. For example, attributes of an
image for small sections such as bi-level or half-tone are stored in the
data region. Various editing operations are performed in real time based
on the attribute data. However, this monochrome image reader is not
capable of composing more than two images.
A color image editing apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open
Gazette (Kokai) No. 58-60875. In this apparatus, an area of an original is
designated by a loop of a specified color and by reading the original,
editing operations designated such as masking or transformation of black
and red colors for the specified area and the area outside the specified
area are performed. However, this apparatus is not capable of performing
complicated editing operations such as editions different for each area.
This apparatus is not capable of forming composite color images either.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image
reading and editing apparatus capable of forming a composite image without
using an image memory covering an entire image region of an original.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading and
editing apparatus capable of forming an composite image in real time
without using such an image memory as described above.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an image reading
and editing apparatus capable of forming a composite color image without
using such an image memory as described above.
The above described objects of the present invention can be attained by
using an attribute memory having a capacity smaller than that of the above
described image memory and composing image data read out based on
attribute data of images written in the attribute memory.
Briefly stated, an image reading and editing apparatus of the present
invention comprises an image signal reading means for reading an image
signal concerning a light intensity, an attribute memory for storing data
for defining an attribute of an image for each small section by which an
entire image region is divided, attribute data setting means for
designating an arbitrary small area out of the entire image region and
setting attribute data for each of the small sections, and output means
for outputting an image signal based on the stored attribute data.
The image reading and editing apparatus of the present invention thus
constructed makes it possible to form a composite image without using the
prior art described image memory covering an entire image region of an
original.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image reading and
editing apparatus comprises image signal reading means for reading an
image signal concerning a light intensity for each red, green and blue
color, means for dividing an original image into small areas each defined
by a specified attribute, means for designating for each of the above
mentioned areas an attribute signal including a prohibition attribute
signal for prohibiting change of attributes, and an attribute memory for
storing an attribute of the image for each predetermined small section by
which the entire image region is divided, whereby two or more images are
composed to form a composite image by using the prohibition attribute
stored in the attribute memory. If a foreground image is to be formed on a
background image for example, the prohibition attribute performs the
following function. The prohibition attribute is set for the background
image other than the partial image of the foreground to be formed, so that
the background image can be prevented from being changed at the time of
forming the foreground image on the background image.
The image reading and editing apparatus thus constructed makes it possible
to form a composite color image in real time.
These objects and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image reading portion of a color image
reading and editing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustration showing an original having plural image areas to
be processed, each in a different manner, and contents for processing.
FIG. 3 is an illustration showing attribute data corresponding to the areas
shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a processing circuit of the image reading
and editing apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a typical view showing an output apparatus for receiving image
data processed in the processing circuit of FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an illustration for explaining a principle of composite image
formation.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a process of forming a composite image
and moving an image from a foreground to a background.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are a flow chart for the case of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a process of forming a composite image
and moving an image from a background to a foreground.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are a flow chart for the case of FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the description of the present invention, the U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 883,135 entitled "Image Processor" filed July 8, 1986, now
abandoned is incorporated by reference.
An image reading and editing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention comprises an image reader for reading an image, an attribute
memory for storing attributes of specified areas of the image, designation
means for designating any of the specified areas and the attribute
thereof, and an image data processing circuit.
A method for forming a composite image in accordance with the present
invention comprises a step of reading a first image and a second image to
be composed. The first image and the second image are in either of the
following two relations. In the first relation, the first image is a
foreground image and the second image is a background image. In the second
relation, the first image is a background image and the second image is a
foreground image.
Accordingly, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in
the following order.
1. Construction of the Embodiment
(a) Image reader
(b) Attribute memory
(c) Designation of an area and an attribute
(d) Image data processing circuit
2. Composite image forming operation
(a) Composite image formation in the order a foreground image to a
background image
(b) Composite image formation in the order a background image to a
foreground image
1. Construction of the Embodiment
(a) Image reader
The image reader of the image reading and editing apparatus of the
preferred embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1.
Light emitted from a halogen lamp 2 as a light source for exposure is
applied to an original 102 on an original glass table 101. The light
reflected from the original enters, through an optical system (not shown),
a charge-coupled device 1 (hereinafter referred to as CCD) provided as an
array perpendicular to an image projecting direction. The CCD 1 comprises
filters for selectively transmitting any one of three colors red, green
and blue for each pixel. A signal representing the intensity of the
reflected light for each of the three colors separated by the CCD 1 is
outputted.
The halogen lamp 2, the optical system and the CCD 1 constitute a unit.
This unit is moved by a drive system (not shown) in a direction shown by
arrow a predetermined distance along the glass table 101. Thus, the
original 102 is scanned. The drive system may be controlled by a central
processing unit 3 (CPU), such as shown in FIG. 4 or another CPU.
A reference white plate 103 is provided on the glass table 101, outside the
original region.
Thus, color signal information concerning the original 102 is obtained. The
color signal information is outputted through a processing circuit having
a construction as shown in FIG. 4 to a color printer having a printing
medium, a memory device or the like.
(b) Attribute memory
The image reading and editing apparatus of this embodiment comprises an
attribute memory having capacities corresponding to small sections (for
example, each section having a unit square area of 1 mm.sup.2) by which an
image region for one page is divided. Each attribute of an image
corresponding to each small section is written in the attribute memory. A
total capacity of this attribute memory is very small compared with that
of an image memory for storing data for each pixel of an image in a
conventional apparatus.
Attribute data written in the attribute memory is composed of eight bits d7
to d0. Each bit represents attribute information shown in Table 1. More
specifically, the bit d7 instructs single-color painting. The bit d6
instructs inversion of an output signal. The bit d5 instructs bi-level
processing or dither processing dependent on a color density of a pixel
read out. The bit d4 gives an instruction as to whether printing is to be
performed in a monochrome mode or not. The bits d3 to d1 instruct color
designation concerning d7 and d4, corresponding to colors as shown in
Table 2. The bit d0 presents a request to an output apparatus for
prohibition of printing on the printing medium.
TABLE 1
______________________________________
Attribute Information (corresponding to 0/1)
______________________________________
d7: invalid pixel/valid pixel
d6: reversal/non-reversal
d5: bi-level/dither
d4: fixed color/multicolor
d3:
d2: color codes (see Table 2)
d1:
d0: prohibition of output/output
______________________________________
TABLE 2
______________________________________
Designation of Single Colors (color codes)
d3 d2 d1 designated color
______________________________________
0 0 0 white
0 0 1 yellow
0 1 0 magenta
0 1 1 red
1 0 0 cyan
1 0 1 green
1 1 0 blue
1 1 1 black
______________________________________
Using the above described attribute memory, image editing operations such
as masking, trimming, edition in the monochrome mode of a designated color
and edition in a full color half-tone mode can be performed. An example an
image editing operation will be described referring to FIGS. 2 and 3.
Let us assume that a color original as shown in FIG. 2 is read. Processing
as described below is requested for the respective areas A to F to provide
outputs.
The area A is a full color half-tone area.
The area B is a single color half-tone area. In this example, blue is
designated. Accordingly, even if this area in the original is a full color
picture portion, this area is reproduced in a blue color half-tone.
The area C is a multicolor character area. For this area, any one of the
eight colors shown by the color codes is selected for each pixel. This
processing is effective for reproduction of multicolor character portions
The area D is a single color character area. In this example, black is
selected as the designated color.
The area E is an area where white characters are to be reproduced on the
designated base color. In this example, red is selected as the base color.
The area F is an area to be painted out by a designated color. Yellow is
designated in this example.
In this example, data as shown in FIG. 3 are written in the attribute
memory.
In order to output the data, processing is performed corresponding to the
data of the attribute memory for each unit square area of 1 mm.sup.2, as
will be described afterwards. For example, full color half-tone processing
is applied to the area A and bi-level processing is applied to the area D.
(c) Designation of an area and an attribute
Attributes for image edition are designated through an operation panel 15
(FIG. 4). Attribute data are stored in the attribute memory through the
CPU 3. On the other hand, an output signal is obtained from a color signal
provided from the CCD 1.
Designation of an image area and designation of an attribute may be
effected as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 883,135.
According to this U.S. application, an entire region of an image is read
at first. The thus read image is represented on a display. An attribute is
inputted by moving a cursor on the display using a keyboard. A specified
area is designated by specifying x and y coordinates. An attribute may be
set for the thus designated area.
(d) Image data processing circuit
Referring to FIG. 4, the circuit for processing the image data read out by
the CCD 1 will be described.
First, an output corresponding to the reference white plate 103 outside the
original region shown in FIG. 1 is obtained through the CCD 1. At the same
time, an image signal is written in line RAM's 6a, 6b and 6c in response
to an instruction of the CPU 3. The CPU 3 checks the written content.
Then, reference voltages VrefR, VrefG and VrefB for analog-to-digital
(A/D) converters 4a, 4b and 4c, respectively, are set so that the maximum
values of the signal may be constant for the respective colors of red (R),
green (G) and blue (B).
After the reference voltages VrefR, VrefG and VrefB have been set, the data
written in the line RAM's 6a, 6b and 6c are maintained as reference data
for shading correction. When the original region begins to be scanned, the
CPU 3 sets an exposure amount for the halogen lamp 2, based on the
exposure amount data preset through the operation panel 15. Signals of the
respective colors subjected to exposure of the preset amount are converted
to digital values by the A/D converters 4a, 4b and 4c, respectively. The
respective color signals thus converted as the digital values are inputted
to a color processing circuit 7 after shading correction processing in
shading circuits 5a, 5b and 5c. Masking correction processing is performed
by the color processing circuit 7 corresponding to characteristics of ink
for an output apparatus. Then, signals Y, M and C (corresponding to the
colors R, G and B, respectively) are generated by this circuit 7. The
characters Y, M and C represent yellow, magenta and cyan, respectively. If
the output apparatus is a printer for printing a region of one page for
each color, the below described method will be effectively utilized to
decrease a memory capacity of the output apparatus. More specifically,
scanning is repeated by the number of colors to be printed and a necessary
output signal (any of the signals Y, M and C) is outputted for each
scanning. (In this case, the printer produces outputs in the above
described manner. If the respective colors Y, M and C are to be obtained
simultaneously, a printer is provided in a manner in which circuits
downstream of the color processing circuit are provided in parallel
corresponding to the number of colors to be printed. Thus, there is
substantially no limitation as to the printing method.
Any of the output signals Y, M and C of the color processing circuit 7 is
shown as a color image signal 7a in FIG. 4. A color density average (or a
weighted color density average) of the colors R, G and B is calculated and
outputted as a monochrome image signal 7b. The color density average
corresponds to a density signal in a case where the original image is
processed as monochrome data. The color image signal 7a and the monochrome
image signal 7b are inputted to a selector 9.
The bit d4 out of the attribute data on the position corresponding to a
present original reading position is supplied to the selector 9 as a
select signal. In the case of d4=.phi., the monochrome image signal 7b is
transmitted downstream. In the case of d4=1, the color image signal 7a is
transmitted downstream.
A dither ROM 11 generates a half-tone threshold value with a cycle
corresponding to a matrix of m.times.n. A selector 10 selects either data
from the dither ROM 11 or bi-level threshold data in response to the bit
d5 of the attribute data. Then, the selected data is transmitted to a
comparator 12. The comparator 12 compares the signal (i.e., the image
signal) from the selector 9 and the signal (i.e., the threshold data) from
the selector 10. The bits d7 and d4 to d1 are inputted to the comparator
12 as control signals. An output of the comparator 12 is as follows.
.circle.1 In the case of d7=.phi. and d4=.phi. or 1, the output of the
comparator 12 is always a constant value according to the color codes. As
a result, a designated area is painted out by a single color. If d1=1 when
scanning is effected to obtain the signal Y (Yellow) for example, the
output of the comparator 12 is 1 irrespective of the image signal. If
d1=.phi., the output is .phi..
.circle.2 In the case of d7=1 and d4=.phi., the output of the comparator
12 is as follows. If the bit of the color code concerning the printing
color of the scanned object is 1, the output of the comparator 12 is 1. If
the bit of the color code is .phi., the output of the comparator 12 is
.phi..
.circle.3 In the case of d7=1 and d4=1, the comparator 12 outputs the
comparison result between the image signal and the threshold signal as it
is.
Data from the comparator 12 is supplied to a selective output circuit 14
directly and also through an inverter 13. The selection output circuit 14
outputs data inverted or non-inverted dependent on the bit d6 to the
output apparatus such as the printer and the memory device. In this case,
the output is supplied in synchronism with valid pixel signals from the
CPU 3.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the output apparatus for receiving the
data (i.e., the image data D and the attribute data d0) from the
processing circuit shown in FIG. 4. There are two types of output
apparatus which can be connected to the image reading and editing
apparatus of the present invention. An output apparatus 20 of the first
type includes an output memory 21 having a capacity for storing data of
only one line or several lines of one page. This output apparatus 20
performs printing for each line whenever it receives the data. An example
of the output apparatus of this first type is a color printer of a thermal
transfer type. Such an output apparatus prints all the image data obtained
by a first reading operation. Then, it prints, on the printed paper, data
obtained by a second reading operation. Consequently, if the first image
extends over an area where the second image is to be printed, overlap of
the images will occur. To prevent such overlap, the image data D is
previously processed by using the prohibition attribute in the attribute
memory and then supplied to the output apparatus 20, as will be described
in detail afterwards.
An output apparatus 30 of the second type includes a buffer memory 31
having a capacity for storing image data for one page. This output
apparatus 30 performs printing after a plurality of images are composed as
a composite image in the buffer memory 31. The image data D and the
attribute data d0 are supplied to this output apparatus 30. Both data are
inputted to a memory writing control circuit 32 provided in the preceding
stage of the buffer memory 31. The memory writing control circuit 32 stops
writing the image data in the memory 31 when the attribute data d0 is 0.
2. Composite image forming operation
In the following, an example for forming a composite image c by joining two
images of originals a and b will be described.
Systems for forming a composite image include two systems: one is a system
(system A) for composite image formation in the order foreground image to
a background image, and the other is a system (system B) for composite
image formation in the order from a background image to a foreground
image. System A is applicable to output apparatus of the first and second
types, while the system B is only applicable to output apparatus of the
second type.
(a) Composite image formation in the order from a foreground image to a
background image (system A).
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, composite image formation by system A will be
described. To select the system A, a composite mode switch 16 (FIG. 4) is
turned on and a selection switch 17 (FIG. 4) is turned off (in step SP1,
see FIGS. 8A and 8B). The CPU 3 initializes the attribute memory 8. In
this case, initialization is set to "white" and d0=1 for the entire
region, as shown in part (a) of FIG. 7 (in step SP2). Subsequently, data
is inputted from the operation panel 15 including adequate input means
(not shown). With regard to the first original image (the foreground
image) a, a trimming area is set (in step SP3) and attributes are set for
the area and the other area outside the trimming area (in steps SP4). In
case of FIG. 7, the house portion of the original image a is set to a
half-tone full color (1111xxx1). Attribute data (01x00001) remains for the
area outside the trimming area. Subsequently, scanning for reading the
data is performed (in steps SP5 and SP6) and the image data is outputted
to the output apparatus (in steps SP7 and SP8). In the case of FIG. 7, the
color code of the image in the area outside the trimming area is white
(d3=d2=d1=0). Thus, the image in the area outside the trimming area,
formed by the output apparatus is in white (as shown in part (c) of FIG.
7) (in step SP8). After the scanning for one page is completed (step SP9),
the attribute d0 in the portion corresponding to d0=1 and the non-white
color codes, that is, in the trimming area is changed from 1 to .phi. (in
step SP10). Subsequently, with regard to the second original image (the
background image) b, a trimming area and an attribute are set (in steps
SP11 and SP12). At this time, the CPU 3 does not change the data in the
attribute memory 8 for the area set to d0=.phi., that is, the trimming
area of the first original. In other words, it is not necessary in this
second edition to take account of the area where the first image has been
formed. For example, if the entire region of the original image b is set
to half-tone full color, a content in the attribute memory 8 is set as
shown in part (e) of FIG. 7. In this condition, scanning operation is
performed on the same printing medium as that where the first image has
been formed (in steps SP13 to SP17). Then, the image as shown in part (f)
of FIG. 7 is formed. As a result, the composite image c as shown in FIG. 6
is obtained.
In the second scanning operation, even if image data exists in the area
corresponding to the trimming area of the first original, such image data
is not outputted. This is because the attribute data d0 in this area is
.phi. and output of such image data from the selection output circuit 14
is prohibited.
In this example, the attribute data d0 becomes .phi. for the entire region
of the attribute memory 8 after the end of the second scanning operation
(in step SP10). However, if a color area (.phi.1x.phi..phi..phi..phi.1)
remains, composite image formation can be performed by a non-limited
number of times by repeating the same trimming in the editing operations
subsequent to the second editing operation (in steps SP18).
To bring the composite mode in this system A to an end, the composite mode
switch 16 is turned off (in steps SP18 and SP19).
Next, composite image formation of using an output apparatus including a
buffer memory to enable overlap printing will be described, using the
output apparatus of the second type. In the output apparatus of the second
type (hereinafter referred to as the output memory device), if the color
white (i.e., the image data d3, d2, d1=.phi.) is written in the area where
an image has been written, the data in this area will be rewritten in
white. Accordingly, the above described system cannot be directly applied
in this case. Therefore, the attribute data d0 as well as the image data D
is outputted to the output memory device as shown in FIG. 5. The writing
control circuit 32 of the output memory device writes the image data in
memory if d0=1. On the other hand, if d0=.phi., the writing control
circuit 32 prohibits writing in the memory device and the previously
written data is maintained.
The other procedures are the same as described above in the case of using
paper as the printing medium.
(b) Composite image formation in the order from a background image to a
foreground image (system B).
In the above described system A, printing operation is performed in the
order foreground image to the background image. On the other hand, in the
case of the memory device (including the buffer memory) where information
written afterwards becomes valid by repeating writing operations, the
system B can be adopted to form a composite image in the order background
image to the foreground image.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, this system will be described. This system
B is selected when the switch 17 (FIG. 4) is turned on (in step SP21, see
FIGS. 10A and 10B). The switch 16 (FIG. 4) has of course been turned on.
Thus, the flow shown in FIG. 10 is started.
The attribute data for the entire region is initialized to .phi. (in step
SP22). Then, attribute data for the original image (the background image)
b is set by the CPU 3 through the operation panel 15 having adequate input
means (in step SP 23) as shown in part (a) of FIG. 9. In this case, the
entire region is of the half-tone (1111xxxb 1). If scanning operation is
performed in this state, the background image as shown in part (b) of FIG.
9 is formed in the memory (in step SP24).
After the scanning operation, the content of the attribute memory 8 for the
entire region is automatically set to d0=.phi. (prohibition of printing)
as shown in part (c) of FIG. 9 (in the step SP25). Subsequently, trimming
is effected for the original image a (in step SP26). At this time, even if
d0=.phi., the content of the attribute memory 8 can be rewritten. The CPU
3 sets all the attribute data d0 within the trimming | | |
