Joint-portion processing device for image data in an image-forming apparatus

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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 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. Thus 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. Thus 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 means then 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 operat