Image processing apparatus and method for painting a memory with plural colors

An apparatus and method for editing an entire image, including closed areas surrounded by other closed areas, contained within a framed area is disclosed. Image data obtained through a prescan is first written into a bit map memory, in the form of first data, e.g., 5. A closed area containing a point designated by a user is then painted with data of 3, for example. The entire area outside the closed area is painted with third data of 1, for example, using a start point that is a point outside the area of the original. Further, the bit map memory is painted with fourth data, e.g., a function number N corresponding to the type of the preset image edit processing, with the designated point as a start point of the painting and the third data as a pattern delineating the area painted with the fourth data. Through the above steps of processing, the framed area is entirely painted with the number N. Then, the number N is set to the value corresponding to the type of image edit processing. The contents of the bit map memory are then read in synchronism with the reading of the image on the original by a regular scan. The read image data of the original is processed in a predetermined manner on the basis of the number N as read.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reading image 
information and applying various types of processing to the image 
information, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for applying 
a certain type of image processing to a designated area of the image, 
which differs from processing applied to other areas. 
2. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
In a general image processor, an image of an original is read by an image 
input unit and converted into an electrical image signal. The image signal 
is subjected to various types of processing, and finally is output as a 
visual image through an image output unit such as a laser printer, for 
example. 
An image processor of the type in which a part of an area of an image of an 
original is designated, and is subjected to certain types of image 
processing, which is different from that in other areas, is disclosed in 
Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication Nos. 60-242480 and 
60-213168. When the image processor is applied to a copying machine, it is 
possible to edit the designated area alone with various functions, such as 
delete, pick-up, color-change, negative/positive-inversion, and coloring. 
In the copying machine having such edit functions, an area to be edited 
must be designated before copying. To this end, the coordinates of an 
original are entered by using numerical keys and a digitizer, to designate 
a closed area. For example, the coordinates of two vertices on diagonals 
are designated to set up a rectangular area. Multiple points on the 
original image are successively designated to set up a polygonal area. 
When the above methods are used, it is difficult to accurately designate 
only a desired area. FIG. 13(a) shows a wedge like portion marked with an 
asterisk (*) in a circle graph of an original which is to be colored and 
copied to obtain an image as shown in FIG. 13(b). To designate the area, 
an operator visually picks up and manually enters the coordinates. In this 
example, it is necessary to enter the coordinates of many points along a 
circular arc of the fan. Entering such data is troublesome and 
time-consuming work. Reduction of the number of coordinates entered, 
however, decreases the accuracy of the area designation. In addition, 
mechanical error and error due to incorrect placement of an original 
coordinate inherently exist. Consequently, the actual location of the 
image read by the image input unit typically does not exactly correspond 
to the location of the image expressed by the entered coordinates. 
To address this problem, in Japanese Patent Application No. 62-328060, 
Applicants of the present patent application proposed an image processor 
using two scans. A prescan reads an image of an original and to detect a 
closed area, and subsequently a regular scan performs actual image 
processing on the basis of the detected closed area. More specifically, 
the processor reads an image of an original through a prescan, and forms a 
bit pattern corresponding to the read image in a bit map memory to 
represent the image of the original. The processor then detects a closed 
area on the read image, with an edit point as a start point. On the basis 
of the detection result, control paints an area corresponding to the 
closed area in a paint-out bit map memory, which is provided in addition 
to the bit map memory for the original image. The processor sets bits at 
the addresses in an area to a specific state, which corresponds to the 
closed area in the paintout bit map memory. The paint-out operation 
employs a known algorithm and a drawing circuit, which is used exclusively 
for drawing images. 
When an image of an original is a circle graph, for example, as shown in 
FIG. 14(a), a representation of the graph is stored in a bit map memory 
for the original image. In paint-out bit map memories, an area of a given 
plane corresponding to a wedge is painted, as shown in FIGS. 14(b) to 
14(d). In this example, only the bit map memory 40b is painted. In 
general, the determination of which bit map memories are painted depends 
on the type of the image processing being executed. 
Subsequently, the processor performs a regular scan to read the image of 
the original. In synchronism with this image read, the contents of the bit 
map memories are read. The contents of the bit map memories designate an 
edit area of the original image and the type of the image processing. 
Because a given image processing is performed on the basis of the data in 
this area, a predetermined image processing can be applied to only the 
designated area in the original image. 
Where the processor employs the above-mentioned image processing method, 
when a framed area is automatically designated as an edit area, only the 
coloring function is accepted as the image processing, while other image 
edit functions, such as delete, pick-up, color-change, and 
negative/positive-inversion, are rejected. The reason for this will be 
described with reference to FIGS. 15(a) to 15(c), which show the 
relationship between the pixels and bits in the bit map memory is 
presented. Image processing is applied to an image in which a character 
"S" is enclosed by a square frame. In the figures, shaded portions 
indicate black portions in the image, and a bold line indicates the size 
of an original, viz., an image area. 
The prescan writes, data 1 into a memory area corresponding to the black 
portions in the image, as shown in FIG. 15(a). In this example, the 
initial value of the bit map memory is 0, and a pixel denoted by an 
asterisk is an edit point or a designated point. The processor paints an 
area of the bit map memory with a function number N, with the designated 
point as a start point of the painting and the data 1 as a pattern to 
delineate the painted area. The data processing function determines a 
value of the function number N. 
During the regular scan, image processing operates on the basis of the bit 
map memory, to obtain an image in which the area between the frame and the 
character "S" (dotted area) is colored, as shown in FIG. 15(c). 
To apply another image processing function, other than coloring, to the 
image, the data of the image per se is needed. A color-change function, 
for example, reads the contents of the bit map memory in synchronism with 
the regular scan, and applies a predetermined color-change to the image 
signals obtained by scanning a portion in the bit map memory filled with 
the function number N corresponding to the color-change. In the image 
processing method as mentioned above, the area into which the processor 
writes the function number N is not the area of the figure directly 
defining the image per se. Therefore, it is impossible to read the 
function number N from the bit map memory, and apply the color-change 
function to it. 
Another problem with the above-mentioned image processing method is that it 
gives certain types of image configurations an unnatural appearance. 
Typically, an operator wishes to color an entire framed area to give it 
emphasis. When an image of an original contains a character or graphic 
figure enclosed by a frame, the user designates a point in an area within 
the frame as an edit point for the coloring edit processing. An area 
continuous to the edit point in the framed area is colored, but a closed 
area of character or graphic figure in the framed area is not colored. In 
the case of a series of characters "PQRS", for example, the character "S" 
is normally colored, but the characters of "PQR" having closed areas are 
not colored in the closed areas. 
The reason for this will be described by using an example shown in FIGS. 
16(a) to 16(c), in which an image of an original has a character P 
enclosed by a square frame, and image edit processing is applied to the 
image. As in the case of the character "S", a prescan step writes 1 data 
into a memory area of the bit map memory corresponding to a black portion 
in the image, as shown in FIG. 16(a). A subsequent step paints the bit map 
with the function number N whose value is determined by the type of the 
image edit processing, with a designated point denoted by "*" as a start 
point and a 1 bit pattern to delineating the painted area. The bit map 
memory then has layout of the bit patterns as shown in FIG. 16(b). As 
shown, the closed area of the character "P" contains the initial value 0 
data. 
During the regular scan, image edit processing operates on the basis of the 
bit map memory contents. The resultant image has an unnatural appearance 
as shown in FIG. 16(c). As shown, the dotted area between the frame and 
the character "P" is colored, but the closed area of the "P" is not 
colored. It is evident that the reproduction of graphic figures with 
closed areas results in an unnatural image. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
With the view of solving the above-mentioned problems, one object of the 
present invention is to allow any type of the image edit processing to be 
applied to an area defined by a frame, and to provide a processed image 
that is relatively free from unnatural appearances. 
To achieve these objects, according to one aspect of the current invention, 
an image processing method comprises the steps of writing a bit map memory 
with first data, the first data being derived from image data obtained by 
prescanning an image of an original; painting the bit map memory with 
second data, using a designated point in an area of the original as a 
start point of the painting and the first data as a pattern tending to 
delineate the area painted with the second data; painting the bit map 
memory with third data, using a start point existing outside the area of 
the original and the second data as a pattern tending to delineate the 
area painted with the third data; painting the bit map memory with fourth 
data, using a designated point as a start point of the painting and the 
third data as a pattern tending to delineate the area painted with the 
fourth data; and reading data from the bit map memory in synchronism with 
reading the image of the original by a regular scan, and processing the 
read image data in a manner indicated by the fourth data read from the bit 
map memory. 
According to another aspect of the current invention, an image processing 
apparatus includes means for writing a bit map memory with first data, the 
first data being derived from image data obtained by prescanning an image 
of an original; means for painting the bit map memory with second data, 
using a designated point in an area of the original as a start point of 
the painting and the first data as a pattern tending to delineate the area 
painted with the second data; means for painting the bit map memory with 
third data, using a start point existing outside the area of the original 
and the second data as a pattern tending to delineate the area painted 
with the third data; means for painting the bit map memory with fourth 
data, using a designated point as a start point of the painting and the 
third data as a pattern tending to delineate the area painted with the 
fourth data; and means for reading data from the bit map memory in 
synchronism with reading the image of the original by a regular scan, and 
processing the read image data in a manner indicated by the fourth data 
read from the bit map memory. 
Another object of the current invention is to allow image editing of a 
plurality of areas on a single original. This capability includes the 
ability to perform the same type of processing on each area, or to perform 
different processing for each area. Where there are a plurality of areas 
painted with the fourth data, values each equal to that of the fourth data 
are respectively assigned to the plurality of areas. Values different from 
the value of the fourth data are respectively assigned to at least two of 
the plurality of areas. 
According to yet another aspect of the current invention, an image 
processing method comprises writing image data obtained by prescanning an 
image of an original, as first data, into a bit map memory; performing a 
first image processing, subsequent to the step of writing the first data 
into the bit map memory, including the steps of painting the bit map 
memory with second data, with a designated point in an area of the 
original as a start point of the painting and the first data as a border 
of the area painted with the second data; painting the bit map memory with 
third data, with its start point existing outside the area of the original 
and the second data as a pattern tending to delineate the area painted 
with the third data; painting the bit map memory with fourth data, with 
the designated point as a start point of the painting and the third data 
as a pattern tending to delineate the area painted with the fourth data; 
and reading out the contents from said bit map memory in synchronism with 
the reading of the image on said original by a regular scan, and 
processing the read out image data of said original in a predetermined 
manner on the basis of said fourth data as read out; performing a second 
image processing, subsequent to the step of writing the first data into 
the bit map memory, including the steps of painting the bit map memory 
with fourth data, with the designated point in the area of tho original as 
a start point of the painting and the first data as a border of the area 
painted with the second data; and reading data from the bit map memory in 
synchronism with the reading of the image on the original by a regular 
scan, and processing the read image data of the original in a 
predetermined manner on the basis of the fourth data as read. 
According to yet another aspect of the current invention, an image 
processing apparatus includes means for writing image data obtained by 
prescanning an image of an original, as first data, into a bit map memory; 
means for performing a first image processing, subsequent to writing the 
first data into the bit map memory, including: means for painting the bit 
map memory with second data, with a designated point in an area of the 
original as a start point of the painting and the first data as a border 
of the area painted with the second data; means for painting the bit map 
memory with third data, with its start point existing outside the area of 
the original and the second data as a pattern tending to delineate the 
area painted with the third data; means for painting the bit map memory 
with fourth data, with the designated point as a start point of the 
painting and the third data as a pattern tending to delineate the area 
painted with the fourth data; and means for reading out the contents from 
said bit map memory in synchronism with the reading of the image on said 
original by a regular scan, and processing the read out image data of said 
original in a predetermined manner on the basis of said fourth data as 
read out; means for performing a second image processing, subsequent to 
writing the first data into the bit map memory, including: means for 
painting the bit map memory with fourth data, with the designated point in 
the area of the original as a start point of the painting and the first 
data as a border of the area painted with the second data; and means for 
reading data from the bit map memory in synchronism with the reading of 
the image on the original by a regular scan, and processing the read image 
data of the original in a predetermined manner on the basis of the fourth 
data as read.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Preferred embodiments of an apparatus and of a method of processing an 
image according to the present invention will be described with reference 
to the accompanying drawings. 
An image processor for executing the image processing method according to 
the present invention is shown in block form in FIG. 1. Reference number 1 
designates an image input unit for reading an image of an original. As 
shown in FIG. 2, an original (not shown) is placed on a platen glass 1a, 
and the image input unit 1, and is illuminated by a light source 1b. Light 
reflected from the original is successively reflected by a train of 
mirrors 1c, 1d, and 1e. The light containing image information emanating 
from the mirror train is focused at image sensor 1g by lens 1f. Upon 
receipt of the light, image sensor 1g products an image signal. Light 
source 1b and mirror 1c are mounted on full-speed carriage 1h. Mirrors 1d 
and 1e are mounted on half-speed carriage 1i. Full-speed carriage 1h moves 
along and under platen glass 1a in the direction of the arrow. Half-speed 
carriage 1i moves in the same direction of and at 1/2 the speed of 
full-speed carriage 1h. Through the movement of these carriages, the image 
on the original is read at a resolution of approximately 16 dots/mm (400 
dots/inch). 
An image signal derived from image input unit 1 is applied to an A/D 
(analog to digital) converter 2 where it is converted into a digital 
signal. A half-tone image on a photograph, for example, is applied to 
dither processor 3, and then to image processing circuit 5. A 2-value 
image on an ordinary document containing mostly characters is applied to 
binary coding circuit 4 and then to image processing circuit 5. RAM 
(random access memory) table 6 sends data to Image processing circuit 5 
through repeat circuit 16. RAM table 6 prestores function codes 
representing different kinds of image processing functions, such as 
delete, pick-up, color-change, coloring, and negative/positive-inversion. 
Image processing circuit 5 performs image processing in accordance with a 
function code read from RAM table 6. Reference number 7 designates a mesh 
generator which generates a mesh pattern when the image processor is in a 
coloring mode. The image data processed by image processing circuit 5 is 
supplied to a printer, e.g., a laser printer, where it is printed as a 
visual image. Thus, the original image is edited and copied. 
The data signal output from binary coding circuit 4 is also applied through 
thin-out circuit 9 and serial-parallel converter 10 to drawing unit 11. 
Drawing unit 11 writes the original image into bit map memory 12, which 
includes four memory planes 12d to 12a, weighted in the order of 8, 4, 2, 
1. For example, writing binary 0010 into a word of one of the memory 
planes 12d to 12a writes decimal 2 into that word. 
Drawing unit 11 is also connected through gate 13 to CPU (central 
processing unit) 14. Gate 13 is disabled during a period that the scan by 
the image input unit 1 progresses, viz., data is being transferred between 
the serial-parallel converter 10 and the drawing unit 11. During other 
periods gate 13 is enabled. 
According to the image processing method that may be exercised in a variety 
of modes as mentioned above, image data obtained through the prescan is 
first written into a bit map memory, in the form of first data, e.g., 5. 
Next, a series of painting operations is performed, which entails setting 
the bits at the addresses in the closed area to a specific state. A closed 
area containing a point designated by a user is then painted with data of 
3, for example. The entire area outside the closed area is painted with 
third data of 1, for example, with its start point that is outside the 
area of the original as a start point of the painting. Further, the bit 
map memory is painted with fourth data, e.g., a function number N 
corresponding to certain types of the preset image edit processing, with 
the designated point as a start point of the painting and the third data 
as a pattern delineating the area painted with the fourth data. Through 
the above steps of processing, the closed area is entirely painted with 
the number N. Then, the number N is set to the value corresponding to the 
type of the present image edit processing. The contents of the bit map 
memory are read in synchronism with the reading of the image on the 
original by a regular scan. The read image data of the original is 
processed in a predetermined manner on the basis of the number N as read. 
In this way, the entire area containing a designated point within a frame 
can be edited with a desired function. The image processing method is 
applicable for an image in which a closed area contains another closed 
area. 
To start, the operator places the original to be edited on the edit-area 
designating area E.sub.R (see FIGS. 2 and 3), and touches window 15a to 
select frame designation mode for designating the edit area. Then, the 
operator designates the edit area. To accomplish this, he touches a point 
(marked with * in FIG. 4(a)) in the area to be colored. The coordinates 
data of this point is supplied to CPU 14, and stored as a start point of 
the paint-out into a register or a memory (not shown) in CPU 14. This 
point may be any position within the area between the character 21 and the 
frame 22b, and this designation is, therefore, very easy. Then, he touches 
a window on the digitizer 15 to designate the desired color. He then opens 
platen cover 1j, places the original on platen glass 1a of the image input 
unit 1, and closes platen cover 1j. 
In a method according to a preferred embodiment, the step of writing a 
first data includes the following: The scan optical system in the image 
input unit 1 (including the light source 1b, and the mirrors 1c, 1d and 
1e) performs a prescan by moving to read the image of the original. The 
image signal obtained by the image input unit 1 through the prescan is 
supplied to drawing unit 11, through A/D converter 2, binary coding 
circuit 4, thin-out circuit 9, and serial-parallel converter 10. Drawing 
unit 11 writes 5 (binary 0101) into the bit map memory planes 12d to 12a, 
thereby forming a bit pattern of 5's corresponding to the image on the 
original as shown in FIG. 6(a) in bit map memory 12 (step 101 in FIG. 5). 
In this example, the bit pattern of 5 corresponding to the image is 
written into locations in bit map memory 12. If required, any even number 
may be used in place of 5. The bit map memory 12 has a continuous address 
area slightly larger than that need to represent the image area. 
In an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment, the means for writing 
a first data includes the hardware recited in the previous paragraph. 
Next, in a method according to a preferred embodiment, the step of writing 
a second data includes the following: CPU 14 supplies an instruction to 
paint the closed area through gate 13 to drawing unit 11. In response to 
the instruction, drawing unit 11 paints a memory area of bit map memory 12 
with 3 (step 102). The painting starts from the coordinates of the start 
point that was designated by digitizer 15. The area painted with 3 exists 
between the bit patterns of 5. The resultant bit pattern in memory 12 is 
as shown in FIG. 6(b). 
In an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment, the means for writing 
a second data includes the hardware recited in the previous paragraph, and 
software executed by CPU 14. 
Then, in an method according to a preferred embodiment, the step of writing 
the third data includes the following: Drawing unit 11 paints an area in 
the bit map memory, that is outside the bit pattern of 3, with 1 (step 
103). The resultant bit pattern is as shown in FIG. 6(c). A start point of 
the painting with 1 may be any address location in the area outside the 
image area 30 in the bit map memory 12. 
In an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment, the means for writing 
a third data includes the hardware recited in the previous paragraph. 
Subsequently, in a method according to a preferred embodiment, the step of 
writing fourth data includes the following: The memory area within the bit 
pattern of 1 is painted with a function number N. That is, in accordance 
with the kinds of edit processing that is instructed from digitizer 15, 
bit map memory planes 12 to 12a are painted to have a specific combination 
of bit patterns. The fourth data is changed in accordance with a kind of 
image processing. With this feature, different kinds of image edit 
processing can be performed. A starting point of the painting with data 
value 1 is the designated point (step 104). The resultant bit pattern in 
bit map memory 12 is as shown in FIG. 6(d). The function number N is 
written into the entire area within the frame including the character "P". 
Image processing circuit 5 processes within this area. 
In an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment, the means for writing 
a fourth data includes the hardware recited in the previous paragraph. 
Finally, in a method according to a preferred embodiment, the step of 
reading data from the bit map memory includes the following: Image input 
unit 1 makes a regular scan to reread the image on the original. In 
synchronism with a sync signal S.sub.SYNC generated during this image 
reading, drawing unit 11 serially reads the three upper order bits of the 
bit patterns from the four memory planes 12d to 12aviz., the data stored 
in memory planes 12d to 12b. The read data is applied to serial-parallel 
converter 10, which in turn transfers a 3-bit address signal to RAM table 
6. 
In an apparatus according to a preferred embodiment, the means for reading 
data from the bit map memory includes the hardware recited in the previous 
paragraph. 
The correspondence between the reference number M indicating the kind of 
the edit processing and the function code has been previously stored in 
RAM table 6 by CPU 14. Accordingly, a function code corresponding to the 
painted area in bit map memory 12 is serially read from RAM table 6. 
In a preferred embodiment, the data stored in bit map memory 12 results 
from thinning out the amount of the original image data by a factor of 
four in the vertical and the horizontal directions. Accordingly, in 
reading the data, repeat circuit 16 repeats four times the same data in 
the vertical and the horizontal directions, thereby preserving the 
correspondence between the original image and the edit area. 
The image processing circuit 5 performs an image processing indicated by 
the function code derived from repeat circuit 16. In case that the image 
edit is the coloring function, for example, image processing circuit 5 
processes the image data signal from dither processor 3 or binary coding 
circuit 4 by using a mesh signal from mesh generator 7. After image 
processing, the image signal is transferred to image output unit 8, which 
in turn produces an image as shown in FIG. 6(e). 
Drawing unit 11 is provided for writing image data into bit map memory 12 
at a high speed, and may be CRTC (cathode ray tube controller), e.g., 
HD63484 manufactured by HITACHI company in Japan, a commercially marketed 
IC (integrated circuit) package exclusively used for the image drawing. 
Control data (including coordinates data, the type of image processing, 
etc.) is applied to drawing unit 11. In response to the control data, 
drawing unit 11 draws a straight line or paints a closed area in bit map 
memory 12 in accordance with known algorithms. 
CPU 14 writes function codes into RAM table 6 and controls drawing unit 11. 
Specifically, CPU 14 responds to instructions from digitizer 15 to 
reprogram the contents of RAM table 6 or to instruct which area of bit map 
memory 12 is painted. 
As shown in FIG. 2, digitizer 15 is provided on the upper surface of platen 
cover 1j, swingable to open and close platen glass 1a of the image input 
unit 1. Digitizer 15 has a plane whose area corresponds to type A3 paper. 
When a position on the plane is touched by a suitable means, such as a 
light pen, digitizer 15 reads the coordinates data of the touched 
position. The plane of the digitizer consists of ah edit-area designating 
area E.sub.R for designating an area to be edited and a function 
designating area E.sub.F for designating the kinds of image processing 
functions or image edits. The function designating area E.sub.F contains a 
plurality of windows 15a to 15f corresponding to different kinds of 
processing. The windows 15a to 15f corresponds to switches for selecting 
image edit functions such as frame designation, delete, pick-up, 
color-change, coloring, and negative/ positive-inversion. In addition, 
area E.sub.F contains additional switches (not shown) for designating an 
edit area using methods other than frame designation. One of the other 
methods is to designate a rectangular area by the coordinates of two 
points. Another method is to designate an area of free configuration by a 
plurality of points. When the edit-area designation area E.sub.R is 
touched, the CPU 14 processes the coordinates data as area data. When any 
one of the windows 15a to 15f in the function designation area E.sub.F is 
touched, it processes the coordinates data as function data. 
Having described some of the image processor structure, a method of 
operating the image processor according to an embodiment of the invention 
will now be described with an example where an image of an original 20 
shown in FIG. 4(a) is edited into the image shown in FIG. 4(b). In FIG. 
4(a), a character 21 is enclosed by a rectangular frame 22. The area 
enclosed by the frame 22 is to be colored. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 
will be referred to for explaining the operation. The dotted area in FIG. 
4(b) illustrates the colored area. 
In this preferred embodiment, the three upper order bits in the four memory 
planes 12d to 12a are used as a reference number M of the RAM table 6. By 
the contents, or a function code, of the RAM table 6 corresponding to the 
reference number, a kind of the processing is designated. Therefore, the 
status of the memory planes may take 8 (2.sup.3) variations. The reference 
number M, values in memory planes 12d to 12a, and some edit processing 
functions are listed in Table 1. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Ref. Memory planes 
No. 12d 12c 12b 12a Kind of edit 
______________________________________ 
0 0 0 0 x No edit 
1 0 0 1 x Delete 
2 0 1 0 x Pick-up 
3 0 1 1 x Color-change 
4 1 0 0 x Coloring 
5 1 0 1 x Nega/posi inv. 
6 1 1 0 x . . . 
7 1 1 1 x . . . 
______________________________________ 
In the above table, symbol "X" indicates a "Don't care bit", which may be 
either 1 or 0. The reference numeral M is expressed by the three upper 
order bits of the function number N, which is 4 bits long. A relationship 
between the function number N and the reference number M is as shown in 
Table 2. 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Function No. N 
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 
Ref. No. M 
0 1 2 3 
Function No. N 
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 
Ref. No. M 
4 5 6 7 
______________________________________ 
In the painting of step 104, bit map memory 12 is successively painted 
about the start point by drawing unit 11. When a closed loop coincident 
with the function number N is contained in the area to be painted, the 
loop cannot be painted. In this embodiment, odd numbers are assigned to 
the data of the character portions, viz., the data written through the 
prescan, while the even number, to the function number N. Subsequently, 
CPU 14 sets up a function code in the RAM table 6. 
The correspondence between the reference number M and the edit functions 
shown in Table 1 is flexible and not fixed. If necessary, it can be 
flexibly changed by an instruction from CPU 14. In case where 8 bits are 
used for expressing the function codes actually used for instructing the 
image processing circuit 5, a maximum of 256 kinds of edits can be used. 
By reprogramming the contents of the RAM table 6, it is possible to 
simultaneously designate 7 different kinds of edits. 
Since the function number N has been written into the entire area within 
frame 22 including character 21, edit functions other than coloring is 
possible. For example, the color-change function can be performed by 
reading the contents of bit map memory 12 in synchronism with the regular 
scan, the color of an image data signal being changed to the desired color 
when the function number N is read. If the polarity of the image data 
signal in the N written area is inverted, the negative/positive-inversion 
function is exercised. If only the image data signal in this area is to be 
picked up, the pick-up edit function is exercised. 
A more detailed description of the hardware methods of the preferred 
embodiments will now be described. A DMA (direct memory access) method 
writes data into bit map memory 12. In both prescan mode in which the 
memory must be operated at a high speed and regular scan mode, a DMA 
control signal S.sub.DMA, which is generated in synchronism with the scan, 
disables gate 13 to disconnect drawing unit 11 from CPU 14. With gate 13 
disabled, a DMA controller [not shown), which is now not under control of 
CPU 14, directly writes and read data to and from bit map memory 12. Upon 
the completion of the prescan mode, gate 13 is reenabled. 
In a preferred embodiment, thin-out circuit 9 thins out the image data 
signal derived from image input unit 1 into a signal having 1/4 the data 
of the image signal in both the vertical and the horizontal directions. 
Therefore, the image data whose amount is 1/16 of the amount of the 
original image data is stored into bit map memory 12. Thus, by storing the 
thinned out data into the memory, a required memory capacity may be 
considerably reduced, and manufacturing costs may be reduced. 
Bit map memory 12 is used for painting a closed area, which described 
below. It is sufficient to store only the configuration of the image on 
the original. The required resolution of about 4 dots/mm (100 dots/inch), 
which is lower than that of the image input 1, will not create a problem 
in practical use. When the image data is thinned out, the image on the 
original is successively represented with image unit corresponding to 4 
.times. 4 pixels. 
When the 4 .times. 4 image unit consisting of 16 pixels contains one or 
more black pixels, the image unit stored into the bit map memory is a unit 
of black pixels. Accordingly, the continuity of a straight line in the 
original image is secured, and a closed area can reliably be detected. 
Some other sampling methods make lines discontinuous, and the detection of 
closed areas is frequently impossible. 
In the description of a preferred embodiment given thus far, one kind of 
the image edit is applied to the image on the original. If required, a 
plurality of edit areas may be set up on the image of the original, and be 
edited in different edit modes. Operations of the image processor when 
multiple edit, functions are exercised will be described with reference to 
FIGS. 7a-7d and 8. 
In this instance, the delete, pick-up, color-change, coloring, and 
negative/positive inversion functions are respectively applied to five 
images I.sub.1 to I.sub.5 each consisting of double square rings or frame, 
which are laid out of an original in accordance with a control flow shown 
in FIG. 8. An operator first touches window 15a shown in FIG. 3 to select 
frame area designation. Then, he presses a position in an area between the 
inner and outer frames of the image I.sub.1 to designate a start point for 
painting. Finally, he touches window 15b to select the delete function. 
The remaining images I.sub.2 to I.sub.5 are edited in similar ways. In the 
case of the color-change, coloring, or negative/positive-inversion 
functions, the designation of the edit mode is followed by the color 
designation. 
Transitions of bit patterns in bit map memory 12 will be described with 
reference to FIGS. 7a-7d already stated, a data value of 3 is first 
written into the images through the prescan (see FIG. 7(a)). Then, an area 
of each image, which is between the inner and outer frames, is painted 
with 5, with the bit pattern of 3 as a pattern of delineating the painted 
area. The painting starts from the designated point in that area (see FIG. 
7(b)). The area of the bit map memory except the areas of the images is 
painted with 1, with the bit patterns of 5 as a pattern delineating the 
painted area (FIG. 7(c)). The areas of the images are respectively painted 
by the function numbers of the delete, pick-up, color-change, coloring, 
and negative/positive-inversion (FIG. 7(d)). The painting of each image 
area starts from a designated point in the area between the inner and 
outer frames. In other words, the entire area within the outer frame of 
each image I.sub.1 to I.sub.5 is painted with the corresponding function 
number. 
Finally, the contents of bit map memory 12 are read in synchronism with the 
image reading of the original. The image edits are applied to the images 
on the original in accordance with the read data. In this way, images 
I.sub.1 to I.sub.5 are edited in the different ways. 
It is evident that the same image edit is applicable for the different 
images I.sub.1 to I.sub.5, if the same function number is assigned to the 
images I.sub.1 to I.sub.5. 
In the above instance, the entire area within the frame is subjected to the 
edit processing. Some kinds of images on originals require that the edit 
be directed to only a closed area contiguous to a designated point in the 
area within the frame, as in the previously proposed image processing 
method described above in the BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION discussion 
above. Therefore, it is convenient if an image processor exists, which has 
both the entire area edit function and the closed area edit function in 
accordance with the kinds of image on the original to be edited. 
The best way to realize the image processor this dual function is to modify 
the control flow of the processing to exercise the entire area edit 
function, as illustrated in FIG. 9. This may be realized as shown in the 
flowchart of FIG. 9, which is similar to that of FIG. 5, except for step 
106. In step 106, the type of the image edit processing is checked. If the 
edit processing is the coloring function to color a closed area within the 
frame, control goes to step 107, wherein the closed area is painted with 
the function number N using a bit pattern of 5 as a pattern delineating 
the painted area. A bit pattern obtained by this step is equivalent to 
that of FIG. 6(b) whose 3 is replaced by N. In the next step 105, only the 
closed area containing the designated point is painted. A subsequent image 
processing based on the bit pattern in bit map memory 12, produces an 
output image as shown in FIG. 16(c), which resembles that of the 
conventional image processor. If the image edit processing is the coloring 
function to color the entire area within the frame, control goes from step 
106 to step 102, traces a route containing steps 102 to 105, and produces 
the output image as shown in FIG. 6(e). Thus, the flowchart shown in FIG. 
9 enables the image processor to appropriately select the image edit 
function in accordance with the user's desire. 
Next, let us consider a case where the two types of edits, the entire-area 
coloring and the closed-area coloring, are applied to a single original. A 
sequence of procedural steps of this case is shown in FIG. 10. The 
flowchart of FIG. 10 is different from that of FIG. 8 in that the coloring 
processing includes both coloring of the entire area within a frame and 
coloring of a just closed area within the frame. To exercise the two 
coloring functions, two windows (not shown) are installed, one to select 
the entire-area coloring and the other to select the closed-area coloring. 
A user touches one of the windows in accordance with his desired coloring 
function. 
An image of an original to be edited is illustrated in FIG. 11(a). The 
image contains two images J1 and J2 each consisting of double square 
rings, a small inner ring and a large inner ring. In this example, the 
entire-area coloring edit is applied to the image J.sub.1, and the 
closed-area coloring edit, to the image J.sub.2. 
These edits will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10. 
For the image J.sub.1, an operator touches window 15a to select the frame 
designation. Then, he touches a point in an area between the inner and the 
outer rings or frames to designate a start point of painting, and 
subsequently touches the window (not shown) to select the designation of 
the entire-area coloring. For the image J.sub.2, he selects the frame 
designation and designates a start point of painting in a similar way. 
Then, he touches the window (not shown) to select the closed-area 
coloring. The data indicating the areas of these images and the types of 
the images edits are stored in a memory contained in CPU 14 or an external 
memory. 
FIGS. 11(a) to 11(d) show a transition of bit patterns when the bit map 
memory is painted in accordance with the settings as mentioned above. As 
already mentioned, data 3 is first written in connection with the images, 
through a prescan (FIG. 11(a)). Then, an area defined by bit patterns of 3 
is painted with data 5, starting from a designated point marked with * 
(FIG. 11(b)). Further, an area outside a bit pattern of 5 is painted with 
data 1, starting from a start point outside each image (FIG. 11(c). 
Finally, for the image J.sub.1, an area enclosed by a bit pattern of 1 is 
painted with a function number N corresponding to the coloring function. 
For the image J.sub.2, an area between the bit pattern of 1 and a bit 
pattern of 3 is filled with the function number N (FIG. 11(c)). As seen, 
the image J.sub.1 is edited such that the entire area within the outer 
frame is painted, and the image J.sub.2 is edited such that only the 
closed area between the inner and the outer frames is painted. 
Subsequently, in synchronism with a regular scan for reading the image on 
the original, the image processor reads the data from bit map memory 12, 
and processes the image data in a predetermined manner in accordance with 
the read out data, and produces an image as shown in FIG. 11(e). As shown, 
the image J.sub.1 in the original image has the painted entire area within 
the frame, and the image J.sub.2 has the painted closed area within the 
frame. In the image processing method described referring to FIG. 11, when 
bit map memory 12 is painted with the function number N, data 3 or 0011 in 
the binary number system is left in the inner frame of the closed area to 
be subjected to the coloring edit, as shown in FIG. 11(d). As explained 
previously, in the regular scan mode, the three upper order bits 001 are 
read from bit map memory 12. It should be avoided that the upper order 
bits have an effect on the processing of the original image. To this end, 
the image processing of the data 001 or 1 in the decimal number system 
must be treated as the "no processing". Accordingly, the number different 
kinds of image edits except the "no processing", which can be selected, is 
six. 
To address this problem, prior to the step of painting the bit map memory 
by the fourth data, for the area subjected to the second image processing, 
the first data is replaced with an initial value of the bit map memory or 
succeeding to the step of painting the bit map memory by the fourth data, 
the first data is replaced with an initial value of the bit map memory. 
For example, data 3 of the area filled with data 3 in the image J.sub.2, 
shown in FIG. 11(c) is replaced data 0, to form a bit pattern as shown in 
FIG. 11(f). Further, an area between the bit patterns 1 and 0 is painted 
with N. In connection with the three upper order bits in the bit map 
memory 12, the outer area than the area filled with N is filled with 0. 
This corresponds to the "no processing". Therefore, the number of the 
image edits except the "no processing", which can be selected, is 
7(2.sup.3 -1). 
As an alternative to the processing of FIG. 11(f), after the processing of 
FIG. 11(d), data 3 of the area filled with 3 is replaced with data 0, and 
the image processing is performed on the basis of the bit pattern. 
The software approach as mentioned above may be replaced by a hardware 
approach as shown in FIG. 12. With the control bit as the least 
significant bit, the data of the three upper order bits in the bit map 
memory 12, viz., the output data of the bit map memory planes 12d to 12b, 
are transferred through three AND gates 7d to 17b to the RAM table 6 (FIG. 
1). The data of the least significant bit of the memory 12, viz., the 
output data of the memory plane 12a, is inverted by an inverter 17a, and 
applied as a gate signal to the AND gates 17d to 17b. 
With such a hardware arrangement, when the least significant bit is 1, the 
data read from the three upper order bits of the memory 12 are 000. 
Accordingly, the edit in the image processing circuit 5 is the "no 
processing". When the hardware approach is used, there is no need for the 
software procedure as shown in FIG. 11, and the load of the software is 
reduced as a whole. 
In a preferred embodiment as mentioned above, a dedicated IC chip used for 
the image drawing is used for drawing unit 11. If required, a high speed 
CPU may be used for CPU 14, with which drawing or writing and reading of 
data for the bit map memory 12 is performed. 
While an embodiment has been described by painting the inframe area, the 
present invention is applicable for any area, if it is closed, such as bar 
and circle graphs containing characters. 
As seen from the foregoing description, when a bit pattern corresponding to 
an edit area is formed in the bit map memory, the present invention 
comprises a method that does not merely paint a single closed area within 
a framed area, and use the painted area for the edit area. In the present 
invention, an area outside a framed area is painted with other data, and 
the framed area is internally painted with additional data. The edited 
area thus is the entire framed area. In other words, the information of 
the image of an original is contained in the framed area. Therefore, not 
only the coloring edit function, but also other edit functions, such as 
delete, pick-up, and color-change, can be performed such that the image 
processing is performed on the basis of that area while the original data 
is being read. Where an image of an original is, for example, a character 
or a graphic image enclosed by a frame, and an area within the frame is 
colored, the area is reliably colored, and the coloring is natural 
irrespective of a figure of the character. 
Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled 
in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited 
to the specific details, representative apparatus, and illustrative 
examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from 
such details without departing from the spirit or the scope of applicant's 
general inventive concept.