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

What is claimed is:

1. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

input means for scanning a plurality of partial images, to thereby read an image of an original document that is a composite image of the plurality of partial images and that is separately unscannable as a whole;

storage means for storing the plurality of scanned partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been separately scanned by the input means;

black-document discrimination means for determining whether the partial document data, stored in the storage means, are mono-color document data or color document data;

joint-portion processing means for positioning the partial document data by recognizing joint portions between the partial document data in accordance with a result of the determination made by the black-document discrimination means; and

document-color recognition means for forming color data corresponding to the respective partial document data by recognizing the colors of the plurality of partial images scanned by the input means, wherein, when the black-document discrimination means determines that the partial document data are color document data, the joint-portion processing means recognizes joint portions between the partial document data by retrieving the pattern of colors in the partial document data while comparing the color data formed in the document-color recognition means with the partial document data stored in the storage means, and positions the respective partial document data in accordance with the recognized joint portions.

2. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1, the joint-portion processing means includes:

joint recognition means for recognizing joints located between the partial document data stored in the storage means by retrieving the pattern of colors in the partial document data while comparing the color data formed in the document-color recognition means with the partial document data;.

data-arranging means for arranging the partial document data so that a pair of the recognized joints are aligned side by side;

positioning means for positioning the partial document data so that images at the joints coincide with each other; and

combination processing means for combining the partial document data after the positioning so as to form document data that corresponds to the image of the original document.

3. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising:

variable magnification means for variably magnifying the document data after the joining operation in accordance with the size of a recording medium whereon the image is formed.

4. The image processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the joint portion processing means recognizes the joint portions between the partial document data by retrieving color patterns along the periphery of the plurality of partial images.

5. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

input means for scanning a plurality of partial images, to thereby read an image of an original document that is a composite image of the plurality of partial images and that is separately unscannable as a whole;

storage means for storing the plurality of scanned partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been separately scanned by the input means;

black-document discrimination means for determining whether the partial document data, stored in the storage means, are mono-color document data or color document data; and

joint-portion processing means for positioning the partial document data by recognizing joint portions between the partial document data in accordance with a result of the determination made by the black-document discrimination means, wherein,

when the black-document discrimination means determines that the partial document data are color document data, the joint-portion processing means recognizes joint portions located between the partial document data stored in the storage means, converts the color document data that have been discriminated by the black-document discriminating means into mono-color document data, and positions the respective partial document data in accordance with the mono-color document data that are obtained by converting the color document data.

6. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the joint-portion processing means includes:

mono-color conversion means for converting the color document data into mono-color document data for use in the positioning during the joining operation of the color document data that have been discriminated by the black-document discriminating means.

7. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 6, further comprising:

joint recognition means for detecting joints from the partial document data;

data-arranging means for arranging the partial document data so that a pair of the recognized joints are aligned side by side;

positioning means for positioning the partial document data based on the mono-color document data converted by the mono-color conversion means when the result of discrimination is made as color document data in the black-document discriminating means; and

combination processing means for combining the partial document data after the positioning so as to form document data that corresponds to the image of the original document.

8. The image processing apparatus as defined in claim 5, further comprising:

variable magnification means for variably magnifying the document data after the joining operation in accordance with the size of a recording medium.

9. An image processing method comprising the steps of:

scanning a plurality of partial images, to thereby read an image of an original document that is a composite image of the plurality of partial images and that is separately unscannable as a whole;

storing the plurality of scanned partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been separately scanned;

determining whether the stored partial document data are mono-color document data or color document data;

positioning the partial document data by recognizing joint portions between the partial document data in accordance with a result of the determination;

forming color data corresponding to the respective partial document data by recognizing the colors of the plurality of scanned partial images, wherein, when it is determined that the partial document data are color document data, joint portions located between the stored partial document data are recognized by retrieving the pattern of colors in the partial document data while comparing the formed color data with the stored partial document data; and

positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the recognized joint portions.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the joint portions between the partial document data are recognized by retrieving color patterns along the periphery of the plurality of partial images.

11. An image processing method comprising the steps of:

scanning a plurality of partial images, to thereby read an image of an original document that is a composite image of the plurality of partial images and that is separately unscannable as a whole;

storing the plurality of scanned partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been separately scanned;

determining whether the stored partial document data are mono-color document data or color document data;

positioning the partial document data by recognizing joint portions between the partial document data in accordance with a result of the determination, wherein,

when it is determined that the partial document data are color document data, the joint portions located between the stored partial document data are recognized;

converting color document data into mono-color document data when the partial document data are determined to be color document data; and positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the mono-color document data obtained by converting the color document data.

12. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

input means for scanning a plurality of partial images, to thereby read an image of an original document that is a composite image of the plurality of partial images and that is separately unscannable as a whole;

storage means for storing the plurality of scanned partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been separately scanned by the input means;

black-document discrimination means for determining whether the partial document data, stored in the storage means, are mono-color document data or color document data; and

joint-portion processing means for, when the black-document discrimination means determines that the partial document data are color document data, distinguishing joints located between the partial document data by recognizing patterns of colors and by locating coinciding patterns in the partial document data, and for positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the distinguished joints.

13. An image processing method, comprising the steps of:

scanning a plurality of partial images, to thereby read an image of an original document that is a composite image of the plurality of partial images and that is separately unscannable as a whole;

storing the plurality of scanned partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been separately scanned;

determining whether the stored partial document data are mono-color document data or color document data;

distinguishing joints located between the partial document data, when it is determined that the partial document data are color document data, by recognizing patterns of colors and by locating coinciding patterns in the partial document data; and

positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the distinguished joints.

Description Submit all comments and votes

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to image processing apparatuses, such as copying machines, scanners, facsimiles, and printers, which are capable of automatically joining images, which have been read in a divided manner, and forming the joined image on a recording medium of a desired size.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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 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, if image data of 4 pages of A-4 size are respectively stored as independent data, the information recording apparatus is capable of reducing the stored image data respectively and combining them together so as to form the combined image on one sheet of paper of A-4 size.

Here, in the case of applying the above-mentioned operation to an original document of a large size which cannot be read through one complete scanning, the image of the original document is read in a divided manner. These divided images are stored as divided image data including of a plurality of pages. However, in the above-mentioned apparatus, since the image data are stored as individual data for respective pages, there is no correlation between those individual data for respective pages. For this reason, even if the divided image data are reduced for the respective pages, and combined together, the divided images cannot be joined together into the original form.

Therefore, in the case of copying an original document having a size larger than, for example, the document platen on one sheet of paper of a desired size, the following method is used:

(1) An original document is divided into a plurality of regions, and those regions are respectively reduced and copied to form divided original documents;

(2) The divided original documents are trimmed and pasted to form one sheet of original document;

(3) The original document thus joined together is again copied.

However, in such a method including the above (1) through (3), troublesome and time consuming tasks are required in positioning and pasting the divided original documents manually, and in calculating a reduction rate in accordance with the size of copy sheet whereon a complete copied image is formed. Further, even if the reduction rate is set uniformly in obtaining the divided original documents, slight errors are inevitable in the reduction rates for the divided original documents. Therefore, offsets might be produced at the joints when those divided original documents are Joined together.

Meanwhile, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 331567/1992 (Tokukaihei 4-331567) has disclosed a digital image forming apparatus wherein in the case of copying an original document that is larger than the copiable size, a plurality of image data that have been individually read are combined and compiled, and are reduced into a copiable size.

In this apparatus, if the copying operation is performed on an original document that is, for example, twice as large as the readable size, the original document is divided into two equal portions, and the portions are successively read. Then image data thus read are reduced, if necessary. In this case, upon reading the image data, the original document to be read later is placed on the document platen in a state where it is rotated by 180 degrees with respect to the original document that was read previously. Then, the image data that was read firstly is rotated by 90 degrees, while the image data that was read secondly is rotated by 90 degrees in the direction opposite to the first rotation, and both of the image data are combined together. Thus, a combined image is formed on one sheet of paper. Therefore, with such a digital image forming apparatus, the aforementioned troublesome and time consuming tasks are eliminated, and even in the case of copying an original document larger than the size of the document platen, a copied image is formed on one sheet of paper of a desired size.

However, in such an digital image forming apparatus, since the image data are merely reduced, and merely rotated in the predetermined directions, offsets might be produced at the joints in a combined image, thereby causing an adverse effect on picture quality. Further, in the case where divided original documents of an image come up to a number of pages, sufficient attention should be paid to the orientations of the original documents or to other factors when they are placed on the document platen. This raises a problem related to low efficiency in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the first objective of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus which is capable of joining images that have been read in a divided manner accurately in a short time, without causing any adverse effects on the efficiency of operation.

It is the second objective of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus which is capable of reducing the amount of information by which a joining operation is performed.

In order to achieve the first objective, the image processing apparatus of the present invention comprises:

(1) an input means for reading an image of an original document;

(2) a storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been read by the input means in a divided manner; and

(3) a joint-portion processing means for recognizing reference data in response to an output of the input means, the reference data providing a key by which joints of the partial document data that have been stored in the storage means are retrieved, for recognizing the joints using the recognized reference data as a key, and for positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the recognized joints.

With the above arrangement, the joint-portion processing means recognizes reference data in response to the output of the input means, and further recognizes the joints of the partial document data that have been stored in the storage means by using the reference data as a key. Then, the joint-portion processing means positions the partial document data in accordance with the recognized joints, and Joins those partial document data, thereby forming document data that correspond to the image of the original document.

More specifically, such reference data, which provide a key for detecting the joints, include: for example, specific partial document data that are predeterminately specified; partial document data that are first stored in the storage means; data indicating a layout of the partial document data that are set in accordance with the storage sequence of the partial document data and a divided condition of the image; marks that are added to the partial document data so as to indicate the joints; and numbers that are added to the partial document data so as to determine the layout of the partial document data.

Therefore, in the case of using an original document that has to be read by the input means in a divided manner due to, for example, its large size or other reasons, troublesome and time consuming tasks such as trimming and pasting the divided images are eliminated. This thereby improves efficiency of the operation. Further, joints are recognized from the partial document data using these reference data as a key, and the joining operation is carried out in accordance with the joints. Therefore, even in the case where an image is divided into a number of portions, the joining operation of the divided images is executed accurately in a short time.

Moreover, a variable magnification means for variably magnifying the joined document data into a desired size may be added to the above arrangement. Thus, the joined image is readily reduced and formed on a recording medium of a desired size without the necessity of time consuming calculations on reduction rate.

Also, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with at least the following means in order to achieve the first objective:

(1) an input means for reading an image of an original document;

(2) a storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been read by the input means in a divided manner; and

(3) a joint-portion processing means for obtaining specific image data containing features from the partial document data stored in the storage means by retrieving the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for selecting two partial document data in the order of their increasing number on the specific image data, comparing the specific image data each other, recognizing joints at which the specific image data coincide with each other, and positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the recognized joints. With the above arrangement, the joint-portion processing means obtains the specific image data containing features from the partial document data by retrieving the partial document data stored in the storage means, and recognizes joints of the partial document data in the order of their increasing number on the specific image data obtained. In other words, the two partial document data, which have virtually the same amount of specific image data, have a high probability of coincident specific image data. Therefore by performing the recognition of specific image data in accordance with the above order, it becomes easier to find sides at which their specific image data coincide with each other even in the case where the sides contain few specific image data and it would be difficult to find joints from the sides.

Therefore, with the arrangement where the sequence of the joining operation is set in accordance with the amount of specific image data containing features, the joints are recognized in a short time and the layout of the partial document data is easily determined without paying any particular attention to factors such as the sequence of inputting documents and the orientations of the documents upon reading, even in the case of performing the joining operation on, for example, a number of original documents or on original documents having complicated images. As a result, it becomes possible to carry out the joining operation accurately and quickly, to improve the efficiency of operation in joining images, and to prevent offsets that would occur at the joints. This ensures high quality in the images.

Also, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with at least the following means in order to achieve the first objective:

(1) an input means for reading an image of an original document;

(2) a storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been read by the input means in a divided manner;

(3) a document-color recognition means for forming color data corresponding to the respective partial document data by recognizing the colors of the images read by the input means; and

(4) a joint-portion processing means for recognizing joints located between the partial document data stored in the storage means by retrieving the pattern of colors in the partial document data while comparing the color data formed in the document-color recognition means with the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the recognized joints.

With the above arrangement, the colors of the images read by the input means are recognized by the document-color recognition means. Further, the joint-portion processing means recognizes the joints by performing the retrieving operation while comparing the color data formed in the document-color recognition means with the respective partial document data, thereby joining the partial document data together.

Therefore, even in the case of performing the joining operation on, for example, a number of original documents or on original documents having complicated images, a plurality of partial images are joined together accurately and quickly without paying any particular attentions to factors such as the sequence of inputting documents and the orientations of the documents upon reading. Thus, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of the operation and to enhance the quality of the images.

Moreover, in order to achieve the first and second objectives, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with at least the following means:

(1) an input means for reading an image of an original document;

(2) a storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been read by the input means in a divided manner; and

(3) a joint-portion processing means for recognizing joints located between the partial document data stored in the storage means and for extracting image data that lie in a direction orthogonal to the joints of the partial document data and positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the image data that lie in a direction orthogonal to the joints.

With the above arrangement, the joint-portion processing means recognizes the joints from the partial document data stored in the storage means, and positions the respective partial document data. In performing this positioning, the image data that lie in a direction orthogonal to the joints of the partial document data are extracted, and the positioning is performed so that the image data that lie in the orthogonal direction coincide with each other. This makes the change of extracted image data clearer in the positioning as compared to the case of extracting image data that have slant angles with respect to the respective joints and performing the positioning by shifting the extracted image data in a parallel or perpendicular direction.

Therefore, since the positioning of the partial document data is carried out more effectively by the use of less image data, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of information, and to shorten the time of the joining operation. Thus, the original documents read in a divided manner are joined together more accurately without causing any adverse effects on the efficiency of the operation.

Also, in order to achieve the first and second objectives, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with at least the following means:

(1) an input means for reading an image of an original document;

(2) a storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been read by the input means in a divided manner;

(3) a black-document discrimination means for discriminating whether the partial document data in question stored in the storage means are mono-color document data or color document data; and

(4) a joint-portion processing means for recognizing joints located between the partial document data stored in the storage means and for converting the color document data that have been discriminated by the black-document discriminating means into mono-color document data and positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the converted mono-color document data.

With the above arrangement, the joint-portion processing means recognizes the joints from the partial document data stored in the storage means, and positions the respective partial document data so that the respective images are smoothly joined together. In performing the positioning of the partial document data, a discrimination is first made as to whether the partial document data in question stored in the storage means are mono-color document data or color document data. Then, if the discrimination is made as color document data, the color document data are converted into mono-color document data.

Therefore, since the positioning of the partial document data is carried out based on only the mono-color document data, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of information, and to shorten the time of the joining operation, as compared to the case where a decision is made for each of the colors, red, green and blue, in positioning the color document data.

Therefore, since the positioning of the partial document data is carried out more effectively by the use of less image data, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of information, and to shorten the time of the joining operation. Thus, the original documents read in a divided manner are joined together more accurately without causing any adverse effects on the efficiency of the operation.

Also, in order to achieve the first and second objectives, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is provided with at least the following means:

(1) an input means for reading an image of an original document;

(2) a storage means for storing a plurality of partial images as respective partial document data, the partial images having been read by the input means in a divided manner;

(3) a joint-portion processing means for recognizing joints located between the partial document data stored in the storage means, and for enhancing the image data so that the outlines of images located in the proximity of the joints are made distinct, and for positioning the respective partial document data in accordance with the enhanced image data.

With the above arrangement, the joint-portion processing means recognizes the joints from the partial document data stored in the storage means, and positions the respective partial document data so that the respective images are smoothly joined together. Here, in the case of using original documents of half-tone such as photographs wherein outlines of images are in a diffused state, images obtained in the proximity of the joints tend to be obscure upon positioning the partial document data.

In order to solve this problem, an image enhancing operation, such as formation of outline data by emphasizing the density of edges or by means of a differential processing, is performed. This eliminates the diffused state of the images, and makes the outlines of the images clearer. Thus, it becomes possible to perform the positioning of the partial document data more easily as well as more accurately based on the enhanced image data.

Therefore, since the positioning of the partial document data is carried out more effectively by the use of less image data, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of information, and to shorten the time of the joining operation. Thus, the original documents read in a divided manner are joined together more accurately without causing any adverse effects on the efficiency of the operation.

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 in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory drawing that schematically shows the construction of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried out during a joining operation on partial document data in the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing showing partial document data that are stored in an image memory in the image processing system.

FIG. 5(a) is a schematic drawing which shows retrieving regions in the partial document data; FIG. 5(b) is a schematic drawing which explains the positioning of the partial document data; and FIG. 5(c) is a plan view showing a copied image that is obtained by joining the partial document data together.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried out during a joining operation on partial document data in the digital copying machine of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7(a) is a schematic drawing which shows a layout of the inputted partial document data in the case of performing the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 6; FIG. 7(b) is a schematic drawing which shows the sequence of the joining operation; and FIG. 7(c) is a plan view showing a copied image that is obtained by joining the partial document data together.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried out during a joining operation on partial document data in the digital copying machine of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9(a) is a schematic drawing which shows one example of the inputted partial document data in the case of performing the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8; FIG. 9(b) is a schematic drawing which explains the positioning of the partial document data; and FIG. 9(c) is a plan view showing a copied image that is obtained by joining the partial document data together.

FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing which shows one example of the partial document data whereon a plurality of marks are put, in the case of performing the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried out during a joining operation on partial document data in the digital copying machine of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing which shows original documents on which the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 11 is carried out.

FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing which shows a layout of documents that is determined based on numbers that are put on the documents of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14(a) is a schematic drawing which shows retrieving regions in the partial document data in the case of processing one portion of the original documents shown in FIG. 12; FIG. 14(b) is a schematic drawing which explains the positioning of the partial document data; and FIG. 14(c) is a plan view showing a copied image that is obtained by joining the partial document data together.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried out during a joining operation on partial document data in the digital copying machine of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carried out when the features of the original documents are extracted in the flow chart of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a schematic drawing which shows a layout of the partial document data in an image memory of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 18 is a schematic drawing which shows retrieving regions of the partial document data that are stored in the image memory.

FIG. 19 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 flow chart of FIG. 15

FIG. 20 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 flow chart of FIG. 15.

FIG. 21 is a schematic drawing which shows a layout of four images on which the operation shown in the flow chart of FIG. 15 is performed.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing the sequence of processes that are carri