Image Processing Apparatus

Abstract

There is described an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible not only to eliminate the deterioration of the perceptibility, but also to determine the pages being suitable for applying the predetermined image processing. The control section determines specific pages, being suitable for applying a predetermined image processing, based on the attributes detected by the detecting section, so as to apply the predetermined image processing to the specific pages. On the other hand, the control section applies image processing, including a variable power processing, to both the partial image area and the partial character area by employing different magnification factors, so as to generate a size-changed partial image area and a size-changed partial character area, and to arrange both of them into a predetermined imaginary area being smaller than an area of the original image, so as to accommodate them within the predetermined imaginary area.

Description

[0001]This application is based on Japanese Patent Applications NO. 2008-125259 and NO. 2008-130800, respectively filed on May 12 and 19, 2008 with Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and specifically relates to an image processing apparatus provided with a function for changing a size of an image, and an image processing apparatus provided with a function for applying image processing to image data representing an image for every page.[0003]Generally speaking, an image forming apparatus, such as a copier, a Multi-Functional Peripheral, etc., is provided with a variable power function for changing a size of an original document, such as a document image, an image file, etc., so as to print the size-changed image on a recording medium. Further, most of the abovementioned image forming apparatus is generally provided with plural kinds of v...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]To overcome the abovementioned drawbacks in conventional image processing apparatus, it is one of objects of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible to eliminate the deterioration of the perceptibility in regard to a partial image area or a partial character area without conducting complicated operations when reducing the size of the image.

[0013]Further, it is another one of objects of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus, which makes it possible to determine the pages being suitable for applying the predetermined image processing, while alleviating the burden to be incurred to the user.

[0016](2) According to another aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus recited in item 1, the control section applies the variable power processing to any one of the partial image area and the partial character area by employing a predetermined variable magnification factor so as to arrange the size-changed one into the imaginary area, while applies the variable power processing to another one of the partial image area and the partial character area by employing such a specific variable magnification factor that makes it possible to accommodate the other size-changed one within a residual area remained in the imaginary area.

[0032](18) According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus recited in any one of items 13-17, further comprises: an operating section to accept operations for establishing setting items in regard to a printing operation based on the original image and for inputting an upper limit of money amount to be charged for the printing operation; wherein the control section compares the upper limit of money amount, inputted from the operating section, with a charged fee to be actually charged when the printing operation is implemented according to the setting items established from the operating section, so as to apply the predetermined image processing, which makes it possible to reduce the charged fee, to the specific pages determined in advance, when the charged fee exceeds the upper limit of money amount.

[0036](22) According to yet another aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus recited in any one of items 13-21, the control section applies such an image processing, serving as the predetermined image processing, that makes it possible to reduce a consuming amount of printing agent to a level lower than that in a normal printing operation, to the specific pages.

Problems solved by technology

Accordingly, depending on the original sizes of each of the concerned images and / or the variable magnification factor employed, sometimes, a photographic image portion has specifically become difficult to be recognized, or conversely, characters have been hardly perceptible due to the smudges of the characters, resulting in drastic deterioration of the perceptibility of them.

It has been impossible to overcome the abovementioned drawbacks in the conventional image processing apparatus, even if the technologies set forth in Tokkai 2000-4316 and Tokkai 2006-85103 (Japanese Non-Examined Laid-Open Patent Publications) are employed in the image processing apparatus.

In addition, since the editing function, etc., provided in the editing apparatus abovementioned, requires the user to perform complicated operation, such the functions are not suitable for the general purpose copiers or the multi-functional Peripheral, etc., aforementioned.

However, when the user does not well recognize, it would possibly occur that the user repeatedly conducts the setting and changing operations until he is satisfied with the required copy charge and the print quality proposed by the copier concerned.

This results in a considerable burden for the user.

When the image processing is conducted for every partial area included in the image concerned as mentioned in the above, the calculating operation of the charged fee becomes complicated, compared to such a case that the image processing is conducted for every page, etc.

Further, layout positional relationships and / or contrasting density relationships within one page would be destroyed.

Accordingly, there has been a fear that the concerned image processing is applied to the pages more than necessary for the upper limit of money amount.

In addition, in order to select specific pages to be object for the image processing, the user should manually operate the copier, resulting in a complication of the operation.

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