Image processing apparatus having improved function for creating image using a plurality of original images

• US 5,404,433 A
• Filed: 08/20/1993
• Issued: 04/04/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Hosogai, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Herndon, Heather R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, CLIFF N
• Application Number:
  US08/109,582
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 395/144, 395/157, 395/146, 395/145, 395/148, 395/149, 395/161
• US Class Current: 715/209
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/00 2D [Two Dimensional] image generation

Abstract

An image reading unit reads a plurality of original images so as to provide the corresponding image information. An input size specifying unit specifies input sizes according to which the image reading unit respectively reads the plurality of original images so that the resulting image information represents the specified input sizes of the plurality of original images, wherein the input sizes may be identical to one another. A first storing unit stores the resulting image information therein. A first image indicating unit indicates the image represented by the image information stored in the first storing unit. A image processing unit appropriately processes the image information stored in the first storing unit so as to create image information representing at least one finished image. An output size specifying unit specifies an output size according to which the image processing unit processes the image information so that the finished image has the specified output size. A second storing unit stores the image information representing the finished image therein. A second image indicating unit indicates the finished image using the corresponding image information stored in the second storing unit. A recording unit records the image information representing the finished image on a recording medium after extracting the image information from the second storing unit.

Claims

1. An image processing apparatus comprising:

a) an image reading means for reading a plurality of original images so as to provide corresponding image information;

b) input size specifying means for specifying input sizes according to which said image reading means respectively reads said plurality of original images so that resulting image information represents the input sizes of said plurality of original images, wherein said input sizes may be identical to one another;

c) first storing means for storing the resulting image information therein;

d) first image indicating means for indicating the image represented by the resulting image information stored in said first storing means;

e) image processing means for appropriately processing the resulting image information stored in said first storing means so as to create finished image information representing at least one finished image;

f) output size specifying means for specifying an output size according to which said image processing means processes said resulting image information so that said finished image has said output size;

g) second storing means for storing said finished image information representing said finished image therein;

h) second image indicating means for indicating said finished image using corresponding finished image information stored in said second storing means;

i) recording means for recording said finished image information representing said finished image on a recording medium after extracting said finished image information from said second storing means;

j) extracting area specifying means for specifying, as an input image area, a part of the image indicated by said first image indicating means, so that a corresponding part of image information stored in said first storing means is accordingly specified as an input image information area;

k) allocation manner specifying means for specifying an allocation manner in which the input image information area is allocated in a storage area associated with said second storing means, said allocation manner specifying means including;

1) means for indicating, on the image indicated by said second image indicating means, an actual size of the input image area on the finished image, wherein indicating the actual size of the input image area on the finished image means that a dimensional relationship between the size of the input image area indicated on the finished image and the size of the finished image is as if the input image area were cut from the original image represented on a sheet of paper so as to form a cut part of the sheet of paper, and said cut part of the sheet of paper were then put on the finished image represented on another sheet of paper; and

2) means for specifying movement or size variation for said input image area in said indicated image; and

l) image information transferring means for transferring said input image information area to an allocation area in said storage area associate with said second storing means.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said extracting area specifying means includes:

means for varying the size of the image represented by the resulting image information and indicated by said first image indicating means where the size variation is performed about a fixed point.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said extracting area specifying means includes:

means for varying the size of the finished image indicated by said image second indicating means where the size variation is performed about a fixed point.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image information transferring means includes:

resolution converter means for performing, on the image represented by the corresponding image information to be transferred thereby, at least one of size variation, movement, rotation and reflection.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image information transferring means comprises logical operation means for performing, before transferring, logical operation on the input image information area and other image information stored in said allocation area.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said allocation manner specifying means comprises means for performing rotation or reflection on the input image area as the allocation manner.

7. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for indicating a scale of size variation, according to in which rate the input image area is performed size variation according to the allocation manner.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for giving notice when the allocation area exceeds a predetermined area, wherein the excess may occur as a result of a process being performed on the input image area according to the allocation manner, wherein said performed process may comprise movement, size variation, rotation or reflection.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for giving notice when the allocation area exceeds the storage area associated with the second storing means;

wherein an excess, resulting when the allocation area exceeds the storage area associated with the second storing means, may occur as a result of a process being performed on the input image area according to the allocation manner, the process including allocating the input image area on the center of said finished image.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for canceling the processing executed with said image processing means.

11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means further comprises means for recording the image information stored in said first storing means.

12. The image processing system apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

specification inputting means for inputting a specification concerning at least one of said input size specifying means, output size specifying means, and image processing means, wherein;

1) an input device is used to draw a symbol; and

2) said drawn symbol is then read as said specification.

13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said specification inputting means includes:

means for reading the symbol, as the specification, drawn on the image represented by the corresponding image information stored in the allocation area;

wherein the reading is executed by referring to at least a position, a shape and a number of drawn strokes of said drawn symbol.

14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said specification inputting means displays a symbol corresponding to the symbol drawn therewith in a case where said specification inputting means could read said drawn symbol;

and

wherein in a case where said specification inputting means could not read said drawn symbol, said specification inputting means gives notice indicating the unreadableness.

15. An image processing apparatus, comprising:

a) an image reading means for reading a plurality of original images so as to provide input image information respectively corresponding to the original images;

b) a printer for printing a finished image in final form;

c) a controller, including;

1) a first page memory for storing first image information corresponding to the input image information;

2) a second page memory for storing second image information;

3) a frame memory for storing finished image information; and

4) a processor, the processor including;

i) means for processing and selectively passing the first image information from the first page memory and storing processed first image information as the second image information in the second page memory; and

ii) means for passing the second image information from the second page memory to form the finished image information in the frame memory; and

iii) means for transferring the finished image information from the frame memory to at least the printer;

d) a display device, coupled to the frame memory via the transferring means; and

e) an image indicating device, associated with the display device, the image indicating device constituting;

1) means for specifying on the display device, input sizes by which the image reading means reads the original images;

2) means for specifying on the display device, output sizes of image areas in the second frame memory; and

3) means for indicating on the display device, finished images made of image information in the frame memory derived from the second image information from the second page memory, the finished images including a composition of images derived from the first image information which are of sizes determined by the input size specifying means, the finished images having sizes determined by the output size specifying means.