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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for reading an image of an original document;
storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as partial document
data upon the image being read by the input means in a divided manner,
each of the plurality of partial images being individually stored as
partial document data; and
joint-portion processing means for recognizing corresponding areas between
the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for joining the
partial document data in accordance with the recognized corresponding
areas, said joint-portion processing means including a
combination-processing section for discriminating a data-loss area of the
image, upon data loss occurring during image reading by the input means,
in accordance with a positional relationship between the partial document
data and for creating compensating data which compensates for lost data in
the data-loss area in accordance with images at edges of the partial
document data that are to be joined together.
2. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1, further
comprising:
variable magnification means for conducting a variable magnification
operation on combined document data in accordance with a size of recording
medium whereon an image corresponding to the combined document data is
formed.
3. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the
variable magnification means comprises:
a variable magnification section which, in a case where a size of recording
medium whereon the image is formed is not specified, selects recording
medium having the largest size among the recording medium available in the
image processing apparatus, and conducts a variable magnification
operation on the combined document data in accordance with the largest
size of recording medium.
4. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for reading an image of an original document;
storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as partial document
data upon the image being read by the input means in a divided manner,
each of the plurality of partial images being individually stored as
partial document data; and
joint-portion processing means for recognizing corresponding areas between
the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for joining the
partial document data in accordance with the recognized corresponding
areas, said joint-portion processing means including,
a joint-portion processing section for, upon an edge of an original
document being read as a linear data element by the input means and being
stored in the storage means as partial document data together with an
image of the original document, deleting data corresponding to the stored
linear data element.
5. An image processing apparatus, comprising:
input means for reading an image of an original document;
storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as partial document
data upon the image being read by the input means in a divided manner,
each of the plurality of partial images being individually stored as
partial document data; and
joint-portion processing means for recognizing corresponding areas between
the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for joining the
partial document data in accordance with the recognized corresponding
areas, wherein the partial images are obtained from torn pieces of an
original document and the joint-portion processing means includes,
a joint-portion processing section for positioning the respective partial
document data to join partial document data, including corresponding torn
pieces of the original document, together by recognizing corresponding
shapes of the torn pieces from the partial document data stored in the
storage means, and for deleting data corresponding to shadows detected at
adjoining areas of the partial document data.
6. An image process apparatus comprising:
input means for reading an image of an original document;
storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as partial document
data upon the image being read by the input means in a divided manner,
each of the plurality of partial images being individually stored as
partial document data; and
joint-portion processing means for recognizing corresponding areas between
the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for joining the
partial document data in accordance with the recognized corresponding
areas, wherein the input means reads an image of an original document by
scanning the original document in a predetermined direction and the
joint-portion processing means includes,
a joint-portion processing section for, upon first and a second portions of
an original document, arranged in the scanning direction of the input
means, being scanned and stored in the storage means as respective first
and second partial document data, positioning the first and second partial
document data so that the first and second portions are joined together by
recognizing shapes of a rear edge of the first piece and a leading edge of
the second piece from stored document data corresponding to the rear edge
of the first piece that has been scanned by the input means relatively
earlier and from stored document data corresponding to the leading edge of
the second piece that has been scanned by the input means relatively
later, and for deleting data corresponding to shadows detected at
adjoining areas of the first and second partial document data.
7. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for reading an image of an original document;
storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as partial document
data upon the image being read by the input means in a divided manner,
each of the plurality of partial images being individually stored as
partial document data; and
joint-portion processing means for recognizing corresponding areas between
the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for joining the
partial document data in accordance with the recognized corresponding
areas, said joint-portion processing means including,
a joint-portion processing section, to join together first and second
portions of an original document, arranged in a scanning direction of the
input means such that edges thereof to be joined are aligned with each
other,
for detecting data corresponding to a shadow at adjoining first partial
document data and second partial document data, respectively corresponding
to the first piece and second pieces of the original document, stored in
the storage means,
for recognizing data located on both sides of the data corresponding to the
shadow, in a direction orthogonal to the scanning direction, as document
data corresponding to edges of the first and second pieces of the original
document,
for recognizing shapes of the respective edges of the first and second
pieces of the original document from the document data corresponding to
the edges,
for positioning the document data so that the first and second pieces of
the original document are joined together, and
for deleting data corresponding the shadow.
8. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for reading an image of an original document;
storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as partial document
data upon the image being read by the input means in a divided manner,
each of the plurality of partial images being individually stored as
partial document data; and
joint-portion processing means for recognizing corresponding areas between
the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for joining the
partial document data in accordance with the recognized corresponding
areas, said joint-portion processing means including,
a joint-portion processing section for, upon a first and a second partial
document data being located opposite each other with a joint in between,
determining that an area, between a position on the first partial document
data that is recognized as a joint and an end of the second partial
document data, is an overlapped portion of images, and for positioning
with the overlapping portion being deleted.
9. An image processing apparatus comprising:
input means for reading an image of an original document;
storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as partial document
data upon the image being read by the input means in a divided manner,
each of the plurality of partial images being individually stored as
partial document data; and
joint-portion processing means for recognizing corresponding areas between
the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for joining the
partial document data in accordance with the recognized corresponding
areas, said joint-portion processing means including,
a joint-portion processing section for recognizing a joint by retrieving
respective partial document data in accordance with a sequence of the
partial document data stored in the storage means and an alignment of the
partial document data determined by an instruction, entered by a specific
document inserted and read between portions of the original document, and
for conducting a positioning operation.
10. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein the
specific document is a sheet of white paper. |
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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 image processing apparatuses, such as
copying machines, scanners, facsimiles, and printers, which are capable of
enlarging a read image and outputting the image onto a plurality of sheets
of paper in a divided manner. It further relates to image processing
apparatuses and which are also capable of automatically joining divided
images together and forming a combined image on one sheet of paper or
other materials.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In order to combine a plurality of images together and to record the
combined image on one sheet of paper, an information recording apparatus,
such as that disclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Publication No.
33752/1981 (Tokukoushou 56-33752), is employed. In this apparatus, image
data for each page is stored as each independent data: for example, image
data of 4 pages of A-4 size are combined together, and the reduced image
can be copied on one sheet of paper of A-4 size.
However, in the above-mentioned apparatus, since the image data is stored
as individual data for each page, and since there is no correlation
between those individual data, positioning of images is not operable
between pages.
Therefore, in the case of originals, such as a map, that can not be read by
one scanning due to its large size or other reasons, in order to confirm
the connections between images carried on the respective pages, it is
necessary to reduce each of originals and copy the combined image on one
sheet of paper. Conventionally, in this case, reduced copies are made page
by page; the original of one sheet being formed by trimming and pasting
them; and the original thus formed being again copied.
However, such images copied in the divided manner as described above are
quite likely to have problems, such as lines that appear on the edges,
overlapped images, loss of images, etc. Therefore, trimming these images,
positioning them, etc. are troublesome and time consuming tasks. Moreover,
in the above method, when reduced copies are made for the respective
pages, it is difficult to determine the setting of a reduction rate while
taking into consideration a finished state of the copy. Further, since
slight errors are inevitable in the reduction rates for the respective
pages, offsets might be produced at the joints due to the trimming and
pasting tasks.
Further, in the case of joining torn pieces of an original, the
conventional method is that the original of one sheet is formed by pasting
the torn pieces together while paying attention to the shapes of the torn
pieces and the joining portions of the images, and that the original thus
joined together is again copied.
However, in such a case as to form the original of one sheet by pasting the
torn pieces together, the pasting process, which has to be carried out
while paying attention to the shapes of the torn pieces and the joining
portions of the images, is troublesome and time consuming, thereby
reducing the efficiency of the work. Moreover, since offsets are quite
likely to appear at the joints, an image, which is obtained by copying the
original thus pasted together, tends to have shadows at portions
corresponding to the joints. This greatly reduces the resolution of the
image.
Furthermore, in the case of obtaining an enlarged image by enlarging a
small document such as a map, etc. by the use of, for example, a copying
machine as an image processing apparatus provided with an enlarging
function, if the image of the document is enlarged to a size that can not
be covered by maximum-sized copy sheets available in the copying machine,
the conventional method is that portions of the document image are copied
onto a plurality of copy sheets in a divided manner at a desired rate of
magnification, and then the resulting copied sheets are pasted together.
In this method, since it is difficult to tell the copiable region when the
portions of the document image are copied onto a plurality of copy sheets,
it is not easy to determine how to divide the document image. Further,
troublesome tasks are required in removing the excessive overlapped
portions when the resulting copied images are pasted together.
In order to improve the operability of the above method, there has been
proposed another apparatus wherein, in the case when a document is copied
in a predetermined rate of magnification, if the resulting copied image
seems to become larger than copy sheets of the specified size, the
document image is automatically divided into a plurality of images, and
the divided document images are copied on individual copy sheets.
However, even in the above conventional apparatus, although it eliminates
the need for conducting the copying operation while taking account of the
dividing method of the document image, it merely divides the document
image in a predetermined manner and delivers them on individual copy
sheets. Troublesome and time consuming tasks are required in removing the
excessive overlapped portions when the resulting copied images are pasted
together and in positioning the divided documents. Additionally, there has
been proposed still another apparatus, wherein upon copying a document
image, the image position in relation to copy sheets is automatically
shifted to form a margin having a specified width, that is, a binding
margin. However, this apparatus also fails to solve the above problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an image processing
apparatus which is capable of joining a plurality of documents together
without causing any adverse effects on the efficiency of work as well as
automatically conducting a variable magnification operation on the
combined image in accordance with the size of copy sheets.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an image
processing apparatus which is capable of joining together a plurality of
torn pieces of an image accurately and efficiently without causing any
offsets and shadows in the image at portions corresponding to the joints.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide an image
processing apparatus which is capable of improving the efficiency of work
that is required for obtaining one image by pasting together images that
have been released on a plurality of copy sheets in a divided manner.
In order to achieve the above objectives, the image processing apparatus of
the present invention comprises: an input means for reading an image of a
document; a storage means for storing a plurality of images that have been
read by the input means as partial document data; and a joint-portion
processing means for recognizing joints of the partial document data that
have been stored in the storage means and for joining the respective
partial document data.
With the above arrangement, in the case of using a document that has to be
read by the input means in a divided manner due to, for example, its large
size or other reasons, and forming a reduced image of the original image
on a recording medium of a desired size by reducing the image of the
document, the images that have been read in the divided manner are stored
in the storage means as the respective document data. The document data
stored in the storage means are then respectively subjected to a
joint-recognizing operation and a positioning operation in the
joint-portion processing means.
Therefore, in the case of forming a reduced image by joining together
images that have been read in a divided manner and conducting a variable
magnification operation on the image to a desired size, the present
invention eliminates troublesome and time consuming tasks such as reducing
divided portions of a document respectively, and trimming and sticking
together the reduced portions to form one document, as well as eliminating
the necessity of time consuming calculations on reduction rate, etc. Thus,
it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of work, and to prevent
offsets that would occur at the joints of the combined document. This
ensures high quality in the images.
Moreover, in the case where the partial documents contain a lot of
overlapped portions, if the partial documents are joined together after
they have been respectively reduced, the joined image is prone to have
margin portions. However, by the use of the arrangement of the present
invention wherein the reducing operation is performed after having
combined the partial document data together, it is possible to eliminate
the negative effect on picture quality.
In the above-mentioned joint-portion processing means, the following means
are provided to further improve the quality in the images.
That is, the joint-portion processing means is provided with a shifting
means for shifting the respective document data, in the parallel or
orthogonal direction with respect to a joint so as to make the respective
data consistent with each other. It is alternatively provided with a
rotative movement means for rotating one of the document data centered on
a predetermined position such as its corner or other points so as to make
the respective data consistent with each other. Therefore, even in a case
where a corner of the divided document is not read or where the document
data are read in a tilted manner, it is possible to reduce offsets that
would occur at the joints of the combined document data.
Moreover, the joint-portion processing means is arranged to discriminate
data-loss areas of the image in accordance with the positional
relationship of the document data, to create compensating data based on
images located at the ends of the document data that are to be joined, and
to compensate for the data-loss area. Therefore, even in the case where,
upon reading an image by the use of the input means, a portion of the
image is not read, compensating data are created based on images located
around the data-loss area so as to compensate for the data-loss area. This
makes it possible to enhance the picture quality by eliminating shrinkage
of images and unnatural appearances that would occur at the joints.
Moreover, in the case where the edge of a document is read as a line, the
joint-portion processing means erases the line by discriminating it from
the other images of the document. Therefore, it is possible to avoid the
disadvantage of having extra lines at the joints of the image, thereby
eliminating unnatural appearances at the joints.
Furthermore, the joint-portion processing means recognizes that an area,
from a position determined as a joint in one of the document data to an
end of the other of the document data situated on the former document
data, is an overlapped portion of the image, and conducts a positioning
operation after erasing the overlapped portion. Therefore, even in a case
where upon reading, an overlapped portion is formed due to offsets of the
image, the joint-portion processing means erases the overlapped portion by
discriminating it from the other images of the document, thereby
eliminating unnatural appearances at the joints.
The joint-portion processing means is also provided with an adjusting means
for adjusting the density data so as to minimize differences between the
density data of the document data upon conducting a joining operation.
Therefore, it is possible to reduce changes in density that would occur at
the joints when the respective document data are joined together, thereby
reducing unnatural appearances at the joints.
Moreover, in the joint-portion processing means, sides having the document
data, on which a joining operation is conducted with respect to the
document data, are specified by the sequence of inputting the images and
an instruction for changing into a new line that is given by inserting a
predetermined document to be read. These specified sides give a basis on
which the data are retrieved. The joints are recognized and positioning is
conducted. Therefore, it becomes possible to perform the joining operation
quickly and accurately without requiring excessive time for retrieving
data or other processes even if complicated images are used, or even if a
number of documents are read in the joining operation.
Furthermore, in the case of using torn and separated pieces of a document,
the joint-portion processing means recognizes the shapes of the torn
pieces of the document from the document data stored in the storage means,
positions the document data so as to allow the torn pieces to be joined
together, and erases data corresponding to shadows that would appear on
the joints. Therefore, this makes it possible to improve the efficiency of
work in joining the torn pieces of the document together. Further, since
it is possible to prevent offsets and shadows that occur at the joints,
the high quality in the image can be achieved.
Moreover, when a plurality of torn pieces of a document, which are arranged
in the scanning direction of the input means, are successively scanned by
the input means, these images of the torn pieces of the original are
stored in the storage means as document data. Then, among the document
data, by comparing the document data corresponding to the rear portion of
a preceding document piece read earlier by the input means with the
document data corresponding to the leading portion of the succeeding
document piece read in the following scanning, the joint-portion
processing means recognizes the shapes of the rear portion and the leading
portion of the torn document pieces. Successively, positioning is made on
the document data so that the torn document pieces are joined to each
other based on the shapes of the rear portion and the leading portion, and
data corresponding to shadows that would appear at the joints are erased.
Therefore, by arranging the torn pieces of a document in the scanning
direction of the input means so that the torn edges to be joined are
aligned face to face with each other, the process for finding out the torn
edges to be joined can be simplified upon conducting the positioning of
the document data so as to connect the torn pieces. This makes it possible
to simplify the joining operation and to shorten the time of the
operation.
When a plurality of torn pieces of a document are arranged with their
corresponding torn edges placed face to face in accordance with the
approximate original positional relationship before it was torn, the
images of these torn pieces of the document are read by the input means
and stored in the storage means as a series of document data. Then, in the
joint-portion processing means, data of a shadow, which are located
between the document data that seem to be consistent and which appear at
the joint between the torn edges, are detected, and data located at both
sides of the data of the shadow are recognized as the document data of the
torn edges of the torn pieces. Further, the joint-portion processing means
recognizes the shapes of the torn edges from the document data of these
torn edges. Successively, positioning is made on the document data so that
the torn document pieces are joined to each other, and the data
corresponding to shadows that would appear at the joints are erased.
Therefore, by arranging a plurality of torn pieces of a document with their
corresponding torn edges placed face to face in accordance with the
approximate original positional relationship before it was torn, the
process for finding out the torn edges to be joined can be simplified upon
conducting the positioning of the document data so as to connect the torn
pieces. This makes it possible to simplify the joining operation and to
shorten the time of the operation.
Moreover, for example, in the case of reading images carried on two opened
pages of a book or the like having a considerable thickness by the use of
the input means, any shadows that appear in the document data are erased
in the joint-portion processing means. Moreover, the document data, after
having been subjected to the shadow-erasing operation, are retrieved for
portions having coincident image information, and subject to a positioning
operation. Then, the document data are compensated for any loss of data
that is caused by the shadow-erasing operation, and the document data
combined by the joining operation are subject to a variable magnification
operation by the variable magnification means in accordance with the size
of the recording medium whereon the combined image is formed.
Therefore, even if any shadows appear in the document data stored in the
storage means due to the thickness of the book, the shadow-erasing
operation and the compensating operation for the loss of data are executed
on the document data, and the document data are joined together
accurately.
Moreover, marks are put on the document data to determine approximate
positions at which the joining operation is conducted in the images of the
document data stored in the storage means. The joint-portion processing
then means retrieves the document data for portions having coincident
image information in accordance with the marks. The marks are given in the
form of, for example, a line drawn in the proximity of a border between a
necessary portion and an unnecessary portion on the image. Lines and marks
indicating positions of features that are located in the positions at
which the joining operation is conducted, and the positioning of the
document data is then conducted.
Therefore, the above arrangement makes it possible to provide high-quality
images without offsets or other problems caused at the joints. Further, in
the case of conducting the joining operation on documents that have, for
example, a space portion around the image or the same images that are
formed on the edges of the two consecutive pages in an overlapped manner,
if a retrieving process is conducted from the end of the image in order to
detect portions having coincident image information, the storage capacity
is used in a wasteful manner, the processing time is excessively
prolonged, and the possibility of errors increases. However, by conducting
the retrieving operation in accordance with the above-mentioned marks, it
is possible to save the storage capacity and to shorten the retrieving
time, etc., thereby ensuring accurate, quick operations.
Moreover, in order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, the image
processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with an input
means for reading an image of a document; a storage means for storing
images that have been read by the input means as document data; a
division-enlargement processing means for dividing and enlarging the image
data stored in the storage means such that the divided image data are
respectively made into independent image data; and a margin-portion
creating section for adding to the image data that have been divided by
the division-enlargement processing means additional image data for
creating a pasting margin along one of the joint portions between the
divided image data.
With the above arrangement, the image of a document that have been read by
the input means are stored in the storage means as image data. In the
division-enlargement processing means, the image data are divided, and
also enlarged at a predetermined rate of magnification such that the
divided image data are respectively made into independent image data.
Then, in the margin-portion creating section, additional image data are
added to the image data that have been divided by the division-enlargement
processing means additional in order to create a pasting margin along one
of the joint portions between the divided image data. The additional image
data form, for example, colored pasting margins when seen after printed.
Therefore, on the divided images of the document that are released from
the image processing apparatus of the present invention, and formed on the
individual copy sheets, there are clearly formed pasting margins along the
joint portions of the divided images that are to be joined. This
arrangement makes it possible to improve the efficiency of work in the
case of pasting the divided images together to form one complete enlarged
image of the original image.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention,
reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of an image processing
system that is installed in a digital copying machine of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing that schematically shows the construction
of the digital copying machine of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a joining operation of document data in the digital copying
machine of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4(a) is an explanatory drawing that indicates retrieving areas of
document data.
FIG. 4(b) is an explanatory drawing that shows a positioning operation of
the document data.
FIG. 4(c) is an explanatory drawing that shows a resulting image obtained
after the document data shown in FIG. 4(a) have been subject to a
combining operation and a variable magnification operation.
FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b) respectively show plan views of torn pieces of a
document.
FIG. 5(c) is an explanatory drawing that shows document data stored in an
image memory.
FIG. 5(d) is an explanatory drawing that shows a resulting image after the
joining operation.
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a joining operation of the document data.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a feature extraction of documents in the joining operation.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory drawing that shows the positions of document data
in the image memory.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory drawing that shows retrieving areas of the
document data stored in the image memory.
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a decision on coincidence or non-coincidence of the document
data in the joining operation.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a judgement as to the completion of all the data processing in
the joining operation.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory drawing that shows the positions of images in the
case of executing the joining operations on four images.
FIG. 13(a) is a plan view showing torn pieces of a document.
FIG. 13(b) is an explanatory drawing that show the positions of the torn
pieces of the document on the document platen and scanning direction of
the document.
FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a compensation for loss of data in the joining operation.
FIG. 15 is an explanatory drawing that shows document data in question for
the compensation for loss of data.
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a compensation for loss of data in the joining operation.
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a judgement as to the completion of all the data processing in
the joining operation.
FIG. 18 is an explanatory drawing that shows joining lines drawn on
documents to be joined together.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory drawing that shows feature-indicating lines drawn
on documents to be joined together.
FIG. 20 is an explanatory drawing that shows enclosing marks drawn on
documents to be joined together.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory drawing that shows document data that were
positioned by the joining operation.
FIG. 22 is an explanatory drawing that shows a copy obtained by the joining
operation.
FIG. 23(a) is a plan view showing torn pieces of a document.
FIG. 23(b) is an explanatory drawing that shows the positions of the torn
pieces of the document on the document platen and scanning direction of
the document.
FIG. 23(c) is an explanatory drawing that shows an image released from the
digital copying machine after the joining operation.
FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a feature-extraction of the torn pieces of the document in the
joining operation.
FIG. 25 is an explanatory drawing that shows a document on which the
joining operation is conducted.
FIGS. 26(a) through 26(g) are explanatory drawings that respectively show
an input sequence for images that specifies the positional relationship
between document data in the joining operation.
FIG. 27(a) is an explanatory drawing that shows document data having a loss
of data for which a compensating operation is conducted.
FIG. 27(b) is an explanatory drawing that shows a distance and an offset
between document data.
FIG. 27(c) is an explanatory drawing that shows document data after having
been subject to the compensating for loss of data.
FIG. 28 is an explanatory drawing that shows a line caused by the edge of a
document in the document data stored in the image memory.
FIG. 29 is a plan view indicating a document platen that is installed in
the digital copying machine.
FIG. 30(a) is a sectional view taken along the line A--A of the document
platen of FIG. 29.
FIG. 30(b) is an explanatory drawing that shows black and white levels that
are detected depending on the position of the document shown in FIG.
30(a).
FIG. 30(c) is an explanatory drawing that shows black and white levels
after the edge of the document has been erased.
FIG. 31 is an explanatory drawing that shows a case where an overlapped
portion appears in the document data stored in the image memory.
FIG. 32 is an explanatory drawing that shows a state where the overlapped
portion of the document data has been compensated for.
FIG. 33 is an explanatory drawing that shows a copy obtained by the joining
operation.
FIG. 34 is an explanatory drawing that shows a void area and an image loss
that appear on a copy sheet after copying.
FIG. 35 is an explanatory drawing that shows retrieving areas for image
data at joints in the document data.
FIG. 36 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out when compensating for the loss of the images at the joints.
FIG. 37(a) and FIG. 37(b) are explanatory drawings that show a joining
operation of images when there is one joint.
FIGS. 38(a) through 38(d) are explanatory drawings that show a joining
operation of images when there are two or more joints.
FIG. 39 is a block diagram showing a construction of an image processing
device that is installed in a digital copying machine of the present
invention.
FIG. 40 is a flow chart showing a sequence of processes that are carried
out when a compensating operation for densities of images is conducted.
FIG. 41(a), FIG. 41(b) and FIG. 41(c) are explanatory drawings that show a
joining operation of images at respective joints.
FIG. 42 is a block diagram showing a construction of an image processing
system that is installed in a digital copying machine of the present
invention.
FIG. 43(a) is a perspective view of a book of maps that is used as a
document in a joining operation by the use of the image processing system
of FIG. 42.
FIGS. 43(b) and 43(c) are explanatory drawings that show a state of the
image memory wherein document data are stored from the book of maps shown
in FIG. 43(a).
FIG. 44 is a flow chart showing a sequence of processes that are carried
out during a joining operation.
FIG. 45 is an explanatory drawing that shows setting of coordinates on the
image memory.
FIGS. 46(a) and 46(b) are explanatory drawings that show density
distributions at image ends of the document data.
FIG. 47 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out during a shadow-erasing operation for the document data.
FIG. 48 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out when the amount of positioning is set so as to conduct the joining
operation.
FIG. 49 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried
out when compensating for the loss of data that occurred by the joining
operation.
FIG. 50 is an explanatory drawing that shows a state of image that is
obtained after the compensating operation for the loss of data.
FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing a construction of an image processing
section that is installed in the digital copying machine.
FIG. 52 is a flow chart showing a sequence of processes that are carried
out in a division-enlargement processing section of the digital copying
machine.
FIG. 53 is an explanatory drawing that shows the processing operations of a
UCR.multidot.BP processing section shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 54(a) is a front view showing an original that is to be divided and
enlarged by the copying machine; and
FIG. 54(b) is an explanatory drawing that shows individual image data after
the image of the original is divided and enlarged.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the following description will discuss one
embodiment of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a digital copying machine, which is installed in
an image processing apparatus in accordance with the present embodiment,
is provided with a document platen 27 made of a hard glass plate, etc.
that is installed on the upper surface of a copying machine main body 26.
Below the document platen 27 is disposed a scanner unit (input means) 22.
The scanner unit 22 is constituted of: a lamp unit 1; mirrors 2, 3 and 4;
a lens unit 5; and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 6. A reflected
light beam, which is obtained by irradiating a document (not shown) placed
on the document platen 27 by the lamp unit 1, is directed to the
light-receiving face of the CCD sensor 6 through the mirrors 2, 3 and 4
and the lens unit 5, and detected therein as electric signals.
A laser driver unit 7 is installed below the scanner unit 22. Image data of
the document, which are detected by the CCD sensor 6 as the electric
signals, are temporarily stored in an image memory (storage means) 43
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