Image processing method and image processing apparatus

An image data reading method for generating image data by image reading means in accordance with signals detected by a plurality of reading elements set in an array on an image reading sensor of a free scanning apparatus able to scan an original in arbitrary direction, said image data corresponding to each reading element, calculating position information corresponding to said each image data by position information generating means according to a moving amount of the free scanning apparatus, and mapping said each image data in image data storage means according to the position information, and

• where a read starting position represents a reference position, the reading elements arraying direction of the image reading sensor at the reference position is defined as a Y axis, and a direction vertical to the Y axis as a X axis, and a forward direction of the scanning is detected according to the moving amount in the X axis direction for a specific section of the free scanning apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:
• generating a boundary vertical to at least either one of the X axis or the Y axis within a mapping area in accordance with the position information of one or both ends of the image reading sensor generated by the position information generating means when the free scanning apparatus scans in the forward direction for a section, and
• mapping only a part outside the boundary generated by said one section scanning when the free scanning apparatus scans in the reverse direction.

An image data reading method for generating image data by image reading means in accordance with signals detected by a plurality of reading elements set in an array on an image reading sensor of a free scanning apparatus able to scan an original in arbitrary direction, said image data corresponding to each reading element, calculating position information corresponding to said each image data by position information generating means according to a moving amount of the free scanning apparatus, and mapping said each image data in image data storage means according to the position information, and

• where a read starting position represents a reference position, the reading elements arraying direction of the image reading sensor at the reference position is defined as a Y axis, and a direction vertical to the Y axis as a X axis, said method comprising the steps of:
• detecting a slant of the free scanning apparatus against the reference position in accordance with the position information of both ends of the image reading sensor generated by the position information generating means when the free scanning apparatus scans,
• generating a boundary vertical to either one of the X axis or the Y axis within a mapping area of one section when the slant value is under a specific value, and
• mapping only the part outside the boundary when the slant value is over the specific value.

An image data reading apparatus for generating image data by image reading means in accordance with signals detected by a plurality of reading elements set in arrays on an image reading sensor of a free scanning apparatus able to scan an original in arbitrary direction, said image data corresponding to each reading element, calculating position information corresponding to said each image data by position information generating means according to a moving amount of the free scanning apparatus, and mapping said each image data in image data storage means according to the position information, said apparatus comprising:

• first scanning direction detecting means for detecting a scanning direction of the free scanning apparatus in accordance with the position information of both ends of the image reading sensor,
• first boundary detecting means, where the read starting position represents a reference position, a reading elements arraying direction at the reference position is defined as a Y axis and a direction vertical to the Y axis as a X axis, in accordance with scanning direction signals outputted from the first scanning direction detecting means and the position information of one or both ends of the image reading sensor, when the free scanning apparatus scans in the X positive direction for one section, said means for generating a boundary vertical to at least either one of the X axis or the Y axis within the mapping area,
• first boundary comparing means, when the free scanning apparatus scans in the X negative direction in accordance with the scanning direction signals, said means for comparing boundary signals outputted the first boundary detecting means and the position information of the image reading sensor, and
• mapping means, when the image data is mapped on the image data storage in accordance with the position information of the image reading sensor, for determining whether the mapping is performed or not in accordance with comparing signals outputted from the first boundary comparing means.

An image data reading apparatus for generating image data by image reading means in accordance with signals detected by a plurality of reading elements set in an array on an image reading sensor of a free scanning apparatus able to scan an original in arbitrary direction, said image data corresponding to each reading element, calculating position information corresponding to said each image data by position information generating means according to a moving amount of the free scanning apparatus, and mapping said each image data in image data storage means according to the position information, said apparatus comprising:

• forward direction determining means for determining a forward direction of the free scanning apparatus in accordance with the position information of both ends of the image reading sensor for a specific section,
• second scanning direction detecting means for detecting a scanning direction of the free scanning apparatus in accordance with the position information of both end of the image reading sensor and forward direction signals outputted from the forward direction determining means,
• second boundary detecting means, where the read starting position represents a reference position, a reading elements arraying direction at the reference position is defined as a Y axis and a direction vertical to the Y axis as a X axis, in accordance with the forward direction signals, scanning direction signals outputted from the second scanning direction detecting means and the position information of both ends of the image reading sensor, when the scanning apparatus is determined to move for one section in the forward direction, said means for generating a boundary vertical to at least one of the X axis or the Y axis within the mapping area,
• second boundary comparing means, if the free scanning apparatus is determined to move in reverse direction according to the scanning direction signals, said means for comparing boundary signals outputted from the second boundary detecting means and the position information of the image reading sensor, and
• mapping means, when the image data is mapped on the image data storage in accordance with the position information of the image reading sensor, for determining whether the mapping is performed or not according to comparing signals outputted from the second boundary comparing means.

An image data reading apparatus for generating image data by image reading means in accordance with signals detected by a plurality of reading elements set in an array on an image reading sensor of a free scanning apparatus able to scan an original in arbitrary direction, said image data corresponding to each reading element, calculating position information corresponding to said each image data by position information generating means according to a moving amount of the free scanning apparatus, and mapping said each image data in image data storage means according to the position information, said apparatus comprising:

• slant scanning detecting means for detecting the slant against the reference position of the free scanning apparatus according to the position information of both ends of the image reading sensor,
• third boundary detecting means, where the read starting position represents a reference position, a reading elements arraying direction at the reference position is defined as a Y axis and a direction vertical to the Y axis as a X axis, in accordance with the position information of both ends of the image reading sensor and slant scanning signals outputted from the slant scanning detecting means, said means for detecting a slant of the free scanning apparatus against the reference position, and generating a boundary vertical to at least one of the X axis or the Y axis within the mapping area for one section when the slant value is under a specific value,
• third boundary comparing means for comparing boundary signals outputted from the third boundary detecting means and the position information of the image reading sensor in accordance with the slant scanning signals, and
• mapping means, when the image data is mapped in the image data storage according to the position information of the image reading sensor, said means for determining whether the mapping is performed or not in accordance with comparing signals outputted from the third boundary comparing means.