JP2015216551A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus that employs a method of segmenting a book for electronization and can detect pages shown spread in data obtained by reading the segmented book and allow a user to collectively browse the pages.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: a detection processing area determination part 501 that determines an area for performing spread determination processing in image data obtained by reading a segmented book; a spread page detection processing part 502 that performs spread pages; and a post-detection processing part 503 that performs processing after the spread page detection processing in order to allow a user to collectively browse the spread pages as an electronic book.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing method for scan data when an electronic book is created.

  In recent years, with the spread of electronic book readers and tablet PCs, instead of conventional paper-based books, what are called electronic books that can be viewed on the display of electronic devices are becoming popular. In such a background, in addition to portability of book information, for the convenience of reducing the storage location, there are widespread methods for users to digitize books on paper media themselves. The fact that scanners for consumer products equipped with feeder mechanisms (ADF (Auto Document Feeder)) have become available at low cost in recent years is also a factor in the spread of such methods. In order to read from ADF, it is necessary to separate the paper books one page at a time.

  However, this eliminates the need for the troublesome operation of turning the book upside-down on the glass plate for each page by the user, and makes it possible to digitize a large number of books easily at high speed.

  By the way, there are pages in which one image is printed for two spread pages (two left and right pages facing each other when a book or magazine is opened). Since such a page consists of two pages on the left and right pages, it is desirable that the pages can be simultaneously viewed on the screen when viewed as an electronic book on an electronic device such as a tablet. Further, when bookbinding printing is performed on the read data, it is desirable that printing be performed so that the spread original is located at the spread position of the printed material. For this purpose, it is necessary to recognize whether or not the target electronic data is a page expressed in a spread.

  Therefore, as a conventional technique, there is a method of taking a profile of the luminance value of the boundary when the data is divided into left and right halves with respect to electronic data obtained by reading a book or a normal document. When the luminance value is a predetermined low value and a constant value, it is determined that the book is data read out on a glass plate (that is, a spread page of the book) (see Patent Document 1). By this method, a spread page can be detected from the scan data, and the format of bookbinding printing can be adjusted using the information.

JP 2010-124081 A

  However, in the spread detection method according to the above-described prior art, in the method of separating and digitizing a book as described above, the shadow of the binding portion of the book does not appear in the scan data, and the data is the read data of the book and the spread page. I don't know if it exists. Furthermore, even if the page is printed with facing pages, the left and right pages are divided and scanned as separate data, so that the boundary area cannot be analyzed as in the prior art described above. However, even when reading such a book, it is desirable to be able to detect whether it is a spread page in the scanned data.

  The configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a detection processing region determination unit 501 that determines a region for performing spread determination processing on image data obtained by dividing and reading a book, and detecting a page to be spread. It is characterized by having a spread page detection processing unit 502 for performing and a post-detection processing unit 503 for performing processing after the spread page detection process so that the spread pages can be browsed collectively when browsing as an electronic book.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a spread page even in data scanned by separating a book, and to display simultaneously when browsing with a tablet, or to print at a position where a spread page is spread when binding a book. Become.

Copier appearance example Main configuration of the scanner unit Schematic diagram showing the main configuration and reading operation during “flow-reading” Controller configuration example Block diagram of a scanner IF image processing unit in the first embodiment Illustration of booklet reading Explanatory drawing of the determination method of the detection area in Example 1 Explanatory drawing of a spread page detection process in Example 1. FIG. Explanatory drawing of the post-detection process in Example 1. Flow chart of the first embodiment Explanatory drawing of a spread page detection process in Example 1. FIG. Flow chart of embodiment 2 Block diagram of a scanner IF image processing unit in Embodiment 3 Explanatory drawing of the determination method of the detection area in Example 3 Flow chart of embodiment 3 Explanatory drawing of the margin area of the binding part of a bookbinding document Explanatory drawing of the determination method of the detection area in Example 4 Block diagram of scanner IF image processing unit in embodiment 4 Explanatory drawing of the post-detection process in Example 4. Flow chart of embodiment 4 Block diagram of scanner IF image processing unit in embodiment 5 UI display image of spread detection result Flow chart of embodiment 5

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
As described above, when a book is released and scanned by a reading device, it has not been possible to determine whether or not the page is a spread page. Therefore, in the first embodiment, a method for detecting a spread page from scan data will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 even in such a case. Note that the spread page described in this specification refers to a page on which an image is placed across the left and right pages when the book is opened.

<Appearance of copier>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an appearance example of a copying machine according to the first embodiment.

  The scanner unit 100 serving as an image reading unit converts reflected image information obtained by exposing and scanning an image on a document by light emitted from an illumination lamp into a linear image sensor (CCD sensor) to convert image information into an electrical signal. To do. The scanner unit 100 further converts the electrical signal into a luminance signal composed of R, G, and B colors, and outputs the luminance signal as image data to a controller 200 (FIG. 4) described later.

  The document is set on the tray 102 of the document feeder 101. When the user gives an instruction to start reading from the operation unit 300, the controller 400 sends an original reading instruction to the scanner unit 100. Upon receiving this instruction, the scanner unit 100 feeds documents one by one from the tray 102 of the document feeder 101 and performs a document reading operation (hereinafter, this operation mode is referred to as a flow reading mode). The original can also be read by placing it on an original platen glass described later.

  The printer 200 is an image forming device that forms image data received from the controller 400 on a sheet.

  The image forming method in this embodiment is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt. The printer 200 also includes a plurality of paper cassettes 201, 202, and 203 that can handle different paper sizes or different paper orientations. The printed paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 204.

<Copier-scanner unit>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a main configuration and reading operation of the scanner unit 100 using the linear image sensor according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 103 denotes an original table glass on which an original 104 to be read is placed. The original 104 is irradiated by an illumination lamp 105, and the reflected light passes through mirrors 106, 107, and 108 and is imaged on the CCD sensor 110 by a lens 109. The first mirror unit 111 including the mirror 106 and the illumination lamp 105 moves at a speed v, and the second mirror unit 112 including the mirrors 107 and 108 moves at a speed 1/2 v, thereby scanning the front surface of the document 100.

  The first mirror unit 111 and the second mirror unit 112 are driven by a motor 113. The reflected light input to the CCD sensor 110 is converted into an electrical signal by the sensor, and the electrical signal of the pixel is converted into digital data by an A / D converter (not shown) and input to the controller 400 as a pixel signal. The CCD sensor 110 can select a 600 dpi reading mode and a 300 dpi reading mode by setting.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a main configuration and a reading operation in the case of “flowing reading” in which a document is read by operating the document feeder 101 separately from FIG. In FIG. 3, the document 104 to be read is placed on the tray 102. In this flow-reading mode, the document is conveyed from the tray 102 by the driving roller 114 once through the surface of the document table glass 113 at a constant speed in the direction of the arrow in FIG. In such a flow reading mode, the optical system such as the first mirror unit 111 and the second mirror unit 112 is not moved and the original is read at a fixed position. In this flow-reading mode, since it is only necessary to move the document in a certain direction, a large number of documents can be continuously read at a high speed.

<Copier-Controller>
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing in detail the hardware configuration of the copying machine of the present invention, in particular, the configuration example of the controller.

  The controller 400 is connected to the scanner 100 that is an image input device, the printer 200 that is an image output device, the LAN 10, and the public line (WAN) 12, and controls the operation of the copier as well as image information and devices. Performs input / output control of information.

  The CPU 401 is a processor that controls the entire copying machine, and comprehensively controls access to various connected devices based on a control program or the like stored in the ROM 402. In addition, the CPU 401 comprehensively controls various processes performed in the controller 400. A RAM 403 is a system work memory, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data and the like. The ROM 402 is a boot ROM and stores a system boot program. The HDD 404 is a hard disk drive, and mainly stores information (system software) and image data necessary for starting up and operating the computer. These data may be stored not only in the HDD 404 but also in a recording medium that can be stored even when the power is turned off.

  A LANC (LAN controller) 405 is connected to the LAN 10 and inputs / outputs output image data and information related to device control to / from the user PC 20. A local IF (local interface) 406 is an interface such as USB or Centronics, and is connected to the user PC 21 or a printer via the cable 11 to input / output data. The MODEM 407 is connected to the public line 12 and inputs / outputs data. A printer IF image processing unit 408 is connected to the printer 200 and communicates with a CPU mounted on the printer 200.

  Also, the printer IF image processing unit 408 performs image processing for synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data and print output. A scanner IF image processing unit 409 is connected to the scanner 100 and communicates with a CPU mounted on the scanner 100. Details of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 will be described later. The operation unit IF 410 is an interface for outputting image data to be displayed on the operation unit 300 from the controller 400 to the operation unit 300 and outputting information input from the operation unit 300 by the user of the copying machine to the controller 400. .

<Scanner IF image processing unit>
FIG. 5 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of the scanner IF image processing unit 409.
The detection processing area determination unit 501 receives document information indicating whether the user opens right or left, and determines a position where a spread page is detected for the read data. The spread page detection processing unit 502 inputs data read by the scanner 100 and detects whether the detection area determined by the detection processing area determination unit 501 is a spread page. The post-detection processing unit 503 performs a process of associating a pair of pages with a page detected as a spread page in the spread page detection processing unit 502.

<Description of how to scan a booklet document>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a method for separating a book, reading it with a scanner, and converting it into an electronic book. FIG. 6A shows a bookbinding document to be converted into an electronic book. The right side is bound and connected at the binding when opened. FIG. 6B shows a document that is left and right separated by cutting and disassembling the binding portion of the bookbinding document. This document is read using a device capable of automatically feeding the document, such as an ADF of a multifunction peripheral.

<Details of detection processing area determination unit>
Details of the detection processing area determination unit 501 will be described. In order to determine the detection processing area, the detection processing area determination unit 501 receives information about whether the original input by the user from the operation unit 300 is right-open or left-open. The detection processing area determination unit 501 refers to the received information, and when it is opened to the right, as shown in FIG. 7A, the left end part of the odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0, 1, 2, 3...) And a vertical line at the right end of the even page 2n + 2 (n = 0, 1, 2, 3...) Are set as detection processing areas. (Here, the scanned data includes the cover page and the next page of the cover page is the first page). In the case of left opening, as shown in FIG. 7B, the vertical line of the right end of the odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0, 1, 2, 3...) And the even page 2n + 2 (n = 0) , 1, 2, 3...) As a detection processing area.

<Details of spread page detection processing section>
Details of the spread page detection processing unit 502 will be described. The spread page detection processing unit 502 determines whether the two regions determined by the detection processing region determination unit 501 are white regions or regions having image data. If an image area exists in the two areas, and the two areas are compared and the degree of coincidence of the positional relationship between the white background area and the image area is equal to or greater than a threshold value, the page is determined to be a spread page.

  FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are explanatory diagrams when the above detection process is applied to data that is not a spread page. In the case of FIG. 8A, since the two detection areas are both white areas, it is determined that they are not spread pages. In the case of FIG. 8B, an image area exists in the detection area on the left side, but when the detection areas of the left and right images are compared, the white area and the image area do not match, so it is determined that the page is not a spread page.

  FIG. 8 (c) is an explanatory diagram when the above detection processing is applied to data which is a spread page. Since both the left and right image data have an image area and the white area and the image area exist in the same area, it is determined that the page is a spread page.

<Details of post-detection processing unit>
Details of the post-detection processing unit 503 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, the post-detection processing unit 503 combines the image data of the pages detected by the spread page detection processing unit 502 as a spread page into one data. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9B, by adding attribute information for each page that identifies a pair of pages to the detected page for each page, the attribute page is referred to in the image display application such as a tablet and the page is simultaneously opened. A method for enabling display is also possible. With this process, the spread page can be viewed at a time when displayed on a tablet or the like as shown in FIG. 9 (c).

  Next, spread page detection processing control when a bookbinding document is read will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 1001, the operation unit 300 receives document information of right-open or left-open from the user. The received document information is transmitted to the scanner IF image processing unit 409 via the operation unit IF410.

  In step S <b> 1002, the operation unit 300 accepts pressing of a document reading start button from the user. When an input for reading start is received, the scanner 100 reads a document placed on the document feeder 101. The read data is transmitted to the scanner IF image processing unit 409.

  In step S <b> 1003, the detection processing area determination unit 501 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 receives document information from the operation unit 300. If the received document information is referred to and the document is left-opened, the process proceeds to S1004. If the document is opened right, the process proceeds to S1005.

  In step S1004, the detection processing area determination unit 501 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 performs “the rightmost vertical line of the 2n + 1th sheet data” and “the 2n + second sheet data leftmost vertical line” (n = 0). , 1,2,3 ...) is set as the judgment area of the spread page. The information of the determination area is spread and transmitted to the page detection unit processing unit 502.

  In step S <b> 1005, the detection processing area determination unit 501 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 performs “the leftmost vertical line of the 2n + 1th sheet data” and “the 2n + second sheet data rightmost vertical line” (n = 0). , 1,2,3 ...) is set as the judgment area of the spread page. The information of the determination area is spread and transmitted to the page detection unit processing unit 502.

  In step S <b> 1006, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 refers to the read data received from the scanner 100 and the determination region information received from the detection processing region determination unit 501. It is determined whether the read data determination area is a white background area (any RGB value of the read data is 0) or an image area (any RGB value of the read data is other than 0).

  In S1007, when the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 determines that all the detection areas are white, the process proceeds to S1011. If it is determined that there is an image area in the detection area, the flow shifts to S1008.

  In step S1008, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 compares the determination result of the white area or the image area in the detection areas of both pages. Judged to be a page. When the coincidence degree of the determination result is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the page is not a spread page. Note that a fixed value may be set in advance as the threshold value of the degree of match, or the setting value may be changed on the UI.

  In S1009, when the post-detection processing unit 503 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 determines that the page is a spread page, the process proceeds to S1010. When it is determined that the page is not a spread page, the process proceeds to S1011.

  In step S1010, the post-detection processing unit 503 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 combines the paired data in the spread, saves it as one data, and proceeds to step S1011.

  In step S1011, the scanner IF image processing unit 409 determines whether all data detection processing has been completed. If all have been completed, the process ends. If all of them have not been completed, the process proceeds to S1006 and the remaining data is determined.

  According to the above procedure, when the bound portion of the bookbinding document is separated and the data read by the scanner is viewed on a tablet or the like, the page on which the image is printed across the spread can be displayed and viewed at a time.

(Example 2)
By detecting the spread page by the method of the first embodiment, it is possible to browse at once with a device such as a tablet. However, in the method of the first embodiment, the spread can be determined for a book expressed in monochrome binary such as a comic book, but the book or background color on which an image expressed in color or multi-tone is printed. If it is a book other than white, it may not be judged correctly. This is because if the determination is made only for the white background or the image area, it is determined that the image area is the same even for images having different colors and gradations on the left and right pages. In the second embodiment, a method for correctly performing spread detection even in a bookbinding document including a color or multi-tone image will be described.

<Appearance of copier>
Since the appearance example of the copying machine is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Copier-scanner unit>
Since the main configuration and reading operation of the scanner unit 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Copier-Controller>
Since the configuration example of the controller is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Scanner IF image processing unit>
Since the scanner IF image processing unit 409 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Details of detection processing area determination unit>
Since the detection processing area determination unit 501 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Details of spread page detection processing section>
Details of the spread page detection processing unit 502 in the second embodiment will be described. The spread page detection processing unit 502 takes luminance values in the two areas determined by the detection processing area determination unit 501. In the case of color, the luminance value of each component of R, G, B is detected. In the case of monochrome, the luminance value of only one component is detected. In the detected luminance value, when the area is constant and constant, it is determined that the background (non-image area) is not spread. In the detected luminance value, when the area is not a specific value and constant, it is determined that the area is an image area, and the luminance value is compared. As a result of the comparison, if the degree of coincidence of the luminance values is equal to or greater than the threshold, it is determined that the page is a spread page.

  FIG. 11A is an explanatory diagram when the spread page determination is performed by the method of the first embodiment in a case where there are diagrams with different gradations on the left and right pages. In the method according to the first embodiment for determining whether an image area or a white background area, although the left and right page images are different images, the areas in which the images exist match, so that the page is misdetected. .

FIG. 11B is an explanatory diagram when an image similar to FIG. 11A is subjected to the spread page determination by the method of the second embodiment. By comparing the luminance value coordinates of each page and comparing them, it is possible to recognize that images of different gradations are different images, so that it is possible to correctly determine that the pages are not spread pages.
FIG. 11C is an explanatory diagram when the spread page is determined by the method of the first embodiment in the case where the background colors are different between the left and right pages. In the method according to the first embodiment that determines whether the image area is a white background area, it is determined that the background on which the color is placed is the image area, and erroneous detection occurs.

  FIG. 11D is an explanatory diagram when a spread page is determined for the same image as FIG. 11C by the method of the second embodiment. By taking the brightness value of each page for each coordinate (here, R, G, and B) and comparing them, it is possible to determine that the background is a background even if the background is not a white background. It is possible to judge correctly. Although not shown here, even if the image data is color instead of the background, it can be correctly detected by the same method.

  Next, the control of the spread page detection process in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Since S1201 to S1205 are the same as S1001 to S1005 of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  In step S1206, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 determines whether the scanner 300 performs color reading or monochrome reading. If color reading is performed, the process proceeds to step S1207. In the case of monochrome reading, the process proceeds to S1208.

  In step S1207, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 takes the luminance value of the determination region for each input data from the R, G, and B line sensors.

  In step S1208, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 takes the luminance value of the determination region with respect to input data from the sensor that reads the monochrome component. In addition, here is an explanation when using a CCD110 device composed of R, G, B, monochrome and 4-line sensors, and in the case of a device with a different configuration such as a 3-line sensor, the method of obtaining the brightness value is different. Needless to say.

  In S1209, when the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 determines that the luminance value of the detection area is constant, the process proceeds to S1213. When it is determined that the luminance value is constant, the process proceeds to S1210.

  In S1210, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 compares the determination results of the luminance value distributions in the detection areas of both pages, and if the degree of coincidence of the determination results is equal to or greater than the threshold, the page is a spread page. Is determined. When the coincidence degree of the determination result is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the page is not a spread page. Note that a fixed value may be set in advance as the threshold value of the degree of match, or the setting value may be changed on the UI.

  Since S1211 to S1213 are the same as S1009 to S1011 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  According to the above procedure, the spread page detection can be correctly performed even for a document on which a color or high gradation image is placed or a document whose background is not white.

(Example 3)
With the methods of the first and second embodiments, it is possible to detect a spread page regardless of the type of document such as color or monochrome, and it is possible to view the spread page at once with a device such as a tablet. However, in order to detect the spread of the original, it is necessary for the user to select whether the original is opened right or left during the reading operation, which is troublesome for the user. In addition, if a right opening and a left opening are erroneously input, a page that is a spread page cannot be detected, and a page that is not a spread page may be erroneously detected as a spread. Therefore, in the third embodiment, a method of performing spread page detection without causing the user to input whether to open right or left will be described.

<Appearance of copier>
Since the appearance example of the copying machine is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Copier-scanner unit>
Since the main configuration and reading operation of the scanner unit 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Copier-Controller>
Since the configuration example of the controller is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Scanner IF image processing unit>
FIG. 13 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 according to the third embodiment. The detection processing area determination unit 1301 transmits two groups of detection areas as detection processing areas to the spread detection processing unit. Details will be described later. The spread page detection processing unit 1302 performs spread detection for the two groups. Details will be described later. The post-detection processing unit 1303 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<Details of detection processing area determination unit>
Details of the detection processing area determination unit 1301 in the third embodiment will be described. The detection processing area determination unit 1301 sets each of the detection group 1 and the detection group 2 as a detection area regardless of whether the original is opened to the right or left. Here, as shown in FIG. 14, the detection group 1 is the detection area of the right edge of the odd page and the left edge of the even page, and the detection group 2 is the detection area of the left edge of the odd page and the right edge of the even page. .

<Details of spread page detection processing section>
Details of the spread page detection processing unit 1302 will be described. The spread page detection processing unit 1302 performs detection processing for each of the two groups. The method of performing the spread page detection may be either the method of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. As a book structure, if one group is towards the binding, the other group is outside the page, so it cannot be spread. Therefore, the detection result of the group with the larger number of pages in which the two-page spread detection is performed in the detection groups 1 and 2 is validated, and the detection result of the smaller group is ignored. An effective detection result is transmitted to the post-detection processing unit 1303.

  Next, the control of the spread page detection process when the bookbinding document is read will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Since S1501 is the same as S1002 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S1502, the detection area determination unit 1301 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 designates each of the detection group 1 and the detection group 2 as a detection area regardless of whether the document is opened right or left.

  Since S1503 to S1507 are the same as S1206 to S1210 of the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Note that here, as a method for determining a spread page, the method shown in the second embodiment is taken as an example, but the methods shown in S1001 and S1003 to 1008 in the first embodiment may be used.

  In step S1508, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 confirms the group with the larger number of pages detected as a spread page from the detection result of each group.

In S1509, the spread page detection processing unit 502 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 determines that the direction is the binding portion direction when the target area is a group with many spread page detections, and the process proceeds to S1510. If the target area is a group with few spread page detections, it is determined that the direction is opposite to the binding side, and the flow shifts to S1512.
Since S1510 to S1512 are the same as S1009 to S1011 of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  According to the above procedure, it is possible to automatically determine whether the document is opened right or left without receiving an input of whether the document is opened right or left, and detect a spread page.

Example 4
The spread pages can be detected by the methods of the first and second embodiments. However, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the description has been made on the assumption that an image exists at a break of a spread page. However, when making a book with a large number of pages, the binding portion is thicker as shown in FIG. In this case, the center portion of the page that is printed in a spread is bound, and the center portion of the image becomes invisible. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16B, the thickness of the book is calculated, a margin (binding margin) is inserted in the center, and processing may be performed so that the entire page can be browsed naturally when opened.

  In this case, when the page is separated, even if it is a spread page, the margin in the center portion comes to the detection region. Therefore, even if it is a spread page, it is determined that it is not a spread page. End up. Even if the spread page can be detected and the spread page is displayed on a device such as a tablet at the same time, it cannot be said that the appearance is good because a margin is inserted in the center. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, a description will be given of a method of detecting a spread page without erroneous detection even if it is a bookbinding document having a margin for binding and displaying it with a good appearance when viewed on a device such as a tablet.

  In the present embodiment, the spread page detection processing unit will be described with respect to a method of performing processing by determining the left or right detection area of the page as in the first and second embodiments, as in the third embodiment. A configuration in which detection processing is performed on each of the two detection groups may be employed.

<Appearance of copier>
Since the appearance example of the copying machine is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Copier-scanner unit>
Since the main configuration and reading operation of the scanner unit 100 are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

<Copier-Controller>
Since the configuration example of the controller is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Scanner IF image processing unit>
FIG. 18 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 according to the fourth embodiment. A detection processing area determination unit 1801 inputs data read by the scanner 100 and determines a position where a spread page is detected for the read data. At this time, the margin maximum value information input by the user from the operation unit 300 is received, and the determination is made in consideration of the margin of the binding portion. Details will be described later. Since the spread page detection processing unit 1802 is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. The post-detection processing unit 1803 performs a linking process in consideration of the margin of the binding portion for the page detected as a spread page in the spread page detection processing unit 1802.

<Details of detection processing area determination unit>
Details of the detection processing area determination unit 1801 in the fourth embodiment will be described. In order to determine the detection processing area, the detection processing area determination unit 1801 receives information on whether the original input by the user from the operation unit 300 is right-open or left-open, and margin maximum value information. The detection processing area determination unit 1801 refers to the information received from the operation unit. When the detection processing area determination unit 1801 is opened rightward, the left part of the odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0, 1, 2, 3...), The even page 2n + 2 Refer to the right part of (n = 0,1,2,3 ...). If left open, the right part of odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0,1,2,3 ...) and the left part of even page 2n + 2 (n = 0,1,2,3 ...) refer. (Here, the next page of the cover is described as the first page.) As shown in FIG. 17 (b), within the maximum margin of the area of the referenced page, the direction to connect to the next page when the page spreads. The comparison line is the line closest to the line where the image data exists.

<Details of post-detection processing unit>
Details of the post-detection processing unit 1802 in the fourth embodiment will be described. The post-detection processing unit 1802 refers to the image data of the page detected as a spread page by the spread page detection processing unit 1802 and the margin information of each page received from the detection processing area determination unit 1801. Then, as shown in FIG. 19B, blank pages are removed from the reference information and combined into one data. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 19 (c), a method of adding, for each page, attribute information that allows a page to be paired by page spread and attribute information that indicates a margin width to a page detected without combining data. But you can.

  Next, the control of the spread page detection process when the bookbinding document is read will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Since S2001 to S2003 are the same as S1001 to S1003 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S2004, the detection processing area determination unit 1801 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 reads “the right side of 2n + 1 sheet data” and “the left side of 2n + 2 sheet data” (n = 0, 1, 2, 3). ...) is a reference area. Based on the maximum margin value information received from the operation unit 300, the vertical one line area closest to the edge of the page within the maximum margin area of the reference area is set as the detection area, and the determination area The information is spread and transmitted to the page detection unit processing unit 1802.

  In step S2005, the detection processing area determination unit 1801 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 performs “the left side of the 2n + 1 sheet data” and “the right side of the 2n + 2 sheet data” (n = 0, 1, 2, 3). ...) is a reference area. Based on the maximum margin value information received from the operation unit 300, the vertical one line area closest to the edge of the page within the maximum margin area of the reference area is set as the detection area, and the determination area The information is spread and transmitted to the page detection unit processing unit 1802.

  Since S2006 to S2009 are the same as S1006 to S1009 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

In step S2010, the post-detection processing unit 1803 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 receives the margin information of the page to be spread from the detection processing area determination unit 1801, deletes the margin area of the spread page, and sets the paired data. Combined and saved, then proceeds to S2011. Alternatively, as described above, the margin information may be added to the page data as attribute information.
Since S2011 is the same as 1011 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  According to the above procedure, even if the original to be read is an original printed with margins in consideration of the binding portion of the book, it is possible to detect the spread pages without erroneous detection due to the margin being seen. Can do.

(Example 5)
The spread page detection can be performed by the method as described above. However, if a spread page is erroneously detected for some reason, pages that are not spread will be linked, and they will be displayed in a reduced size even though they do not need to be viewed together on a tablet etc. End up. Therefore, in this embodiment, assuming that erroneous detection occurs, a method of displaying a page detected as a spread page on the UI and allowing the user to select a page that is not to be combined by spread will be described. In this embodiment, the detection area determination method, the spread page detection method, and the post-detection processing method in Embodiment 1 will be described. However, the methods described in Embodiment 2, Embodiment 3, and Embodiment 4 are used. It may be used.

<Appearance of copier>
An example of the appearance of the copying machine is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

<Copier-scanner unit>
Since the configuration of the scanner unit is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Copier-Controller>
Since the configuration of the controller is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

<Scanner IF image processing unit>
FIG. 21 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 according to the fifth embodiment. Since the detection processing area determination unit 2101 is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. The spread page detection processing unit 2102 detects whether or not the detection area determined by the detection processing area determination unit 2101 is a spread page, and transmits the detection result to the operation unit 300. The post-detection processing unit 503 performs processing for associating pages with each other for a set of pages that are not excluded by the user through the operation unit 300.

<Details of spread page detection processing section>
Details of the spread page detection processing unit 2102 will be described. The spread page detection method is the same as that in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. The spread page detection processing unit 2102 transmits the page determined to be spread to the operation unit 300. The operation unit 300 displays the page determined to be spread as shown in FIG. 22, causes the user to select an erroneous determination page, and transmits the information to the post-detection processing unit 2103.

<Details of post-detection processing unit>
Details of the post-detection processing unit 2103 will be described. The post-detection processing unit 2103 combines image data into one data for a page that is detected as a spread page by the spread page detection processing unit 2102 and is not excluded from the operation unit by the user. Alternatively, as in the first embodiment, attribute information indicating a spread page is added.

  Next, the control of the spread page detection process when the bookbinding document is read according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  Since S2301 to S2308 are the same as S1001 to S1008 of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In step S2309, the spread page detection processing unit 2102 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 transmits the page data determined to be the spread page to the operation unit 300, and displays the UI. The operation unit 300 accepts selection of an exclusion page from the user. The operation unit 300 transmits user selection information to the post-detection processing unit 2103.

  In S2310, if the post-detection processing unit 2103 of the scanner IF image processing unit 409 is a page that is determined to be spread by the spread page detection processing unit 2102 and has not been excluded from the user by the operation unit 300, S2311. Transition to. If it is not detected that the page is a spread page, or if it is a page that is excluded from the operation unit 300, the process proceeds to S2321.

  Since S2311-S2312 are the same as S1010-S1011 of Example 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  With the above procedure, even if there is a false detection in the spread page detection process, only the spread page can be reliably processed by displaying the detection result on the UI and allowing the user to select.

100 scanner unit, 101 document feeder, 102 tray, 200 controller,
300 operation units, 400 controllers

Claims (11)

For image data that was read by dividing a book,
A detection processing area determination unit 501 that determines an area for performing spread spread determination processing;
A spread page detection processing unit 502 for detecting a page to be spread;
A post-detection processing unit 503 that performs processing after the spread page detection process so that the spread pages can be viewed together when browsing the spread pages as an electronic book;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The detection processing area determination unit
When the original to be scanned includes the front cover and the back page of the front cover is one page,
If the document input by the user is a right-open or left-open information, if it is a right-open, one vertical line at the left end of the odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0, 1, 2, 3...) If the vertical line of the right end of the even page 2n + 2 (n = 0,1,2,3...) Is set as the detection processing area and left page is opened, the odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0,1,2,2) 3. The vertical line of the right end of 3... And the vertical line of the left end of even page 2n + 2 (n = 0, 1, 2, 3...) Are used as detection processing areas. The image forming apparatus described. The detection processing area determination unit
When the original to be scanned includes the front cover and the back page of the front cover is one page,
Irrespective of whether the document is right-open or left-open, the detection group 1 for the right edge 1 line of the odd page and the left edge 1 line of the even page, and the left edge 1 line of the odd page and the right edge 1 line detection group of the even page 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of 2 is set as a detection region. The spread page detection processing unit
It is determined whether the area determined by the detection processing area determination unit is a white area or an area having image data, the image area exists in the two areas, and the two areas are compared, and the white area and the image area are compared. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus determines that the page is a spread page when the degree of coincidence of the positional relationship in which the image is present is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The spread page detection processing unit
For the area determined by the detection processing area determination unit, the brightness value of only one component is detected for each component of R, G, and B in the case of color, and in the case of monochrome, and the inside of the area is specified in the detected brightness value If the value is constant, it is determined that the background (non-image area) is not spread, and if the detected luminance value is not constant at a specific value, it is determined to be an image area and the luminance value The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the degree of coincidence of luminance values is equal to or greater than a threshold value, it is determined that the page is a spread page. The post-detection processing unit
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein image data of pages detected as a spread page by the spread page detection processing unit is combined into one data. The post-detection processing unit
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein attribute information that identifies a pair of pages in a spread is added to the detected page for each page. The detection processing area determination unit
When the original to be scanned includes the front cover and the back page of the front cover is one page, refer to the information on whether the original input by the user is right-open or left-open, and the margin maximum value information, Open the left part of odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0,1,2,3 ...), right part of even page 2n + 2 (n = 0,1,2,3 ...), open odd page 2n + 1 (n = 0,1,2,3 ...) right part and even page 2n + 2 (n = 0,1,2,3 ...) left part as reference area 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a line in which image data exists that is closest to a direction connecting to an adjacent page when the page is spread within the maximum margin value is a comparison line. The post-detection processing unit
Based on the image data of the page detected by the spread page detection processing unit as a spread page and the margin information of each page received from the detection processing area determination unit 1801, the margin page is removed and combined into one piece of data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8. The post-detection processing unit
Based on the image data of the page detected as the spread page by the spread page detection processing unit and the margin information of each page received from the detection processing area determination unit 1801, the detected page is paired with the spread. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein attribute information for understanding a page and attribute information for identifying a margin position and width are added for each page. It has an operation unit 300 that can display image data and accept operations from the user.
The spread page detection processing unit transmits the spread page detection result to the operation unit 300,
The operation unit 300 displays the detected page on the UI, accepts an exclusion selection from the spread detection page from the user, transmits the received information to the post-detection processing unit,
The post-detection processing unit can perform post-detection processing on a page that is detected as a spread page by a spread page detection processing unit and is not excluded from the operation unit by the user. An image processing apparatus according to 1.