Image processing device

Abstract

To provide an image processing device that can improve operation efficiency of an operator by outputting a measurement result of size of a measuring object and design data in combination.SOLUTION: An image processing device comprises: reading means that reads an image of an article due to scanning of a carriage; storage means that stores a first image of design information which at least includes a drawing and a design dimension of the article; image acquisition means that acquires a second image reading the article; measuring means that measures a dimension of the article on the basis of the second image; composite image generation means that generates a third image in which a result display area displaying the measured dimension is superposed on the first image; and output means that outputs the third image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

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[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an image measurement apparatus that captures an object to be measured and measures the dimensions of a predetermined part of the captured image data has been widely used.

[0003] When measuring the dimensions of a predetermined part of an object to be measured with such an image measurement apparatus, an operator has to specify the measurement target location and the measurement type for the image data respectively. Therefore, for example, when there are a large number of locations to be measured, the operator has to specify each of the large number of locations as a measurement target location, and further specify the measurement type for each measurement target location, making the work extremely complicated.

[0004] For this reason, in the prior art, a technique has been adopted in which the measurement target location and the measurement type are automatically generated for design data such as part drawings.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, even if the above-described prior art is adopted, only the measurement results of the specified measurement target locations are output respectively, and the operator has to collate the output measurement results with the specified locations in the drawing, and the complexity of the work has not been improved.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to improve the work efficiency of an operator by combining and outputting the measurement result of the dimension of an object to be measured and design data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention comprises: reading means for reading an image of an article by scanning with a carriage; storage means for storing a first image of design information including at least a drawing and design dimensions of the article; image acquisition means for acquiring a second image of the article that has been read; measuring means for measuring the dimensions of the article based on the second image; composite image generation means for generating a third image by superimposing a result display area on the first image in which the measured dimensions are displayed; and output means for outputting the third image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, by combining the measurement results of the dimensions of the object to be measured with design data and outputting them together, it becomes possible to improve the efficiency of the worker's work. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the external configuration of an example of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of design data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of imaging data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of imaging data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 illustrates the alignment of image data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of design data according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of a margin area according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of a composite image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of a composite image according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the flow of operations between the operator and the image processing device when the image synthesis process according to the first embodiment is performed. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the generation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the operation flow of the operator and the image processing device when the image synthesis process according to the second embodiment is executed. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the generation process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] Figure 16 shows an example of a composite image according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (First embodiment) The embodiment of the image processing apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. To facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are used for identical components in each drawing whenever possible, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0011] First, with reference to Figure 1, an example of the configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 shows the external configuration of an example of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, the image processing device 1 includes at least a scanner unit 10, a printer unit 20, and an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 30 on top of the scanner unit 10.

[0013] The scanner unit 10 includes a contact glass 11 on which a document or an article M is placed, and a carriage 12 that scans the document or the article M.

[0014] For example, when reading an object to be read in a flat bed method, the operator lifts the ADF 30 to expose the contact glass 11, places the object to be read (article M in the example of FIG. 1) on the contact glass 11. Then the operator operates an operation panel provided on the housing of the scanner unit 10 to press a start button. Then, scanning is executed as the carriage 12 travels within the scanner unit 10. At this time, for example, when the object to be read is a document containing design information such as drawings or design dimensions, the operator directly places the document on the contact glass 11, lowers the ADF 30 to hold down the document, and presses the start button. Then, scanning is executed and image data of the document is acquired. Alternatively, for example, when the object to be read is a thick article M, the operator directly places the article M on the contact glass 11 and then presses the start button without lowering the ADF 30. Then, scanning is executed and image data of the article M is acquired.

[0015] The printer unit 20 has a configuration for executing image formation processing. Specifically, the printer unit 20 executes a process of outputting to a recording paper by performing predetermined image processing on the image data acquired by the scanner unit 10.

[0016] The ADF 30 is an automatic document feeder for reading a document set on a tray in a sheet-through method. When reading an object to be read using the ADF 30, the carriage 12 is fixed at the carriage home position 13, and scanning of the object to be read is executed in that state. For example, when the object to be read is a thin document or the like, the operator places a plurality of documents at a predetermined position of the ADF 30 and presses the start button. Then, scanning is executed as the documents are conveyed, and image data of the design drawing is acquired.

[0017] The image processing device 1 according to this embodiment has, in addition to a copy function and a printer function, at least an image synthesis function that performs image synthesis processing by combining two or more image data obtained by scanning. Referring to Figures 2 to 11, the details of the image processing device 1 for realizing such image synthesis processing will be explained.

[0018] Figure 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image processing device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the image processing device 1 of this embodiment includes a controller 110, a short-range communication circuit 120, an engine control unit 130, an operation panel 140, and a network interface 150. Of these, the controller 110 includes the main components of the computer: the CPU 101, system memory (MEM-P) 102, northbridge (NB) 103, southbridge (SB) 104, ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 106, local memory (MEM-C) 107 (storage unit), HDD controller 108, and HD 109 (storage unit). The NB 103 and ASIC 106 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 121.

[0020] Of these, the CPU 101 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image processing device 1. For example, the CPU 101 comprehensively controls the operation of the entire image processing device 1 by executing a control program related to the image synthesis process, which will be described later.

[0021] NB103 is a bridge for connecting CPU101, MEM-P102, SB104, and AGP bus 121, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to MEM-P102, as well as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master and an AGP target.

[0022] MEM-P102 consists of ROM 102a, which is a memory for storing programs and data that realize the various functions of the controller 110, and RAM 102b, which is used for program and data deployment and drawing during memory printing. The programs stored in RAM 102b may be configured to be provided as installable or executable files recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0023] The SB104 is a bridge for connecting the NB103 to PCI devices and peripheral devices.

[0024] The ASIC106 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing, and acts as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 121, PCI bus 122, HDD controller 108, and MEM-C107. The ASIC106 consists of a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC106, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C107, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation and other operations using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that performs data transfer via the PCI bus 122 between the scanner unit 131 and the printer unit 132. The ASIC106 may also be connected to a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0025] MEM-C107 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer.

[0026] HD109 is a storage device for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. HD109 controls data reading or writing to it according to the control of CPU101.

[0027] The AGP bus 121 is a bus interface for graphics accelerator cards proposed to accelerate graphics processing, and by providing high-throughput direct access to MEM-P102, it can speed up graphics accelerator cards.

[0028] Furthermore, the short-range communication circuit 120 is equipped with a short-range communication circuit 120a. The short-range communication circuit 120 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0029] Furthermore, the engine control unit 130 is composed of a scanner unit 131 and a printer unit 132. The operation panel 140 includes a panel display unit 140a, such as a touch panel, which displays current settings and selection screens and accepts input from the operator, and an operation panel 140b, which consists of a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density settings and a start key that accepts copy start instructions. The controller 110 controls the entire image processing device 1, for example, controlling drawing, communication, and input from the operation panel 140. The scanner unit 131 or the printer unit 132 includes image processing parts such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0030] The image processing device 1 can be sequentially switched between document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function using the application switching key on the operation panel 140. When the document box function is selected, it enters document box mode; when the copy function is selected, it enters copy mode; when the printer function is selected, it enters printer mode; and when the facsimile mode is selected, it enters facsimile mode.

[0031] Furthermore, the network interface 150 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The short-range communication circuit 120 and the network interface 150 are electrically connected to the ASIC 106 via the PCI bus 122.

[0032] Next, the functional configuration of the image processing device 1 will be described. Figure 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The functional configuration of Figure 3 will be explained below with reference to Figures 4-11.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the image processing device 1 comprises a storage unit 109, an image acquisition unit 160, a measurement unit 170, a composite image generation unit 180, and an output unit 190.

[0034] The storage unit 109 stores a first image of design information, which includes at least the drawing and design dimensions of the article M. Here, an example of design data PI corresponding to the first image in this embodiment is shown in Figure 4. Specifically, the storage unit 109 stores image data obtained by scanning the drawing of the article M as design data PI. As shown in Figure 4, the design data PI includes at least information such as the drawing of the article M, design dimensions, and tolerances. The storage unit 109 may store multiple sets of design data PI.

[0035] The image acquisition unit 160 acquires a second image obtained by reading the item M. Here, an example of imaging data MI corresponding to the second image in this embodiment is shown in Figure 5. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 160 acquires image data obtained by scanning the item M as imaging data MI. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the imaging data MI includes at least information such as an image of the item M that is to be measured.

[0036] The measurement unit 170 measures the dimensions of the item M based on the imaging data MI. Specifically, the measurement unit 170 measures the dimensions of each measurement target location of the item M by performing a predetermined image processing method on the imaging data MI acquired by the image acquisition unit 160. The measurement unit 170 then stores the measurement results in association with each measurement target location of the item M. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the measurement unit 170 may store image data with a result display area SW that displays the measurement results as the imaging data MI.

[0037] The composite image generation unit 180 generates a third image by superimposing a result display area SW, in which the dimensions of the measured item M are displayed, onto the design data PI. Here, an example of a composite image SI corresponding to the third image in this embodiment is shown in Figure 10. The composite image generation unit 180 generates a composite image SI by superimposing the result display area SW onto the design data PI, through the respective functions of the parts described below.

[0038] Returning to Figure 3, we continue the explanation. The composite image generation unit 180 includes a selection unit 181, a margin detection unit 182, a superimposed area determination unit 183, a calculation unit 184, a format determination unit 185, and a recognition unit 186.

[0039] The identification unit 181 identifies the design data PI corresponding to the item M to be measured from the design data PI stored in the storage unit 109. That is, the identification unit 181 identifies the design data PI and imaging data MI corresponding to the imaging data MI by performing alignment processing based on the design data PI stored in the storage unit 109 and the imaging data MI acquired by the image acquisition unit 160.

[0040] Now, with reference to Figure 7, the alignment process will be explained. Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the alignment process of imaging data MI and design data PI.

[0041] First, the identification unit 181 analyzes the features of the image N of the item M included in the imaging data MI, and the drawing Z of the item M included in the design data PI. As a result, the identification unit 181 extracts feature points SM-1 to SM-2 and feature points SP-1 to SP-2, respectively, as shown in Figure 7. Then, the identification unit 181 performs matching on the corresponding feature points (in the example in Figure 7, feature point SM-1 and feature point SP-1, and feature point SM-2 and feature point SP-2) to determine whether the image N and the drawing Z match. If the identification unit 181 determines, as a result of such alignment processing, that image N and drawing Z match, it identifies the design data PI containing drawing Z as the design data PI corresponding to the item M to be measured.

[0042] The recognition unit 186 recognizes design information based on the design data PI. Specifically, the recognition unit 186 recognizes the design information contained in the design data PI by executing a predetermined image processing method on the design data PI identified by the identification unit 181. That is, for example, as shown in Figure 8, the recognition unit 186 recognizes that the design dimension (reference value) and tolerance of part A displayed in the design dimension display area PW-1 is 18±0.2, and that the design dimension (reference value) and tolerance of part B displayed in the design dimension display area PW-2 is 1±0.2, by performing, for example, OCR processing. The recognition unit 186 also recognizes the formatting such as the color, thickness, and size of the displayed design dimensions and other text. The recognition unit 186 stores the recognized results in correspondence with each location in the drawing Z of the design data PI.

[0043] The calculation unit 184 calculates the dimensional difference between the design dimensions and the measured dimensions of each measurement target location of the item M. Specifically, the calculation unit 184 associates the design information recognized by the recognition unit 186 with the measurement results of the item M measured by the measurement unit 170 and calculates the dimensional difference.

[0044] The margin detection unit 182 detects margin areas in the design data PI where no information is displayed. Here, an example of a margin area BP corresponding to a margin area in this embodiment is shown in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the margin detection unit 182 executes a predetermined image processing method on the design data PI identified by the identification unit 181 and extracts margin areas BP-1 to BP-3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "margin area BP") where no information is displayed.

[0045] The superimposed area determination unit 183 determines the position in the margin area BP where the result display area SW for displaying the measurement results will be superimposed. That is, the superimposed area determination unit 183 determines the position within the margin areas BP-1 to BP-3 in the design information PI of Figure 9 where the measurement results of the item M measured by the measurement unit 170 will be displayed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, for example, the superimposition area determination unit 183 decides to superimpose the result display area SW-1 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "result display area SW") which displays the measurement results of part A, onto a part of the margin area BP-1 extracted by the margin detection unit 182. For example, the superimposed area determination unit 183 decides to superimpose the result display area SW-2, which displays the measurement results of part B, onto a portion of the margin area BP-2 extracted by the margin detection unit 182.

[0046] The format determination unit 185 makes the second format for displaying measured dimensions follow the first format for displaying design dimensions. In this embodiment, "format" refers to a typeface that includes at least the color, thickness, and size of the characters used to display the dimensions. That is, the second format for displaying measured dimensions refers to the typeface for displaying measurement results, and the first format for displaying design dimensions refers to the typeface for displaying design dimensions. Specifically, as shown in Figure 10, for example, the format determination unit 185 controls the format of the measurement results displayed in the result display areas SW-1 to SW-2 to match the format recognized by the recognition unit 186 (in the example in Figure 10, the font of the design dimensions and tolerances displayed in the design dimension display areas PW-1 to PW-2).

[0047] Furthermore, the format determination unit 185 controls the display of the measured dimensions in a third format different from the format shown in the design information, based on the results calculated by the calculation unit 184, if the dimensional difference between the design dimensions and the measured dimensions is greater than a predetermined threshold. Specifically, the format determination unit 185 controls the display of the measured dimensions shown in the result display area SW-1 in a different format from the design information shown in the design dimension display area PW-1, if the dimensional difference between the design dimensions and the measured dimensions is greater than the tolerance, which is the threshold mentioned above. For example, in the example in Figure 11, the design dimensions and tolerance shown in the design dimension display area PW-1 corresponding to part A are 18 ± 0.2, while the measurement result shown in the result display area SW-1 is 18.5. That is, because the dimensional difference between the design dimensions and the measured dimensions is greater than the tolerance of 0.2, the format determination unit 185 controls the display of the measurement result shown in the result display area SW-1 to be displayed in bold and large font.

[0048] The functions of each part of the composite image generation unit 180 have been described above. As described above, each part of the composite image generation unit 180 performs its function, and a composite image SI is generated in which the result display area SW is superimposed on the design data PI.

[0049] The output unit 190 outputs the composite image SI as the third image. That is, the output unit 190 performs control to output the composite image SI generated by the composite image generation unit 180 to the operation panel 140 or the like.

[0050] Next, we will explain the workflow when performing such image synthesis processing. Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the workflow of the operator W and the image processing device 1 when the image synthesis processing according to the first embodiment is performed.

[0051] Operator W places the design information of item M onto the contact glass 11 of the image processing device 1 (step S111). Specifically, for example, operator W places a medium such as a drawing on which the design information of item M is fixed onto the contact glass 11. Operator W operates the operation panel 140 of the image processing device 1 to instruct the start of scanning (step S112).

[0052] The image processing device 1 starts scanning (step S113). Specifically, the scanning of design information begins when the carriage 12 of the image processing device 1 moves.

[0053] The image processing device 1 stores the design data PI read by the scan in the storage unit 109 (step S114). Specifically, the storage unit 109 stores the design data PI obtained as a result of scanning the design information of the item M.

[0054] Operator W removes the medium from the contact glass 11 of the image processing device 1 and places the item M to be measured on the contact glass 11 instead (step S115).

[0055] Operator W operates the control panel 140 to specify the measurement location for item M (step S116). Then, operator W operates the control panel 140 to start measuring the dimensions of item M (step S117).

[0056] The image processing device 1 starts scanning the item M (step S118). That is, the image acquisition unit 160 of the image processing device 1 acquires the imaging data MI obtained as a result of scanning the item M.

[0057] The image processing device 1 measures the dimensions of the article M (step S119). Specifically, the measurement unit 170 of the image processing device 1 measures the dimensions of the parts of the article M to be measured by performing a predetermined image processing method on the imaging data MI acquired by the image acquisition unit 160. The measurement unit 170 stores each part to be measured in association with the measurement result.

[0058] Next, the image processing device 1 starts processing to output a combined image of the stored design data PI and the measurement results of the item M (step S120). This processing in step S120 is specifically called "image generation processing". Next, we will explain the details of the image generation process with reference to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the image generation process according to the first embodiment.

[0059] The specific unit 181 reads the design data PI stored in step S114 (step S201).

[0060] The identification unit 181 performs alignment processing (step S202). This identifies the design data PI corresponding to the item M to be measured, and also enables the detection of the margin area BP within the design data PI for superimposing the result display area SW.

[0061] The margin detection unit 182 detects margin areas BP based on the extracted design data PI. Specifically, the margin detection unit 182 extracts margin areas BP from the design data PI in which no information is displayed (step S203).

[0062] The calculation unit 184 performs calculations such as determining the difference between the design dimension and the measured dimension of each measurement target point of the item M, and determining the measurement result based on the calculated dimensional difference (step S204). As a result, the difference between the design dimension and the measured dimension is calculated automatically, making it easy to recognize the result.

[0063] The format determination unit 185 determines the format of the measurement results to be displayed in the result display area SW (step S205). That is, the format determination unit 185 determines the format of the measurement results displayed in the result display area SW to follow the format indicating the design dimensions, or to an arbitrary format.

[0064] The superimposition area determination unit 183 determines the position in the extracted margin area BP where the result display area SW will be superimposed (step S206).

[0065] As described above, the image generation process in step S120 is completed. In this way, each part of the composite image generation unit 180 performs its function, and a composite image SI is generated in which the result display area SW, which displays the dimensions of the measured item M, is superimposed on the design data PI. Returning to Figure 12, the process proceeds from step S120 to step S121 in Figure 12.

[0066] The output unit 190 performs control to output a composite image SI. Specifically, the output unit 190 performs control to output a composite image SI, in which the measurement results of the dimensions of the item M are superimposed on the design data PI, to the operation panel 140, on paper, or as electronic data (step S121).

[0067] In this way, worker W obtains the composite image SI as the output result and completes the work (step S122). The above describes the flow of operations between the operator W and the image processing device 1 when the image synthesis process according to the first embodiment is executed.

[0068] Thus, the image processing device 1 according to the first embodiment can output a new composite image SI in which the measurement results of the dimensions of the item M are superimposed on the design data PI, by combining design data PI containing the design information of the item M and imaging data MI obtained by reading the item M. As a result, the measurement results and design information can be displayed and output side by side, making the results easier to see and allowing the pass / fail status of the measurement results relative to the design information to be grasped at a glance. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the efficiency of the operator's work can be improved.

[0069] Furthermore, the image processing device 1 according to the first embodiment can superimpose a result display area SW, which displays the measurement results of the dimensions of the item M, onto a blank area BP where no information from the design data PI is displayed. This makes it possible to avoid overlapping between the design dimension display area P and the result display area SW. In addition, since the superposition location of the result display area SW is determined automatically without manual adjustment by the operator, work efficiency is improved, and for example, the positional relationship between the result display area SW and the design dimension display area PW can be kept constant.

[0070] Furthermore, the image processing device 1 according to the first embodiment can match the format for displaying measurement results to the format of design information. Therefore, without the operator having to manually set anything, the measurement results and design information can be displayed and output side by side in the same format, making it easy to check the measurement results.

[0071] Furthermore, the image processing device 1 according to the first embodiment calculates the dimensional difference between the design dimensions and the measurement results, and determines the measurement results against the design tolerances. For example, if the dimensional difference is greater than a predetermined threshold, the device displays the measurement results in a predetermined format. This makes it possible to highlight and display only the results that deviate from the threshold, allowing for easy recognition of whether the results pass or fail at a glance.

[0072] (Modified version of the first embodiment) In the embodiments described above, the storage unit 109 was described as being located in the image processing device 1, but it is not limited to this. For example, the storage unit 109 may be a predetermined storage medium such as a USB memory or an external server. The image processing device 1 may generate a composite image SI based on the design data PI stored in such a storage medium or server.

[0073] In the embodiments described above, the storage unit 109 was described as storing image data obtained by scanning the design drawings of the item M as design data PI, but it is not limited to this. For example, the storage unit 109 may store separately prepared image data as design data PI.

[0074] In the embodiments described above, the design information such as the design dimensions and tolerances of the article M was described as being automatically recognized by the recognition unit 186. However, the recognition method is not limited to this method and may be arbitrary. For example, an operator may manually input the design information via the operation panel 140.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the position where the result display area SW is superimposed is automatically determined by the superimposition area determination unit 183. However, the method for determining the superimposition position is not limited to this and may be arbitrary. For example, the operator may manually specify the position where the result display area SW is superimposed via the operation panel 140.

[0076] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, a method for generating a composite image SI by superimposing the measurement results of the dimensions of an item M onto design data PI was described. In the second embodiment, a new composite image SI is output by superimposing the design information of the item onto imaging data MI. In the second embodiment, the process for generating such a composite image SI will be described. Note that explanations of parts common to the first embodiment described above will be omitted as appropriate. The external configuration, hardware configuration, and functional configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0077] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing the flow of operations between the operator W and the image processing device 1 when the image synthesis process according to the second embodiment is performed.

[0078] Since steps 131-139 in Figure 14 are the same as steps 111-119 explained in Figure 12 in the first embodiment, we will first proceed to Figure 15 and mainly explain the image synthesis process in step S140.

[0079] Figure 15 illustrates the image generation process in step S140 of Figure 14. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the image generation process according to the second embodiment.

[0080] The specific unit 181 reads the design data PI stored in step S114 (step S401).

[0081] The specific unit 181 performs the alignment process (step S402).

[0082] The recognition unit 186 recognizes design information such as design dimensions and tolerances included in the design data PI. (Step S403).

[0083] The calculation unit 184 performs calculations such as determining the difference between the design dimensions and the measured dimensions of each measurement target location of the item M, and determining the results based on the calculated dimensional differences. Then, the format determination unit 185 determines the format of the design dimensions to be displayed in the design dimension display area PW based on these calculation results (step S404).

[0084] The superposition area determination unit 183 determines the position in the imaging data MI where the design dimension display area PW will be superimposed (step S405). In other words, the superposition area determination unit 183 can superimpose the design dimension display area PW at any position in the imaging data MI.

[0085] As described above, the image generation process in step S140 is completed. Through the functions of each part of the composite image generation unit 180, a fourth image is generated in which the design dimension display area PW, where the design dimensions are displayed, is superimposed on the imaging data MI. Here, an example of the composite image SI corresponding to the fourth image in this embodiment is shown in Figure 16. As shown in Figure 16, the composite image generation unit 180 generates a composite image SI by superimposing a design dimension display area PW-1 near the result display area SW-1 that displays the measurement results of part A, for example, in the imaging data MI, and a design dimension display area PW-2 near the result display area SW-2 that displays the measurement results of part C. Returning to Figure 14, the process proceeds from step S140 to step S141 in Figure 14.

[0086] The output unit 190 executes control to output the composite image SI as the fourth image. Specifically, the output unit 190 executes control to output the composite image SI, in which the design information of the item M is superimposed on the imaging data MI, to the operation panel 140, on paper, or as electronic data (step S141).

[0087] In this way, worker W obtains the composite image SI as the output result and completes the work (step S142).

[0088] Thus, according to the image processing device 1 of the second embodiment, by combining design data PI, in which the design information of article M is read, and imaging data MI, which is obtained by reading article M, a new composite image SI can be output in which the design information of article M, such as design dimensions and tolerances, is superimposed on the imaging data MI. Therefore, for example, the measurement result and the corresponding tolerance can be displayed side by side, making it easy to grasp the measurement result of item M and whether the result is pass or fail at a glance. Accordingly, this embodiment makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the worker's work.

[0089] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and any modifications, improvements, etc. that can achieve the objectives of the present invention are included in the present invention.

[0090] Furthermore, the functional blocks shown in Figure 3 are merely illustrative and not particularly limiting. In other words, it is sufficient for the arithmetic unit to have the functionality to execute the series of processes described above as a whole, and the functional blocks used to realize this functionality are not particularly limited to the example in Figure 3. Also, the location of the functional blocks is not limited to Figure 3 and can be arbitrary. Moreover, a single functional block may consist of hardware alone, software alone, or a combination of both. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1 Image processing device 10 Scanner Units 11 Contact Glass 12 Carriage 13. Carriage Home Position 20 Printer Units 30 ADF 180 Image Synthesis Generation Unit 181 Specific section 182 Margin detection unit 183 Superimposed region determination unit 184 Arithmetic section 185 Format determination section 186 Recognition part 190 Output section [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0092] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-32341

Claims

1. A reading means that reads an image of an object by scanning with a carriage, A storage means for storing a first image of design information, which includes at least a drawing and design dimensions of the said article, Image acquisition means for acquiring a second image of the aforementioned article, A measuring means for measuring the dimensions of the article based on the second image, A composite image generation means generates a third image by superimposing a result display area on the first image in which the measured dimensions are displayed, Output means for outputting the third image, An image processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The composite image generation means is A recognition means for recognizing the design information from the first image, A detection means for detecting blank areas in the first image in which no information is displayed, A display position determination means for determining the position in which the result display area is superimposed within the detected margin area, Format determination means that causes the second format for displaying the measured dimensions of the article to conform to the first format for displaying the design dimensions. Equipped with, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The composite image generation means includes a calculation means for calculating the dimensional difference between the design dimension and the measured dimension, Furthermore, The format determination means displays the measured dimension in a predetermined third format if the dimensional difference is greater than a predetermined threshold. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The composite image generation means includes a selection means for identifying the first image corresponding to the second image from a plurality of first images stored in a predetermined storage device. Furthermore, The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The composite image generation means is A fourth image is generated by superimposing the design dimension display area, in which the design dimensions are displayed, onto the second image. The output means is Output the fourth image. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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