JP2021022863A - Image processing system, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image processing system capable of avoiding mixed loading of documents from different scanning jobs with a simple configuration, and a control method thereof and a program.SOLUTION: In the image processing system, a CPU of a control unit is configured so as to, when determining that documents remain on the discharge tray 210 based on the response from a document sensor 212, control a scanner unit not to start the scanning of documents even when a start key is pressed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image processing device that reads a document and discharges it to an ejection unit, a control method thereof, and a program.

In recent years, as image processing devices have become more sophisticated, multifunction devices capable of processing functions such as copying, transmitting, and printing in parallel have become the mainstream. With regard to multifunction devices, the use in an environment where various users work in the same workspace, such as a shared office, is increasing. In such an environment, it is an extremely important issue from the viewpoint of security and the like to prevent users from mistakenly mistakenly picking up manuscripts and printed matter and mixed loading.

The following proposals have been made from the viewpoint of preventing mixed loading of manuscripts. In Patent Document 1, when scanning of the next job is started while the original that has been scanned in the previous job remains in the document ejection tray of the automatic document feeder, the partition paper is ejected from the original. Prevents mixed loading of documents by inserting them into the tray.

JP-A-11-38695

However, in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide the document transporting device with a device for loading and inserting the partition paper, which causes a problem that the configuration is complicated.

An object of the present invention is to avoid mixed loading of originals of different scanning jobs with a simple configuration.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has an instruction means for instructing the start of reading a document, a reading means for reading a document in response to an instruction to start reading by the instruction means, and reading by the reading means. Even if the ejection unit for ejecting the printed document, the detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the original document in the ejection unit, and the instruction means instructing the start of reading, the detection means may have the document in the ejection unit. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling the reading means so as not to start reading the original in the detected state.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent documents of different scanning jobs from being mixedly loaded with a simple configuration.

It is a block diagram of the control mechanism of an image processing apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the DF unit of a scanner part. It is a flowchart of a read transmission job process. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen. It is a figure which shows the example of the authentication screen. It is a flowchart of a read transmission job process. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a control mechanism of an image processing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This image processing device is configured as, for example, a multifunction device, and mainly has a scanner unit 112 (reading means) and a printer unit 113, which are image input / output devices, and also has a control unit 115. The scanner unit 112 reads the document, and the printer unit 113 prints the image on paper.

Each component of the control unit 115 is connected to the system bus 101 or the image bus 110. The ROM 102 stores the boot program of the system. Further, the system software that realizes each means of the present embodiment is stored in the ROM 102 or the storage memory 105, and is executed by the CPU 103. The RAM 104 is a system work memory area for the CPU 103 to execute software, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data when it is processed. The storage memory 105 is composed of an HDD (hard disk) and an SSD (Solid State Drive), and is used as an internal storage. The storage memory 105 stores image data read by the scanner unit 112, input image data, system software, and the like. The LAN (local area network) I / F unit 106 inputs and outputs information to and from each device connected to the LAN. The line I / F unit 107 inputs / outputs information to and from each device connected to the WAN.

The image bus 110 transfers image data to and from the system bus 101 at high speed. The IO control unit A109 is a bus bridge that connects the image bus 110 and converts the data structure for the system bus 101. The image bus 110 is composed of a general-purpose bus such as a PCI bus, IEEE1394, and PCIExpress. A scanner unit 112, a printer unit 113, and an image processing unit 111 are arranged on the image bus 110.

The image processing unit 111 is composed of a plurality of ASICs that perform image processing such as resolution conversion, compression / expansion, and binary multi-value conversion on the input image data and the output image data. The operation unit 114 includes an LCD touch panel or the like on which a display device and a keypad device are mounted. The operation unit control unit B108 is an interface unit with the operation unit 114, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 114 to the operation unit 114. Further, the operation unit control unit B108 transmits the information input by the operator (user) to the CPU 103 using the operation unit 114. The operation unit control unit B108 is an I / F unit for software to control the operation unit 114. The operation unit 114 interprets the VGA signal output from the operation unit control unit B108 and displays the information.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a DF (Document Feeder) unit of the scanner unit 112. The DF unit has a document tray 200 for loading documents to be read. The document tray 200 has two document guides 201. Two document guides 201 are provided side by side in the width direction of the document (direction perpendicular to the direction of transporting the document). The document tray 200 is provided with a document sensor 202 for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the document tray 200, and a size detection sensor 203 for detecting the size of the document on the document tray 200.

The documents loaded on the document tray 200 are conveyed by the pickup roller 204, the transfer roller 206, and the paper ejection roller 209. The pickup roller 204 conveys the documents loaded on the document tray 200 into the document transport path inside the DF unit. The transport roller 206 transports the documents transported into the document transport path by the pickup roller 204.

The document conveyed by the pickup roller 204 is detected by the document passage detection sensor 205, and it is determined whether or not the first document has passed through based on the detection time. The transport roller 206, the pickup roller 204, and the paper ejection roller 209 are all driven by a stepping motor (not shown). The sub-scan thinning process in the DF unit is realized by doubling the frequency of each drive pulse of the rollers 206, 204, and 209.

The document conveyed by the DF unit is read by the CIS 208 provided in the sensor unit 211 through the DF reading window 207. The sensor unit 211 can freely move in the sub-scanning direction, and can also move in the same direction as the transport direction of the document transported from the transport roller 206 toward the paper ejection roller 209. The DF reading window 207 has a certain length in the sub-scanning direction, and within the range of the length, the CIS 208 can be moved to an arbitrary position and the document can be read at that moving position. The CIS 208 is composed of a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, and simultaneously performs a FIFO for accumulating images of each element and a control signal for controlling the FIFO and the CCD. The CIS 208 is configured by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in a row.

The paper ejection roller 209 conveys the document read by the sensor unit 211 to the paper ejection tray 210 (discharging unit) and ejects the original to the paper ejection tray 210. The ejected original is loaded on the output tray 210. The output tray 210 is provided with a document sensor 212 as a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the output tray 210.

Next, using FIGS. 3 to 5, the operation of the reading / transmitting job of scanning the original, converting the acquired image data into PDF, and transmitting it to an external device such as a PC (personal computer) connected to the network is performed. explain.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the read transmission job process. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing an example of a setting screen displayed on the operation unit 114. In FIG. 3, a scanning transmission job is taken as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a job that requires scanning of a document (for example, a job of scanning an image of a document and printing the scanned image or transmitting it to the outside). The present invention can be applied to. In this process, the CPU 103 corresponds to the control means in the present invention.

The read / transmit job process of FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 103 expanding the program stored in the ROM 102 or the storage memory 105 into the RAM 104 and executing the program. This process is started when the setting instruction of the read transmission job is given.

In step S301, the CPU 103 executes the transmission setting process. That is, the CPU 103 causes the operation unit 114 to display the transmission setting screen 401 shown in FIG. 4, and receives the transmission destination and the reading setting of the document from the operator (user) on the transmission setting screen 401. The transmission setting screen 401 has a transmission destination setting 402 in which a button for setting a transmission destination is arranged, and a scanning setting 405 in which a button for setting a document scanning setting is arranged. In the transmission destination setting 402, a button 403 for setting a PC connected to the network as a destination and a button 404 for setting a fax transmission destination are arranged. Further, in the scanning setting 405, a button 406 for setting the color scanning of the original and a button 407 for setting the transmission resolution are arranged. Further, the scanning setting 405 is arranged with a button 408 for designating the original size and a button 409 for setting the format of the transmitted image.

When the transmission setting process is completed, the CPU 103 waits in step S302 until the start key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 114 as the instruction means is pressed. Note that pressing the start key is an example of an operation for instructing the start of job execution, and the instruction for instructing the start of job execution may be due to another operation on the operation unit 114 or a signal input. Since the scanning transmission job is taken as an example, pressing the start key also corresponds to an operation for instructing the start of scanning the document.

When the start key is pressed, the CPU 103 determines in step S303 whether or not there is a document on the output tray 210 based on the response from the document sensor 212. Then, when there is no original on the output tray 210, there is no risk of mixed loading of the ejected documents between different jobs, so the CPU 103 advances the process to step S304.

On the other hand, when there is a document on the output tray 210, there is a risk that the ejected documents may be mixedly loaded between different jobs, so the CPU 103 advances the process to step S312. In step S312, the CPU 103 displays a notification screen 501 (FIG. 5) on the operation unit 114 in order to prompt the operator to remove the document on the output tray 210. On the notification screen 501, for example, an operation instruction 502 is displayed as a message. After that, the CPU 103 returns the process to step S302. If the originals on the output tray 210 remain, even if the start key is pressed, it is continuously determined that the originals are on the output tray 210 in step S303, so that the processes after step S304 are not executed. That is, the reading of the original is not started. If the start key is pressed again after the original on the output tray 210 is removed, the processes after step S304 are executed.

In step S304, the CPU 103 acquires the document scanning setting among the transmission settings set in step S301. In step S305, the CPU 103 determines the ASIC used for executing the scan from the plurality of ASICs possessed by the image processing unit 111 according to the reading setting acquired in step S304, and sets the ASIC in the ASIC. .. In step S306, the CPU 103 causes the scanner unit 112 to start scanning the document. As a result, the original is read and image data is acquired.

In step S307, the CPU 103 causes the image processing unit 111 to execute image processing on the image data acquired by scanning. In step S308, the CPU 103 saves the processed image data in the storage memory 105. In step S309, the CPU 103 determines whether or not the scanning process of all pages in the current job is completed. If the scanning process of all pages in the current job is not completed, the CPU 103 returns the process to step S304 and shifts to the scanning process of the next page. When the scanning process of all pages in this job is completed, in step S310, the CPU 103 sends the image data saved in step S308 to the image processing unit 111 as a transmission image set by the button 409 (FIG. 4). Convert to the format of. In step S311 the CPU 103 transmits the converted image data to the transmission destination set in the transmission destination setting 402 (FIG. 4). As a result, the read transmission job process shown in FIG. 3 is completed.

Note that this read / send job process may be terminated even during the process if a job process end instruction is given. Further, after step S311 the process may be returned to step S301 to prepare for the next job.

According to the present embodiment, when the CPU 103 is instructed to start scanning (starting execution of the scanning transmission job) in a state where the presence of the document in the output tray 210 is not detected, the scanner unit 112 is instructed to start scanning the document. Controls to start reading (scanning). However, the CPU 103 controls the scanner unit 112 not to start scanning the original when it is detected that the original is present in the output tray 210 even if the scanning start is instructed. Therefore, on the output tray 210, it is possible to avoid loading the original by the current scanning job on the original by the immediately preceding scanning job. As a result, it is possible to prevent documents from different scanning jobs from being mixedly loaded. Moreover, since no device for inserting the partition paper is required, the configuration is simple.

Further, even if the scanner unit 112 does not start scanning the original, the CPU 103 can read the original if the scanning start is instructed again in a state where the presence of the original in the output tray 210 is no longer detected. Start reading. As a result, if the user removes the document on the output tray 210, the user can start scanning the document by issuing a scanning start instruction again.

Further, the CPU 103 notifies that the original should be removed from the output tray 210 when the scanner unit 112 does not start scanning the original even if the scanning start is instructed. As a result, the user can be urged to remove the original, and the situation can be quickly returned to the state in which reading is possible.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment, when there is a document in the output tray 210, scanning of the document is not started even if the scanning start is instructed, so that mixed loading of documents of different scanning jobs is avoided. However, if the inputter of the scanning job is the same operator, it is considered that mixed loading of documents is acceptable. That is, when the same operator continuously submits jobs, it is considered that there is little need to remove the manuscript after each job completion. This is because the operator himself / herself recognizes that his / her own document is loaded on the output tray 210 by continuously inputting jobs. On the other hand, when the submitters of consecutive jobs are different people, it is extremely important to prevent mixed loading of documents.

Therefore, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the CPU 103 further utilizes the login state of the operator to the multifunction device to determine whether the owner of the document remaining in the output tray 210 is the same as the operator. By making a judgment, the start of the scanning process is controlled.

The operation of the read transmission job will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the read transmission job process. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an authentication screen displayed on the operation unit 114. In FIG. 6, a read transmission job is taken as an example, but the same as in FIG. 3 in that the job is not limited to this. The execution subject and start condition of this process are the same as those of the read transmission job process of FIG.

In step S601, the CPU 103 executes a login process. First, the CPU 103 displays the authentication screen 701 (authentication means) shown in FIG. 7 on the operation unit 114, accepts the input of the user name 702 and the personal identification number 703 from the operator, and further presses the login button 704. wait. When the CPU 103 detects that the user name 702 and the password 703 are input and the login button 704 is pressed, if the CPU 103 can determine that the input information matches the registered information and is correct, the CPU 103 determines the operator. Authenticate and log in. After that, the CPU 103 advances the process to step S602.

The processing of steps S602 to S612 is the same as the processing of steps S301 to S311 of FIG. Therefore, the CPU 103 can execute the reading of the document on the condition that the user is authenticated. In addition, the instruction to start scanning the document becomes possible after the user is authenticated.

However, as a result of the determination in step S604, if there is a document on the output tray 210, there is a risk of mixed loading of the ejected documents between different jobs, so the CPU 103 advances the process to step S614. In step S614, the CPU 103 determines whether or not the job to be executed this time (in this example, the read transmission job) is the first job that needs to be read after logging in in step S601.

The fact that the job to be executed this time is the first job that needs to be read after login means that the instruction to start scanning the document for executing the first job after the user has been authenticated has been given. To do. In addition, in order to be determined to be the first job, it is not essential that it is the first job among jobs including jobs of different types (for example, reading is not required), and reading is required (related to scanning). It may be the first job among the jobs.

As a result of the determination in step S614, if it is the first job that requires reading after login, the CPU 103 executes the same process as step S312 in FIG. 3 in step S615. This is because if the first job that requires scanning is executed after login, the manuscript remaining on the output tray 210 is considered to be due to the job of another operator that was executed immediately before. Is. Therefore, since it is necessary to avoid mixed loading, the notification screen 501 (FIG. 5) is displayed. After that, the CPU 103 returns the process to step S603.

On the other hand, if it is not the first job that requires reading after login, it is considered that the currently logged-in operator is continuously submitting jobs. In this case, the manuscript remaining on the output tray 210 belongs to the operator who is currently logged in, and it is considered that mixed loading is permitted. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 103 executes steps S605 to S612. Therefore, the notification screen 501 (FIG. 5) is not displayed, and the document is read.

After step S612, the CPU 103 executes the logout process in step S613. Note that this logout process is executed when a logout instruction is given within a predetermined time. If there is no logout instruction even after the lapse of the predetermined time, the CPU 103 may return the process to step S602. The log-out instruction is given by the operator pressing a log-out button (not shown).

When the log-out instruction is given within the predetermined time, the CPU 103 cancels the authentication of the operator this time, puts it in the log-off state, and ends the read transmission job process shown in FIG. The CPU 103 may return the process to step S601 after setting the log-off state. Even if a log-out instruction is given after the login process in step S602, the process may be returned to step S601 after the log-off state is set.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to achieve the same effect as that of the first embodiment with respect to avoiding mixed loading of originals of different scanning jobs with a simple configuration.

Further, the CPU 103 has detected that the document is on the output tray 210 if the instruction to start scanning is not the instruction to start scanning the document for executing the first job after the user is authenticated. Start scanning the original even in the state. As a result, it is possible to allow mixed loading of manuscripts by jobs of the same user and improve usability.

It is not essential that the device to which the present invention is applied has an image forming function. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a device called a document reading device that does not have an image forming function.

Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various embodiments within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. included. Some of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

103 CPU
112 Scanner unit 114 Operation unit 210 Paper output tray 212 Document sensor

Claims (9)

Instruction means for instructing the start of scanning the document,
A scanning means for reading a document in response to an instruction to start scanning by the instruction means,
An ejection unit from which the document read by the scanning means is ejected,
A detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a document in the ejection unit,
Even if the instruction means instructs to start reading, the detecting means has a control means for controlling the reading means so as not to start reading the original in a state where the presence of the original is detected in the ejection unit. An image processing device characterized by this. The control means controls the reading means to start reading the original when the instructing means instructs the reading start in a state where the detection means has not detected that the original is present in the ejection unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is used. Has an authentication means to authenticate the user
The control means can cause the reading means to read a document on condition that the user is authenticated by the authentication means.
If the instruction to start scanning by the instruction means is not an instruction to start scanning the document for executing the first job after the user is authenticated by the authentication means, the control means sends the document to the ejection unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reading means is controlled to start reading the original even when it is detected to be present. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the instruction to start reading the original by the instruction means becomes possible after the user is authenticated by the authentication means. The control means reads the original by the instructing means after the scanning means does not start reading the original even if the reading start is instructed, and then the detecting means does not detect that the original is present in the ejection unit. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the start is instructed again, the reading means is controlled to start reading the original. A first aspect of the present invention, wherein the control means notifies that the original should be removed from the ejection unit when the reading means does not start reading the original even when the reading start is instructed. 5. The image processing apparatus according to any one of 5. The instruction for starting scanning by the instruction means is an instruction for starting execution of a job of reading an image of a document and printing or transmitting the scanned image to the outside according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The image processing apparatus described. An image having a scanning means for reading a document in response to an instruction to start scanning, an ejection unit for ejecting the document read by the scanning means, and a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a document in the ejection unit. It is a control method of the processing device.
An image processing apparatus according to an image processing apparatus, characterized in that even if an instruction to start scanning is instructed, the scanning means is controlled so as not to start scanning the document when the detecting means detects that the document is present in the ejection unit. Control method. A program comprising causing a computer to execute the control method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 8.

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