Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image processing device and an image processing method.
In recent years, image processing devices having various functions have appeared. For example, an image processing device reads an image from an image reading region on a platen, thereby obtains read image data, and determines a document image region and a non-document image region (unnecessary image region) included in the read image data based on binary data corresponding to the read image data. In addition, the image processing device removes non-document image data (unnecessary image data) corresponding to the non-document image region from the read image data. In this way, the image processing device can generate document image data from read image data and form a document image based on the document image data.
In general, according to one embodiment, an image processing device includes a reading unit, an image processing unit, a display unit, and an instruction unit. The reading unit reads an image from an image reading region on a platen. The image processing unit detects non-document image data from the read image data obtained by the reading unit, and generates estimated document image data by removing the non-document image data from the read image data. The display unit displays an estimated document image based on the estimated document image data. In response to the display of the estimated document image, the instruction unit receives either a reprocessing instruction for remaking the estimated document image data or the next processing instruction for instructing the next process without remaking the estimated document image data.
Next, an image process (a document reading process) in the image processing device will be described.
For example, the removal of a non-document part is designated using a non-document part removal designating key or the like on a control panel 100 (ACT 1, YES, in
For example, in a state where a document cover C (platen cover) shown in
If the non-document part removal is designated, the input image processing unit 7 (non-document part removal unit 71) removes the non-document part (ACT 5 in
In addition, a technique regarding the non-document part removal is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,786,213/U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,777, and it is assumed that the present image processing device performs the non-document part removal using this technique, for example.
In the read image shown in
The non-document part removal is performed in response to the designation of the non-document part removal as described above, a display unit 101 of the control panel 100 displays an estimated document image (preview of the document image) based on the estimated document image data on a display region 1011 as shown in
In addition, the display unit 101 of the control panel 100 displays a first key 1012a and a second key 1012b on a display region 1012 so as to correspond to the display of the estimated document image as shown in
The control panel 100 receives either of the reprocessing instruction and the next processing instruction via either of the first key 1012a and the second key 1012b. For example, the display unit 101 displays the first key 1012a with first brightness and displays the second key 1012b with the first brightness in the same manner. At this time, a user may select either the first key 1012a or the second key 1012b.
For example, if the first key 1012a is selected, the display unit 101 changes the brightness for the second key 1012b and displays the second key 1012b with second brightness darker than the first brightness, thereby providing guidance that the second key 1012b cannot be selected. In the same manner, if the second key 1012b is selected, the display unit 101 changes the brightness for the first key 1012a and displays the first key 1012a with second brightness darker than the first brightness, thereby guiding that the first key 1012a cannot be selected.
For example, if a user is not satisfied with the estimated document image (preview of the document image) (if the non-document part is excessively or insufficiently removed), the user may select the first key 1012a. If the first key 1012a is selected, the control panel 100 instructs reprocessing, the CPU 1 performs remake of estimated document image data in response thereto, and the input image processing unit 7 (the non-document part removal unit 71) remakes the estimated document image data in response thereto.
For example, the input image processing unit 7 (the non-document part removal unit 71) detects first non-document image data from the read image data, and generates first estimated document image data by removing the first non-document image data from the read image data, based on a first non-document part processing parameter (non-document part processing parameter set initially) before receiving the reprocessing instruction. In response thereto, the display unit 101 of the control panel 100 displays a first estimated document image based on the first estimated document image data.
In addition, after receiving the reprocessing instruction (that is, if the first key 1012a is selected), the input image processing unit 7 (the non-document part removal unit 71) detects second non-document image data from the read image data and generates second estimated document image data by removing the second non-document image data from the read image data based on a second non-document part processing parameter. In response thereto, the display unit 101 of the control panel 100 displays a second estimated document image based on the second estimated document image data instead of the first estimated document image.
Further, if the first key 1012a is selected, the display unit 101 of the control panel 100 may display a non-document part processing parameter setting screen 1013 on the display region 1012 as shown in
In addition, after the above-described second non-document part processing parameter is set, the scanner unit 6 may reread an image from the image reading region 121 on the platen 120 shown in
In addition, if the user is satisfied with the estimated document image (preview of the document image) (if the non-document image is appropriately removed), the user may select the second key 1012b. If the second key 1012b is selected, the control panel 100 instructs the next process (normal process), and, in response thereto, the CPU 1 performs the next process (normal process) (ACT 8 in
For example, as shown in
Alternatively, as shown in
In addition, if the non-document part removal is not designated (ACT 1, NO, in
If receiving the reprocessing instruction, the scanner unit 6 reads again an image from the image reading region 121 on the platen 120 shown in
If the next processing instruction is received, for example, the CPU 1 instructs the read image data to be formally stored, and, in response thereto, the read image data is formally stored in the HDD 3. Alternatively, if the next processing instruction is received, for example, the CPU 1 instructs an image to be formed based on the read image data, and, in response thereto, the output image processing unit 9 and the engine unit 10 form an image based on the read image data.
Next, a supplemental explanation will be given concerning the document cover C and detection of the opening and closing of the document cover.
For example, the document cover C shown in
The document cover opening and closing detection unit 11 detects the open and closed state of the document cover C. For example, the document cover opening and closing detection unit 11 detects a state where the document cover C does not block external light from reaching the platen 120 (a document cover open state), and notifies the CPU 1 of the document cover open state. Responding thereto, the CPU 1 designates the non-document part removal. In this case, the non-document part removal is designated even if there is no designation of non-document part removal via the non-document part removal designating key of the control panel 100. In other words, in the open state of the document cover C, the non-document part removal is automatically designated. That is, in the open state of the document cover C, if image reading is designated and an image is read, the input image processing unit 7 (non-document part removal unit 71) performs the removal process and generates an estimated document image. The display unit 101 of the control panel 100, as shown in
In addition, the document cover opening and closing detection unit 11 detects a state where the document cover C blocks external light from reaching the platen 120 (document cover closed state), and notifies the CPU 1 of the document cover closed state. Responding thereto, the CPU 1 designates the next process (normal process). In this case, the next process is designated even if there is no instruction for the next process via the above-described second key 1012b. In other words, in the closed state of the document cover C, the next process is automatically designated. That is, in the closed state of the document cover C, if image reading is designated and an image is read, the input image processing unit 7 (the non-document part removal unit 71) does not perform the removal process. The display unit 101 of the control panel 100 displays the read image, and the read image data is sequentially (automatically) and formally stored in the HDD 3. Alternatively, in the closed state of the document cover C, if image reading is designated and an image is read, the input image processing unit 7 (the non-document part removal unit 71) does not perform the removal process. The display unit 101 of the control panel 100 displays the read image, and the output image processing unit 9 and the engine unit 10 sequentially (automatically) form an image based on the read image data.
Hereinafter, the above-described image process (document reading process) in the image processing device will be summarized.
For example, if an image is read in the document cover open state, the image processing device displays an estimated document image from which a non-document image is removed and receives either reprocessing or the next process, and if receiving the reprocessing, recreates a more appropriate estimated document image and redisplays the formed image. In addition, if receiving the next process, the image processing device formally stores estimated document image data or forms an images based on the estimated document image data.
Thereby, even in a case where a document having a background color close to black, such as dark blue or violet, and unsuitable estimated document image data may be generated due to the non-document part removal processing, the image processing device does not automatically perform a process based on the unsuitable estimated document image data. Therefore, if a user is not satisfied with an estimated document image (preview of the document image), it is possible to remake estimated document image data through rescanning and to prevent waste caused by a process based on the unsuitable estimated document image data.
In addition, a recent image processing device may be provided with a large size control panel (large size display unit), and it is possible to effectively use the large size control panel (large size display unit).
In addition, in the above description, although the case where either of reprocessing and the next process can be selected has been described, one of reprocessing, the next process, and job cancellation may be selected. Also, one of a reprocessing, the next process, scanning the next document may be selected.
While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.
This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/311,559, filed on Mar. 8, 2010; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61311559 | Mar 2010 | US |