JP2006180343A - Image input-output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image input-output device in which blank paper information can be saved as an attribute simultaneously with image storage, the user can change the blank paper information, even if automatic discrimination of the blank paper has errors since the blank paper information can be changed, and the device can transmit parts except a part seemed as a blank paper by the user. <P>SOLUTION: The device is provided with an image input means for inputting an image, an image output means for outputting the image, a storage means which stores the input image, an blank paper determination means which determines whether the inputted image is a blank paper or not, an attribute storage means which stores the determination result of the blank paper determination means, and an attribute changing means which changes the stored attribute. Only a non-blank paper image is outputted by discriminating the stored attribute. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image input device, and particularly relates to processing of a blank image when an image read by a scanner is transmitted.

  In recent years, along with the increase in the capacity of memories and hard disks, it has become possible not only to print scanned images but also to facilitate transmission through networks and telephone lines.

  Conventionally, when sending a double-sided document, if there is no image information on the back of the first page or the last page, an extra page will be sent, so it can be deleted as a transmission condition in the operation unit, and unnecessary transmission can be performed. It was possible to prevent.

However, it is a deletion of a certain predetermined page, and it is not considered at all that one side and both sides are mixed in a document.
JP 9-275484 A

  In the conventional technology, when double-sided reading is performed on a single-sided and double-sided mixed document, an image including a blank sheet is transmitted. On the other hand, in PDL printing, a technique of automatically detecting and deleting blank paper is common, but in scanning, it is difficult to discriminate an image from dust by picking up dust data on the platen.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-mentioned problems, and since blank information can be stored as an attribute at the same time as image accumulation and the blank information can be changed, there is a mistake in automatic determination of blank paper. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image input / output device that can change blank page information and can transmit information other than what the user considers to be blank.

Claim 1 of the present invention is an image input means for inputting an image;
Image output means for outputting an image;
Storage means for storing the input image;
Blank page determination means for determining whether or not the input image is blank;
Attribute storage means for storing the determination result of the blank paper determination means as an attribute;
Attribute changing means for changing the stored attribute;
An image input / output device that outputs only a non-blank image by looking at stored attributes.

  A second aspect of the present invention is the image input / output apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising display means for confirming the stored image and the stored attribute.

  A third aspect of the present invention is the image input / output apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image input means of the first aspect is a scanner.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image input / output apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the image output means of the first aspect is image transmission or printing.

Claim 5 of the present invention provides a determination means for determining whether or not all images are blank before transmission.
If it is all blank, it has a warning means to warn without sending,
The image input / output device according to claim 1.

  According to the present invention, blank information can be saved as an attribute at the same time as image accumulation, and the blank information can be changed. Other than that, it can be sent.

Since it is equipped with automatic judgment of blank paper, it is only necessary to check when there is an image that seems to be mistaken for garbage. You can change the attribute for.
In addition, it is possible to issue a warning without transmitting if all the sheets are blank.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 200 includes a scanner unit 2070 that is an image input device, a printer unit 2095 that is an image output device, a controller unit 2000, and an operation unit 2012 that is a user interface. The scanner unit 2070, the printer unit 2095, and the operation unit 2012 are respectively connected to the Controller Unit 2000, and the Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a network transmission unit such as a LAN 2011 and a public line. Transmission by G3 and G4 fax including color image transmission is possible from the public line. In addition, other image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 having the same device configuration as that of the image forming apparatus 200 can be connected to the LAN 2011. Further, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC) 240 is connected, and can send and receive files and e-mails using FTP and SMB protocols. The image forming apparatuses 220 and 230 have scanner units 2270 and 2370, printer units 2295 and 2395, and operation units 2212 and 2312, which are connected to the controller unit 2200 and 2300, respectively.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus. The Controller Unit 2000 is connected to a color scanner 2015 as an image input device and a color printer 2017 as an image output device, and on the other hand, is connected to a LAN 2008 or a public line (WAN) 2051 to input / output image information and device information. Controller. A CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. A RAM 2002 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 2001, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. A ROM 2003 is a boot ROM, and stores a system boot program. An HDD 2004 is a hard disk drive that stores system software and image data. An operation unit I / F 2005 is an operation unit (UI) 2006 and an interface unit, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2006 to the operation unit 2006. Also, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2006 to the CPU 2001. A network 2007 is connected to the LAN 2008 and inputs / outputs information. A Modem 2050 is connected to the public line 2051 and inputs / outputs image information. Binary image rotation 2052 and binary image compression / decompression 2053 are for converting the direction of an image before transmitting a binary image by Modem 2053, or converting it to a predetermined resolution or a resolution adapted to the partner's ability. It is. Compression and decompression support JBIG, MMR, MR, and MH. A DMAC 2009 is a DMA controller that reads an image stored in the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001 and transfers the image to the ImageBus I / F 2011 or writes an image from the image bus into the RAM 2002 without using the CPU 2001. The above devices are connected to the system bus 2008. An ImageBus 2011 is an interface for controlling high-speed image input / output via the image bus 2010. A compressor 2012 is a compressor for JPEG compression in units of 32 pixels × 32 pixels before sending an image to the image bus 2010. A decompressor 2013 is a decompressor for decompressing an image sent via the image bus 2010.

  The raster image processor (RIP) 2018 receives the PDL code from the host computer via the network 2007, and the CPU 2001 stores it in the RAM 2002 through the system bus 2008. The CPU 2001 converts the PDL into an intermediate code, inputs it again to the RIP 2018 via the system bus 2008, and develops it into a bitmap image (multi-value). The scanner image processing 2014 performs various appropriate image processing (for example, correction, processing, editing) on the color image and the black and white image from the scanner 2015 and outputs (multi-value). Similarly, the printer image processing 2016 performs binary multi-value conversion by decompression 2013 at the time of printing in which various appropriate image processing (for example, correction, processing, editing) is performed on the printer 2017. Therefore, binary and multi-value output are performed. Is possible. The image conversion unit 2030 has various image conversion functions used when converting an image on the RAM and returning it to the RAM 2030 again. A rotator 2019 can rotate an image of 32 pixels × 32 pixels unit by a specified angle, and supports binary and multi-value input / output. The magnification changer 2020 has a function (for example, from 25% to 400%) for converting the image resolution (for example, from 600 dpi to 200 dpi) and for changing the magnification. Before scaling, the image of 32 × 32 pixels is rearranged into an image in units of 32 lines. The color space conversion 2021 converts, for example, a YUV image on the memory into a Lab image by matrix operation and LUT from the multi-valued input image, and stores it on the memory. This color space conversion has a 3 × 8 matrix operation and a one-dimensional LUT, and can perform well-known background removal and show-through prevention. The converted image is output in multiple values. A binary multi-value conversion 2022 converts a 1-bit binary image into a multi-value 8-bit, 256 gradation. On the other hand, the multi-level binary conversion 2025 converts, for example, an 8-bit, 256-gradation image on the memory into 1-bit, 2-gradation by a technique such as error diffusion processing, and stores it on the memory. The composition has a function of composing two multi-valued image images on the memory into one multi-valued image. For example, a company logo can be easily attached to an original image by compositing the image of the company logo on the memory with the original image. The thinning 2024 is a unit that performs resolution conversion by thinning out pixels of a multivalued image, and can output 1/2, 1/4, and 1/8 multivalued images. By using it together with the variable magnification 2020, a wider range of enlargement / reduction can be performed. The move 2025 can be output by adding a margin part to the input binary image or multi-valued image or deleting the margin part. The rotation 2019, scaling 2020, color space conversion 2021, binary multi-value 2022, composition 2023, thinning 2024, movement 2025, and multi-value binary 2026 can be connected to each other. When the value image is rotated and the resolution is converted, both processes can be performed without using a memory.

  FIG. 3 shows the format of the image. The image format used in the present invention uses the image packet structure disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-103473. In compression 2012, raster format images are rearranged as packets of 32 × 32 pixel units as shown in FIG. 3, and JPEG compression is performed in packet units. At the same time, information such as an ID indicating the position of the packet, a color space, a Q table ID, and a data length is added to the packet to form a header. Binary data (image area flag) indicating characters and photographs is similarly compressed and attached after JPEG. FIG. 4 shows packet data. In decompression 2013, JPEG is developed based on this header information and rearranged into a raster image. By making such a packet image, only the image inside the packet is rotated at the time of image rotation, and by changing the position of the packet ID, it can be partially rotated by decompression and compression, so it is very efficient. . All images flowing through ImageBus 2010 are packet images.

  When a raster image is necessary for FAX transmission, binary image rotation 2052, binary image compression, expansion 2053, or the like, conversion from a packet image to a raster image is performed by software.

  FIG. 5 shows a detailed description of the scanner image processing 2014. The RGB area 8-bit luminance signal input from the scanner is set by the image area enable generation unit 2510 so that a necessary portion of the original image area is sent to subsequent image processing based on an instruction from the user. Here, it is set to read an extra image so that the input image is 32 × 32 pixels. After that, masking 2501 converts the signal into a standard RGB color signal independent of the CCD filter color. In the filter 2502, for example, a 9 × 9 matrix is used, and an image is blurred or sharpened. A histogram 2503 is a processing unit that samples image signal data in an input image, and is used to determine the background level of the input image. In this module, RGB data in a rectangular area surrounded by the specified start and end points in the main and sub-scan directions is sampled at a constant pitch in the main and sub-scan directions, and a histogram is created. . This histogram is read when background removal or prevention of show-through is specified, the background of the document is estimated from the histogram, and is stored and managed in the memory or HDD along with the image as the background removal level. Used for image processing. In gamma 2504, processing is performed so that the density of the entire image is increased or decreased. For example, it is a part that converts the color space of the input image into an arbitrary color space or performs correction processing relating to the color of the input system. The image shift of 2511 has a shift function within 32x32 pixels for both main scanning and sub-scanning, and in which direction the input image is shifted and the padding position changes by shifting, so that color Can be specified.

  In order to determine whether the document is color or black and white, the image signal before scaling is converted into a known Lab by color space conversion 2505. Of these, a and b represent color signal components, and a 1-bit determination signal is output from the comparator 2505 as a chromatic color if it is equal to or higher than a predetermined level in the comparator 2505 and otherwise as an achromatic color. A counter 2507 measures the output from the comparator. A character / photo determination 2508 is a function for extracting a character edge from an image and separating the image into a character and a photo. As an output, a character photograph determination signal is obtained. This signal (image area signal) is also stored in the memory or HD together with the image and used during printing. Reference numeral 2509 denotes a binarizer, which generates a signal called an ND signal from RGB 8-bit signals (ND = (R + 2G + B) / 4), and binarizes it with a fixed or variable slice level threshold. Reference numeral 2510 denotes a counter that counts pixels of the binarized signal. By comparing the count value with a predetermined value set in advance in 2512, the blank page determination result can be held.

  FIG. 6 shows a detailed description of the printer image processing 2016.

  In 2601, the background color of the image data is skipped and unnecessary background fogging is removed. For example, the background removal is performed by a 3 × 8 matrix operation or a one-dimensional LUT. This is a function included in 2032 as described above, and is a completely equivalent circuit. Reference numeral 2602 denotes a monochrome generation unit that converts color image data, for example, RGB data into Gray single color when converting color image data into monochrome data and printing it as a single color. For example, it is composed of a 1 × 3 matrix operation that multiplies RGB by an arbitrary constant to obtain a Gray signal. An output color correction unit 2603 performs color correction in accordance with the characteristics of the printer unit that outputs image data. For example, it includes processing by 4 × 8 matrix calculation or direct mapping. A filter processing unit 2604 arbitrarily corrects the spatial frequency of the image data, and includes, for example, processing for performing a 9 × 9 matrix operation. Reference numeral 2605 denotes a process for performing gamma correction in accordance with the characteristics of the printer unit to be output, and is usually composed of a one-dimensional LUT. A processing unit 2606 performs arbitrary halftone processing in accordance with the number of gradations of the output printer unit, and is a halftone processing unit that performs arbitrary screen processing such as binarization and binarization and error diffusion processing. is there. Each process can be switched by a character / photo determination signal (not shown). The inter-drum delay memory 2607 is a memory for superimposing CMYK images by shifting the CMYK printing timing by an amount between the drums in a color printer having CMYK drums. In a color printer having four drums for each color of CMYK, it can be delayed to align the position of the image.

  An image input / output device is shown in FIG. The scanner unit 2015, which is an image input device, illuminates an image on paper serving as a document and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown), thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The manuscript paper is set on the tray 2702 of the manuscript feeder 2701, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2006, the controller CPU 2001 gives an instruction to the scanner 2015, and manuscript paper is fed one by one from the tray 2702 of the feeder 2071. Feeds and reads the original image.

  The printer unit 2017, which is an image output device, is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array. There is an ink jet method for printing an image directly on paper, but any method may be used. Activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are paper cassettes 2703, 2704, and 2705 corresponding thereto. A paper discharge tray 2706 is a paper discharge tray for receiving the printed paper.

  The configuration of the operation unit 2006 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 2801 has a touch panel sheet 2802 pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen and soft keys, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001 when the displayed keys are pressed. A start key 2014 is used to start a document image reading operation. There is a green and red two-color LED 2804 in the center of the start key 2803, and indicates whether or not the start key 2803 can be used depending on the color. A stop key 2805 functions to stop an operation in operation. An ID key 2806 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2807 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  FIG. 9 is an initial screen in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and is also a standard screen that returns after setting each image forming function. 3101 performs screen switching for performing copy settings. 3102 performs screen switching for setting to send the scanned image by fax or electronic mail. A screen 3103 stores a scan image and a PDL image in the built-in HDD, or performs screen switching for setting the print, transmission, or editing of the stored scan image and PDL image. Reference numeral 3104 denotes a window for displaying the image reading settings set in 3105. In 3105, resolution, density, and the like at the time of image reading are set. Reference numeral 3106 denotes a timer setting at the time of timer transmission and a setting for printing on the HDD or printer. 3107 displays the transmission destination designated by 3108. 3109 displays detailed information of one destination displayed in 3107. 3110 deletes one destination displayed in 3107.

  FIG. 10 is a pop-up window displayed when 3105 is pressed. In 3201, the read original size is selected and input from the pop-up, and the set read size is displayed in 3202. Reference numeral 3203 denotes a selection of a document reading mode. When pressed, three types of color / black / automatic (ACS) can be selected. The color mode can be selected in the same way for copy and box. If the measurement result of the counter 2507 is smaller than a predetermined value, it is determined as a black and white document, and if it is larger, it is determined as a color document. If it is color, a color image is displayed, if it is black, a monochrome image is displayed. Accumulate the result of determining whether it is color or black and white. 3204 is a selection input from a pop-up for designating the resolution of reading. Reference numeral 3205 denotes a slider for adjusting the reading density of the original, and can be adjusted in nine steps. 3206 is for automatically determining the density when reading an image with a background such as a newspaper. For 3206, the same setting can be made by copying.

  FIG. 11 shows a screen when the copy tab 3101 is pressed. Reference numeral 3301 denotes whether or not copying is possible, and the number of copies set at the same time is also displayed. A function 3302 is equivalent to the function 3206, and is a button for selecting whether to automatically remove the background. Reference numeral 3303 denotes a slider having a function equivalent to that of 3205 and capable of nine levels of density adjustment. In 3304, the type of the original is selected, and a character / photo / map, text, a photographic paper photo, and a printed photo can be selected. Reference numeral 3305 denotes an application mode button which can set a reduced layout (a function for reducing and printing a plurality of originals on one sheet), a color balance (CMYK color fine adjustment), and the like. Reference numeral 3306 denotes a button for performing settings relating to various finishings, and shift sort, staple sort, and group sort can be set. Reference numeral 3307 denotes a button for performing settings relating to duplex reading and duplex printing.

  FIG. 12 shows a screen when the box tab 3103 is pressed. Reference numeral 3401 denotes each folder logically divided into HDDs. Folder numbers are assigned to the folders in advance, and 3401 becomes the 0th folder. Next to the folder number, the percentage of disk space used by the folder is displayed. Folders can have any name, and the name is displayed here. 3402 displays the usage amount of the entire HDD.

  FIG. 13 shows a screen when 3401 is pressed. Reference numerals 3501 and 3502 denote documents stored in folders. A document is composed of a plurality of pages. Reference numeral 3501 denotes a scanned document, which displays an icon display indicating a scanned document, an HDD usage amount, and a document name display that can be arbitrarily set by the user. An icon 3502 is a PDL document stored from the PDL. By depressing the icon, it is shown in reverse video that the document has been selected. Reference numeral 3503 denotes a button for transmitting the selected document. Reference numeral 3504 denotes a button for reading a document from the scanner and generating a document. Reference numeral 3505 denotes a button for selecting all the documents in the folder. Reference numeral 3506 denotes a button for deleting the selected document. Reference numeral 3507 denotes a button for printing the selected document. Reference numeral 3508 denotes a button for editing the selected document. For example, it has a function of selecting and combining two documents, saving them as one document, and deleting a specific page. Reference numeral 3509 denotes a button for displaying detailed information of the last selected document. In addition to the document name, information such as resolution, document size, and color can be viewed.

  FIG. 14 shows a software configuration diagram. Reference numeral 4010 denotes a UI control unit that controls the display operation unit, a copy application unit 4020 that receives an instruction from the UI control unit, and executes a copy operation, a transmission operation, a scan from a box screen, and a print, a transmission application unit 4021, and a BOX application unit 4022. There is also a PDL application unit 4023 that receives PDL print data from the network application 4120 and inputs a PDL print job. Reference numeral 4030 denotes a common interface part for absorbing a device-dependent part of the device control part, and 4040 denotes a job manager that organizes job information received from the common interface and transmits it to a lower-level document processing unit. If the document processing unit is a local copy, the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090, a remote copy transmission job or a transmission job, the scan manager 4050 and the file store manager 4100, and a remote copy reception job, the file read manager 4060. And a print manager 4090, and PDL manager 4070 and print manager 4090 for PDL printing such as LIPS and PostScript. An image processing request to the image manager 4110 that performs synchronization between the document managers and performs various image processing is performed via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 performs image processing and image file storage during scanning and printing.

  First, local copy software processing will be described. A copy setting is transmitted from the UI control unit 4010 to the copy application unit 4020 together with a copy instruction in accordance with a user instruction. The copy application unit 4020 transmits information from the UI control unit 4010 to the job manager 4040 that performs device control via the common interface 4030. The job manager 4040 transmits job information to the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090. The scan manager 4050 issues a scan request to the scanner 2070 via a device I / F (not shown) (the device I / F is a serial I / F connecting the controller 2000 and the scanner 2015 and the controller 2000 and the printer 2017). At the same time, an image processing request for scanning is issued to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 sets the scanner image processing unit 2014 in accordance with an instruction from the scan manager 4050. When the setting is completed, a scan preparation completion is notified via the sync manager 4080. Thereafter, the scan manager 4050 instructs the scanner 2070 to scan. The completion of scan image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown). Upon receiving the scan completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the scan manager 4050 and the print manager 4090 of the scan completion. At the same time, the sync manager 4080 instructs the image manager 4110 to file the compressed image stored in the RAM 2002 into the HDD 2004. The image manager 4110 stores the image (including the character / photo determination signal) on the memory in the HDD 2004 according to the instruction. As the accompanying information of the image, a color determination / monochrome determination result, a background removal level for performing background removal, a scanned image as the image input source, and a color space RGB are also stored in an SRAM (not shown). When the storage in the HDD 2004 is completed and the scan completion from the scanner 2070 is received, the scan manager 4050 is notified of the completion of file formation via the sync manager 4080. The scan manager 4050 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The print manager 4090 issues a print request to the printer 2095 via the device I / F when an image is stored in the memory. At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080. Upon receiving a request from the print manager 4090, the sync manager 4080 requests the image manager 4110 for image processing settings. The image manager 4110 sets the printer image processing unit 2015 according to the accompanying information of the image, and notifies the print manager 4090 that the print preparation is complete via the sync manager 4080. The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown). In response to the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the print manager 4090 of the print completion. The print manager 4090 receives the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, returns an end notification to the job manager 4040, and the job manager 4040 returns it to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  In the case of a remote copy scan job or transmission job, the store manager 4100 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the print manager 4090. When the scan image has been stored in the HDD, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080, and this is notified via the common interface 4030 to the copy application unit 4020 for remote copying and to the transmission application unit 4021 for transmission jobs. After this notification, the copy application unit 4020 and the transmission application 4021 request the network application 4420 to transmit the file stored in the HDD. The network application 4420 that has received the request transmits the file. The network application 4420 receives setting information related to copying from the copy application unit 4020 at the start of the job, and also notifies the remote device of the setting information. In the case of remote copy, the network application 4420 performs transmission using a device-specific communication protocol. In the case of a transmission job, a standard file transfer protocol such as FTP or SMB is used.

  In the case of fax transmission, after the file is stored, the transmission application 4021 instructs the FAX manager 4041 to transmit via the common interface 4030 and the job manager 4040. The FAX manager 4041 negotiates with the other device via the Modem 2050, requests the image manager 4110 to perform necessary image processing (color-> black and white conversion, multi-value binary conversion, rotation, scaling), and converts the converted image. Send using Modem.

  If there is a printer at the transmission destination, the transmission application issues a print instruction as a print job via the common interface 4000. The operation at that time is the same as that of the remote copy print job described below. When the transmission destination is a box destination in the device, the file store manager 4100 stores it in the file system in the device.

  At the time of FAX reception, the FAX manager receives an image using Modem and stores it in the HDD 2004 as an image file. When the box application 4021 is notified after the HDD 2004 is stored, a reception print instruction is issued from the box application 4021 to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Thereafter, the operation is the same as that of a normal box print job, and the description is omitted.

  In the case of a remote copy print job, the network application 4420 saves an image from the transmission side in the HDD and issues a job to the copy application unit 4020. The copy application unit 4020 submits a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050. A request for expanding the received image from the HDD to the memory is sent to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The image manager 4110 expands the image in the memory. When the development is completed, the image manager 4110 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the completion of the development via the sync manager 4080. When an image is stored in the memory, the print manager 4090 selects a paper feed stage designated by the job manager or a stage having the paper size via the device I / F, and issues a print request. In the case of automatic paper, a paper feed stage is determined from the image size and a print request is issued. At the same time, a print image processing request is sent to the sync manager 4080. Upon receiving a request from the print manager 4090, the sync manager 4080 requests the image manager 4110 to set print image processing. (At this time, for example, if the optimum size sheet runs out and rotation is necessary, a rotation instruction is also requested. If there is a rotation instruction, the image manager rotates the image using the image rotation 2019.) The image manager 4110 The printer image processing unit 2090 is set, and the print manager 4090 is notified of completion of print preparation via the sync manager 4080. The print manager 4090 issues a print instruction to the printer. The completion of print image transfer is transmitted to the image manager 4110 by an interrupt signal from hardware (not shown). Upon receiving the print completion from the image manager 4110, the sync manager 4080 notifies the file read manager 4060 and the print manager 4090 of the print completion. The file read manager 4060 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. In response to the completion of paper discharge from the printer unit, the print manager 4090 returns an end notification to the job manager 4040. The job manager 4040 returns an end notification to the copy application unit 4020 via the common interface 4030. The copy application unit 4020 notifies the UI control unit of the end of the job when scanning and printing are completed.

  In the case of a PDL data development storage job, a request from the host PC that has input the PDL print is transmitted to the PDL application 4023 via the network application 4120. The PDL application instructs the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030 for a PDL data development storage job. At this time, the PDL manager 4070 and the store manager 4100 receive a request from the job manager 4040. An image input portion after completion of RIP of the image is the same as that of the above-described scan job. The image on the memory (including the character / photo determination signal) is stored in the HDD 2004. Color / monochrome information is stored in an unillustrated SRAM as image accompanying information, and a PDL image, color space CMYK or RGB is also stored as an image input source. When the storage of the PDL image in the HDD 2004 is completed, a storage completion notification is received from the sync manager 4080 and is notified to the PDL application 4023 via the common interface 4030. After this notification, the PDL application 4023 notifies the network application 4420 of completion of storage in the HDD, and this information is transmitted to the host PC that has entered the PDL print. In the case of a PDL print job, an image developed on the memory is printed by the PDL manager 4070 and the print manager.

  To print an image stored in the PDL format, a stored document instructed to be printed by the UI is issued as a print job to the BOX application. The BOX application unit 4022 inputs a print job to the job manager 4040 via the common interface 4030. Unlike local copy, the file read manager 4060 receives a request from the job manager 4040 instead of the scan manager 4050. A request for expanding an image instructed to be printed from the HDD to the memory is made to the image manager 4110 via the sync manager 4080. The subsequent operation is the same as that described in the remote copy print job, and is therefore omitted.

  Next, control at the time of blank sheet determination, which is the central part of the present embodiment, will be described.

  First, the flow during scanning will be described with reference to FIG. Step is abbreviated as S in the text and drawings. In order to accumulate images, it is determined in step S4101 that scanning is started. If scanning is started, scanning is performed in step S4102. When the reading of one sheet is completed in S4103, the blank page determination result is read from the comparator 2512 in S4104. In step S4105, attribute data is generated together with the blank page determination result document color (color / monochrome), document size, and page number. In step S4106, the attribute and image are stored in the HDD of 2004. If all the originals have been read in S4107, the process ends.

  Next, the flow during transmission will be described with reference to FIG. When printing, the operation is basically the same except that the transmission is changed to printing. In step S4201, the operation unit displays thumbnails and attributes of the document display before transmission.

  FIG. 17 is an example of display. Reference numeral 4301 denotes the entire display screen. Reference numeral 4302 denotes the first page of the scanned image. Reference numeral 4303 denotes an attribute, which is a document color. Reference numeral 4304 denotes an attribute, which is a document size. Reference numeral 4305 denotes a page number, which indicates the first page of 10 originals. Reference numeral 4306 denotes a blank page attribute. Reference numeral 4306 denotes a button. By pressing this button, the attribute can be changed. Reference numeral 4307 denotes a button for returning to the document list. Reference numerals 4308 and 4309 denote buttons for page breaks. It is stored in the HDD as shown in FIG. 4601 indicates that the document image 4605 and the attribute 4606 are stored as a set on the first page. The second page to the fourth page are stored as 4602-4604.

  FIG. 18 shows the operation unit 4401 when the second page is displayed. The blank page attribute 4402 is displayed as Yes, and it is understood that the page is blank. FIG. 19 shows the operation unit 4501 when the fourth page is displayed. Although the image exists, the predetermined number of pixels cannot be reached because the number of characters is small, and it is determined that the attribute is 4502 blank. When this button is pressed, a dialog 4503 is displayed, and when “Yes” is pressed, the blank page attribute is changed to No.

  In 4202, it is determined whether or not the blank page attribute is changed. If not changed, the process branches to 4204. If changed, the process branches to 4203. In 4203, the changed attribute is stored in the HDD. If there is support for transmission at 4204, the process branches to 2405. In 4205, the attributes of all the originals are checked. If all the pages are not blank, it is transmitted in 4206. If all the pages are blank in 4207, no transmission is performed. .")I do.

  FIG. 21 shows a list display in the document. Reference numeral 4701 denotes an operation unit display. Here, the page data is displayed without displaying thumbnails. If 4702 is pressed, only those with a blank attribute of Yes can be displayed. Using this screen, it is possible to press the blank paper attribute Yes and change the attribute to No. When the image is known, the attribute can be changed more efficiently than displaying and checking thumbnails one by one.

Diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system The figure which shows the whole structure of an image forming apparatus The figure which shows the format of the image used by this invention Figure showing packet data Block diagram of scanner image processing of the present invention The figure which shows detailed explanation of printer image processing Diagram showing image input / output device Diagram showing the configuration of the operation unit Explanatory drawing of the transmission screen of the operation part of this invention Explanatory drawing of the transmission screen of the operation part of this invention Figure showing the screen when the copy tab is pressed Figure showing the screen when the box tab is pressed The figure which shows a screen when 3401 is pressed Software configuration diagram showing the software configuration of the present invention Flow chart of scan processing of the present invention Flow chart of transmission processing of the present invention The figure which shows an example of the operation screen of this invention The figure which shows an example of the operation screen of this invention The figure which shows an example of the operation screen of this invention The figure which shows the image and attribute data which are stored in HDD of this invention The figure which shows an example of the operation screen of this invention

Explanation of symbols

200 Image forming apparatus 220 Image forming apparatus 230 Image forming apparatus 240 Personal computer 2000 Controller Unit
2011 LAN
2012 Operation unit 2070 Scanner unit 2095 Printer unit 2200 Controller Unit
2212 Operation unit 2270 Scanner unit 2295 Printer unit 2300 Controller Unit
2312 Operation unit 2370 Scanner unit 2395 Printer unit

Claims (5)

An image input means for inputting an image;
Image output means for outputting an image;
Storage means for storing the input image;
Blank page determination means for determining whether or not the input image is blank;
Attribute storage means for storing the determination result of the blank paper determination means as an attribute;
Attribute changing means for changing the stored attribute;
An image input / output apparatus that outputs only a non-blank image by looking at stored attributes.   2. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising display means for confirming the stored image and the stored attribute.   2. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image input means is a scanner.   2. The image input / output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image output means is image transmission or printing. A determination means for determining whether all images are blank before transmission;
If it is all blank, it has a warning means to warn without sending,
The image input / output device according to claim 1.

Images