JP2002271547A - Digital copying machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a digital copying machine that can easily set copying conditions of image data. SOLUTION: The digital copying machine, that has a read means 101 optically reading an original and applies photoelectric conversion to the original image, to obtain image data and an image forming means 108 that copies the image data to a copy original 109, is provided with a copying condition setting means 104 that sets the copying conditions for the image data, a pattern recognition means 103 that recognizes an image data designated in advance from the image data and a copying condition cross-reference table 105, that refers to the image pattern with the copy condition, and the copying condition setting means 104 references the copy condition cross-reference table, to set the copying conditions corresponding to the image pattern recognized by the pattern recognition means 103.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying machine, and more particularly, to a method for efficiently setting a complicated copying condition associated with a multifunctional copying machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, there is known a digital copying machine provided with reading means for optically reading a document, photoelectrically converting the document image into image data, and image forming means for copying the image data to a copy document. Have been.

As a digital copying machine of this type, for example, a digital copying machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-44254 recognizes a reference direction of an input image and performs a highly reliable image forming operation. Or Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
As in the composite apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 326894,
There is known a storage medium such as a C card which facilitates operation of the apparatus.

[0004]

At present, with the digitalization of copiers, their functions have become much more numerous than those of conventional analog copiers, and their settings have become more complicated. Therefore, in order to fully utilize the functions provided in the current digital copying machine, it is necessary to appropriately set a number of functions.

[0005] In a normal copying machine, a user uses the setting panel of the copying machine to set copying conditions arbitrarily at the time of copying. However, the setting panel provided in the copying machine has a size and the like. Due to limitations, it is not always easy for the user to use. In order to make full use of the functions of a copying machine having many functions, it often takes considerable time to make settings before copying.

[0006] Under such circumstances, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-3
Japanese Patent Publication No. 26894 discloses a configuration in which the settings of a copying machine are registered in an IC card in advance, and are read out to set the copying machine. However, according to such a configuration, it is necessary to install a new device for reading an external memory such as an IC card, which is not sufficient in simplifying the device.

An object of the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital copying machine capable of easily setting image data copying conditions.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a reading means for optically reading an original, and photoelectrically converting the original image into image data; In a digital copying machine having image forming means for copying a copy original, a copy condition setting means for setting a copy condition of image data, a pattern recognition means for recognizing a predetermined image pattern from image data,
A copy condition correspondence table for associating the image pattern with the copy condition, wherein the copy condition setting means refers to the copy condition correspondence table and sets the copy condition corresponding to the image pattern recognized by the pattern recognition means. In the digital copying machine, according to such a configuration, the copying condition of the image data is set by the reading unit reading a document having a predetermined image pattern.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the digital copying machine of the first aspect, a function mode setting means for switching between a function mode in which copying conditions are not changed and a function mode in which copying conditions can be changed. The digital copying machine is provided with such a configuration, and according to such a configuration, switching of each function mode is possible. The copying condition is changed when a previously specified image pattern is recognized in the function mode in which the copying condition can be changed. On the other hand, in the function mode in which the copy condition is not changed, even if the image pattern is specified in advance, it is simply image data, and the copy condition is not changed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the digital copying machine according to the second aspect, the function mode setting means is a digital copying machine having a switch for switching a function mode. The function mode is switched by operating a switch.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 2 or 3.
In the digital copying machine described above, an image pattern for switching the function mode is specified in advance, and the function mode setting unit switches the function mode according to the image pattern recognized from the image data. According to such a configuration, the function mode is switched by the reading unit reading a document provided with a predetermined image pattern.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the digital copying machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, further comprising image data generating means for generating a pre-designated image pattern into image data. Is a digital copying machine having a configuration in which the image pattern generated in step (1) is copied onto a copy original by an image forming means. According to such a configuration, an original with an accurate image pattern is easily created.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a digital copying machine according to a first embodiment optically reads a document, photoelectrically converts the document image into image data, and converts the image data into a copy document 109. Image forming means 108 for copying, and copy condition setting means 104 for setting copy conditions for image data
And a pattern recognition means 103 for recognizing a predetermined image pattern from image data, and a copy condition correspondence table 105 for associating the image pattern with the copy condition.

Here, the copy conditions are conditions such as magnification, presence / absence of sorting, tray used, black and white reversal, and the like when the image forming means 108 copies the image data to the copy original 109.

The copy condition setting means 104 refers to the copy condition correspondence table 105 and sets copy conditions corresponding to the image pattern recognized by the pattern recognition means 103.

That is, in the present digital copying machine, first, the scanner 101 reads image data written on a document, and the read image data is stored in the image memory 102.

Next, the image data is sent to the pattern recognition means 1.
The pattern recognizing unit 103 recognizes when the image data includes a predetermined image pattern. The recognized image data is sent to the copy condition setting means 104.

The image pattern specified in advance and the copy conditions are associated in a copy condition correspondence table 105, and the copy condition setting means 104 refers to the copy condition correspondence table 105 and transmits the received image pattern. Set the copy condition corresponding to. The copy condition set by the copy condition setting means 104 is stored in the copy condition storage memory 106.

The copy conditions stored in the copy condition storage memory 106 can be arbitrarily set from a control panel 107 provided in the digital copying machine.

The copy conditions set in this way are transmitted to the image forming means 108, and the image forming means 108 performs copying in accordance with the copy conditions.

As shown in FIG. 2, an original 201 is a sheet that can be read by the scanner 101, such as a general paper sheet or a plastic sheet, and a bar code 202 is used as image data, for example. In addition, the original 201 shown in FIG. 2 is provided with a character group 203 for the user to know the copy conditions based on the barcode 202.

Of course, the digital copying machine can recognize characters by providing the Ocr function. Therefore, such a character group 203 can be used as image data without using the barcode 202.

According to the above-described configuration, the user of the digital copying machine prepares a plurality of types of originals 201 in advance and, if necessary, sets the originals 2 with predetermined image data.
By reading 01, the copy condition of the image data can be set arbitrarily.

As described above, in the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment, the reading condition of the image data can be set very efficiently by reading the original with the predetermined image pattern by the scanner as the reading means.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 3, the digital copying machine according to the present embodiment has a function mode in which copying conditions are not changed,
It is provided with a function mode setting means for switching between a function mode in which copying conditions can be changed. The function mode setting means includes the image data flow control means 304 and the switch 3
03.

The copying condition is changed when a previously specified image pattern is recognized in the function mode in which the copying condition can be changed. On the other hand, in the function mode in which the copy condition is not changed, even if the image pattern is specified in advance, it is simply image data, and the copy condition is not changed.

That is, in this embodiment, first,
The scanner 301 reads image data written on a document. The read image data is stored in the image memory 302.
And sent to the image data flow control means 304.

Here, the copy condition setting mode in which the copy conditions can be changed and the normal copy mode in which the copy conditions are not changed can be switched by operating the switch 303. Is set, the image data is transferred to the image data flow control unit 3.
04 to the pattern recognition means 305. The image pattern recognized by the pattern recognition unit 305 is sent to the copy condition setting unit 309, and the copy condition setting unit 309
Then, referring to the copy condition correspondence table 308, copy conditions are set according to the transmitted image pattern. The set copy conditions are stored in the copy condition storage memory 311.

On the other hand, when the copy mode is set, the image data is sent from the image data flow control unit 304 to the image forming unit 306. The image forming unit 306 reads out the copy conditions already stored in the copy condition storage memory 311 and performs image formation according to the read copy conditions.
07 is obtained. The copy conditions stored in the copy condition storage memory 311 are, for example, those set in advance by operating the control panel 310. Alternatively, after being set in the copy condition setting mode, it may be determined by switching the function mode to the copy mode.

According to the copy mode, for example, even for a document having a predetermined image pattern as shown in FIG. 2, the copy conditions are not changed, and the image data is already stored in the copy condition storage memory 311. Is copied according to the copy conditions.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a function mode (S1-2) in which the copy condition is not changed,
The function mode (S1-3) in which copying conditions can be changed is as follows.
It is selectively switched according to the state of the switch 303 (S1-1). That is, the user operates the switch 30
By operating 3, each function mode can be arbitrarily switched as needed.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the digital copying machine of the present embodiment, an image pattern for switching the function mode is specified in advance, and the function mode setting means functions according to the image pattern recognized from the image data. The mode is switched. The function mode setting means includes a first pattern recognition means 503, a function mode output means 504 for outputting a function mode, an image data flow control means 505, and a switch 506.
Is switched by reading a document provided with a predetermined image pattern.

That is, in this embodiment, first,
The scanner 501 reads image data written on a document. The read image data is stored in an image memory 502.
Is stored in

The image data stored in the image memory 502 is sent to the first pattern recognizing means 503 to check whether there is an image pattern for switching the function mode.

Here, when there is no image pattern for switching the function mode, and the function mode output unit 504 is set to the copy mode by the function mode switch 506, the image data is transmitted from the image data flow control unit 505 to the image forming unit. Sent to the means 507.

The image forming means 507 copies the image to the copy original 508 according to the copy conditions already stored in the copy condition storage memory 512. When the power is turned on or reset, the pre-designated initial conditions are stored in the copy condition storage memory 512, and when the user does not set the copy conditions,
Copying by the image forming means 507 is performed according to the initial conditions.

On the other hand, when the function pattern switching pattern is extracted by the first pattern recognition means 503, the function mode is switched to the copy condition setting mode regardless of the setting of the function mode output means 504, and the image data Is sent from the image data flow control means 505 to the second pattern recognition means 509.

The image pattern recognized by the second pattern recognition means 509 is sent to the copy condition setting means 510. The copy condition setting means 510 refers to the copy condition correspondence table 511 and follows the received pattern. , And set copy conditions. The set copy conditions are stored in the copy condition storage memory 512. The copying conditions can also be set from a control panel 513 provided in the copying machine.

The copy conditions set in this way are transmitted to the image forming means 507, and at the time of copying, copying is performed according to the conditions.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a document provided with an image pattern for switching the function mode. The original 601 shown in FIG. 6A is for setting copy conditions in which check boxes 602 corresponding to copy conditions are described. The user sets copy conditions in the check boxes 602 as necessary. A check 603 serving as image data is performed, and the image data is read.

On the other hand, the original 604 shown in FIG.
Is a belt-shaped pattern 605 printed on both ends as an image pattern for switching the function mode. If the pattern 605 is present, the original is recognized as for setting copy conditions, and the function mode is set to the copy condition setting mode.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to automatically switch the copy conditions and copy when a plurality of originals are being copied while the original for which the copy condition is set is sandwiched.

It should be noted that the image pattern for switching the function mode only needs to have a generally rare composition from the viewpoint of avoiding confusion with a normal image. In particular, the present invention is not limited to the band-shaped pattern 605 at both ends of the document as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the function mode (S2-2) in which the copy condition is not changed,
The function mode (S2-3) in which copying conditions can be changed is as follows.
Alternatively, switching is performed depending on the recognized image data and the presence or absence of a switching code corresponding to the operation of the switch 506 (S2-1). The user operates the switch 506.
, And reading a document to which predetermined image data is attached, the function modes can be arbitrarily switched as required.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 8, the digital copying machine of the present embodiment includes an image data generating means 803 for generating an image pattern specified in advance into image data. , Imaging means 8
The digital copying machine is configured to copy an original at 04. The created document is prepared as a copy condition setting document, and is read by a reading unit as necessary. still,
Other configurations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment.

That is, according to the present embodiment, a copy condition print button is provided on the control panel 806 of the copying machine, and a settable copy condition print command 801 is issued by pressing the button. In accordance with this instruction, the copy condition printing means 802 reads the copy condition set on the control panel 806 provided in the copy machine from the copy condition storage memory 807, and extracts a pattern corresponding to the copy condition from the copy condition correspondence table 805. Then, the pattern is sent to the image data generating unit 803. The image data generating unit 803 generates image data based on the transmitted pattern, and sends the generated image data to the image forming unit 804. Image forming means 804
Then, the image data is copied according to the copy conditions stored in the copy condition storage memory 807.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a document created in this manner. The original 901 is provided with a copy condition display unit 902 in which a plurality of settable copy conditions are enumerated and displayed.
A check 903 surrounding required copy conditions with an ellipse is performed. Alternatively, it is also possible to create a document with a barcode as shown in FIG. 2 or a document with a belt-like pattern as shown in FIG. 6B.

According to such a configuration, a manuscript to which a predetermined image pattern is accurately attached can be easily created.
It is convenient. The user can appropriately prepare a document with an image pattern, and set the copy conditions of the digital copying machine using the copy condition setting document created by the copying machine.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Copy condition setting means for setting copy conditions for image data;
A pattern recognition unit that recognizes an image pattern specified in advance from the image data; and a copy condition correspondence table that associates the image pattern with the copy condition. The copy condition setting unit refers to the copy condition correspondence table. A digital copying machine configured to set copying conditions corresponding to the image pattern recognized by the pattern recognition means, wherein the copying conditions of the image data are set by the reading means reading an original with a predetermined image pattern. Can be. Therefore, the copying conditions can be set efficiently, and the efficiency of the setting operation can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a document with an image pattern according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital copying machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a document with an image pattern according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital copying machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a document with an image pattern according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 301, 501 Scanner 102, 302, 502 Image memory 103, 305 Pattern recognition means 104, 309, 510 Copy condition setting means 105, 308, 511 Copy condition correspondence table 106, 311, 512, 807 Copy condition storage memory 107, 310, 513, 806 Control panel 108, 306, 507, 804 Image forming means 201, 601, 604, 901 Document 202 Barcode 203 Character group 303, 506 Switch 304, 505 Image data flow control means 109, 307, 508 Copy document 503 First pattern recognition means 504 Function mode output means 509 Second pattern recognition means 602 Check box 603, 903 Check 605 Band-shaped pattern 801 Settable copy condition print command 802 Copy Condition printing means 803 Image data generating means 902 Copy condition display section

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A digital copier comprising: reading means for optically reading a document and photoelectrically converting the document image into image data; and image forming means for copying the image data to a copy document. Copy condition setting means for setting the copy condition of
A pattern recognition unit that recognizes an image pattern specified in advance from image data; and a copy condition correspondence table that associates the image pattern with a copy condition. The copy condition setting unit refers to the copy condition correspondence table. And setting a copy condition corresponding to the image pattern recognized by the pattern recognition means. 2. A function mode setting means for switching between a function mode in which copying conditions are not changed and a function mode in which copying conditions can be changed.
Digital copier as described. 3. A digital copying machine according to claim 2, wherein said function mode setting means includes a switch for switching a function mode. 4. An image pattern for switching a function mode is designated in advance, and the function mode is switched by the function mode setting means in accordance with an image pattern recognized from image data. Digital copier as described. 5. An image data generating means for generating an image pattern specified in advance into image data, wherein the image pattern generated by the image data generating means is copied to a copy original by the image forming means. The digital copying machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.