JP3897407B2 - Image processing apparatus and method, and memory medium - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a memory medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional copying machine, when a document is read and shadow processing is performed on characters or the like of the document (shadow processing) or text is italicized (italic processing), regardless of the direction of the document The shadowing process and the italic process can only be performed in a specific direction based on the document table.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, in conventional copying machines, the document itself is rotated in an appropriate direction so that it matches the direction in which the character is shaded by the shadowing process and the direction in which the character is tilted when italicizing the character by italic processing. Needed to be placed on the document table.
[0004]
As a result, the direction in which the document is placed is often mistaken, and an image may be output in a form that is not intended by the user, making it difficult to perform efficient work.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and processes an input image in which a document or the like is arranged in an arbitrary direction according to a processing direction specified with reference to a specific direction of the input image. With the goal.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
An image processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is configured to process a document image. , Whether in an upright state or in a non-upright state, By input means to input and character recognition processing Input to the input means Direction discriminating means for discriminating the direction of the document image; Input to the input means Original image For any of the specified directions Output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to italic processing; An instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and it is determined in which designated direction the italic process is performed on the input document image. An operation control unit that allows a user to specify a specified direction via the operation unit based on an upright document image regardless of the direction of the input document image, and the document image input to the input unit Output image data obtained by performing italic processing on the output image generating means Control means to generate, And when the user does not give an instruction to execute an italic process on the document image input to the input unit via the operation unit, the control unit When the direction determination process is not executed and the control unit is instructed by the user through the operation unit to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit, the direction determination process is performed. A direction determination process of the original image by the means, and the output image data is generated by the output image generation means using a result of the direction determination process It is characterized by that.
[0007]
An image processing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured to process a document image. , Whether in an upright state or in a non-upright state, By input means to input and character recognition processing Input to the input means Direction discriminating means for discriminating the direction of the document image; Input to the input means Original image For any of the specified directions Output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to a shadowing process; An instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and in which designated direction the shadowing process is applied to the input document image The specified direction is input to the input means and an operation control means for allowing the user to specify the specified direction via the operation means with reference to an upright original image, regardless of the direction of the input original image. Output image data obtained by applying shadow processing to the document image is output by the output image generation means. Control means to generate, And the control means provides a document image by the direction determination means when an instruction to execute a shadowing process on the document image input to the input means is not made by the user via the operation means. The control means does not execute the direction determination process, and the control means performs the shadowing process on the document image input to the input means when the user gives an instruction to execute the shadowing process. Causing the direction determination unit to execute direction determination processing of the document image, and using the result of the direction determination processing to generate the output image data by the output image generation unit; It is characterized by that.
[0008]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method comprising: , Whether in an upright state or in a non-upright state, Input means for inputting; Input to the input means Original image For any of the specified directions Output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to italic processing, and an image processing method in an image processing apparatus, An instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and it is determined in which designated direction the italic process is performed on the input document image. Regardless of the orientation of the original image to be input, the designated direction is specified by the user via the operation means on the basis of the upright original image, and the italic process is performed on the original image input to the input means. When an instruction to execute is not made by the user via the operation unit, the italic process is performed on the document image input to the input unit without determining the direction of the document image input to the input unit. When an instruction to perform is given by the user via the operation means, the direction of the document image input to the input means is determined by character recognition processing, and the result of the determination is used. And, The output image generation means By the above Output image data is generated.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method comprising: , Whether in an upright state or in a non-upright state, Input means for inputting; Input to the input means Original image For any of the specified directions Output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to a shadowing process, and an image processing method in an image processing apparatus, An instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and in which designated direction the shadowing process is applied to the input document image The specified direction is determined by the user via the operation unit based on the upright document image, regardless of the direction of the document image to be input, and the specified direction is not affected. When the user does not give an instruction to execute the attaching process through the operation unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is not determined, and a shadow is applied to the document image input to the input unit. When the user gives an instruction to execute the attaching process through the operation unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is determined by the character recognition process, and the determination Using the results, The output image generation means By the above Output image data is generated.
[0010]
A memory medium according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is configured to store a document image. , Whether in an upright state or in a non-upright state, Input means for inputting; Input to the input means Original image For any of the specified directions Output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to italic processing, and a memory medium storing a computer-readable program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute the image processing method, wherein the image processing method includes: , An instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and it is determined in which designated direction the italic process is performed on the input document image. Regardless of the orientation of the original image to be input, the designated direction is specified by the user via the operation means on the basis of the upright original image, and the italic process is performed on the original image input to the input means. When an instruction to execute is not made by the user via the operation unit, the italic process is performed on the document image input to the input unit without determining the direction of the document image input to the input unit. When an instruction to perform is given by the user via the operation means, the direction of the document image input to the input means is determined by character recognition processing, and the result of the determination is used. And, The output image generation means By the above Output image data is generated.
[0011]
A memory medium according to a sixth aspect of the present invention stores a document image. , Whether in an upright state or in a non-upright state, Input means for inputting; Input to the input means Original image Shadows in one of the specified directions An output image generation means for generating processed output image data; and a memory medium storing a computer-readable program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute an image processing method, wherein the image processing method includes: An instruction for performing a shadowing process on a document image input to the input unit is received from a user, and the specified direction is used to apply a shadowing process to the input document image. The user is not instructed to specify the document image in the upright state as a reference and execute the shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit, regardless of the orientation of the document image to be input. When the user gives an instruction to execute a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit without determining the direction of the document image input to the input unit, the character recognition process To determine the direction of the document image input to the input means, and using the result of the determination, The output image generation means By the above Output image data is generated.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus as a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The copying machine 100 according to the present embodiment discriminates the direction of a document and performs designated image processing (for example, shadowing processing, italic processing, etc.) on the basis of an appropriate direction of the document.
[0020]
The copying machine 100 includes a scanner unit 101 as an image input unit, an image processing unit 120 that processes an input image to generate an output image, and a printer unit 108 as an image output unit.
[0021]
The image processing unit 120 includes an interface unit (I / F unit) 111 that inputs a document image from the scanner unit 101, and a region separation unit 104 that separates regions such as characters, graphics, natural images, and tables in the document image (input image). Document orientation determination unit 103 that recognizes characters and determines the direction of the document, and an output image that generates an output image by performing image processing such as shading processing and italic processing on characters in the original image (input image) A generation unit 109, a memory unit 105 for storing data related to image processing, an interface (I / F unit) 106 for connecting to a computer 107, which is an external device, an operation mode of the copier 100, image processing, etc. In addition to inputting an instruction, an operation unit 110 for displaying the setting contents of the copying machine 100 and a control unit 102 for comprehensively controlling each block are provided.
[0022]
Note that the scanner unit 101, the image processing unit 120, and the printer unit 108 may be provided separately or may be integrated as in the illustrated example. Further, the computer 107 may be used as an image input and / or output device.
[0023]
The scanner unit 101 optically reads an original image, photoelectrically converts the read original image, and inputs the digital image data to the image processing unit 120. For example, if an auto feeder is attached to the scanner unit 101, a plurality of documents can be read continuously.
[0024]
The control unit 102 includes a CPU 151 and a memory 152 that holds a control program 153, and controls the operation of the copier 100 by operating the CPU 151 based on the control program 153.
[0025]
The document orientation determination unit 103 includes a character recognition unit 103a. The character recognition unit 103a uses, for example, one side of the document table as a reference, and 0 °, 90 °, and 180 ° with respect to the reference (reference direction), respectively. , 270 °, the character recognition process in the character area of the original image is executed, and the document is searched by searching for the direction with the best character recognition accuracy (confidence level of character recognition: distance to character feature distribution). Determine the direction. As a result of this determination, the side below the document when viewed from the appropriate direction is, for example, 0 ° (lower side), 90 ° (right side), 180 ° with respect to the lower side (front side) of the document table. (Upper side) It is given as information indicating which direction is 270 ° (left side).
[0026]
As a pre-process for performing document orientation discrimination processing by the document orientation discriminating unit 103, the region separating unit 104 converts a character area, a graphic area, a natural image area, a table area, and the like into rectangular shapes from an input image (original image). A process of separating each area and adding an attribute (for example, information indicating that the area is a character area) to each area is performed. This separation can be performed based on, for example, the frequency, density, density change, black pixel distribution, and the like of the black pixels in the region of interest.
[0027]
The memory unit 105 includes, for example, a hard disk or a magneto-optical disk, and is used to store various processing results (image data, region separation results, character recognition results, etc.).
[0028]
The I / F unit 106 is configured by, for example, SCSI, RS232C, or the like, and is used to transmit / receive data to / from an external device (for example, the computer 107).
[0029]
The computer 107 is connected to the copying machine 100 via the I / F unit 106 and functions as an image input and / or output device, or a higher-level control device of the copying machine 100.
[0030]
The operation unit 110 functions as a user interface for displaying the setting contents of the copying machine 100 in addition to inputting instructions regarding the operation mode, image processing, and the like of the copying machine 100. The user can set, for example, the direction of shadowing processing, the direction of italic processing, and the like by operating the operation unit 100.
[0031]
The output image generation unit 109 performs italic processing, shadowing processing, and the like on the input image data to generate an output image. Specifically, based on the image of the character region recognized by the region separation unit 104, the shadow direction processing and the italic processing are performed in the designated direction based on the document direction determined by the document direction determination unit 103. To generate an output image.
[0032]
The printer unit 108 records the image generated by the output image generation unit 109 on a recording medium. The image forming method is preferably an electrophotographic method or an ink jet method, for example, but may be other methods.
[0033]
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of the copying machine 100. In FIG. 2, when the copy operation start key is pressed, the document placed on the feeder 1 is fed to a predetermined position on the document table glass 2. Then, the original is scanned by moving the scanner unit 4 with the original illumination lamp 3 turned on. The reflected light from the document is reflected by the mirrors 5, 6, 7, passes through the lens 8, and is input to the image sensor unit 9. The image sensor unit 9 converts the input image into digital image data and supplies it to the image processing unit 120.
[0034]
The image processing unit 120 performs the above-described processing on the input image data to generate output image data, and supplies it to the exposure control unit 10 of the printer unit 108.
[0035]
The exposure control unit 10 converts the input output image data into an optical signal and irradiates the photosensitive drum 11. The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by this irradiation is developed by the developing device 12 or 13. The toner image transferred to the transfer paper as a recording medium is fixed on the transfer paper in the fixing unit 17 and then discharged from the paper discharge unit 18 to the outside of the copying machine 100. Further, at the time of double-sided copying, the transfer paper is transported toward the double-sided conveyance units 22, 23, and 24 by switching the conveyance path by the flapper 20.
[0036]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the operation unit 110. In the figure, reference numeral 300 denotes a start key for instructing the start of a copying operation. Reference numeral 301 denotes a stop key that instructs to forcibly end the copying operation. 302 is a clear key, which is used to clear a numerical value.
[0037]
Reference numeral 303 denotes an ID key. By inputting an ID using the ID key 303, a copying operation for a specific operator is permitted, and a copying operation is prohibited for a person other than the specific operator. Reference numeral 304 denotes a guide key, and the operator can know each function of the copying machine 100 by operating the guide key 304. Reference numeral 305 denotes a user mode key, which is used when setting the function (user mode) of the copying machine 100. The user mode includes, for example, two types of “favorite function” settings, specification settings, timer settings, and adjustment / cleaning.
[0038]
An interrupt key 306 is used when executing another copy by interrupting the copy operation. Reference numeral 307 denotes a preheating key which is used when the preheating mode is set or when the preheating mode is canceled. A reset key 308 is used to reset the copy mode to the standard mode. Reference numeral 309 denotes a numeric keypad group, which is used for setting values such as the number of copies, magnification, and direction of inclination processing.
[0039]
Reference numeral 310 denotes a display unit with a touch panel, which includes a liquid crystal display unit that displays the status of the copying machine 100 and the setting status of the copy mode, and a touch panel for inputting instructions from the operator. The operator can input an instruction by touching the displayed soft key, and the content of the liquid crystal display changes according to the content of the setting.
[0040]
Reference numeral 311 denotes an application mode key, and each time the application mode key 311 is touched, the application mode setting screen is switched. This switching changes according to the touch on the application mode key 311 in the order of, for example, a standard screen (310) as shown in FIG. 3, an italic setting screen 310a as shown in FIG. 4, and a shadow setting screen 310b as shown in FIG. When the application mode key 311 is touched again, the screen returns to the standard screen (310). In the setting screen switching sequence, for example, a setting screen related to other image processing may be inserted after the shadow setting screen 310b.
[0041]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the concept of italic processing using the character “A” as an example. The italic processing according to the present embodiment transforms an image inside the rectangle so that the rectangle becomes a parallelogram on the basis of any one of the upper side, the lower side, the left side, and the right side of the character. . Here, the rectangular region surrounding the character can be extracted by the region separation unit 104.
[0042]
In FIG. 5, reference numeral 500 denotes a character image as an input image (original image). Reference numerals 501a and 501b are images obtained by transforming the rectangular area of the character image 500 into a parallelogram with the upper side of the character image 500 as a reference. Reference numerals 502 a and b denote images that are deformed so that the rectangular area of the character image 500 becomes a parallelogram with the left side of the character image 500 as a reference. Reference numerals 503a and 503b are images obtained by transforming the rectangular region of the character image 500 into a parallelogram with the lower side of the character image 500 as a reference. Reference numerals 504a and 504b are images obtained by transforming the rectangular area of the character image 500 into a parallelogram with the right side of the character image 500 as a reference.
[0043]
Reference numerals 501a, 502a, 503a, and 504a are images obtained by rotating a side (hereinafter referred to as a rotation side) constituting an apex angle 45 degrees counterclockwise with a reference side (hereinafter referred to as a reference side). On the other hand, 501b, 502b, 503b, and 504b are images obtained by rotating the rotation side by 45 degrees clockwise. In the following description, the counterclockwise direction is the + (positive) direction, and the clockwise direction is the-(negative) direction.
[0044]
As a method of transforming (character-italic processing) a character image surrounded by a rectangle into a character image surrounded by a parallelogram, for example, there is the following method.
[0045]
As a first example, there is a method in which pixels in a rectangle are arranged in a parallelogram so that the pixels in the rectangle and the pixels in the parallelogram have a one-to-one correspondence.
[0046]
As a second example, when bitmap data of a character image is read out for each row (column) and rendered as an output image, only the dot corresponding to the length corresponding to the direction (angle) of italic processing is used. There is a method of shifting each row (column) by row (column). For example, if the direction (angle) of italic processing is 45 degrees, when generating an output image based on a character image, the character image may be shifted by one dot for each row (column) to be an output image.
[0047]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an italic setting screen for setting conditions for italic processing. In the figure, reference numerals 401 to 404 are keys for selecting a reference side, 401 is a key for selecting an upper side as a reference side, 402 is a key for selecting a lower side as a reference side, and 403 is a key for selecting a left side as a reference side. And 404 is a key for selecting the right side as the reference side. The selected key is preferably displayed in a different color or pattern from the other keys in order to indicate that fact.
[0048]
Reference numeral 405 denotes a key for selecting an italic process for rotating the rotation side counterclockwise. Reference numeral 406 denotes a key for selecting an italic process for rotating the rotation side clockwise. Reference numeral 407 denotes an area for displaying the direction (angle) of italic processing, which is input from the above-described numeric keypad group 309. Reference numeral 408 denotes a key for canceling the setting.
[0049]
The italic processing conditions set on the italic setting screen 310 a are notified to the control unit 102.
[0050]
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the concept of the shadowing process using the character “A” as an example. Reference numeral 800 denotes a character image as an input image (original image). Reference numerals 801 to 808 denote images that are shaded in the upper direction, upper left direction, left direction, lower left direction, lower direction, lower right direction, right direction, and upper right direction of the character image 800, respectively.
[0051]
As a shadowing method, for example, there is a method of superimposing a character image 800 and an image obtained by shifting the character image 800 in a specified direction (for example, changing the color).
[0052]
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a shadow setting screen for setting conditions for shadowing processing. In the figure, reference numerals 701 to 708 are keys for setting a direction in which a character image is to be shaded, and 709 to 712 are shadow types (plain shadow, plain shadow only, stereoscopic shadow, stereoscopic shadow only). And 713 is a key for canceling the setting.
[0053]
10 to 14 are diagrams for explaining the types of shadows. FIG. 10 is an example of an original image to be shadowed, and FIG. 11 is an image obtained by performing “plain shadow” processing on the original image. An example, FIG. 12 is an example of an image that has been subjected to “plain shadow only” processing, FIG. 13 is an example of an image that has been subjected to “stereoscopic shadow” processing, and FIG. An example of the processed image is shown.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 11, the “plain shadow” process adds an image having the same shape and different color or density as the shadow image to the original image. As shown in FIG. 12, only the shadow image in the “plain shadow” is used as the output image. In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, in the process of “stereoscopic shadow”, when the original image is translated in the shadowing direction, the area to be painted by the movement is converted into a color or density different from that of the original image. The image is added to the original image as a shadow image, and the “three-dimensional shadow only” process is to output only the shadow image in “three-dimensional shadow” as shown in FIG.
[0055]
The conditions for the shadowing process set on the shadow setting screen 310 b are notified to the control unit 102.
[0056]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the copying operation. This process is controlled by the CPU 151 based on the control program 153.
[0057]
First, in step S601, a document is scanned by the scanner unit 101 and a document image is captured. In step S502, the document image data is held in the memory unit 105.
[0058]
In step S603, it is determined whether or not a document orientation determination process is to be executed. If the process is to be executed, the process proceeds to step S604, and if not, the process proceeds to step S608. The document orientation is determined when, for example, execution of italic processing or shadowing processing is instructed.
[0059]
In step S604, the document orientation discriminating unit 103 discriminates the document orientation, and in step S605, the discrimination result is stored in the memory unit 105.
[0060]
In step S606, it is determined whether execution of italic processing is instructed. In step S609, it is determined whether execution of shadowing processing is instructed. If the italic process is to be executed, the process proceeds to step S607. If the shadowing process is to be executed, the process proceeds to step S610. If neither process is to be executed, the process proceeds to step S611.
[0061]
In step S607, italic processing is executed according to the set conditions. That is, the output image generation unit 109 determines an appropriate direction of the document based on the document direction determined by the document direction determination unit 103, and the character recognized by the region separation unit 104 based on the appropriate direction. According to the conditions set on the italic setting screen 310a for the image in the area, Italics Apply processing. Here, for example, when it is determined that the top and bottom of the document in the document image is upside down, when italic processing is performed using the upper side of the character as the reference side, the document image is read in the proper direction (usually reading the document) The upper side of the characters in the document when viewed from the direction in which the original is viewed) becomes the reference side. This italic processing can also be applied to objects other than characters.
[0062]
In step S610, a shadowing process is executed according to the set conditions. In other words, the output image generation unit 109 determines the appropriate direction of the document based on the document direction determined by the document direction determination unit 103, and the character recognized by the region separation unit 104 based on the appropriate direction. A shadowing process is performed on the image in the area in accordance with the conditions set on the shadow setting screen 310b. This shadowing process can also be applied to objects other than characters.
[0063]
In step S611, the appropriate direction of the document is determined based on the document direction determined by the document direction determination unit 103, and other processing (for example, processing for stretching characters in a set direction, processing for fattening, etc.) is performed. Execute.
[0064]
In step S608, the output image data generated by the output image generation unit 109 is sent to the printer unit.
[0065]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, when reading a document (character) in a document image, the image is processed under the set conditions with reference to the correct direction of viewing the document. Image processing such as italic processing and shading processing without being aware of the direction in which the document is placed on the document table (however, it is necessary to consider the orientation of the document determined by the size and magnification of the document) Copying can be executed for image processing using the direction as a processing condition.
[0066]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the correct direction of a document (character) is used as a reference, a direction related to image processing such as italic processing and shadow processing can be efficiently specified.
[0067]
Note that the present invention can be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices (for example, a computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), or a device (for example, a copier, a facsimile machine, etc.) composed of a single device. You may apply to.
[0068]
Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for implementing the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by reading and executing the program code stored in the.
[0069]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.
[0070]
As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.
[0071]
Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) operating on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by performing part or all of the actual processing and the processing is included.
[0072]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.
[0073]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of the computer-readable memory according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, a code 901 for the direction determination process corresponds to, for example, step S604 in FIG. 6, and a code 902 for the image processing process corresponds to, for example, steps S606, S607, and S609 to S611 in FIG.
[0074]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the invention described in the claims.
[0075]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to improve the efficiency of image processing using a direction as a processing condition.
[0076]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a mechanical configuration of the copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an operation unit.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an italic setting screen for setting conditions for italic processing.
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the concept of italic processing using the character “A” as an example.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of a copying operation.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a shadow setting screen for setting conditions for shadowing processing;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a concept of shadowing processing using a character “A” as an example;
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a memory map of a computer readable memory according to the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an original image.
11 is an example of an image obtained by performing a “plain shadow” process on the original image shown in FIG. 10;
12 is an example of an image obtained by performing a “only flat shadow” process on the original image shown in FIG. 10;
13 is an example of an image obtained by performing a “stereoscopic shadow” process on the original image shown in FIG. 10;
14 is an example of an image obtained by performing a “three-dimensional shadow only” process on the original image shown in FIG. 10;

Claims (12)

Input means for inputting a document image in an upright or non-upright orientation ; and
Direction discriminating means for discriminating the direction of the document image input to the input means by character recognition processing;
Output image generation means for generating output image data obtained by subjecting the original image input to the input means to italic processing in any one of a plurality of specified directions ;
An instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and it is determined in which designated direction the italic process is performed on the input document image. Operation control means for causing the user to specify the designated direction via the operation means with reference to an upright document image, regardless of the orientation of the input document image;
Control means for causing the output image generation means to generate output image data obtained by performing italic processing on the document image input to the input means ,
The control means includes
If the user does not give an instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit via the operation unit, the direction determination unit does not execute the direction determination process of the document image.
And the control means includes:
When an instruction to execute an italic process on the document image input to the input unit is made by the user via the operation unit, the direction determination unit performs a document image direction determination process, and An image processing apparatus , wherein the output image data is generated by the output image generation means using a result of a direction determination process . Input means for inputting a document image in an upright or non-upright orientation ; and
Direction discriminating means for discriminating the direction of the document image input to the input means by character recognition processing;
Output image generation means for generating output image data obtained by performing a shadowing process in any one of a plurality of specified directions on the document image input to the input means ;
An instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and in which designated direction the shadowing process is applied to the input document image An operation control means for causing the user to specify the designated direction via the operation means with reference to an upright document image without depending on the orientation of the input document image;
Control means for causing the output image generation means to generate output image data obtained by performing a shadowing process on the document image input to the input means ,
The control means includes
When an instruction to execute a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is not made by the user via the operation unit, the direction determination process of the document image by the direction determination unit is not performed,
And the control means includes:
When an instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is given by the user via the operation unit, the direction determination unit performs a document image direction determination process; and An image processing apparatus , wherein the output image data is generated by the output image generation means using the result of the direction determination process . Whether the document image is in an upright state or in a non-upright state, an input unit that inputs the original image , and a plurality of designated directions with respect to the original image input to the input unit . An image processing method for an image processing apparatus, comprising: output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to italic processing in any specified direction ,
An instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and it is determined in which designated direction the italic process is performed on the input document image. Regardless of the direction of the original document image to be input, the designated direction is specified by the user via the operation means based on the original document image in an upright state,
When the user does not give an instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is not determined,
When a user gives an instruction to execute an italic process on the document image input to the input unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is determined by character recognition processing, and the determination results by utilizing, to generate the output image data by the output image generating unit,
An image processing method. Whether the document image is in an upright state or in a non-upright state, an input unit that inputs the original image , and a plurality of designated directions with respect to the original image input to the input unit . An image processing method for an image processing apparatus having output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to a shadowing process in any specified direction ,
An instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and in which designated direction the shadowing process is applied to the input document image The specified direction is determined by the user via the operation means based on the upright document image regardless of the direction of the input document image,
When an instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is not made by the user via the operation unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is not determined,
When the user gives an instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is determined by character recognition processing. and, and, using the result of the determination, thereby generating the output image data by the output image generating unit,
An image processing method. An instruction to generate output image data deformed in a specified direction with reference to the upper side of the original image when the original image is viewed in the correct direction, and a lower side of the original image when the original image is viewed in the correct direction An instruction to generate output image data deformed in the specified direction, an instruction to generate output image data deformed in the specified direction with reference to the left side of the original image when the original image is viewed in the correct direction, and the original An instruction for generating output image data deformed in a specified direction with reference to a right side of a document image in a state where the image is viewed in a correct direction is received from a user via the operation unit. Item 6. The image processing method according to Item 3.   6. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the designated direction is designated as an angle via the operation means.   5. The image processing method according to claim 4, wherein a shadow type is received from a plurality of selection candidates via the operation means.   The output image generation means includes means for executing at least one of a process of stretching a character in a specified direction and a process of thickening the character in a specified direction. The image processing method according to any one of 3 to 7.   9. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein the output image data generated by the output image generation means is printed by a printer.   10. The image processing method according to claim 3, further comprising storing image data on a hard disk. Whether the document image is in an upright state or in a non-upright state, an input unit that inputs the original image , and a plurality of designated directions with respect to the original image input to the input unit . An output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to italic processing in any specified direction, and a memory medium storing a computer-readable program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute an image processing method ,
The image processing method includes:
An instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and it is determined in which designated direction the italic process is performed on the input document image. Regardless of the direction of the original document image to be input, the designated direction is specified by the user via the operation means based on the original document image in an upright state,
When an instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit is not made by the user via the operation unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is not determined,
When the user gives an instruction to execute the italic process on the document image input to the input unit through the operation unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is determined by the character recognition process. and, using the result of the determination, thereby generating the output image data by the output image generating unit,
A computer-readable memory medium. Whether the document image is in an upright state or in a non-upright state, an input unit that inputs the original image , and a plurality of designated directions with respect to the original image input to the input unit . An output image generation means for generating output image data subjected to a shadowing process in any specified direction, and a memory medium storing a computer-readable program for causing an image processing apparatus to execute an image processing method And
The image processing method includes:
An instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is received from the user via the operation unit, and in which designated direction the shadowing process is applied to the input document image The specified direction is determined by the user via the operation means based on the upright document image regardless of the direction of the input document image,
When an instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit is not made by the user via the operation unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is not determined,
When the user gives an instruction to perform a shadowing process on the document image input to the input unit, the direction of the document image input to the input unit is determined by character recognition processing. and, and, using the result of the determination, thereby generating the output image data by the output image generating unit,
A computer-readable memory medium.

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