JP4859385B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming system, and image forming method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming method, and more specifically, an image forming apparatus having a multi-shot function for forming an image by collecting a plurality of original images on one sheet and an image. The present invention relates to a forming system and an image forming method for performing printing by a multi-shot function.

  In a copying apparatus having a copying function of image data, or an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (multifunction machine) or a composite printer based on the copying apparatus, a plurality of document images are collected and printed on one sheet. A so-called multi-shot function is provided.

  In the multi-shot function, it is possible to arbitrarily set the number of image data to be printed on a single sheet. For example, “2 in 1” that consolidates and prints two original images into one sheet, or “4 in 1” that consolidates and prints four original images into one sheet, consolidates n original images into one sheet. “N” in “n in1” is determined in various ways, and n is set in advance in the image forming apparatus. The user can select any “n” mode as appropriate and execute multi-shot printing. When multi-shot printing is performed, the document image data is reduced and printed according to the area to be printed.

  When performing multi-shot printing, for example, the user sequentially reads a document image to be subjected to multi-shot from a scanner device included in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, and starts the multi-shot printing to start reading a plurality of read images. The paper on which the original images are collected and printed can be output. For example, in the example of FIG. 8, six images (A to F) 121 are read by a scanner, and two (A, B), three (C to E), and one (F) images 121 are respectively read. The output of the aggregated paper 120 is performed.

  In addition, there may be a case where all or a part of the original image is again enlarged and printed on one sheet of paper from a multi-shot printed product obtained by collecting and printing a plurality of original images using the multi-shot function as described above. . For example, the above-described multi-shot printed material is optimal as a personal hand-held material, but is not accepted as a document for external use. Therefore, a user who normally owns a multi-shot printed material enlarges and copies a desired image to the original document image size by enlarging and copying a sheet printed by multi-shot. For example, as shown in the example of FIG. 9, each image (A, B, C...) 121 is enlarged and printed on a single sheet from a sheet 120 of a multi-shot printed material that has been multi-shot with 4 in 1.

Regarding multi-shot printing as described above, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses that when an aggregated document is divided and each image is copied onto individual paper, the number of divisions, image direction (vertical / horizontal), image magnification, and paper An image forming apparatus in which a size is specified and a copy is output is disclosed.
JP 2000-350,000 A

  However, when an image printed with “4 in 1” or “8 in 1” is read by a scanner and enlarged to the original size, there is a problem that the image quality deteriorates and the original image quality cannot be obtained. For example, there is a problem that jaggies occur at the edges of characters and figures accompanying enlarged copy, and deterioration in image quality is noticeable particularly in the case of photographs.

  Also in the technique of the above-mentioned patent document 1, when printing an enlarged image included in the aggregated print image, the aggregated print image data read from the scanner is enlarged and printed out in the apparatus. For this reason, the deterioration in image quality associated with the enlargement process as described above cannot be solved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and a case where a specific image is enlarged and printed to the size of the original print image from a multi-shot print product in which a plurality of document images are collected on one sheet. It is another object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an image forming method capable of obtaining a high-quality image printed matter without causing image quality deterioration due to enlargement processing.

The first technical means includes an input means for inputting image data to be printed, and an image forming means for forming an image of the image data input from the input means. The image forming means includes a plurality of page originals. An image forming apparatus having a multi-shot function for forming an image by consolidating on one sheet of recording paper, wherein the image forming apparatus is an input unit only when photographs or graphic data are collectively printed by the multi-shot function. The image data input from is stored in a storage means.

The second technical means is inputted in the first technical means when the image forming apparatus collectively prints more than a preset number of image data on one sheet of recording paper using the multi-shot function. All input image data is held in the storage means.

The third technical means is characterized in that, in the first or second technical means, the image forming apparatus gives management identification information to the image data stored in the storage means.

According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, the image forming apparatus has an image reading means for reading an image printed on a document as an input means. Image forming means for forming an image of the image data read by the means, and the image forming apparatus is included in the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function when the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function is read by the image reading means A plurality of image sizes to be restored to the image sizes input at the time of printing by the multi-shot function.

According to a fifth technical means, in the fourth technical means, the restoration means acquires identification information of image data recorded on a printed matter printed by the multi-shot function, and stores the identification information in the storage means based on the identification information. The stored image data is read out, and an image forming unit forms an image on a predetermined sheet.

A sixth technical means is the fourth technical means, wherein the restoration means performs feature extraction of the image data from the image data recorded on the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function, and the feature extracted data; The image data stored in the storage means is collated, and the image data corresponding to the extracted image data is discriminated from the image data stored in the storage means. An image is formed.

According to a seventh technical means, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an input unit that inputs image data to be printed; and an image forming unit that forms an image of image data input from the input unit. An image forming system configured to include a storage device configured to be able to communicate with each other and having a storage unit that stores image data output from the image forming device. A storage device that has a multi-shot function that forms images by consolidating page originals on a single sheet of recording paper, and stores image data input from the input means only when photographs or graphic data are consolidated and printed by the multi-shot function And the storage device holds the image data transferred from the image forming apparatus in the storage means.

An eighth technical means, using the multi-shot function by aggregating a plurality of pages the document on one sheet of recording paper performs the image formation, the image forming method for forming an image of the input image data, multi-shot function by only when printing by aggregating a photo or graphic data, in which is characterized in that for holding the input image data in the storage means.

In the eighth technical means, when the multi-shot function is used to collectively print document image data of a preset number of sheets or more on a single recording sheet, the ninth technical means stores all input image data. It is characterized by holding in the means.

The tenth technical means is characterized in that, in the eighth or ninth technical means, identification information for management is added to the image data stored in the storage means.

The eleventh technical means reads the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function in any one of the eighth to tenth technical means, and inputs a plurality of image sizes included in the printed matter at the time of printing by the multi-shot function. When the image size is restored and the image is formed, the identification information of the image data recorded on the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function is acquired, and the image data stored in the storage unit is read based on the identification information. Te is obtained by characterized in that the image formed in the entered image size.

A twelfth technical means reads the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function in any one of the eighth to tenth technical means, and inputs a plurality of image sizes included in the printed matter at the time of printing by the multi-shot function. When the image size is restored and the image is formed, the feature of the image data is extracted from the image data recorded on the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function, and the feature extracted data is stored in the storage means. collating the certain image data, to determine from among the image data stored image data in the storage means corresponding to the image data characteristic extraction, by using the image data by determine, in the input image size imaging It is characterized by doing.

  According to the present invention, when a specific image is enlarged to the size of the original print image and printed from a multi-shot print product in which a plurality of document images are collected on one sheet, image quality deterioration due to enlargement processing is reduced. A high-quality image printed matter can be obtained without the occurrence.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus applicable to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a main part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a digital multifunction machine having a facsimile function, a scanner function, a printer function, a copy function, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 has a printer 2 as a core, and a scanner device 3, an automatic document feeder 4, a sheet post-processing device 5, a multi-stage paper feed unit 6, and a relay carrier unit 8 are connected. Has been extended. The scanner device 3 is disposed above the printer 2 and the sheet post-processing device 5 by being supported on the system rack 7 together with the automatic document feeder 4 disposed on the scanner device 3.
In the following, the outline of each device will be described.

(Printer 2)
The printer 2 records and outputs the image data from the externally connected device when an image processing apparatus such as a personal computer is connected, as well as the recording output of the image read by the scanner device 3.
In the printer 2, an electrophotographic process unit 20 centering on a drum-shaped photoconductor 200 is arranged on the substantially central right side of the apparatus main body. As shown in FIG. 2, a charging roller 201 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive member 200 and a light image on the uniformly charged photosensitive member 200 are scanned around the photosensitive member 200 to form an electrostatic latent image. An optical scanning unit 22 for writing, a developing unit 202 for developing an electrostatic latent image written by the optical scanning unit 22 with a developer, and a transfer unit for transferring an image stored and reproduced on the photosensitive member 200 onto a sheet. 203, a cleaning unit 204 that enables the developer remaining on the photoconductor 200 to be removed and a new image to be recorded on the photoconductor 200, and a static elimination lamp unit that removes the charge on the surface of the photoconductor 200 ( Etc.) are sequentially arranged.

  The optical scanning unit 22 includes a semiconductor laser light source (not shown), a rotary polygon mirror 220 that reflects laser light from the semiconductor laser light source, and a laser beam reflected by the rotary polygon mirror 220 that scans the photosensitive member 200 at a constant speed. A functioning fθ lens 223 and folding mirrors 224 and 225 are built in. The semiconductor laser light source emits a laser beam in accordance with image data read by a scanner device 3 (to be described later) and stored in an image memory, or image data transferred from an external device such as a personal computer or a facsimile terminal. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image data is formed on 200.

  Below the printer 2 main body, a paper supply unit 21 is disposed inside the printer 2 main body. The paper supply unit 21 includes a paper storage tray 210 that stores paper and a separation supply unit 211 that separates and supplies the paper stored in the paper storage tray 210 one by one. The sheets separately supplied one by one from the sheet supply unit 21 are sequentially supplied between the photoconductor 200 and the transfer unit 203 of the electrophotographic process unit 20, and the recorded and reproduced image is transferred onto the photoconductor 200. . The paper supply to the paper supply unit 21 is performed by pulling out the paper storage tray 210 to the front side of the printer 2 main body.

On the lower surface of the printer 2 main body, paper fed from a multi-stage paper feeding unit 6 or the like prepared as a peripheral device is received and sequentially supplied between the photosensitive member 200 and the transfer unit 203 of the electrophotographic process unit 20. A paper receiving opening 27 is provided.
A fixing device 23 is disposed above the electrophotographic process unit 20, and sequentially receives the paper on which the image has been transferred, heats and fixes the developer transferred onto the paper, and loads the paper out of the fixing device 23. Send it out. The sheet on which the image is recorded is transferred from the discharge roller 28 of the printer 2 to the relay conveyance unit 8 on the upper surface of the printer 2 body.

  The upper and lower spaces of the optical scanning unit 22 include a process control unit (PCU) substrate that controls the electrophotographic process, a printer control unit 24 that accommodates an interface substrate that receives image data from outside the apparatus, and an image received from the interface substrate. An image control unit 25 having an image control unit (ICU) substrate for performing predetermined image processing on the data and causing the optical scanning unit 22 to scan and record as an image, and power to these various substrates and units A power supply unit 26 for supplying power is disposed.

(Multi-stage paper feed unit 6)
The multi-stage paper feeding unit 6 is an external paper feeding device, and separates the paper stored in the paper storage tray 610 one by one by the separating and feeding means 611 and is provided on the upper surface of the unit. The paper is supplied toward a paper discharge port 62 communicating with the paper receiving port 27. In this example, the sheet supply unit 61 is stacked in three stages. During operation, the paper supply unit 61 that stores a desired paper is selectively operated.
The paper supply to the paper supply unit 61 is performed by pulling out the paper storage tray 610 to the front side of the unit main body.

Further, the multi-stage paper feeding unit 6 is configured to place the printer 2 and the post-processing device 5 on the upper part thereof. However, the multi-stage paper feeding unit 6 can be moved and fixed between the system racks 7 in this state. The moving roller 63 and the fixed part 64 are provided at the lower part. At the time of movement, the fixing portion 64 is rotated and raised to separate the fixing portion 64 from the floor surface, and at the time of fixing, the fixing portion 64 is rotated and lowered to bring the fixing portion 64 into contact with the floor surface, so The paper feed unit 6 is fixed.
In this description, the apparatus is described as a device in which three paper supply units 61 are stacked. However, there are various types such as a multi-stage paper feeding unit including at least one paper supply unit 61 or more.

(Sheet post-processing apparatus 5)
The sheet post-processing device 5 performs post-processing on the paper by guiding the paper on which the image discharged from the relay conveyance unit 8 and the printer 2 is recorded at the upper portion of the device with a carry-in roller.
As post-processing, there are stapling processing, sorting processing, and the like. The apparatus illustrated here has a configuration including three discharge trays 51, and discharges paper by gates 52 and 53 as necessary. For example, the upper discharge tray 51a is used for discharging paper in the copy mode, the middle discharge tray 51b is used for discharging paper in the print mode, and the lower tray 51a is used for discharging the paper in the print mode. For example, the discharge tray 51c can be used for discharging paper in the facsimile printing mode, and can be discharged according to usage.

(Scanner device 3)
The scanner 3 automatically supplies a sheet document by the automatic document transport device 4 and sequentially exposes and scans one by one to read a document image, and a book document or the automatic document transport device 4. Therefore, a manual reading mode for reading a document image by manually setting a sheet document that cannot be automatically supplied is provided. Then, the image of the document set on the transparent document placing table 30 is exposed and scanned by the first scanning unit 31 and the second scanning unit 32 that move along the document placing table 30 with a predetermined speed relationship with each other. The original image is converted into an electrical signal and output by being guided by an optical component such as a mirror or an imaging lens 33 and forming an image on the photoelectric conversion element 34. Details of the scanner device 3 will be described later.

(Automatic document feeder 4)
The automatic document conveying device 4 includes a document conveying means 41 that conveys a document placed on the document setting tray 40 toward the document placing table 30 and discharges the scanned document onto a document discharge tray 42. Yes. In addition, the front side of the apparatus is opened so that a sheet document that cannot be automatically supplied can be placed on the document placement table 30 and scanned so that it can be scanned. It is configured.

(Relay transport unit 8)
The relay conveyance unit 8 is mounted on an upper portion of a paper discharge tray 29 provided at the top of the printer 2, and a sheet post-processing device 5 positioned on the downstream side of the printer 2 is used for recording a sheet on which an image discharged from the printer 2 is recorded. It is the conveyance unit for introducing toward.
Further, in the middle of the sheet conveyance path 84 of the relay conveyance unit 8, another sheet conveyance path 83 for guiding the sheet to the discharge tray 9 formed by the upper surface 82 of the unit and the upper surface 54 of the sheet post-processing device 5. However, it is branched. The two discharge destinations can be changed by switching the gate 81 arranged at the branch portion of the transport path.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of a digital multifunction machine to which the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. The digital multifunction machine shown in FIG. 3 is configured as a multifunction machine having functions of a copying machine, a printer device, a facsimile machine, and a scanner device, and is applied to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

The digital multi-function peripheral 10 includes a device control unit 104 that includes a CPU that performs calculations and a RAM that stores temporary information associated with the calculations. Further, the device control unit 104 includes a ROM that stores a control program for controlling the digital multi-function peripheral 10.
The device control unit 104 is connected to a management unit 107 that is a memory for storing management information for managing processing performed by the digital multifunction peripheral 10. An image control unit (ICU) 101 is connected to the device control unit 104, and the ICU 101 functions as an image forming unit that reads an image recorded on a recording sheet and generates image data. The ICU 101 is provided with a CCD 101a for capturing a document image as image data, and a document detection sensor 101b for detecting the presence or absence of the document.

A process control unit (PCU) 103 is connected to the device control unit 104, and the PCU 103 functions as an image forming unit that forms image data on a recording sheet. The PCU 103 includes a memory 103a that temporarily stores image data, and a printing unit (LSU) 103b that forms an image from the image data stored in the memory 103a and records the image on a recording sheet.
The digital multifunction peripheral 10 can temporarily store the image data generated by the ICU 101 in the memory 103a, and then form an image with the printing unit 103b. In this way, the digital multifunction machine 10 functions as a copying machine.

  In FIG. 3, the device control unit 104 is connected to a FAX modem 108 for performing facsimile communication, and the FAX modem 108 is connected to the public line network N3. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 can transmit image data generated by the ICU 101 to another facsimile apparatus 114 via facsimile communication via the public line network N3 connected to the FAX modem 108. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 can receive image data transmitted from another facsimile apparatus 114 via the public line network N3 by the FAX modem 108, and form an image by the PCU 103 from the received image data. In this way, the digital multifunction machine 10 functions as a facsimile machine.

  The device control unit 104 is connected to a communication unit (transmission / reception means) 105 for the digital multi-function peripheral 10 to transmit / receive information to / from the outside. The communication unit 105 can be connected to a communication network N1 such as an in-house LAN, and one or a plurality of personal computers 111 can be connected to the communication network N1. In a normal state where the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is operating alone, the communication unit 105 is connected to the communication network N1, and exchanges information with the PC 111 via the communication network N1.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 10 can transmit the image data generated by the ICU 101 from the communication unit 105 to the PC 111. In this way, the digital multifunction device 10 functions as a scanner device. In addition, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 can receive the image data transmitted from the PC 111 by the communication unit 105 and form an image by the PCU 103 from the received image data. In this way, the digital multifunction device 10 functions as a printer device.

  The network N1 is further connected to a wide area communication network N2 such as the Internet. The communication unit 105 transmits the communication network N1 and the wide area communication network N2 to / from the Internet facsimile machine 112 and the external PC 113 connected to the wide area communication network N2 by a method such as sending image data attached to an e-mail. Image data can be received via the network. In this way, the digital multifunction machine 10 functions as an Internet facsimile machine.

  In addition, an operator control unit (OCU) 102 that receives an operation from a user is connected to the device control unit 104. The OCU 102 includes an input unit 102a such as a touch panel or a numeric keypad to which information such as a control command is input by a user operation, and a display unit 102b such as a liquid crystal panel that displays information necessary for the operation. A hard disk (HD) 106 is connected to the device control unit 104. The hard disk 106 stores image data related to image processing such as image data generated by the ICU 101.

  The image forming apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration is characterized in that input document image data is held in a storage unit when image formation by a multi-shot function is executed. As described above, when a plurality of document images are combined and printed using the multi-shot function, the size of the document image is conventionally reduced, so that the multi-shot printed image is converted into the original document. When trying to restore the image size, the image quality deteriorated due to the enlarged copy.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, when printing using the multi-shot function (multi-shot printing) is executed, document image data input to the image forming apparatus is stored in a predetermined storage unit. As the storage means, an HDD, a memory, or the like provided in the image forming apparatus can be used, and may be stored in an external device connected to the image forming apparatus, as will be described later. In the example of FIG. 3, the hard disk 106 or the memory 103a can be used as the storage means.

  When performing multi-shot printing, for example, the user sequentially reads a document image using the scanner device (ICU 101) provided in the image forming apparatus of FIG. The paper on which the original images are collected and printed can be output. At this time, the image forming apparatus stores the document image data input from the scanner device in the predetermined storage unit.

  In the image forming apparatus, as input means for inputting document image data, not only the ICU 101 as described above, but also a FAX modem 108 serving as an I / F with an externally connected facsimile apparatus 114, and an externally connected personal computer. A communication unit 105 serving as an I / F with the computer 111 or a reading device (not shown) that can read image data from a recording medium such as a memory card or a disk can be applied.

  If you want to print a part or all of the original images again on a single sheet from a multi-shot print that is a printout of multiple original images collected using the multi-shot function as described above, A user who owns a shot print reads a sheet printed by multi-shot with the ICU 101 of the image forming apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus includes a restoring unit that restores the image size of a printed matter printed by the multi-shot function to the original image size input at the time of printing. The restoration unit reads out document image data corresponding to the image read by the ICU 101 from the storage unit, outputs the document image data to the image forming unit (PCU 103 in this case), and prints it on a sheet. This restoring means is realized by the device control unit 104 in the example of FIG.

  Then, the restoration unit prints out the image data read from the storage unit, so that the quality of the original document image is maintained without deterioration of image quality due to enlargement processing of a small-size image that has been multi-shot printed. A shot-printed image can be restored and printed.

  When original image data is stored in the storage means when multi-shot printing is performed, all original image data may be stored in the storage means, but the original image data is stored only for photographs and figures. You may make it memorize | store in a means. For example, an image consisting only of text information does not noticeably deteriorate the image quality even when the enlarged copy is performed as in the prior art, but the image quality deterioration caused by the enlarged copy is conspicuous in a photograph or a figure. Therefore, the original image data can be stored in the storage means only when an image including a photograph or a figure is printed by multi-shot printing. Thereby, resources of storage means such as a memory can be saved.

  When multi-shot printing is performed, the device control unit 104 of the image forming apparatus determines whether or not photographs or graphic data are included in a plurality of document image data to be subjected to multi-shot printing. In this case, when document image data is input from the ICU 101, for example, it is determined from a data amount at that time that the image is a photograph or an image. When document image data is input as a file from an external device or the like, the file format is determined from the file name and extension, and it is determined that the image data is photo or graphic data.

  As another example of processing for storing document image data that has been subjected to multi-shot printing in the storage unit, when document image data of a preset number or more has been subjected to multi-shot printing on a single sheet of recording paper, All input document image data may be held in the storage unit. In other cases, the original image data at that time may not be stored in the storage unit even if multi-shot printing is performed. .

  Here, when “n” of “n in1” for consolidating n document images into one sheet is a predetermined number or more, that is, when the image size reduction rate by multi-shot printing becomes higher than a predetermined level. Only the original image data at that time is stored in the storage means. If the image size reduction ratio increases, the image quality deterioration becomes more noticeable when an enlarged copy is made. Therefore, when the reduction ratio level of the original image data (the number of images to be multi-shot at a time) is a predetermined value or more Only the document image data is stored in the storage means. The predetermined value at this time can be configured to be set and changed as appropriate by the user.

Next, a process for specifying the document image data stored in the storage means will be described.
When reading the original image data corresponding to the image read by the ICU 101 from the storage unit, the original image data corresponding to the multi-shot image read by the ICU 101 must be identified from the image data stored in the storage unit. Don't be.

  As an example of processing for specifying document image data, when storing document image data in a storage unit during multi-shot printing, identification information for enabling identification of the document image data is given to the document image data, and Identification information is stored together with document image data. When printing a multi-shot printed matter, the identification information (or information that can uniquely identify the identification information) given to the document image data is printed in association with the document image data. For example, the identification information is printed at a predetermined position around each image.

4 and 5 are diagrams showing examples of printing identification information, in which 120 is paper, 121 is a multi-shot printed image on paper, and 122 is identification information.
In the example of FIG. 4, the identification information 122 is given in units of a plurality of images collected on one sheet 120 by multi-shot printing. The identification information 122 is appropriately printed at any location in the paper 120.
In the example of FIG. 5, identification information 122 is assigned to each image 121 that is multishot and collected on the sheet 120. The identification information 122 is printed in the vicinity of the corresponding image 121 so that the user can easily see it.

  When the multi-shot printed image is restored, the device control unit 104 acquires identification information together with the image data read by the ICU 101, and determines the image data stored in the storage unit based on the identification information. And read.

As the identification information 122 to be printed on the paper 120, for example, a barcode can be applied. In this case, barcode information obtained by converting predetermined code information into identification information to be printed together with image data can be applied as identification information to be added to the image data.
Of course, the identification data to be added to the document image data and the identification information to be printed at the time of multi-shot printing are not limited to the barcode as described above, and character strings, numerical strings, symbols, and the like can be appropriately employed.

  As described above, the identification information may be given in units of a plurality of images that are multi-shot and collected on one sheet, or the identification information may be given for each piece of image data. For example, when providing identification information in units of a plurality of images collected on a single sheet, when restoring and printing out an image from a multi-shot printed material, the device control unit 104 identifies the identification read by the ICU 101. It is possible to acquire information, identify a plurality of corresponding document image data, read out all of the plurality of document image data from the storage means, and print all the document image data one by one on a sheet sequentially.

  Also, identification information can be given in units of a plurality of images collected on one sheet, and only a part of specific document image data can be restored from a plurality of image data and printed out. . In this case, when performing multi-shot printing, a plurality of document image data and their printing positions (arrangement order) are stored in the storage means, and one piece of identification information is assigned to the plurality of document image data. Keep it.

  When restoring and printing out an image from a multi-shot printed material, the device control unit 104 acquires identification information read by the ICU 101 and identifies a plurality of corresponding document image data. In addition, a designation input for an image position that is to be restored and printed out of the multi-shot printed image is received from the user. Based on the identification information acquired from the ICU 101 and the image position information input by the user, the device control unit 104 converts the input image position information from a plurality of document image data corresponding to the identification information. The corresponding document image data is specified, the document image data is read and output to the PCU 103.

  Further, the same processing can be performed by providing the above identification information for each image data to be subjected to multi-shot printing. That is, when restoring and printing out an image from a multi-shot printed material, the device control unit 104 acquires identification information read by the ICU 101 and identifies a plurality of corresponding document image data. In addition, a designation input for an image position to be restored and printed out of the multi-shot images is received from the user. The device control unit 104 identifies document image data corresponding to the identification information based on the identification information acquired from the ICU 101 and the image position information input by the user, reads the document image data, and reads the document image data to the PCU 103. Output.

As another example of processing for specifying document image data when document image data corresponding to an image read by the ICU 101 is read from the storage unit, image determination of the image read by the ICU 101 is performed. The document image data stored in the storage means may be automatically determined according to the above.
For example, the feature extraction of the image data is performed from the image data recorded on the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function, the feature extracted data is collated with the original image data stored in the storage unit, and the feature extracted image The document image data corresponding to the data may be determined and read from the storage means. For example, color information, edge information, and shape information of an image can be used as the information from which features are extracted.

  In this case, when the document image data is stored in the storage unit, the feature extraction of the document image data is performed, the extraction information is stored together with the image data, and the feature extraction data of the multi-shot printed image; It is possible to collate with the feature extraction data of the document image data stored in the storage unit, determine the document image data corresponding to the multi-shot image data from the comparison result, and read out from the storage unit.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the image forming method of the present invention, and shows an example of processing when multi-shot printing is performed. Here, an example is shown in which identification information is added to the original image data and stored in the storage means only when the photograph or graphic data is multishot.

First, multi-shot setting is performed (step S1). Here, for example, the user operates the input unit 102a of the OCU 102 to input and set the number of images per sheet when performing multi-shot printing, that is, the value “n” of “n in1”.
Then, the original image is read by the image forming apparatus (step S2). The reading of the document image can be performed by the ICU 101. However, as described above, the document image is not limited thereto, and the document image may be read from an external device such as a facsimile machine or a PC, or another recording medium.

Next, the image forming apparatus determines whether the read document image data includes a photograph or graphic data (step S3). Photo and graphic data are determined from the data amount and file format as described above.
If the read original image data includes photographs or graphic data, identification information is given to the original image data (step S4), and the image data is stored in the storage means (step S5).
Then, it is determined whether or not the original images for n sheets set in step S1 have been read, that is, whether or not the reading of multi-shot original image data has been completed (step S6). Returning to S2, the process is repeated.
In step S3, if the read document image data does not include a photograph or graphic data, the process proceeds to step S6, and the process is repeated until the reading is completed.

  When reading is completed in step S6, multi-shot printing is performed by collecting the read image data into a single sheet size (step S7). At this time, the identification information given to the document image data is printed at a predetermined location on the multi-shot printing paper. Then, it is determined whether or not all of the prepared document images have been read (step S8). If not, the process returns to step S1 to repeat the process, and if all the document images have been read. The process is terminated.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the process of the image forming method of the present invention, and shows an example of a process in the case of restoring a document image using a multi-shot printed material. Here, an example is shown in which document image data is read and printed according to the identification information only when the identification information is printed on the multi-shot printed material.

  First, restoration setting is performed (step S11). Here, the user operates the input unit 102a of the OCU 102, for example, and sets restoration processing using a multi-shot printed material. Then, the multi-shot printed material is read by the image forming apparatus (step S12). A multi-shot printed material can be read by the ICU 101.

Next, the image forming apparatus determines whether or not the identification information is included in the read multi-shot printed material (step S13). As described above, the identification information is printed on the multi-shot printed material together with the image data.
If the identification information is included in the multi-shot printed material, the identification information is recognized (step S14), the corresponding image data is read from the storage means according to the recognition result (step S15), and the image data is printed. (Step S16).

  If there is no identification information in step S13, the original image data in the storage means cannot be specified in this case. For example, printing is performed by a conventional process for enlarging a multi-shot image at a predetermined enlargement ratio. Do. At this time, if the image determination function based on the feature extraction as described above is given, the document image data can be specified without the identification information.

  Then, it is determined whether or not all the multi-shot printed materials have been read (step S17). If not completed, the process returns to step S12 to repeat the process, and if all the multi-shot printed materials have been read. The process ends.

As still another embodiment of the present invention, an image forming system that uses an external storage device as storage means for storing document image data when multi-shot printing is performed in the image forming device is realized. Can do.
The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and a storage device that is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus has the multi-shot function as described above, and when image formation by the multi-shot function is executed, the original image data is transferred to the storage device. The storage device holds the document image data transferred from the image forming apparatus in a storage unit such as a memory or an HDD included in the storage device.

Then, when the multi-shot printed material is read by the scanner device (ICU 101 in the example of FIG. 3) of the image forming device, the image forming device accesses the storage device based on the identification information read by the multi-shot printed material, Document image data corresponding to the identification information is read out, formed on a sheet, and output. When performing image determination based on feature extraction instead of identification information, the image forming apparatus reads corresponding document image data from the storage device in accordance with the extraction information.
That is, in the image forming system of the present embodiment, the storage unit of the image forming apparatus described above is arranged in an external device connected to the image forming apparatus, and the storage unit exists in the external device. Except for this, the same operation as in the above-described embodiment of the image forming apparatus is performed.

  As the storage device, an information processing device or an electronic device including a storage unit such as a memory or an HDD can be applied. For example, an external HDD connected to the image forming apparatus, or a PC or server device connected to the image forming apparatus via a LAN or the Internet can be applied.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus applicable to the present invention. It is a block diagram of the principal part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration example of a digital multi-function peripheral to which an image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the example of printing of identification information, respectively. It is a figure which shows the example of printing of identification information, respectively. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing of the image forming method of the present invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the other example of the process of the image forming method of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the conventional multi-shot printing. It is a figure for demonstrating the example which enlarges and prints each image of the printed matter by which multi-shot printing was carried out.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Printer, 3 ... Scanner apparatus, 4 ... Automatic document conveying apparatus, 5 ... Sheet post-processing apparatus, 6 ... Multi-stage paper feeding unit, 7 ... System rack, 8 ... Relay conveyance unit, 9 ... Discharge tray, 10 ... Digital composite 20 ... electrophotographic process unit, 21 ... paper supply unit, 22 ... light scanning unit, 23 ... fixing device, 24 ... printer control unit, 25 ... image control unit, 26 ... power supply unit, 27 ... paper receiving port, 28 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Discharge roller, 29 ... Discharge tray, 30 ... Document placing table, 31 ... 1st scanning unit, 32 ... 2nd scanning unit, 32a ... Input part, 33 ... Imaging lens, 34 ... Photoelectric conversion element, 40 ... Document Set tray 41 ... Document conveying means 42 ... Document discharge tray 43 ... External PC 51 ... Discharge tray 51a ... Discharge tray 51b ... Discharge tray 51c ... Discharge tray 52 ... Gate DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 4 ... Upper surface, 61 ... Paper supply part, 62 ... Paper discharge port, 63 ... Moving roller, 64 ... Fixed part, 81 ... Gate, 82 ... Upper surface, 83 ... Paper conveyance path, 84 ... Paper conveyance path, 101 ... ICU, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101a ... CCD, 101b ... Document detection sensor, 102 ... OCU, 102a ... Input part, 102b ... Display part, 103 ... PCU, 103a ... Memory, 103b ... Printing part, 104 ... Equipment control part, 105 ... Communication part, 106 ... Hard disk, 107 ... management unit, 108 ... FAX modem, 111 ... PC (personal computer), 114 ... facsimile machine, 120 ... paper, 121 ... image, 122 ... identification information, 200 ... photoconductor, 201 ... charging roller, 202 ... Developing unit 203 ... Transfer unit 204 ... Cleaning unit 210 ... Paper storage tray 211 ... Separation supply Stage, 220 ... rotary polygon mirror, 223 ... lens, 224 ... mirror, 610 ... paper storage trays, 611 ... separation feeding means.

Claims (12)

An input unit for inputting image data to be printed, and an image forming unit for forming an image of the image data input from the input unit, wherein the image forming unit includes a plurality of page originals on one sheet of recording paper. An image forming apparatus having a multi-shot function for performing image formation in an integrated manner,
The image forming apparatus holds image data input from the input unit in a storage unit only when photographs or graphic data are collectively printed by the multi-shot function. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus receives the input when image data of a preset number or more is collectively printed on a sheet of recording paper using the multi-shot function. An image forming apparatus, wherein all input image data is held in the storage means. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus gives management identification information to image data stored in the storage unit. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes an image reading unit for reading an image printed on a document as the input unit, and the image reading unit. Image forming means for forming an image of the image data read by the image forming apparatus, and when the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function is read by the image reading means, the image forming apparatus is printed by the multi-shot function. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a restoration unit that restores a plurality of image sizes included in a printed matter to an image size input at the time of printing by the multi-shot function. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the restoration unit acquires identification information of image data recorded on a printed matter printed by the multi-shot function, and stores the identification information in the storage unit based on the identification information. An image forming apparatus comprising: reading out the image data and forming an image on a predetermined sheet by the image forming unit. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the restoration unit performs feature extraction of the image data from image data recorded on a printed matter printed by the multi-shot function, and the feature extracted data; The image data stored in the storage unit is collated, image data corresponding to the image data extracted from the feature is determined from the image data stored in the storage unit, and the image forming unit is used using the determined image data. An image forming apparatus characterized in that an image is formed on a predetermined sheet. An image forming apparatus including an input unit for inputting image data to be printed and an image forming unit for forming an image of the image data input from the input unit, and the image forming apparatus can communicate with each other. An image forming system including a storage device including a storage unit configured to store image data output from the image forming device;
The image forming unit of the image forming apparatus includes a multi-shot function that forms an image by consolidating a plurality of page originals on a single recording sheet, and when the photograph or graphic data is consolidated and printed by the multi-shot function. Only, the image data input from the input unit is transferred to the storage device, and the storage device holds the image data transferred from the image forming device in the storage unit. In an image forming method for forming an image of input image data using a multi-shot function for forming an image by consolidating a plurality of page originals on one recording sheet,
Only when printing by aggregating a photo or graphic data by the pre-SL multi-shot function, an image forming method characterized by retaining the the input image data in the storage means. 9. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein when the multi-shot function is used to collectively print document image data of a preset number or more on one sheet of recording paper, all input image data is stored in the storage unit. An image forming method characterized by holding. 10. The image forming method according to claim 8, wherein management identification information is added to the image data stored in the storage unit. The image forming method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a printed material printed by the multi-shot function is read, and a plurality of image sizes included in the printed material are obtained.
When reconstructing the image size input at the time of printing by the multi-shot function and forming an image, identification information of image data recorded on a printed matter printed by the multi-shot function is acquired, and based on the identification information An image forming method comprising: reading out image data stored in the storage unit and forming an image with the input image size. The image forming method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a printed material printed by the multi-shot function is read, and a plurality of image sizes included in the printed material are obtained.
When the image is restored to the image size input at the time of printing by the multi-shot function and the image is formed, the feature of the image data is extracted from the image data recorded on the printed matter printed by the multi-shot function. The extracted data and the image data stored in the storage means are collated, and image data corresponding to the image data extracted from the features is determined from the image data stored in the storage means, and the determined image An image forming method, wherein data is used to form an image with the input image size.

Images