Image processing device

Abstract

To narrow down the cause of a cloudy image and to shorten a time required to eliminate the cloudy image.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes cloudy detection means for detecting fogging of an image by comparing the image optically read by an image reading device with a predetermined reference value, dew condensation determination means for determining whether the cause of cloudy images is dew condensation on the basis of the detection result of a sensor included in the image reading device, and dew condensation countermeasure means for performing removal processing of removing condensation or correction processing of correcting the cloudy image when the dew condensation determination means determines that the cause of the cloudy image is condensation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1 below, first light reception data is received by light reception means, and then, after all of a plurality of light sources are lit for a certain period, second light reception data is received by the light reception means, and a portion corresponding to a section where the difference between the second light reception data and the first light reception data is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value is determined as a dew condensation occurrence location in an optical member.

[0003] Also, in Patent Document 1 below, a technique for removing dew condensation at a dew condensation occurrence location by lighting a light source corresponding to the dew condensation occurrence location in an optical member is disclosed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 requires the light source to be continuously lit until the dew condensation at the dew condensation occurrence location disappears, there is a risk that the disappearance of the cloudiness of the image will take a long time.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to narrow down the cause of image cloudiness and shorten the time for eliminating image cloudiness in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a cloudiness detection unit that detects cloudiness of an image by comparing an image optically read by an image reading apparatus with a predetermined reference value; a dew condensation determination unit that determines whether the cause of the cloudiness of the image is dew condensation based on a detection result of a sensor included in the image reading apparatus; and a dew condensation countermeasure unit that performs a removal process for removing dew condensation or a correction process for correcting cloudiness of the image when the dew condensation determination unit determines that the cause of the cloudiness of the image is dew condensation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment of the image processing apparatus, it is possible to narrow down the cause of image blurring and to shorten the time required to resolve image blurring. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Block diagram showing the functional configuration of the image processing unit included in an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] A flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure by the image processing unit of an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 1 comprises a controller 2, an operation display unit 3, a hard disk drive (HDD) 4, a network interface card (NIC) 5, a scanner 6, a scanner correction unit 7, a compression processing unit 8, a decompression processing unit 9, a printer correction unit 10, and a plotter 11. The controller 2, the compression processing unit 8, and the decompression processing unit 9 are connected to each other by a general-purpose bus 12.

[0012] NIC5 transmits and receives image data and other data between PCs connected via the network.

[0013] Scanner 6 optically reads the original document G and generates image data of the original document G. Scanner 6 is an example of an "image reading device".

[0014] The scanner correction unit 7 performs various image processing operations on the image data generated by the scanner 6 (for example, classifying the image area into characters, line drawings, photographs, etc., removing the background image of the original document, sharpening the image, smoothing the image, etc.).

[0015] The compression processing unit 8 compresses the image data corrected by the scanner correction unit 7 and transmits the compressed image data to the controller 2 via the general-purpose bus 12.

[0016] The controller 2 stores the image data transmitted from the compression processing unit 8 in the hard disk 4, which is a large-capacity storage medium.

[0017] The operation display unit 3 includes various keys necessary for operating the image forming apparatus 1, a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display) for displaying various information, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) for providing various notifications.

[0018] The decompression processing unit 9 decompresses the image data transmitted from the controller 2 via the general-purpose bus 12, and then transmits the decompressed image data to the printer correction unit 10.

[0019] The printer correction unit 10 performs various correction processes (for example, correction processing of the brightness characteristics of the plotter 11, grayscale conversion processing, etc.) on the image data expanded by the expansion processing unit 9.

[0020] The plotter 11 prints the output image onto the paper based on the image data corrected by the printer correction unit 10.

[0021] The image forming apparatus 1 configured as described above can perform the following: distribution processing, which transmits the image data of the original document G scanned by the scanner 6 to a computer PC via the NIC 5; printing processing, which prints the image data of the original document G scanned by the scanner 6 onto paper using the plotter 11; printing processing, which prints image data sent from the PC onto paper using the plotter 11; and transfer processing, which transfers image data sent from the PC to another computer.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image processing unit 210 included in the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a sensor 201 and an image processing unit 210.

[0024] The sensor 201 is provided in the scanner 6. The sensor 201 includes at least a sensor capable of measuring the internal temperature T2 of the scanner 6 and a sensor capable of measuring parameters for calculating the dew point temperature T1.

[0025] The image processing unit 210 is an example of an "image processing apparatus". That is, in the present embodiment, the "image processing apparatus" is provided inside the image forming apparatus 1. However, the "image processing apparatus" may be provided outside the image forming apparatus 1 without being limited thereto.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the image processing unit 210 includes a fog detection unit 211, a dew condensation determination unit 212, a user selection unit 213, an automatic selection unit 214, a dew condensation countermeasure unit 215, and a display unit 216.

[0027] The fog detection unit 211 detects fog in the image by comparing the image optically read by the scanner 6 with a predetermined reference value.

[0028] The dew condensation determination unit 212 determines whether the cause of the fog in the image is dew condensation based on the detection result of the sensor 201 provided in the scanner 6. For example, the dew condensation determination unit 212 determines whether the cause of the fog in the image is dew condensation based on the comparison result between the dew point temperature calculated based on the detection result of the sensor 201 and the internal temperature of the scanner 6.

[0029] For example, the dew condensation determination unit 212 determines that the cause of the fog in the image is dew condensation when the following formula (1) is satisfied.

[0030] Internal temperature T2 ≤ dew point temperature T1 ··· (1)

[0031] Furthermore, for example, the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of the fogging in the image is not condensation if the following equation (2) is satisfied.

[0032] Internal temperature T2>Dew point temperature T1...(2)

[0033] The condensation determination means 212 can calculate the dew point temperature T1 using a known method (for example, a method based on water vapor pressure, saturated water vapor pressure, relative humidity, etc.).

[0034] The user selection means 213 allows the user to choose whether to perform a removal process or a correction process if the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of the image fogging is condensation.

[0035] For example, a user can choose to correct image blur if they need to remove it quickly, or to remove it if they don't need to remove the blur quickly.

[0036] The automatic selection means 214 automatically selects whether to perform a removal process or a correction process if the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of the image fogging is condensation.

[0037] For example, the automatic selection means 214 selects a correction process if it is assumed that the time required for condensation removal is greater than a predetermined threshold, and selects a removal process if it is assumed that the time required for condensation removal is less than a predetermined threshold. If the automatic selection means 214 has selected a removal process and the execution time of the removal process exceeds a predetermined threshold, it switches to the correction process.

[0038] If the condensation detection means 212 determines that the cause of the image blurring is condensation, the condensation countermeasure means 215 performs the process selected by the user selection means 213 or the automatic selection means 214 (i.e., a removal process to remove condensation, or a correction process to correct the image blurring).

[0039] For example, the condensation control means 215 performs a removal process by controlling the temperature of the scanner 6 by controlling an LED, heater, etc.

[0040] Furthermore, for example, the condensation countermeasure 215 performs a correction process to correct images that have become cloudy due to condensation, using predetermined correction parameters.

[0041] For example, in images where cloudiness has occurred due to condensation, the condensation countermeasure 215 tends to reduce the sharpness of the image area where condensation has occurred and the white level of the shading-corrected image. Therefore, it uses parameters such as enhancement filters, white level adjustments, and brightness corrections to correct the cloudiness in the image.

[0042] Furthermore, the condensation countermeasure means 215 may, as a correction process, generate correction parameters based on analysis data of the image where condensation has occurred (for example, the sharpness of the image area where condensation has occurred, the white level of the shading correction image, etc.), and then perform a process to correct the image where condensation has occurred using the generated correction parameters.

[0043] If the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of the image fogging is not condensation, the display means 216 displays that the image fogging has occurred and that the cause of the image fogging is something other than condensation (for example, accumulated debris, LED not lit, etc.).

[0044] Furthermore, if the cause of the image fogging is not condensation, the image processing unit 210 may not only display the image using the display means 216 but also perform image correction. In this case, the image processing unit 210 may perform a process to correct the fogging using correction parameters corresponding to the cause of the fogging (for example, accumulated debris, non-illuminated LED, etc.).

[0045] Furthermore, each function of the image processing unit 210 can be implemented by one or more processing circuits. Hereinafter, "processing circuit" in this specification includes processors programmed to execute each function by software, such as processors implemented by electronic circuits, as well as devices such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), DSPs (digital signal processors), FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), and conventional circuit modules designed to execute the functions described above.

[0046] (An example of the processing procedure by the image processing unit 210) Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing procedure performed by the image processing unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 1 according to one embodiment.

[0047] First, the fogging detection means 211 determines whether or not it has detected fogging in the image optically read by the scanner 6 (step S301).

[0048] If it is determined in step S301 that no image blurring has been detected (step S301: No), the image processing unit 210 terminates the series of processes shown in Figure 3.

[0049] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S301 that fogging has been detected in the image (step S301: Yes), the condensation determination means 212 calculates the dew point temperature based on the detection result of the sensor 201 (step S302) and measures the internal temperature of the scanner 6 (step S303).

[0050] Then, the condensation determination means 212 determines whether or not the cause of the image fogging is condensation based on the comparison result between the dew point temperature calculated in step S302 and the internal temperature of the scanner 6 measured in step S303 (step S304).

[0051] In step S304, if it is determined that the cause of the image blurring is not condensation (step S304: No), the display means 216 displays on the operation display unit 3 that image blurring has occurred and that the cause of the image blurring is something other than condensation (for example, accumulated debris, LED not lit, etc.) (step S309). After that, the image processing unit 210 completes the series of processes shown in Figure 3.

[0052] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S304 that the cause of the image blur is condensation (step S304: Yes), the user selection means 213 or the automatic selection means 214 selects either a removal process or a correction process (step S305).

[0053] Then, the image processing unit 210 determines whether or not correction processing was selected in step S305 (step S306).

[0054] If it is determined in step S306 that correction processing is selected (step S306: Yes), the condensation countermeasure means 215 executes the correction processing (step S307). After that, the image processing unit 210 completes the series of processes shown in Figure 3.

[0055] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S306 that the removal process is selected (step S306: Yes), the condensation countermeasures means 215 executes the removal process (step S308). After that, the image processing unit 210 completes the series of processes shown in Figure 3.

[0056] As described above, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment includes a fogging detection means 211 that detects fogging of an image by comparing the image optically read by the scanner 6 with a predetermined reference value, a condensation determination means 212 that determines whether or not the cause of the fogging of the image is condensation based on the detection result of the sensor 201 provided by the scanner 6, and a condensation response means 215 that performs a removal process to remove the condensation or a correction process to correct the fogging of the image if the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of the fogging of the image is condensation.

[0057] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can determine whether or not the cause of the image blur is condensation, and thus can narrow down the cause of the image blur. Furthermore, since the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can perform correction processing to correct the image blur without performing a removal process to remove condensation, it is possible to shorten the time required to eliminate the image blur.

[0058] Furthermore, in the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment, the condensation determination means 212 determines whether or not the cause of the image fogging is condensation based on a comparison result between the dew point temperature calculated based on the detection result of the sensor 201 and the internal temperature of the scanner 6.

[0059] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can determine with high accuracy whether or not the cause of the image blurring is condensation.

[0060] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the image processing unit 210 includes a display means 216 that indicates that image fogging has occurred and that the cause of image fogging is something other than condensation, when the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of image fogging is not condensation.

[0061] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can quickly prompt the user to take action against image blurring caused by causes other than condensation (for example, accumulated dust, LED failure, etc.).

[0062] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the image processing unit 210 includes a user selection means 213 that allows the user to choose whether to perform a removal process or a correction process when the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of the image cloudiness is condensation.

[0063] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can, for example, select whichever is more preferable between removal processing and correction processing, depending on whether the user needs to quickly eliminate the blurriness in the image.

[0064] Furthermore, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment includes an automatic selection means 214 that automatically selects whether to perform a removal process or a correction process when the condensation determination means 212 determines that the cause of the image clouding is condensation.

[0065] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can automatically select whichever is more suitable between removal processing and correction processing, for example, depending on whether or not it is expected that the process of eliminating image blurring will take a long time.

[0066] Furthermore, in the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment, the automatic selection means 214 selects a correction process if it is assumed that the time required for condensation removal is greater than a predetermined threshold, selects a removal process if it is assumed that the time required for condensation removal is less than a predetermined threshold, and switches to a correction process if the execution time of the removal process exceeds a predetermined threshold when the removal process is selected.

[0067] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can prevent further delays in eliminating image blur by switching to correction processing if the removal process takes an unexpectedly long time.

[0068] Furthermore, in the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment, the condensation countermeasure means 215 performs a removal process to remove condensation by controlling the temperature of the scanner 6.

[0069] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can remove condensation, which is the direct cause of image blurring, and thus can more effectively eliminate image blurring.

[0070] Furthermore, in the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment, the condensation countermeasure means 215 performs a correction process to correct an image that has become cloudy due to condensation, using predetermined correction parameters for correcting the cloudy image.

[0071] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can appropriately and quickly eliminate image blurring.

[0072] Furthermore, in the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment, the condensation countermeasure means 215 generates correction parameters based on the analysis data of the image in which fogging has occurred, and performs a correction process to correct the image in which fogging has occurred using the generated correction parameters.

[0073] As a result, the image processing unit 210 according to one embodiment can eliminate image blurring more appropriately and in a shorter time.

[0074] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 1. Image forming apparatus 2 Controllers 3 Operation display section 4 Hard disk 5 NIC 6 Scanners 7. Scanner Correction Unit 8 Compression Processing Unit 9. Stretching section 10 Printer correction unit 11 Plotter 12 General-purpose bus 201 Sensor 210 Image Processing Unit 211. Cloud detection means 212 Condensation determination means 213 User Selection Method 214 Automatic selection means 215 Condensation control measures 216 Display means [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0076] [License 1] Patent No. 5618922

Claims

1. A cloudiness detection means for detecting cloudiness in an image by comparing the image optically read by an image reading device with a predetermined reference value, A condensation determination means that determines whether or not the cause of the blurring in the image is condensation on the main body of the image reading device, based on the detection result of a sensor provided by the image reading device, If the condensation determination means determines that the cause of the blurring in the image is condensation, the condensation response means performs a removal process to remove the condensation or a correction process to correct the blurring in the image. An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising:

2. The condensation determination means is Based on the dew point temperature calculated from the detection results of the sensor, and the internal temperature of the image reading device, it is determined whether or not the cause of the fogging in the image is condensation. The image processing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. If the condensation determination means determines that the cause of the fogging in the image is not condensation, the display means will indicate that fogging has occurred in the image and that the cause of the fogging in the image is something other than condensation. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. If the condensation determination means determines that the cause of the blurring in the image is condensation, the system includes a user selection means that allows the user to choose whether to perform the removal process or the correction process. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The system includes an automatic selection means that, when the condensation determination means determines that the cause of the blurring in the image is condensation, automatically selects whether to perform the removal process or the correction process. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The automatic selection means is If the time required for condensation removal is expected to be greater than a predetermined threshold, the correction process is selected; if the time required for condensation removal is expected to be less than a predetermined threshold, the removal process is selected. If the removal process is selected, and the execution time of the removal process exceeds the predetermined threshold, the system switches to the correction process. The image processing apparatus according to feature 5.

7. The aforementioned condensation countermeasures are, The removal process is performed to remove the condensation by controlling the temperature of the image reader. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The aforementioned condensation countermeasures are, The correction process is performed to correct the image that has become cloudy due to condensation, using predetermined correction parameters for correcting the image that has become cloudy due to condensation. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The aforementioned condensation countermeasures are, Based on the analysis data of the image in which fogging has occurred, correction parameters are generated to correct the image in which fogging has occurred due to condensation, and the correction process is executed to correct the image in which fogging has occurred using the generated correction parameters. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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