JP4018864B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an optical system in which a document on which an image to be read is recorded is placed on a document table, light is irradiated onto the image recording surface of the document, and the image is read based on the intensity of reflected light from the document at this time The image reading apparatus is well known.
[0003]
In such an image reading apparatus, document detection means is provided to detect whether or not a document is placed on the document table and to detect the size of the document placed on the document table. Things exist.
[0004]
The document detection means in the conventional image reading apparatus utilizes the fact that the intensity of reflected light differs between when the document is placed on the document table and when it is not placed, and based on a predetermined threshold value, Was to be detected.
[0005]
Such an image reading apparatus is also provided as a single image reading apparatus (a so-called scanner), but includes an image reading unit that realizes the same function as the image reading apparatus, and an image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper or the like. It is also provided as an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional image reading apparatus such as the above-described so-called scanner and the image reading apparatus including the image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine have the following problems.
[0012]
In the conventional image reading apparatus, as described above, the original detection unit detects the original by comparing the intensity of the reflected light with a predetermined threshold. However, depending on the installation environment of the image reading apparatus, There is a problem in that this cannot be detected correctly, and for example, it is determined that an original is not set and an image reading operation cannot be performed.
[0013]
That is, depending on the installation location of the image reading apparatus, external miscellaneous light (disturbance light) is incident on the image reading apparatus, and it is determined that a document is placed even though the document is not placed on the document table. Will occur. This is because the threshold value is not appropriate. However, if the threshold value is set so as to be strong against disturbance light in consideration of this, this time, for example, when an original with a dark background is placed on the platen. The presence of the document cannot be detected.
[0014]
In this way, there is a trade-off relationship in the threshold setting that makes it easier to detect the original when it becomes weaker to disturbance light, and stronger against disturbance light makes it difficult to detect the original. It was very difficult to determine.
[0017]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of accurately reading the image by performing the detection of the document correctly.
[0018]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a document table on which a document on which an image to be read is recorded, a document reading unit that scans the document placed on the document table and takes in image data, and the document. Disturbance light brightness determining means for analyzing disturbance light data captured by operating the document reading means in a state where the platen cover is opened without placing anything on a table, and determining the brightness of the disturbance light; The document detection threshold value determining means for determining a document detection threshold value based on the brightness of the disturbance light determined by the disturbance light brightness determination means, and the document reading means by operating the document reading means. The document detection unit for detecting the document and the ambient light brightness determination unit determine the document by scanning the document placed on the table and comparing the captured data with the detection threshold value. The brightness of the ambient light and the predetermined brightness are compared to determine whether or not the document can be detected, and when the document detectability determination means determines that the document cannot be detected, And a display means for displaying the fact.
[0019]
Further, the present invention is characterized by comprising prohibiting means for prohibiting a document reading mode using the document detecting means when the document detecting capability determining means determines that the document cannot be detected.
[0020]
The present invention also provides an original table on which an original on which an image to be read is recorded, an original reading unit that scans an original placed on the original table and takes in image data, and nothing on the original table. The disturbance light brightness determination means for analyzing the disturbance light data captured by operating the document reading means with the platen cover opened, and determining the brightness of the disturbance light, and the disturbance light brightness determination A document detection threshold value determining means for determining a document detection threshold value based on the brightness of disturbance light determined by the means, and a document placed on the document table by operating the document reading means. The brightness of disturbance light determined by the document detection means for detecting the document and the disturbance light brightness determination means by comparing the data captured by scanning the threshold value for detection The original detection capability determination unit that determines whether or not the original can be detected by comparing with a predetermined brightness, and the original detection unit is used when the original detection capability determination unit determines that the original detection is impossible. And prohibiting means for prohibiting the document reading mode.
[0028]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a digital copying machine will be described as an example of an image reading apparatus, and an image forming system configured by connecting the digital copying machine and a personal computer as an example of an information processing apparatus via a network will be described.
[0029]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention.
[0030]
This embodiment is configured to have a digital copying machine 1 as an image reading apparatus. The digital copying machine 1 is capable of reading (scanning) a document and forming an image (printing) by itself. In addition, the digital copying machine 1 is connected to a network 4 so that an image read by the digital copying machine 1 is networked. It is possible to transfer the image to another apparatus via 4 or to form an image received from another apparatus via the network 4 by the digital copying machine 1.
[0031]
In the present embodiment, the personal computers 2 and 3 are connected to the network 4. The personal computers 2 and 3 can instruct the digital copying machine 1 to read an image, form an image, and transfer an image. Further, the images held in the personal computers 2 and 3 are transferred to the digital copying machine 1 to form an image in the digital copying machine 1, and the images read by the digital copying machine 1 are transferred to the personal computers 2 and 3 and are transferred to the personal computers 2 and 3. Editing and saving are also possible.
[0032]
In FIG. 1, the network 4 may be a LAN such as Ethernet (registered trademark) or any other network. From the viewpoint of processing for transferring an image from the digital copying machine 1 to the personal computers 2 and 3, the image forming system shown in FIG. 1 is a server-client in which the digital copying machine 1 is a server and the personal computers 2 and 3 are clients. It is also a system.
[0033]
In addition, this Embodiment is comprised with the portable terminal device 5 further. The portable terminal device 5 is a device that performs wireless communication with the digital copying machine 1 and receives a password that is required when transferring an image file of an image read by the digital copying machine 1 to the personal computer 2 or 3. It is a device for. The mobile terminal device 5 is carried by each individual user and can authenticate the individual. For example, a non-contact IC card or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) compatible mobile phone can be used.
[0034]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital copying machine 1 shown in FIG.
[0035]
The digital copying machine 1 includes a network connection unit 11 serving as an interface with the network 4 shown in FIG. 1, a control unit 12 that controls the operation of the entire digital copying machine 1, an image reading unit 13 that reads an image from a document, For example, the image forming means 14 for forming an image on paper or the like, the storage means 15 for storing image data read by the image reading means 13 and other parameters necessary for the operation of the digital copying machine 1, and the user can use the digital copying machine 1. Input means 16 for inputting operations, instructions, etc., display means 17 for displaying various information to the user, and wireless communication means serving as an interface for performing wireless communication with the mobile terminal device 5 shown in FIG. 18.
[0036]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
[0037]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing for setting a threshold value for document detection in the embodiment shown in FIG.
[0038]
The process of setting the threshold for document detection is performed when the maintenance staff installs the digital copying machine 1 at the user's site.
[0039]
First, when the maintenance staff installs the digital copying machine 1 at a location designated by the user, the maintenance staff operates the input means 16 of the digital copying machine 1 to put the digital copying machine 1 into the disturbance light measurement mode. At this time, the maintenance staff opens the platen cover of the digital copying machine 1 and keeps the document on the document table so that the copying operation of the digital copying machine 1 becomes a so-called sky shot.
[0040]
In the digital copying machine 1, when it is detected that the ambient light measurement mode has been set (A-1), a sky shot is performed to scan the entire surface of the document table, and a plurality of locations corresponding to each pixel at the time of image reading. The luminance at is detected and a plurality of luminance data are obtained. This is performed by the image reading means 13 shown in FIG. Next, a histogram indicating the frequency distribution of the detected plurality of luminance data is created (A-2).
[0041]
Subsequently, the luminance of disturbance light is estimated based on the created histogram. That is, a predetermined percentage (for example, 0.05%) of luminance data is removed from the maximum luminance side with respect to the total number of acquired luminance data, and the maximum luminance of the remaining luminance data is Estimated to be luminance.
[0042]
Next, it is determined whether the brightness of the disturbance light estimated in this way is higher than the brightness corresponding to a predetermined density (for example, density 0.3) (A-3). Then, an error message is displayed on the display means 17 (A-4). This error message notifies that the current location of the digital copying machine 1 has too much disturbance light and cannot provide the original detection function normally.
[0043]
The maintenance staff who sees this error message asks the user to improve the influence of disturbance light, such as moving the digital copying machine 1 to another location or removing the cause of the disturbance light. If this improvement cannot be made, it is desirable to use the digital copying machine 1 without using the document detection function.
[0044]
Now, in step (A-3), if the estimated brightness of the ambient light is not higher than the brightness corresponding to a predetermined density (for example, density 0.3), from the estimated brightness of the ambient light, The luminance corresponding to a predetermined density as an offset (for example, density 0.3) is reduced, and the value resulting from the reduction is stored in the storage means 15 as a document detection threshold value (A-5).
[0045]
Hereinafter, in normal image reading, document detection is performed using the document detection threshold value stored in the storage unit 15 in step (A-5).
[0046]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to automatically determine the optimum document detection threshold value according to the installation environment of the digital copying machine 1, and to provide a normal document detection function to the user. Can be provided.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, the luminance data frequency histogram is created in step (A-2) in FIG. 3 to estimate the disturbance light luminance. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, for example, the luminance of disturbance light may be estimated by the following method.
[0048]
In other words, when a sky shot is performed in the ambient light measurement mode to scan the entire surface of the document table, scanning is performed in units of lines, and for each scanned line, for example, the second highest luminance data in the line is the highest. A luminance candidate may be used, and the highest luminance among the luminances of the highest luminance candidates for each line may be estimated as the luminance of ambient light.
[0049]
When estimating the brightness of the disturbance light, the outer part of the entire surface of the document table is determined based on the above-mentioned histogram and the maximum brightness candidate so that the reflected light from the edge part of the document table is not determined as disturbance light. It is desirable to exclude it.
[0050]
In the above-described embodiment, the luminance of disturbance light is detected. However, it is needless to say that the intensity of disturbance light may be simply detected.
[0051]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the document detection threshold value is automatically determined based on the brightness of the disturbance light, so that the document can be detected as much as possible in consideration of the disturbance light. The threshold can be easily set.
[0052]
Further, according to the present embodiment, when the disturbance light is too bright, information is displayed to the maintenance staff so as to improve the situation of the disturbance light, so that the maintenance staff can easily perform necessary measures. .
[0053]
Also, according to the present embodiment, when the disturbance light is too bright and the disturbance light situation cannot be improved, the use of the document detection function is prohibited, thereby preventing a miss scan (miscopy). There is also an effect that can be done.
[0054]
Next, a process for transferring an image file of an image read by the digital copying machine 1 to an authorized party will be described.
[0055]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing for transferring an image file of an image read by the digital copying machine 1 to a legitimate partner in the embodiment shown in FIG.
[0056]
First, the user reads an image using the digital copying machine 1. At this time, the digital copying machine 1 creates an image file composed of image data of the read image and stores it in the storage means 15.
[0057]
When the user transfers the image file, the portable terminal device 5 transmits the ID information of the portable terminal device 5 to the digital copying machine 1 (B-1). Upon receiving this ID information, the digital copying machine 1 transmits a password required for requesting image transfer to the portable terminal device 5 of the received ID information (B-2). That is, even if there are a plurality of portable terminal devices around the digital copying machine 1, only the portable terminal device 5 that transmitted the ID information can receive the password. The mobile terminal device 5 that has received the password notifies the user of the password by displaying the password on a display unit (not shown). This password is not assigned to each user, but is assigned to a job related to transfer of an image (not limited to one image) read this time, and is unique for each job.
[0058]
In the above description, the ID information is transmitted after the image is read. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention includes a configuration in which this procedure is followed. Needless to say.
[0059]
Furthermore, as another configuration example, for example, it is assumed that the portable terminal device 5 is of a type that constantly transmits ID information, and when the user carrying the portable terminal device 5 approaches the digital copying machine 1, digital copying is performed. The machine 1 automatically receives the ID information of the portable terminal device 5 to perform user authentication, displays the user information on the display means 17, prompts the user for confirmation, registers the operator, and then reads the image May be executed.
[0060]
In this case, if there are a plurality of persons carrying the portable terminal device 5 near the digital copying machine 1, the digital copying machine 1 receives ID information from the plurality of portable terminal devices 5. A list of user information of the user may be displayed on the display means 17 so that the user can select information about himself / herself.
[0061]
In addition, when the user who wants to read an image does not carry the portable terminal device 5, the display unit 17 displays a list of only information related to others who carried the portable terminal device 5 near the digital copying machine 1. In such a case, the user may perform an operation so as to deny the operator's registration based on the list displayed on the display means 17. In this way, erroneous registration of the operator can be prevented. As a countermeasure when the user who wants to read such an image does not carry the portable terminal device 5, a password for operator authentication is determined in advance and the list is stored in the storage unit 15 of the digital copying machine 1. In this case, authentication may be performed. That is, a user who wants to read an image but does not carry the portable terminal device 5 inputs a predetermined password from the input means 16 of the digital copying machine 1, and the digital copying machine 1 stores the input password. The password list stored in the means 15 is checked, and if the input password is a password in the list, it is registered as an operator and the subsequent processing is executed. Thereby, security can be further increased.
[0062]
After that, the user uses the personal computer 2 or 3 to transfer the image file from the digital copying machine 1 to the personal computer 2 or 3. Here, it is assumed that the image file is transferred to the personal computer 2. Do.
[0063]
The user inputs an image file transfer request and a password obtained by the mobile terminal device 5 to the personal computer 2 (B-3). The personal computer 2 to which the input has been made transmits an image file transfer request, a password input by the user as specific information, and an address on the network of the own device (that is, the personal computer 2) to the digital copying machine 1 ( B-4) A connection request is made. This address is determined in advance so as to identify each of all devices connected to the network 4, and is assumed to be a so-called IP address here.
[0064]
In the storage unit 15 of the digital copying machine 1, an IP address of an apparatus that is permitted as a transfer destination of an image file is registered in advance (for example, by a user), and an image file transferred from a device having an unregistered IP address is transferred. It is configured not to respond to requests. The number of registrations may be two or more. If the IP address of the device that is permitted as the transfer destination of the image file is not registered, transfer may be permitted for all IP addresses, or transfer may be performed for all IP addresses. It may be configured not to permit this. Here, it is assumed that the IP address of the personal computer 2 is registered in the storage unit 15 of the digital copying machine 1 as an IP address of an apparatus that is permitted as a transfer destination of the image file.
[0065]
In the digital copying machine 1 that has received the image file transfer request, password, and IP address, whether or not the received IP address is registered in the storage means 15 as an IP address of an apparatus that is permitted as a transfer destination of the image file. And whether or not the received password matches the password transmitted to the portable terminal device 5 in step (B-2) (B-5).
[0066]
In step (B-5), the received IP address is registered in the storage means 15 as the IP address of a device that is permitted as a transfer destination of the image file, and the received password is stored in step (B-2). If the password matches the password transmitted to the portable terminal device 5, the image file is transferred to the device having the received IP address (that is, the personal computer 2).
[0067]
In the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal device 5 is used when the user receives a password from the digital copying machine 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a digital copying machine. 1 may be configured to use a portable terminal device connected with the cable 1 or the like to perform wired communication, or to display a password on the display unit 17 of the digital copying machine 1.
[0068]
In the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the image transfer is a valid partner by confirming the address and password. However, the present invention confirms only one of the address and password. Thus, it may be determined whether or not it is a valid image transfer partner. In this case, however, the security is somewhat inferior.
[0069]
Furthermore, in the above embodiment, in step (B-3) in FIG. 4, the user inputs the password obtained by the portable terminal device 5 to the personal computer 2, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a password may be input to the personal computer 2 from the mobile terminal device 5 by performing wired or wireless communication between the mobile terminal device 5 and the personal computer 2. This processing is desirably performed automatically by the application of the mobile terminal device 5 and the personal computer 2, and in this case, the user does not need to know even the presence of a password. The application further receives an image file transfer from the digital copying machine 1 using the input password.
[0070]
As described above, according to this embodiment, the client, that is, the address on the personal computer network is confirmed, and the client operator is confirmed to be a valid recipient of the image (by the address and password). Since the image is transferred after confirmation), the image can be transferred safely and reliably to a legitimate party.
[0071]
In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the user is authenticated using the portable terminal device carried by the user, it is possible to transfer the image only to the party expected by the user safely with a simple operation.
[0072]
In addition, according to the present embodiment, the ID information obtained from the portable terminal device is displayed on the display unit of the digital copying machine so as to be confirmed by the user, so that the user is not erroneously registered.
[0073]
In addition, according to the present embodiment, even when the portable terminal device carried by the user cannot be used, the user can be authenticated using the display means and input means of the digital copying machine. Even a user who is not carrying can safely transfer an image only to the person whom the user expects.
[0074]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the client operator confirms from the specific information included in the connection request from the client to the digital copying machine that the client operator is a valid receiver of the image, the image is transferred. Furthermore, the image can be transferred safely.
[0075]
Further, according to this embodiment, it is confirmed from the specific information included in the connection request from the client to the digital copying machine, that is, a unique password for each job, that the client operator is a valid receiver of the image. Since the image is transferred later, the image can be transferred more safely.
[0076]
Further, according to the present embodiment, a password indicating that the client operator is a valid receiver of the image is stored in the mobile terminal device, and this password is used for the client application. Images can be transferred.
[0077]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus that can accurately read an image by correctly detecting a document.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing for setting a threshold value for document detection in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
4 is a flowchart of processing for transferring an image file of an image read by a digital copying machine to a legitimate partner in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital copier 2, 3 Personal computer 4 Network 5 Portable terminal device 11 Network connection means 12 Control means 13 Image reading means 14 Image forming means 15 Storage means 16 Input means 17 Display means 18 Wireless communication means

Claims (3)

An original platen on which an original on which an image to be read is recorded is placed;
A document reading unit that scans a document placed on the document table and captures image data;
Disturbance light brightness determination means for analyzing disturbance light data captured by operating the document reading means with the platen cover opened without placing anything on the document table and determining the brightness of the disturbance light When,
A document detection threshold value determining means for determining a document detection threshold value based on the disturbance light brightness determined by the disturbance light brightness determination means;
A document detection means for detecting the document by comparing the detection threshold with data acquired by scanning the document placed on the document table by operating the document reading unit;
A document detectability determination unit that compares the brightness of the disturbance light determined by the disturbance light brightness determination unit with a predetermined brightness and determines whether document detection is possible;
If the document detection possibility determination means determines that the document cannot be detected, display means for displaying that effect;
An image reading apparatus comprising:   2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a prohibiting unit that prohibits a document reading mode in which the document detecting unit is used when the document detecting capability determining unit determines that the document cannot be detected. . An original platen on which an original on which an image to be read is recorded is placed;
A document reading unit that scans a document placed on the document table and captures image data;
Disturbance light brightness determination means for analyzing disturbance light data captured by operating the document reading means with the platen cover opened without placing anything on the document table and determining the brightness of the disturbance light When,
A document detection threshold value determining means for determining a document detection threshold value based on the disturbance light brightness determined by the disturbance light brightness determination means;
A document detection means for detecting the document by comparing the detection threshold with data acquired by scanning the document placed on the document table by operating the document reading unit;
A document detectability determination unit that compares the brightness of the disturbance light determined by the disturbance light brightness determination unit with a predetermined brightness and determines whether document detection is possible;
A prohibiting unit for prohibiting a document reading mode using the document detecting unit when the document detecting capability determining unit determines that the document cannot be detected;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

Images