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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of digital reprographic devices,
in particular a reprographic device which creates copies with increased
room for making written annotations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The low cost method of choice for copying a source medium is light lens
xerography. Light lens xerography is a well known process by which a
source medium is flood illuminated or scanned with light and the
reflections therefrom are imaged via a copy lens assembly to a charged
photoconductive medium, which is then discharged onto an output medium in
accordance with the image formed on the source medium. A characteristic of
the light lens xerographic process is that the image on the source medium
and the resultant copying medium are either identical or are scaled (i.e.
either enlarged or reduced). While this may be acceptable for most copy
operations, there do exist situations where it would be desirable to have
the copy different from the original. For example, when a single spaced
document has been received for review and comment, it may be helpful to
have room to write comments, corrections or other annotations between the
lines. Conversely, when a multiple page document to be copied has
excessive unused space, it may be desirable to remove the unused space and
combine pages.
Performing such functions would be difficult using conventional light lens
copying techniques. However, reproduction systems (e.g. digital copiers)
that scan a document to convert it to a digital form prior to printing
provide a base platform for such capabilities. One such system is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,782 entitled "Reproduction Scanning
System Having Intermediate Storage Between Input and Output Scanning
Stations" (hereinafter the '782 patent). The '782 patent describes a
reproduction system which utilizes optical scanning technology to obtain a
document image, which is stored in an intermediate storage prior to
transmittal to an output scanning station for printing. The system of the
'782 patent may be used to magnify and enlarge source images. However, the
'782 patent does not suggest any manipulation of image data stored in the
intermediate storage.
Analysis of bit-mapped representations of text data is well known. Optical
Character Recognition (OCR) is used to analyze bit-mapped representations
of text data in order to translate into some character coding scheme (e.g.
ASCII codes). OCR techniques typically require the segmentation of the
bit-mapped representation into units such as paragraphs, lines of text and
character blocks. The actual recognition is performed on the character
blocks. OCR allows the resulting text to then be edited and used in
commercially available word processing programs. OCR programs when used in
combination with word processing programs could be used to perform the
functionality of creating single or double spaced copies. However, OCR
programs requires extensive processing time and do not preserve images
(e.g. illustrations or photographs), handwritten marks or other non-text
markings that may be on the original medium would require a great deal of
processing time and would be impractical to implement on a reprographic
device.
EP-A 434,930, Bagley et al. entitled "Editing Text In An Image" describes a
system for editing text on the bit-mapped representations without the need
to convert characters to codes. The system described in EP-A434,930 is
premised on manipulating text and does not disclose a technique for single
or double spacing. Further, the system described is for use as an
interactive editor when viewing the contents of the bit-mapped
representation on a computer screen, rather than as a function on a copier
or other reprographic device.
Reformatting of text based on a bit-mapped representation of an image is
described in EP 0 585 073 A2, Card entitled "Automatically Changing Text
Characteristics By Repositioning Word Images". In EP 0 585 073 A2, first
image data is changed according to change data indicating the desired
changes to the text. The technique described in EP 0 585 073 A2 operates
on word images which may be inefficient for the application of the present
invention and does not preserve images (e.g. illustrations or
photographs), handwritten marks or other non-text markings that may be on
the original medium.
The prior art does not teach or suggest providing automatic adjustment of
the spacing between lines of text based on an analysis of the bit mapped
representation of the text. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a
copying system which is capable of efficiently creating double or single
spaced copies and which preserve images, handwritten marks and other
non-text markings on the original medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A reprographic device providing means for increasing the amount of space
between lines of text in the reproduction of a source medium is disclosed.
Many documents that are encountered in the course of a day require
annotation. Often, such documents are received in a fixed paper form (as
opposed to a revisable form i.e. a computer file). The present invention
provides a means to obtain a copy of a document having sufficient room
between lines of text, by for example, double spacing. This is
accomplished by first creating a bit-mapped image of the document via a
suitable scanning means, identifying lines of text and graphics within the
document, identifying a document midpoint, measuring the distance between
lines of text to obtain a distance X, identifying a user provided spacing
factor, outputting lines and graphics above said midpoint on a first page
and laying them out so that said lines are separated by a distance based
on said distance X and said provided spacing factor, outputting lines and
graphics below said midpoint on a second page and laying them out so that
said lines are separated by a distance based on said distance X and said
provided spacing factor, and printing the first page and the second page.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the major functional elements of a
reprographic device of the currently preferred embodiment of the preset
invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of a first embodiment of a user interface that
may be utilized to invoke functionality provided by the present invention
by the currently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a copy of a second embodiment of a user
interface that may be utilized to invoke functionality provided by the
currently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an example of a form checkbox as may be part of a paper user
interface that may be utilized to invoke functionality provided by the
currently preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart outlining the steps for increasing the distance
between segments on a medium, resulting in the contents of a single page
to be spread across multiple pages, as may be performed in the currently
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart outlining the steps for laying out segments on a page
memory as may be performed by the currently preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
FIG. 7 is an example which illustrates a medium prior to having the
distance between segments increased.
FIG. 8 illustrates the result of increasing the distance between the
segments of the medium illustrated in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart outlining the steps for reducing the distance between
segments on a medium, resulting in the contents of multiple pages to be
printed on a single page, as may be performed in the currently preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an example of multiple pages prior to coalescence onto a single
page.
FIG. 11 illustrates the results of the multiple pages of FIG. 10, being
coalesced onto a single page.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A reprographic device for creating a copy of a source medium so that lines
of text have increased spacing is disclosed. In the following description
numerous specific details are set forth, such as address coordinates of a
segment in a bit-mapped representation, in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. It would be apparent, however, to
one skilled in the art to practice the invention without such specific
details. In other instances, specific implementation details, such as
source medium scanning and the transfer of the copy image to an output
medium, have not been shown in detail in order not to unnecessarily
obscure the present invention.
The present invention may be implemented on any reprographic device, such
as a copier, facsimile device, or on a computer system. The foregoing
description of the currently preferred embodiment is not meant to be
limiting as to the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the
application described is one where single spaced text is converted to
double space text, it would be apparent to one skilled in the art to to
cause single space text to be converted to space and a half or triple
spaced text. Moreover, the present invention could be applied to writing
systems which are vertically oriented (e.g. Japanese or Chinese) or to
documents comprised primarily of graphical segments or even text with a
graphics segment. Such implementations would not cause a departure from
the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application is related to co-pending application entitled "A Paper
Saving Reprographic Device", Ser. No. 08/324,814.
OVERVIEW OF REPROGRAPHIC DEVICE OF THE CURRENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF
THE PRESENT INVENTION
The reprographic device of the present invention is described with
reference to FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, a processing unit 101 performs
the various processing functionality required by the reprographic device.
The processing unit 101 is broken down into system controller 102 and
image processor 103. The system controller 102 controls the operation of
the reprographic device and the interaction between the various other
components. The image processor 103 manipulates images which have been
input via a scanner element 104. As will be described in greater detail
below, the image processor 103 may also include means for identifying a
scanned medium as a form. Such a form provides a user interface by which a
user can specify that desired functions be performed. The processing unit
101 may be a single physical component, e.g. a microprocessor, or it may
be two separate components performing the system control and image
processing functions.
The reprographic device is further comprised of the aforementioned scanner
element 104. The scanner element 104 is used to create a bit-mapped
representation of a medium at a predetermined resolution. The
predetermined resolution may be fixed or it could be adjustable by the
user. When created, the bit-mapped representation is stored in a scanner
image memory 107 of storage unit 106. The storage unit 106 is preferably
some type of solid state random access memory. However, other type of
memory technology could be utilized, e.g. magnetic or optical memory,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A
second part of storage unit 106 is processed image memory 108. The
processed image memory 108 is used to store the resulting image after it
has been processed by image processor 103. Although not illustrated the
storage unit 106 may also contain workspace storage for storing various
in-process data. Such in-process data would include data indicating
positional locations of lines of text in the source medium.
When the image is to be printed, the processed image from the processed
image memory 108 is provided to the printer element 105. The printer
element 105 may utilize any of a number of printing technologies such as
xerography or ink-jet.
While the currently preferred embodiment discloses creating a bit mapped
representation of a medium via scanner element 104, a bit-mapped
representation of a medium received from an external source (e.g. an
incoming fax) may be stored in storage unit 106 for processing. Further,
while printing of the processed image is disclosed, it would be apparent
to one of skill in the art to provide the processed image to other output
devices such as a Facsimile device.
Finally, the reprographic device will include a user interface 109 for
allowing a user to enter commands and/or copy criteria. For example, the
number of copies, contrast, output paper size and enlargement/reduction
are all functions that may be specified. User interfaces for invoking the
functionality of the present invention is illustrated with reference to
FIGS. 2-3.
Referring to FIG. 2, a user interface for invoking the functionality of the
present invention is comprised of a pair of labeled switches. In FIG. 2,
the switches are labeled "Double Space" 201 and "Single Space" 202. When
the "Double Space" 201 switch is depressed when performing a duplication,
the spacing between lines of text and graphics will be doubled. So for
example, if the existing spacing is single spaced, the result will be text
that is double spaced. In so doing, it is likely that the doubling will
result in the number of pages doubling.
When the "Single Space" 202 switch is depressed, the spacing between lines
of text and graphics will be halved. So for example, if the existing text
is double spaced the result will be single spacing. In so doing, it is
likely that the number of printed pages required will be reduced.
The switches used may be physical switches or soft switches embodied on a
touch screen display. In any of the embodiments a user would "touch" the
switch in order for it to be invoked.
The labeling of the switches may take another name, as illustrated in FIG.
3. Referring to FIG. 3, the "Double Space" 201 switch of FIG. 2 is renamed
as "Edit Copy" 301. Here the name infers a user purpose for the function,
namely to create an editable copy where comments and changes may be
readily inserted. In a similar fashion, the "Single Space" switch 202 of
FIG. 2 has been renamed "Paper Saving" 302. This connotes that the copy
being made should be performed so as to reduce the number of pages that
will be used to print out the desired text.
As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the present invention may be labeled by
various feature types or names on a reprographic device. The present
invention may be known by different names or labels, and such different
names or labels do not cause departure from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
The present invention may also be practiced using a paper based user
interface on a form. Such a paper based user interface is described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,980, entitled "Form Utilizing Encoded Indications For
Form Field Processing." In such a user interface, the functionality of the
physical switches are replaced by checkboxes on a form. As mentioned
briefly with respect to FIG. 1, in such an implementation the image
processor of the reprographic device would further include a form
recognition and processing means which would be used to interpret the
form. The actual printed checkbox utilized on a form could be as
illustrated in FIG. 4, wherein a user would place a written mark on the
desired "box", i.e either of checkboxes 401 or 402.
DOUBLE SPACING/EDIT COPY
FIG. 5 illustrates the preferred steps performed when creating a double
spaced or edit copy. Referring to FIG. 5, the document medium is scanned
to create a bit-mapped representation of the medium, step 501. If the
document medium contains multiple pages, each of the mediums would be
individually scanned and the remaining steps performed on each of the
separate representations. In any event, once each of the documents has
been scanned, enhancements may be performed on the bit-mapped image, step
502. Such document enhancement may include skew correction, pepper (dirt
or noise) removal or contrast changes. Once the enhancement have been
performed, the bit-mapped representation is segmented and the resulting
addresses stored, step 503. In the present invention, the segmentation
will occur so that lines of text and graphical blocks are segmented. In
the present invention the projection profile segmentation method is used.
However, any suitable segmentation method may be used by the present
invention without causing departure from the spirit and scope of the
present invention. In any event, once the segmentation occurs the address
coordinates for a bounding box of the segment are stored. Generally, as
the bounding box is rectangular, only the upper left and lower right
coordinates need be saved.
Next, a splitting location for the medium is located, step 504. The
splitting location will be comprised of the coordinates of a spatial
address on the medium. In any event, only a single splitting location is
found because only double spacing is provided. However, it would be
apparent to one skilled in the art to provide for more than double
spacing, since it would be a matter of locating two or more splitting
locations. Such implementations would not cause departure from the spirit
and scope of the present invention. In any event, the splitting location
of currently preferred embodiment would be the vertical middle of a page.
Note that if text was segmented in columns, as found in Japanese text, the
splitting location chosen would be the horizontal middle of a page.
Once, the splitting location is identified, the segments on a first side of
the splitting location are laid out, i.e. organized, onto a first page
memory representing a first page to be printed, step 505. For page layouts
that have horizontal lines of text across the page, the segments above the
splitting location are identified as being on the first side.
Alternatively, for page layouts having text in columns, the segments to
the right of the splitting location could be on the first page memory.
Determining if a segment is on a first side of a splitting location would
be performed by comparison of the splitting location address to the
segment address. The actual layout of segments on page memory is described
in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 6. The identical process is
then carried out for segments on a second side of the splitting location,
step 506. When the layout of the pages is completed, the first and second
page memories are printed out, step 507.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart outlining the steps for laying out the segments on a
page memory. Referring to FIG. 6, a distance X between the segments is
identified, step 601. The distance X may be identified by either comparing
the addresses of two text line segments or by averaging the distances
between multiple text line segments. Next, a segment spacing factor S is
identified, step 602. The segment spacing factor S relates to the desired
distance by which the spacing is increased. For example, if converting to
double space, the segment spacing factor would be 2. The spacing factor
would be provided by the user (e.g. by depression of the double space
button of FIG. 2. Finally, the segments are placed onto page memory
separated by a distance SX, step 603.
As an example, assume that a first text segment at the top of the page has
an address (1,1), (10,80) and a second text segment has address (20,1),
(30,80), where (1,1) is at the upper left corner of an X-Y plane defining
the page. Further assume that the segment spacing factor is S=2. In order
to determine the distance between the first and second segment, the lower
right address coordinate (10,80) of the first text segment is compared to
the upper left coordinate of the second text segment (20,1). The distance
will be reflected by the difference of the ordinate axis value (reflecting
the "row" on which the segment starts). So comparing (20,1) with (10,80) a
first ordinate difference of 10 is obtained. So in this case X=10. When
placing segments onto the page memory, the distance will be SX=2(10)=20.
Thus, the first text segment will be placed at its original location i.e.
(1,1), (10,80), all subsequent text segment addresses on the page will
have 20 added to the lowest ordinate axis value as they are placed in page
memory, e.g. the second text segment will be placed at (30,1), (40,80) and
the segment after that would be at (60,1), (70,80), etc. Note that
segments placed on the second page will require adjustment of their
ordinate address in order to reflect their new page position (e.g. text
segments formerly in the middle of a page are now at the top of a page).
These is accomplished by merely altering, i.e. subtracting by a suitable
amount, the ordinate axis values as the segments are laid out.
It should further be noted that this layout step may also include other
steps to insure that blank pages are not printed out. For example, an
original page may only have text on the top half. The present invention
will check to see if any segments are placed in the second page memory
prior to print out. If no segments are detected, the page will not be
printed out.
While the preferred embodiment is carried out as described in the
flowcharts of FIG. 5 and 6, the present invention may be implemented in
alternative embodiments. Such alternative embodiment would not cause a
departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example,
the laying out of segments could be carried out so that the double spacing
is incurred without reference to a midpoint. Segments could be laid out on
in page memory so as to completely fill a first page and subsequent
segments being laid out on a second page. However, such an embodiment may
cause some confusion as to the source of the "original" page so some page
indicator in the segments may have to be included.
FIGS. 7-8 illustrates converting a single spaced document to a double
spaced document as may be performed in the currently preferred embodiment
of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, a page 701 contains a
plurality of segments, namely a first line of text 702, a second line of
text 703, a third line of text 704, a fourth line of text 705 and graphics
706. Also illustrated in FIG. 7 is splitting location 707. The splitting
location 707 is vertically positioned on page 701 because the lines of
text run horizontally across the page. Finally, the distance between the
first line of text 702 and the second line of text 703, as well as the
distance between second line of text 703 and third line of text 704 is
illustrated as distance X 712.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the page 701 of FIG. 7 has been split into first
page 801 and second page 802. When comparing FIGS. 7 to 8 it is readily
observed that each of the segments entirely above splitting location 707
of FIG. 7 are printed on first page 801 and everything on or below
splitting location 707 of FIG. 7 are printed on second page 802. Finally,
on first page 801, the distance between first line of text 702 and second
line of text 703, as well as the distance between second line of text 703
and third line of text 704 has been doubled and is denoted as distance 2X
803.
Although not illustrated, the bottom of the page for each of the new pages
may have attached a new page number reference. The most efficient way is
to simply add new page numbers (much like what Facsimile machines do) or
allow a user could specify a starting point for the numbering scheme.
Alternatively, page numbers could be automatically created which have some
reference to the original page number. For example, if the original page
was page 1, the new pages could be denoted as 1.1 and 1.2. This would
allow easy reference to the original page but would require recognition of
page numbers (which may be computationally intensive.)
SINGLE SPACING/PAPER SAVING
The paper saving mode of operation is one that is used to eliminate or
reduce blank spaces between lines of text on pages, and/or combine
multiple input pages onto a single output page.
The second mode of operation of the reprographic device of the present
invention may be used to convert double spaced copies to single spaced
copies, or otherwise reduce the amount of white space between segments on
a page. Here, a desired effect is to reduce the number of printed pages.
The basic steps for the paper saving mode of operation is illustrated with
reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an example where two pages are mapped onto
a single page for print out. Referring to FIG. 9, first and second pages
are scanned to create first and second bit-mapped images, step 901. Any
desired image enhancements may then be performed on the first and second
bit-mapped images, step 902. A desirable image enhancement would be the
detection and elimination of stray markings, e.g. dirt or noise, that are
not part of the document page. In any event, after any image enhancements,
the first and second bit-mapped images are then segmented and stored, step
903. It should be noted that the steps 901-903 are identical to those
performed for increasing spacing as described in FIG. 5. These steps are
basically the steps undertaken to digitize and segment the image. In any
event, once the pages have been digitized and segmented, a distance X
between the segments is identified, step 904. This distance X may be any
distance, but in this example it refers to the double spacing of a double
spaced document. Next, a segment spacing factor C is identified, step 905.
The segment spacing factor C is the scaling value by which the spacing
between text line segments is reduced. In this example, the spacing factor
C would be one-half (or 0.5). The segments extracted from the first and
second bit-mapped images are then laid out on a print page memory
separated by a distance CX, step 906. This will effectively result in the
first and second pages to be combined onto a single page. Finally, the
contents of the print page memory are printed, step 907.
Of course, the steps of FIG. 9 may be modified by one of ordinary skill in
the art to reduce more pages, e.g. three pages having triple spaced text
to a single page, etc. Moreover, the present invention is generalized so
that a document comprised of a plurality of pages is reduced to create a
document with fewer pages. For example, a ten (10) page document could be
converted into a five (5) page document.
The following is an example of processing segments to cause double to
single spacing. It is similar to the example above with respect to single
to double spacing. Assume that a first text segment at the top of the page
has an address (1,1), (10,80) and a second text segment has address
(30,1), (40,80), where (1,1) is at the top left corner of an X-Y plane
defining the page. Further assume that the segment spacing factor C=1/2.
In order to determine the distance between the first and second segment,
the lower right address coordinate (10,80) of the first text segment is
compared to the upper left coordinate of the second text segment (30,1).
The distance will be reflected by the difference of the ordinate axis
value (reflecting the "row" on which the segment starts). So comparing
(30,1) with (10,80) a first ordinate difference of 20 is obtained. So in
this case X=20. When placing segments onto the page memory, the distance
will be CX=(1/2)20=10. Thus, the first text segment will be placed at its
original location i.e. (1,1), (10,80), and all subsequent text segment
addresses will have 10 added to the lowest ordinate axis value from the
immediately prior image segment placed in page memory, e.g. the second
text segment will be placed at (20,1), (30,80), the next text segment at
(30,1), (40, 80), etc. FIGS. 10 and 11 are illustrative of the combining
of two document pages. Referring to FIG. 10, a first page 1001 and a
second page 1002 are to be combined. Page 1001 is comprised of a first
line of text 1003, a second line of text 1004 and a third line of text
1005. The respective lines of text 1003-1004 are separated by a distance
2X 1011. The page 1002 is comprised of graphics 1006 and a fourth line of
text 1007. Further, each of page 1001 and 1002 have page number
indicators, 1008 and 1009, respectively.
When the single space processing is performed, the resulting page is as
illustrated in FIG. 11. Referring to FIG. 11, a page 1101 contains the
first line of text 1003, second line of text 1004 and third line of text
1005 now separated by distance X 1102. The graphics 1006 and fourth line
of text 1007 are also positioned on the resulting page. Finally, each of
the page indicators 1008 and 1009 illustrate the pages where the text
originated.
Alternatively, the page indictors could be omitted or the pages in the
document numbered to reflect the actual number of pages.
Thus, a reprographic device having means for adjusting the distance between
lines of text, is disclosed.
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