JP2002165079A - Image processing unit and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing unit that prints out a proper composite image of a document consisting of images of a plurality of kinds onto paper. SOLUTION: The image processing unit divides image data into character regions and non-character regions and selects a different magnification to each region. Then the image data are magnified or reduced by each region at each setting magnification and the image data after magnifying each region are composited and outputted. Otherwise, a priority region is designated among the divided regions, and a magnification is selected to magnify the image data in the priority region to have a size corresponding to the size of the output paper. Then the image data of the priority region are magnified or reduced at the selected magnification to print out the image data in the priority region and the image data in the other regions onto different paper sheets.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for handling a document composed of a plurality of types of images.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When an image of a document is read and reproduced on a sheet, the image can be reproduced better by performing processing corresponding to the type of the image. For example, an image type is recognized from data read by a scanner with respect to a document, separated into regions for each image type (characters, images, line figures, etc.), and image input processing corresponding to the image type is performed for each region. Do. Then, after the scaling process for each area, various data are combined to obtain print data. Next, the document is printed on paper using the obtained print data. For example, JP-A-8-27
In the image processing apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 2987, in order to eliminate a large amount of cutting and copying when editing from a large number of originals, images are converted into image elements (photographs, graphs,
The image is separated into characters, titles, and tables, and each of the image elements in a fixed format such as a cover letter that is stored in advance is scaled and fitted. This gives 1
The scaled image is combined with a predetermined format of the page image.

[0003]

When a document in which a plurality of types of data such as characters, photographs, and line figures are mixed is to be reduced-printed, or when a plurality of original images are reduced in size,
For example, when copying on a sheet of paper, various inconveniences may occur. For example, if all the areas are reduced at the same magnification, the characters in the line figure may become small and unreadable. Further, if all areas are copied at the same enlargement ratio, when only an enlarged copy of a photographic area in a document is desired, other areas may be missing or output on a plurality of sheets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to output suitable composite image data for a document in which a plurality of types of images are mixed.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first image processing apparatus, comprising: an area dividing means for dividing an image data into a character area and a non-character area; and a magnification for setting a different magnification for each area. The image forming apparatus includes a setting unit, a scaling unit that enlarges or reduces image data for each area at each magnification set by the magnification setting unit, and an output unit that combines and outputs image data after scaling of each area. In the above-described image processing apparatus, preferably, the magnification setting unit sets the magnification of another area in accordance with the magnification of one area so that the image data after synthesis is within a predetermined size. The image processing apparatus preferably further includes a designation unit for designating a priority area, and the magnification setting unit, according to a magnification of the priority area, such that the image data after the combination falls within a predetermined size.
Set the magnification for other areas. In the image processing apparatus described above, preferably, the magnification setting unit sets the magnification of each area so that the image data composed of a plurality of pages falls within the size of one page. In the above-described image processing apparatus, preferably, the area dividing unit further divides the non-image area into a line graphic area and an image area.

A second image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an area dividing means for dividing an image data into a character area and a non-character area, and a designating means for designating a priority area among the divided areas. Magnification setting means for setting a magnification so that the image data in the priority area is scaled to a size corresponding to the output paper size, and scaling means for enlarging or reducing the image data in the priority area at the magnification set by the magnification setting means And output means for outputting the image data of the priority area and the image data of the other areas on different sheets. In the above-described image processing apparatus, preferably, the output unit additionally outputs a reference number indicating a sheet on which image data of another area has been output to a sheet on which an image of the priority area has been output. In the above-described image processing apparatus, preferably, the area dividing unit further divides the non-image area into a line graphic area and an image area.

In a first image processing method according to the present invention, image data is divided into a character region and a non-character region,
Different magnifications are set for each area, the image data is enlarged or reduced for each area at each set magnification, and the image data after scaling of each area is synthesized and output.

In the second image processing method according to the present invention, the image data is divided into a character area and a non-character area, and a priority area is designated among the divided areas, and the image of the priority area is designated. Set the magnification to scale the data to the size corresponding to the output paper size, enlarge or reduce the image data in the priority area at the set magnification, and make the image data in the priority area different from the image data in other areas Output to paper.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference symbols indicate the same or equivalent ones. An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention provides a character area and a non-character area (line graphic area) for image read data of a document in which a plurality of types of data of characters, line figures, and images (such as photographs) are mixed. And image areas), and sets an output magnification for each area to synthesize and output image data. That is,
For the character area, line graphic area and image area divided from the image read data, for example, the character area is converted into code data by character recognition, the line graphic is converted into vector data, and the other areas are subjected to bitmap processing. Do.
Thereafter, the three types of data are combined and output according to the magnification setting conditions. Here, the user can set to prioritize any one of the character area, the line graphic area, and the image area. When the character priority, the line figure priority, and the image priority are set as the priority modes, the layout is performed by increasing the output magnification of the area to be prioritized. The magnification of the priority area is automatically calculated from the image reading data. However, when the user specifies the magnification of the priority area, it is considered.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus 100 includes a panel control unit 102, a scanner control unit 104, a printer control unit 106, and an image processing unit 108. The scanner control unit 104 receives image read data from the scanner 300 via the scanner interface 112. The image reading data is bitmap data. The panel control unit 102 operates the operation panel 2
00, image processing conditions and image forming conditions are received via the panel interface 110. The user can specify any of the priority modes of the character priority, the line graphic priority, and the image priority, or the non-priority mode on the operation panel 200,
In the priority mode, the magnification of the priority area can be specified. The character priority mode is a mode for preferentially enlarging a character area, the line graphic priority mode is a mode for preferentially enlarging a line graphic area, and the image priority mode is a mode for preferentially enlarging an image area (such as a photograph). Mode. Image processing unit 1
In step 08, the character, line graphic, and image area are determined for the input image read data. The image processing unit 108
The input image reading data is processed according to the image processing conditions and the image forming conditions set by the user to create print data. When the user selects any one of the character, the line figure, and the image, the image data is processed in consideration of the selection. Specifically, in the image processing unit 108, the image reading data is separated into a character area, a line graphic area, and an image area by the area dividing unit 118, and the magnification calculating unit 126
The magnification of the area set as the priority is set high, and an appropriate magnification that falls within the output paper is automatically calculated for the other areas. After that, the data of the three types of areas scaled by the respective magnifications are synthesized by the synthesis processing unit 128 and output. The printer control unit 106 sends print data to the printer 400 via the printer interface 114.

The image processing unit 108 will be further described. The image processing unit 108 includes a binarization processing unit 116, a region division unit 118, a character recognition processing unit 120, and a vector conversion unit 12.
2 and a bitmap processing unit 124, and further include a magnification calculation unit 126, a combination processing unit 128, and a format conversion unit 130. The binarization processing unit 116 binarizes the image read data taken in from the scanner 300 and uses it as an input image for character recognition processing and line graphic processing. The area dividing unit 118 divides the image read data into a character area, a line graphic area, and other areas (image areas) by the area dividing unit 118. Each area is rectangular. The character recognition processing unit 120 performs optical character recognition on the character region extracted from the binary data, converts the character data into character data including a character code, region position information, and character attributes, and stores the character data. The data obtained by removing the character area from the binary data and performing interpolation is output to the vector conversion unit 122. The vector conversion unit 122 converts the binary data into vector data in an approximate area (line graphic area) approximating the line figure, performs processing of removing and interpolating the approximate area from the image read data, and performs the starting point of the line figure. It holds vector data consisting of an end point, a vector type, a line width, and a line attribute, and outputs image read data in other areas to the bitmap processing unit 124. The bitmap processing unit 124 extracts an image area by performing area division from the image read data, performs area determination and correction processing on the extracted image area, and holds an image area position and image data. The magnification calculator 126 calculates and sets the magnification of the character area, the line graphic area, and the image area according to the above-described magnification setting conditions. The synthesis processing unit 128 synthesizes the character data, the vector data, and the image data, and
0 converts the composite image into a predetermined format and outputs it on paper. When the images of the N originals are reduced and output on one sheet, the format conversion unit 130 automatically reformats.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of image processing in the image processing unit 108. First, the output size and the output magnification m set in advance by the user on the operation panel 200
Ag, priority mode, etc. are acquired (S10). The priority mode has four options: character priority, line figure priority, image priority, and no priority. When the output magnification mag is set in the character priority mode, the line graphic priority mode, and the image priority mode, the magnification of the priority area is set to mag. In addition, the minimum output character size can be acquired in the character priority.

Next, color bitmap data (image reading data) is input from the scanner 300 by the scanner control unit 104, and the image processing unit 10
At S8, the area is divided into a character area, a line graphic area, and an image area (S12). In the character area, perform character recognition,
Character data including attribute data such as a character code and a character size is output (S14). In the line graphic area, conversion processing to vector data is performed for straight lines, curves, closed figures, and the like (S16). Further, the remaining area is set as an image area, and color copy image processing such as smoothing and edge correction is performed (S18). Next, as shown in FIG. 4, area information in which the starting point coordinates (X, Y), width, and height of each rectangular area are stored as a table for each area is created (S20). In the character area, the minimum size (point number) of the character written in the area is included in the area information.

Next, it is determined whether or not the priority mode has been set (S22). If the priority mode has been set, the process branches according to the priority mode (character priority, line graphic priority or image priority) (S24). The output magnification of each area is calculated (S2
6, S28, S30). Here, the output magnification is set for each area. For the priority area (character, line graphic, or image), the magnification for enlarging the image is set, and for the other areas, the priority area is taken into consideration. Set the magnification to reduce the image. When the minimum output character size is set in character priority, the magnification of the character area is set so that the character size does not become smaller than the minimum output character size. Although the magnification of the priority area is automatically calculated from the paper size, the magnification of the priority area may be designated. In this case, the magnification of the other area is calculated in consideration of the enlargement of the priority area. The output magnification calculation in each priority mode will be described later in detail (FIGS. 3 and 4, FIGS. 7 and 8,
10 and 11).

Next, the coordinate position, width, height and font size of each area are calculated according to the calculated output magnification, and the image is scaled for each area (S32). Then, the image data after magnification is synthesized by laying out the image (S34). If the mode is not the priority mode, normal scaling processing is performed (S36). Next, image data is output from the printer control unit 106 to the printer 400 in a predetermined format (S38).

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a flowchart of the magnification calculation (S26 in FIG. 2) in the character priority mode. FIG. 5 shows an example of a document, and FIG. 6 shows an image in a case where the magnification of the character area is set to 1.25 times with priority on characters. As shown in FIG. 6, the character area (consisting of 8-point characters) is preferentially enlarged to the full width of the sheet as a 10-point character image. Other areas are reduced and combined with parts other than the enlarged character area. Tables 1 and 2 are area information tables created in the character priority mode. Each area is rectangular, and the table records the starting point coordinates (X, Y), width tw, and height th of the upper left corner of the rectangular area. For the character area, the minimum character size is also recorded.

[0017]

[0018]

In the flow of magnification calculation in the character priority mode, the number of character areas is set to N (S100), and the following processing is repeated for each character area. First, when there is a layout change (YES in S102), all character areas are integrated into one, the character area information table is updated, and the number of character areas N
Is set to 1 (S104).

Next, the magnification for the Nth character area is determined as follows. When the font size after scaling (minimum size x magnification mag) is equal to or larger than the minimum output character size in each character area (YES in S106), the magnification m
As the ag, the minimum magnification, that is, cmag = (minimum output character size) / (minimum character size of attention area) is set as each character area magnification A (S108). However, when the size becomes smaller than the minimum output character size, the magnification mag is directly used as the character area magnification (S110). Next, it is determined whether or not the text area exceeds the paper size (S112). If the text area exceeds the paper size, the paper size / text area size is set to the magnification cmag (S114). That is, magnification B at which the character area does not exceed the effective print area width = effective print width
/ tw [0] or the magnification C at which the character area does not exceed the effective print area height = effective print height / th [0]. As shown in FIG. 4, tw [0] represents the width of the 0th character area in the document, and th [0] represents the height. Next, it is determined whether the character area overlaps another area (S11).
6) When the character area overlaps another area, the magnification cmag
Is the magnification D = (the other area start X coordinate−the area start X coordinate) / tw [0] that does not overlap the other character area in the X direction, or the magnification E = (the other area top is not overlapped with the other character area in the Y direction). Y coordinate-area start Y coordinate) / th [0] (S118). Next, the minimum magnification among the above magnifications A, B, C, D, and E is set as the output magnification of the character area, and the output magnification is written in the character area information table (Table 1) (S120). Next, N is decremented (S122), the process returns to S106, and the output magnification is similarly determined for the next character area. Thus,
The output magnification is determined for each character area.

Next, the number of non-character areas is set to N (S1
24), the following processing is repeated. First, the character area is scaled by the output magnification of the character area described above, placed in the effective print area, the area outside the character area is calculated as a rectangle, and the upper left coordinates (X, Y), the width Aw [n] and the height Ah [n] are stored (S126). Where Aw and Ah are
The width and height of the portion other than the enlarged character area are shown (FIG. 6).
reference). If there is no layout change, the upper left start position of the character area is matched with the coordinate position before scaling. If there is a layout change, the character start position starts from a preset coordinate position. An area n where the width bh [n] is maximum is specified (S128), and the magnification F = Ah [0] / bh that does not exceed the width Aw [n] and the height Ah [n].
The minimum value of [n] and the magnification G = Aw [0] / bw [n] is set as the output magnification of the n-th area other than the character area (S130 to S1).
34). Next, N is decremented by one (S136), the process returns to step S126, and the above-described processing is repeated until all areas other than the character area are processed. In this way, the output magnifications of all the areas are calculated.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a flowchart of the magnification calculation (S30 in FIG. 2) in the image priority mode. FIG.
6 illustrates a case where the document illustrated in FIG. 5 is enlarged with priority given to an image. Here, the image area is preferentially enlarged to the full length of the sheet. Other areas are reduced and combined with parts other than the enlarged image area. Here, the minimum character size is specified as 6 points, and the character area is represented with the minimum character size as 6 points. Tables 3 to 5 show that
4 shows an area information table in an image priority mode.

[0023]

[0024]

[0025]

First, the number of image areas is set to N (S20).
0), the following processing is repeated for each image area. Here, if there is a change in the layout, all the character areas are integrated into one, the character area information table is updated, and the number of character areas N
Is set to 1 (S202). Next, regarding the N-th image area, the minimum magnification that satisfies the following condition is set as the image area magnification bmag. When the user-specified magnification mag is set to the magnification A, if the image area enlarged by the magnification does not exceed the paper size (YES in S204), the magnification A is set to the image area magnification (S206). The minimum value of effective print area width / image area width and magnification C = effective print area height / image area height is set as the output magnification (S20).
8). As shown in FIG. 5, bw [0] represents the width of the 0th image area in the document, and bh [0] represents the height. Next, when the N-th image area overlaps another image area (YES in S210), a magnification D that does not overlap the other area in the X direction = (other area start X coordinate−area start X coordinate) /
bw [0] or magnification E that does not overlap other areas in the Y direction
= (Starting Y coordinate of other area−starting Y coordinate of area) / bh [0] is set as the output magnification (S212). The output magnification determined in this way, that is, the minimum magnification of the magnifications A, B, C, D, and E is set as the image area magnification bmag [N], and the output magnification is written in the image area information (Table 5) (S214). Next, N is decremented (S216), the process returns to S206, and the output magnification is similarly determined for the next image area. Thus, the output magnification is determined for each image area.

Next, the image area is scaled by the calculated output magnification of the image area, arranged in the effective print area, and the character area outside the image area is calculated by a rectangle, and a character area information table (Table 3) , Upper left coordinates (X, Y), width Aw [n], height Ah [n]
Is stored (S218). Next, for all character areas,
Magnification F = Ah [n] / th [n] and Magnification G = Aw [n] / tw [n])
Is calculated, the maximum value among the area magnifications other than the entire image area is set as the character area magnification cmag, and the character area is arranged in an area other than the image area having the maximum value (S220).
When the minimum character size is specified, the output magnification is set in consideration of the minimum character size. Next, N is decremented (S222), the process returns to step S218, and this process is repeated for all remaining areas. If the obtained maximum value of the output magnification cmag of the character area exceeds 1 (S224), the output magnification is set to 1.0 (S226), and the character image is not enlarged.

Next, in order to process the remaining area (line graphic area) other than the character area and the image area, the number of line graphic areas is counted and set to N (S228), and the following processing is repeated. First, the remaining area is calculated as a rectangle, and the upper left coordinates (x, y), the width Aw [n], and the height Ah [n] are stored in the character area outside information table (Table 4) (S230). Next, an area n in which the height vh [n] is maximum in the line graphic area is specified (S23).
2), magnification F = Ah [n] / vh [n] and magnification G = Aw [n] / vw
The minimum value of [n] is set as the output magnification of the area n (S228).
To S232). Next, N is decremented (S24).
0), the process returns to step S230, and this process is repeated for all the line graphic areas. In this way, the output magnifications of all the areas are calculated.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show a flowchart of the magnification calculation (S28 in FIG. 2) in the line graphic priority mode. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the original shown in FIG. 5 in the line graphic priority mode. Here, the line graphic area is preferentially enlarged to the full width of the sheet. Other areas are reduced and combined with parts other than the enlarged line graphic area. This flow is the same as the flowchart of the magnification calculation in the image priority mode in FIGS. 7 and 8.

First, the number of line graphic areas is counted and set as N (S300), and the following processing is repeated for each line graphic area.
Here, when there is a change in the layout, all the character regions are integrated into one, the character region information table is updated, and the number of character regions is set to 1 (S302). Next, in each line graphic area, magnification A = user-specified magnification, magnification B = effective print area width / line graphic area width, magnification C = effective print area height / line graphic area height, magnification D = (other area start X coordinate) −area start X coordinate) / width and magnification E = (other area start Y coordinate−
The area top Y coordinate) / height is obtained, and the minimum magnification among them is set as the output magnification vmag [n] (S304 to S316). Next, the line figure area is scaled by the calculated line figure area magnification,
It is placed in the effective print area, the area other than the line graphic area is calculated as a rectangle, and the upper left coordinates (X,
Y), the width Aw [n] and the height Ah [n] are stored (S31).
8).

Next, for all areas other than the line graphic area,
Magnification F = Ah [n] / th [n] and Magnification G = Aw [n] / tw [n])
Is calculated, the maximum value among the area magnifications other than the whole line graphic area is set as the character area magnification, and the character area is arranged in the area having the maximum value. This is repeated for all character areas (S320 to S322). Next, an area other than the character area and the line graphic area is calculated as a rectangle, and the upper left coordinates (X, Y), the width Aw [n], and the height Ah [n] are stored in the out-of-area information table.
The number of image areas is counted, and an area n in which bh [n] is maximum is specified, and a magnification F = Ah [n] / bh [n] and a magnification G = Aw [n] / bw [n] Is set as the magnification of the area n.
This is repeated for all image areas (S330 to S34).
0). In this way, the output magnifications of all the areas are calculated.

Next, a mode in which a plurality of originals are output on one sheet will be described. In this mode, image reading data of a plurality of documents is input, area determination is performed over the plurality of documents, area information is created, and processing similar to that of the above-described embodiment is performed on the plurality of documents. Is laid out again on one sheet of paper. FIG. 13 shows an example in the 2in1 mode in which two documents are output on one sheet. The first document has a character area, a line graphic area, and an image area, and the second document has a character area and a line graphic area. The determination of the character, line graphic, and image areas is performed over two originals, and the character, line graphic, and image areas are arranged in accordance with the designated settings. This allows
Further, the number of output sheets can be reduced. For example, in the character priority mode, the character portions of two originals are collectively arranged in one character region with priority, and the line graphic and image regions are reduced in the remaining portions. In the line figure priority mode, a line figure area in the first document and a line figure area in the second document are preferentially arranged, and a character portion and an image region are provided in the remaining portion. Scaled down. In the image priority mode, the image area in the first document is preferentially arranged,
Text and line figures are reduced in the rest.

Next, an image processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this image processing apparatus, a character area, a photograph area, and an image area are separated from image data of a document in which characters, pictures, and images are mixed, and different processing is performed on three types of areas. As in the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment, the user can set to prioritize any one of the character area, the photograph area, and the image area. Here, the processing when any of the priority settings of character priority, line graphic priority, and image priority is different from that of the image processing apparatus of the first embodiment. With respect to the area in which the priority is set, the layout is performed with a high magnification ratio, and only the image of the area in which the priority is set is output. Other areas are output on other pages. Here, on the page for outputting the image of the priority area, a “reference page” indicating the page for outputting the image of the non-priority area of the document is printed. As the reference page, the user can select “next page” or “designated page”. In the case of "next page", the image of the non-priority area is output on the page next to the page on which the priority area is output. In the case of "designated page",
The image of the non-priority area is output on the page specified by the user.

In the image processing apparatus of this embodiment, a non-priority area image storage section 132 is provided in the image processing section 108 of the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. As described above, in the priority mode, only the image of the area in which the priority is set is output, so that the image of the non-priority area is output later. Therefore, the non-priority area image is stored in the non-priority area image storage unit 132. The operation panel 200 is also used for setting the above-described reference page in the priority mode. Other configurations are the same as those of the image processing unit 108 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of the image processing in the image processing section 108. This flowchart is
The output of the non-priority area is different from the flowchart of FIG. First, the output size, output magnification mag, priority mode, reference page setting, and the like set by the user on the operation panel 200 are acquired (S10). In priority mode,
There are four options: character priority, line figure priority, image priority, and no priority. When the output magnification mag is set in the character priority mode, the line graphic priority mode, and the image priority mode, the magnification of the priority area is set to mag. The “reference page setting” is a “next page” where the reference page indicating the page on which the image of the non-priority area is printed is the page next to the page on which the image of the priority area is output, or a page designated by the user. "Specified page" is set.
In the latter case, the designated page number is obtained. In addition, the minimum output character size can be acquired in the character priority.

Next, color bitmap data (image reading data) is input from the scanner 300 by the scanner control unit 104, and the image processing unit 10
At S8, the area is divided into a character area, a line graphic area, and an image area (S12). In the character area, perform character recognition,
Character data including attribute data such as a character code and a character size is output (S14). In the line graphic area, conversion processing to vector data is performed for straight lines, curves, closed figures, and the like (S16). Further, the remaining area is set as an image area, and color copy image processing such as smoothing and edge correction is performed (S18). Next, as shown in FIG. 4, area information in which the starting point coordinates (X, Y), width, and height of each rectangular area are stored as a table for each area is created (S20). In the character area, the minimum size (point number) of the character written in the area is included in the area information.

Next, it is determined whether or not the priority mode is set (S22). If no priority is set (NO in S22), normal scaling processing is performed (S56),
The image data is output (S58). If the priority mode (character priority, line graphic priority, or image priority) is set, branching is performed according to the priority mode (S24), and the output magnification of each area is calculated (S26, S28, S30). If the minimum output character size is set in advance, the magnification of the character area is set so as not to become smaller than the minimum output character size. The calculation of the output magnification for each priority mode is the same as the above-described processing in FIGS. 3 to 4, 7 to 8, and 10 to 11.
However, the processing for the non-priority area (S124 to S13)
6, S218 to S240 and S318 to S338) are omitted.

Next, according to the calculated magnification for each area,
The coordinate position, width, height, and font size of each area are calculated, and the image is scaled for each area (S40). Then, the output sheets are counted, and the page number of the current output is calculated (S42). Next, an image of the priority area is laid out (S44). Here, when the image of the priority area is combined, if there is a page number in the document, the page number calculated in step S42 is replaced. Furthermore, in order to display the reference page, a sentence such as “see FIG. 1:10 page” is also inserted for the page number for outputting the non-priority area image. If the reference page setting is “next page”, the current page number is set to +1. If the reference page setting is “designated page”, the designated page number is inserted, and the designated page number = Update as specified page number + 1. Next, the image of the non-priority area is stored in the non-priority area image storage unit 132 (S46), and the image of the priority area is output (S48).

Next, in the case of a page to output a non-priority area (S
(YES in 50), layout of the image in the non-priority area is performed (S52). If "Next page" is set in the reference page setting, the image is read from the non-priority area, output with a page number added, and if "Specified page" is set in the reference page setting, If the current output page matches the designated page number set on the panel, the image is read from the non-priority image storage unit 132, and is output with the page number added (S5).
4). This process is repeated until all the images in the non-priority image storage unit 132 are output.

In this embodiment, the number of pages on which the image of the non-priority area is output is one page per document.
However, when the image in the non-priority area is laid out and cannot fit within one page, it may be output to a plurality of reference pages. Alternatively, the number of areas to be laid out on the reference page may be specified in advance, and the number of areas may be output when the number of areas is accumulated in the non-priority area storage unit 132. Also, the magnification of the image in the non-priority area may be set.

[0041]

According to the present invention, when printing an original in which a plurality of types of images such as characters, images (such as photographs), and line figures are mixed, the images can be reproduced according to the setting conditions, so that necessary information is appropriately output. it can. Further, other images can be output without unnecessary output and without loss of information. Since the user sets the type of image that he / she wants to prioritize, the image can be output at a legible magnification depending on the layout of each page and the type of area. Even when a plurality of originals are reduced to one sheet, necessary information can be properly output on one sheet according to the setting conditions. The user can separately print the image of the area that he / she wants to prioritize and another image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an image processing apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of image input in the image processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partial flowchart of magnification calculation in a character priority mode;

FIG. 4 is a partial flowchart of magnification calculation in a character priority mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an example of a manuscript

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the document shown in FIG. 5 in a character priority mode.

FIG. 7 is a partial flowchart of magnification calculation in the image priority mode.

FIG. 8 is a partial flowchart of magnification calculation in an image priority mode.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the original shown in FIG. 5 in an image priority mode.

FIG. 10 is a partial flowchart of magnification calculation in a line graphic priority mode;

FIG. 11 is a partial flowchart of magnification calculation in a line graphic priority mode;

12 is an enlarged view of the original shown in FIG. 5 in a line graphic priority mode.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example in which two documents are output on one sheet.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of image input according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 image processing device, 102 panel control unit,
104 scanner control unit, 106 printer control unit, 108 image processing unit, 118 area division unit,
120 character recognition processing unit, 122 vector conversion unit, 124 bitmap processing unit, 126 magnification calculation unit, 128 synthesis processing unit, 130 format conversion unit, 132 non-priority area image storage unit, 2
00 Operation panel, 300 Scanner, 400
Printer.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06T 3/00 300 G06T 3/40 A 3/40 H04N 1/393 H04N 1/393 G03G 21/00 382 1 / 40 H04N 1/40 FF term (reference) 2C087 AA11 AA18 BA03 BA05 BD06 BD07 CA03 CA05 2H027 FA05 FA06 FA30 FA35 FA37 FB12 FC02 FD01 FD03 FD08 FD10 GA14 GA43 5B057 AA11 BA02 BA24 BA26 CA08 CE12 CE16 CB08 CB08 CB08 DA08 DA17 DB02 5C076 AA01 AA13 AA16 AA17 AA21 AA22 AA36 BA02 BA06 CA02 CB02 5C077 MP05 MP06 PP19 PP20 PP23 PP27 PP28 PP60 PP74 PQ08 SS01 SS05 TT02

Claims (9)

[Claims] An area dividing unit configured to divide an image data into a character area and a non-character area; a magnification setting unit configured to set a different magnification for each area; An image processing apparatus comprising: a magnification unit for enlarging or reducing image data; and an output unit for combining and outputting the image data of each region after the magnification. 2. The magnification setting means according to claim 1, wherein the magnification setting means sets the magnification of another area in accordance with the magnification of one area so that the combined image data is within a predetermined size. 2. The image processing device according to 1. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a designating unit for designating a priority area, wherein the magnification setting unit sets a magnification of another area according to the magnification of the priority area so that the combined image data is within a predetermined size. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the setting is performed. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said magnification setting means sets the magnification of each area so that the image data composed of a plurality of pages falls within the size of one page. The described image processing device. 5. An area dividing means for dividing an image data into a character area and a non-character area; a designating means for designating a priority area among the divided areas; Magnification setting means for setting a magnification so as to change the size of the image data in the priority area, magnification changing means for enlarging or reducing the image data in the priority area by the magnification set by the magnification setting means, Output means for outputting the image data of the area to a different sheet. 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said output means adds, to the sheet on which the image of the priority area is output, a reference number indicating the sheet on which the image data of another area is output. Image processing device. 7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said area dividing means further divides the non-image area into a line graphic area and an image area. 8. An image data is divided into a character region and a non-character region, a different magnification is set for each region, and the image data is enlarged or reduced for each region at each set magnification. An image processing method for combining and outputting image data after scaling. 9. An image data is divided into a character area and a non-character area, a priority area is designated from the divided areas, and the image data of the priority area is scaled to a size corresponding to an output paper size. An image processing method in which the magnification is set so that the image data in the priority area is enlarged or reduced at the set magnification, and the image data in the priority area and the image data in the other areas are output on different sheets.