Image analysis – Image sensing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-11
2001-11-06
Couso, Yon J. (Department: 2623)
Image analysis
Image sensing
C358S001110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06314213
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and method which process an image on the basis of the document direction and, more particularly, to an image processing apparatus and method which copy an original in accordance with an instruction from an operator, and an image processing apparatus and method which process an image in a designated direction.
Some copying machines read an original image, discriminate the document direction on the basis of a characteristic image such as a character image included in the read original image, and output the original image upon rotating it in accordance with the recording paper sheet direction. For example, of the copying machines that handle recording paper sheets-in the portrait direction, some copying machines rotate a landscape original image through 90° upon reading it and output it on a recording paper sheet.
In such a copying machine, however, when the discrimination circuit for discriminating the document direction fails, the overall function of rotating a read original image and outputting it on a recording paper sheet fails. As a result, smooth copying cannot be performed.
Of copying machines without a discrimination circuit: like the one described above, some copying machines incline a character image and the like included in a read original image in a desired direction or add a shadow to such a character image and output the processed image on a recording paper sheet.
In such a copying machine, however, when a copy image with a shadow added to a character included in an original in a desired direction is to be output, the original itself must be rotated in a proper direction and placed on the document table.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to attain image forming processing even if the function of discriminating the input image direction cannot be used.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image processing apparatus for copying an original in accordance with an instruction from an operator, comprising: input means for inputting an original image;
detection means for detecting information, from the original image, which is associated with a direction thereof; control means for, when information associated with the direction of the original image can be detected by the detection means, controlling copying on the basis of the detected information associated with the direction, and for, when information associated with the direction of the original image cannot be detected by the detection means, controlling copying on the basis of information associated with the direction and provided by the operator; and copying means for forming a copy image corresponding to the input original image under control of the control means, and discharging the copy image.
Preferably, the image processing apparatus further comprises diagnosis means for diagnosing to check whether the detection means is faulty, and wherein the control means determines, on the basis of the diagnosis result obtained by the diagnosis means, whether information associated with the direction of the original image can be detected by the detection means.
Preferably, the detection means comprises document direction detection means for detecting a direction of a document in an original image.
Preferably, the detection means comprises character recognition means for recognizing a character, and detects the direction of the document in the original image by causing the character recognition means to recognize a character in the original image.
Preferably, the detection means comprises document direction detection means for detecting a direction of a document in the original image; and original direction detection means for detecting a direction of the original.
Preferably, the document direction detection means comprises character recognition means for recognizing a character, and detects the direction of the document in the original image by causing the character recognition means to recognize a character in the original image.
Preferably, the input means inputs the original image by reading the original placed on an original table, and the original direction detection means determines the direction of the original by detecting a size of the original placed on the original table.
Preferably, the control means controls the copying means to rotate the input original image to match a direction of a recording medium, on which a copy image is to be formed, on the basis of information associated with a direction of the original image and provided from the detection means or the operator, thereby forming the copy image on the recording medium.
Preferably, the copying means comprises means for forming a copy image such that a binding margin can be added to a designated portion, of four sides of the copy image, which is designated by the operator.
Preferably, the copying means comprises means for stapling a portion, of end portions of a recording medium on which a copy image is formed, which is designated by the operator.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is also attained by an image processing method of copying an original in accordance with an instruction from an operator, comprising: the detection step of detecting information, from an original image, which is associated with a direction thereof; and the control step of, when information associated with the direction of the original image can be detected in the detection step, controlling copying on the basis of the detected information associated with the direction, and when information associated with the direction of the original image cannot be detected in the detection step, controlling copying on the basis of information associated with the direction and provided by the operator.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is also attained by providing a computer readable program for controlling an image processing apparatus for copying an original in accordance with an instruction from an operator, comprising: the detection step of detecting information, from an original image, which is associated with a direction thereof; and the control step of, when information associated with the direction of the original image can be detected in the detection step, controlling copying on the basis of the detected information associated with the direction, and when information associated with the direction of the original image cannot be detected in the detection step, controlling copying on the basis of information associated with the direction and provided by the operator.
It is another object of the present invention to process an input image having a document or the like printed in an arbitrary direction in accordance with the image processing direction designated with reference to a specific direction of the input image.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing an image processing apparatus for processing an image in a designated direction, comprising: input means for inputting an image; direction discrimination means for discriminating a direction of an input image; designation means for designating an image processing direction; and image processing means for processing the input image in a designated processing direction with reference to a proper direction of the input image.
Preferably, the direction discrimination means comprises character recognition means for recognizing a character, and discriminates a direction of the input image by causing the character recognition means to recognize a character in the input image.
Preferably, the image processing means comprises inclination means for inclining an object in the input image in a designated processing direction with reference to a proper direction of the input image.
Preferably, the image processing means comprises inclining means for inclining a character image in the input image in a designated processing direction with reference to a proper direction of the input image.
Fukuoka Shigeo
Isemura Keizo
Miyahara Nobuaki
Takaoka Makoto
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Couso Yon J.
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
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