JP2000041141A - Image processing unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain the image processing unit that reduces consumption of an image memory and to eliminate a so-called 'black frame'. SOLUTION: In the case of reading a thick original such as a book and a magazine, an erasure amount from a forward/backward/left/right end is set by depressing a frame erasure key. A start point P3' being a new 2nd original read position and an end point P4' being a new 2nd original read position are calculated based on the erasure amount from the forward/backward/left/right. Since an image of an original set by the erasure amount from the forward/ backward end is eliminated, the image cannot be read. Furthermore, image data from the left/right end among read image data are replaced with 'white level data' based on the erasure amount from the left/right end. Then after the data are replaced with the 'white level data', the resulting data are coded by the MMR system. Thus, the image data to be coded are reduced. Then the consumption of the image memory is decreased. In addition, so-called 'black frame' caused on recording paper after copying around a book or a magazine or the like can be erased.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an image processing apparatus typified by a copier having at least a flatbed reading section or a multifunction machine having a facsimile function in the copier. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a flatbed reading section (FBS) for reading a still document placed on a document placing plate and an automatic multiple document reading section (ADF) for automatically reading a plurality of documents.
Copiers equipped with are becoming mainstream. In addition, multifunction peripherals having a facsimile function in the copy machine are becoming popular.

The flat bed reading section can read thick originals such as books and magazines. For this reason, in recent years, there has been a multifunction peripheral capable of directly transmitting a thick original such as a book or a magazine, that is, a multifunction peripheral having a so-called “book transmission” function. Here, the “book transmission” function refers to a function of directly transmitting a read original as transmission image data directly to a destination without temporarily recording a thick original such as a book or a magazine on recording paper. .

[0004]

By the way, there are various sizes of books and magazines. On the other hand, as the recording paper size, there are generally recording papers of A row size (A3, A4, etc.) and B row size (B4, B5, etc.). For this reason, in many cases, the size of one side or both sides of a book or a magazine does not match the recording paper size. In addition, since books and magazines are bound, even if the size of one or both sides of the book or magazine matches the size of the recording paper, they do not match in the case of a two-page spread state.

When reading a book or magazine with a flatbed reading unit, the cover cannot be completely closed due to the thickness of the book or magazine. When a book, magazine, or the like is copied in this state, the periphery of the book, magazine, or the like is copied black, and a so-called “black frame” occurs. For this reason, the appearance of the copied recording paper deteriorates, and when the recording unit is configured by, for example, an electrophotographic method, a “black frame”
Toner is consumed for the recording of the image, and the toner decreases rapidly.

Further, when a book, magazine, or the like is directly transmitted to a destination using the "book transmission" function, the amount of transmitted image data becomes large. Therefore, the time for encoding the transmission image data also becomes longer. In addition, since the consumption of the image memory increases, a large image memory is required.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the consumption of an image memory and erasing a black frame. Is to do.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a storage unit for storing image data, and an image erasing amount. Based on the setting means to be set and the erasing amount of the setting means, the reading means reads the remaining images excluding the images at both ends in the sub-scanning direction, and replaces the image data at both ends in the main scanning direction with white data. And control means for storing the data in the storage means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a recording unit for recording an image on a recording sheet, wherein the control unit controls the recording sheet based on an erasing amount in the sub-scanning direction. And then start recording by the recording means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the image processing apparatus further includes an encoding unit that encodes the read image, and the control unit is configured to control the image data replaced with white data. Is encoded by the encoding means and then stored in the storage means.

In the embodiments of the invention described below, the "image processing apparatus" described in claims or means for solving the problems corresponds to the multifunction peripheral 11, and the "reading means" similarly reads The “storage means” corresponds to the image memory 86, the “setting means” corresponds to the operation unit 84, and the “recording means” also corresponds to the recording unit 16.
The "encoding means" also corresponds to the codec 87, and the "control means" also corresponds to the MPU 81, the ROM 82, and the RAM 83.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 11 includes a document feeding unit 12 and a document placing unit 1.
3, a reading unit 14, a recording paper supply unit 15, a recording unit 16, and a recording paper discharge unit 17 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a document table 22 on which a plurality of documents 21 can be placed, a separation roller 23 for separately feeding the documents 21 on the document table 22 one by one, and a plurality of feeding rollers for feeding the separated documents 21. 24, a light transmitting plate 25 through which the fed document 21 passes over the upper surface, and a document discharge table 26 for stocking the discharged document 21.

The document presence sensor 27 is arranged to face the document table 22 and outputs a detection signal when the document 21 is placed on the document table 22. The document discharge sensor 28 is disposed to face the document discharge table 26, and the document 2 is placed on the document discharge table 26.
When 1 is discharged, a detection signal is output.

The original placing portion 13 has a transparent original placing plate 31 for placing the original 21 on the upper surface thereof, and the original placing plate 3
1 and a presser lid 32 arranged to be openable and closable. Then, the document table 22 and the document discharge table 26 of the document feeding section 12 are disposed on the press cover 32 of the document placing section 13, and are opened and closed integrally with the press cover 32.

The reading section 14 includes a light source 37 for irradiating light to the original 21 passing on the light transmitting plate 25 or the original 21 placed on the original placing plate 31, and a light path of reflected light from the original 21. There are provided first to third mirrors 38, 39, 40 to be changed, and a moving mechanism 41 (see FIG. 2) for moving the light source 37 and the first to third mirrors 38, 39, 40. Further, the reading unit 14 includes a condenser lens 42 that converges light from the third mirror 40 and an image pickup device (CCD) 43 that reads an image on the document 21 based on light incident through the condenser lens 42. ing.

The moving mechanism 41 includes a pair of left and right large-diameter pulleys 4.
4, 45, a pair of left and right small-diameter pulleys 46 and 47, a first belt 48 mounted between the large-diameter pulleys 44 and 45, and a second belt 49 mounted between the small-diameter pulleys 46 and 47. Have. Further, the moving mechanism 41 includes a first belt 48.
Carriage 50 connected to the second belt 4
9 and a stepper motor 52.

The diameters of the large-diameter pulleys 44 and 45 are formed to be twice the diameters of the small-diameter pulleys 46 and 47. The large-diameter pulley 44 and the small-diameter pulley 46 on the left side are integrally rotatably connected on the same axis, and are operatively connected to a step motor 52. Further, a light source 37 and a first mirror 38 are supported on the first carriage 50, and a second mirror 39 and a third mirror 39 are provided on the second carriage 51.
A mirror 40 is supported.

When the large-diameter pulleys 44 and 45 and the small-diameter pulleys 46 and 47 are rotated by the step motor 52, the first and second carriages 50 and 50 are rotated via the first and second belts 48 and 49. 51 is moved. At this time, the first carriage 50 is moved at twice the moving speed of the second carriage 51. As a result, the first and second carriages 50 and 51 move to the intermediate standby position P1, the first document reading position P2 located immediately below the light transmitting plate 25, and the document placing plate 31, as shown in FIG. And a start point P3 of the second document reading position which is located immediately below the reference end 31a.

The document feeder 12 and the reader 14 constitute an automatic multiple document reader (ADF), in which the first and second carriages 50 and 51 are moved to the first document reading position P2. And the original 21 passing over the light transmitting plate 25
Is read.

Further, a flatbed reading section (FBS) is constituted by the original placing section 13 and the reading section 14,
After the second carriages 50 and 51 are moved and arranged at the start point P3 of the second document reading position, they are moved toward the end point P4, and the image of the document 21 placed on the document placing plate 31 is moved. Read.

The recording paper supply unit 15 includes a plurality (two in this embodiment) of recording papers 56 of a predetermined size stored in a stacked state.
The recording paper cassette 57 is provided. The recording paper supply unit 15 includes a paper feed roller 58 that feeds the recording paper 56 in each recording paper cassette 57 one by one toward the recording unit 16, and a guide plate 59 that guides the recording paper 56 to be fed. And Note that recording papers 56 having different sizes are stored in the respective recording paper cassettes 57.

A pair of recording paper type sensors 60a, 60b
Are provided corresponding to the respective recording paper cassettes 57. When each of the recording paper cassettes 57 is inserted into a predetermined position, the recording paper type sensors 60a and 60b output a size detection signal of the recording paper 56 stored in each of the recording paper cassettes 57.

The recording unit 16 includes a photosensitive drum 68 having a photoconductive film on the outer peripheral surface, a charger 69 for uniformly charging the photoconductive film on the photosensitive drum 68 to a predetermined potential, and a photosensitive drum 68.
An exposing device 70 for forming an electrostatic latent image thereon, and a photosensitive drum 68
A developing device 71 for supplying toner to the upper electrostatic latent image and developing the electrostatic latent image; Further, the recording unit 16
Is a feed roller 72 for feeding the recording paper 56 to the photosensitive drum 68, a transfer unit 73 for transferring the toner image from the photosensitive drum 68 to the recording paper 56, and heating the toner image on the recording paper 56. And a heat fixing unit 74 for fixing.

The recording paper discharge unit 17 is provided for recording the recording paper 5.
The recording paper 56 includes a paper discharge roller 77 for discharging the recording paper 56, a guide plate 78 for guiding the discharge of the recording paper 56, and a paper discharge tray 79 for storing the discharged recording paper 56. In the recording paper supply unit 15, the recording unit 16, and the recording paper discharge unit 17,
For example, the paper feed roller 58, the feed roller 72, the photosensitive drum 6
8, the developing device 71, the paper discharge roller 77, and the like are rotated by a rotational driving force from a step motor (not shown).

Next, the circuit configuration of the multifunction peripheral 11 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP 11 includes an MPU 81, a ROM 82, an RA
M83, reading unit 14, recording paper supply unit 15, recording unit 16,
An operation unit 84, a display unit 85, an image memory 86, a codec 87, a modem 88, and an NCU 89 are provided, and the units 14 to 16 and 81 to 89 are connected via a bus 90.

The MPU 81 controls the operation of each part of the multifunction device 11. The ROM 82 stores various programs necessary for the operation of the MFP 11. The RAM 83 temporarily stores various data and the like accompanying the execution of the program.

The reading section 14 reads an image on the original 21 via the light transmitting plate 25 or the original placing plate 31, and reads the image in black and white.
Outputs the image data of the value. The recording paper supply unit 15
The recording paper 56 is supplied to the recording unit 16 from the recording paper cassette 57 selected according to the document size or the like. The recording unit 16
For example, it is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data and image data read by the reading unit 14 on a recording paper 56 in a copy operation.

An operation unit 84 includes ten keys (including * and # keys) for inputting the number of copies, a FAX number, and the like.
a, a shortening key 84b for inputting an abbreviated number, a start key 84c for starting an original reading operation,
A communication / copy key 84d for setting a "communication (FAX)" operation or a "copy" operation, a frame erase key 84e for erasing a so-called "black frame" when reading a book or magazine, and a "black frame" Various operation keys such as a setting key 84f for setting an erasing amount are provided. A display unit 85 such as an LCD displays various information such as the operation state of the multifunction peripheral 11.

The image memory 86 temporarily stores received image data and image data read by the reading unit 14 and MMR-encoded by the codec 87. The codec 87 converts the image data read by the reading unit 14 into MH, MR, MM
Encoding is performed by the R method or the like. The codec 87 decodes the encoded data.

The modem 88 conforms to ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 30 based on a facsimile transmission control procedure according to V.30. 1
7, V. 27ter, V.A. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to 29 or the like are performed. The NCU 89 has a function of controlling connection with the telephone line L and detecting transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the fax number of the other party.

In the multifunction peripheral 11 configured as described above, the operation for setting the erasure amount of the "black frame" will be described.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is performed under the control of the MPU 81 based on a program stored in the ROM 82.

In step S1 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the setting key 84f of the operation unit 84 has been pressed by the user. Then, when the setting key 84f is pressed, the process proceeds to step S2.

In step S2, a message for setting the amount of erasure from the front, rear, left and right ends is displayed on the display unit 85. Here, the erasing amount from the front and rear ends is the erasing amount from the front and rear ends in the sub-scanning direction, and the erasing amount from the left and right ends is the erasing amount from the left and right ends in the main scanning direction.

In step S3, the user
When the amount of erasure from the front, rear, left, and right ends is input from the ten keys 84a of the operation unit 84, the values are sequentially displayed on the display unit 85. In step S4, it is determined whether or not the user has pressed the "#" key of ten key 84a for ending the setting of the erasure amount. Until the “#” key is pressed, the erased amount is continuously displayed on the display unit 85.
On the other hand, when the “#” key is pressed, the display on the display unit 85 is released, and the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, step S5
The amount of erasure from the front, rear, left and right ends input in the process of step 3 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM 83. Next, the MFP 11
The operation of reading a thick original such as a book or magazine by the flatbed reading unit (FBS) will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. It is assumed that the document size is set in advance by the user. Here, the document size indicates the size of the read document. That is, when the "book transmission" function is used, the recording paper size is not set. For this reason,
The multifunction peripheral 11 of the present embodiment is configured so that the range of the read original, that is, the size of the read original can be set to, for example, A4 size, B4 size, or the like, separately from the recording paper size. Also, this operation is
Based on the program stored in the OM 82, the MPU 81
This is executed under the control of.

In step S11 shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not the frame erase key 84e of the operation unit 84 has been pressed. Then, when the frame erase key 84e is pressed, the flow shifts to step S12.

In step S12, the erasure amounts from the front, rear, right and left ends are read from a predetermined area of the RAM 83.
In step S13, the amount of offset from the start point P3 of the second document reading position where the first and second carriages 50 and 51 are moved and arranged is calculated based on the amount of erasure from the front end. In other words, a new secondary as shown in FIG.
The start point P3 'of the document reading position is calculated. Then, the number of steps of the step motor 52 is calculated based on the offset amount.

In step S14, an offset amount from the end point P4 of the second document reading position where the first and second carriages 50 and 51 are moved and arranged is calculated based on the amount of erasure from the rear end. In other words, the end point P4 'of the new second document reading position as shown in FIG. 1 is calculated. Then, the number of steps of the step motor 52 is calculated based on the offset amount.

In step S15, the amount of movement of the first and second carriages 50 and 51 is calculated based on the document size set in advance and the amount of erasure from the front and rear ends. Then, the number of steps of the step motor 52 is calculated based on the movement amount.

In step S16, it is waited for the user to press the start key 84c. Then, when the start key 84c is pressed, step S
Move to 17.

In step S17, the first carriage 50 is first moved to the start point P3 of the second document reading position with the rotation of the step motor 52. Subsequently, it is moved to the start point P3 'of the new second document reading position calculated in step S13. Also, the second carriage 5
Similarly, 1 is first moved to the start point P3 of the second document reading position, and then moved to a position on the first carriage 50 corresponding to the start point P3 'of the new second document reading position.

In step S18, the first and second
The carriages 50 and 51 are moved toward the end point P4 'of the new second document reading position to read an image of a book, a magazine or the like placed on the document placing plate 31. Then, when the first and second carriages 50 and 51 reach the end point P4 'of the new second document reading position, the reading of the image of the book or magazine placed on the document placing plate 31 ends.

In step S19, of the image data read in step S18, the image data from the left and right ends is replaced with "white data" based on the erased amount from the left and right ends.

In step S20, the image data read by the reading unit 14 is encoded by the codec 87, for example, by the MMR method. In step S21, the encoded data is temporarily stored in the image memory 86.

Next, the operation when the image data once stored in the image memory 86 is recorded on the recording paper 56 by the recording unit 16 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S31 shown in FIG. 6, the recording start position of the recording paper 56 is calculated based on the erasing amount from the front end. That is, the offset amount of the recording paper 56 is calculated. That is, the recording paper 56 is offset by the set erasing amount from the front end.

In step S32, the number of lines to be decoded (the number of decoded lines) in the image memory 86 is calculated based on the document size set in advance and the erasure amounts from the front end and the rear end. That is, usually, in the copy mode, the resolution is very high (15.4 lines / mm).
Therefore, the number of lines to be decoded is calculated based on the length of the document size and the erasure amount from the front end and the rear end.
Note that the multifunction peripheral 11 according to the present embodiment is configured to determine that some error has occurred if the calculated number of lines is different from the number of lines to be decoded in the image memory 86. I have. In the case of “book transmission”, the number of lines according to the set resolution is calculated.

In step S 33, a predetermined recording paper 56 is selected from the recording paper cassette 57 of the recording paper supply unit 15 and transported toward the recording unit 16. Step S3
In 4, the recording paper 56 is transported by the feed roller 72 to the recording start position calculated in the processing of step S31.

In step S35, the image memory 8
6, the image data is read out and decoded by the codec 87. In step S36, the image data read by the recording unit 16 is recorded on the recording paper 56. After the recording on the recording paper 56 is completed, the recording paper 56 is discharged to the recording paper discharge unit 17.

Next, processing from reading of an original document to recording on the recording paper 56 will be described with reference to a conceptual diagram shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the reading start position (new second
The document is read from the start point P3 'of the document reading position to the reading end position (end point P4' of the new second document reading position). That is, the original is not read during the erasing amount A from the front end and the erasing amount B from the rear end. The image data of the erasure amounts C and D from the left and right ends are stored in the image memory 86 after being replaced with white data. When the image data in the image memory 86 is to be recorded on the recording paper 56, the recording is started after the recording paper 56 is transferred by the erasing amount A from the front end.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. (1) When reading thick originals such as books and magazines,
Pressing the frame erase key 84e sets the amount of erasure from the front, rear, left, and right ends. Based on the amount of erasure from the front and rear ends,
The start point P3 'of the new second document reading position and the new second
The end point P4 'of the document reading position is calculated. For this reason,
Since the image of the document set by the erasing amount is removed from the front and rear ends, it is not read. The image data from the left and right ends of the read image data is replaced with “white data” based on the erase amount from the left and right ends. Then, after being replaced with “white data”, it is encoded by the MMR method or the like. Therefore, the amount of image data to be encoded decreases. Therefore, the consumption of the image memory 86 can be reduced. In addition, a so-called “black frame” generated around a book, magazine, or the like on the recording paper 56 after copying can be deleted. Therefore, the appearance after copying does not deteriorate. Further, since the “black frame” is not recorded on the recording paper 56, it is possible to suppress the toner from decreasing quickly.

(2) When recording on the recording paper 56 by the recording unit 16, the amount of erasure from the front end is taken into consideration. That is,
The recording paper 56 is forcibly transported to a recording start position by the feed roller 72. Therefore, there is no "shift" between the image of the document and the image recorded on the recording paper 56.

(3) The amount of erasure from the front, rear, left and right ends can be set by the user. Therefore, the erasing amount can be set arbitrarily according to the size of the book or magazine or the thickness of the book or magazine.

(4) The reading range of the document, that is, the amount of movement of the first and second carriages 50 and 51 is from the start point P3 'of the new second document reading position to the end point of the new second document reading position. Up to P4 '. For this reason, the first and second carriages 50, 5
1 is also short. Therefore, the original reading operation can be completed earlier. Therefore, the time from the reading of the original to the recording on the recording paper 56 can also be reduced.

(5) Even when a book is transmitted to a destination using the so-called “book transmission” function, “black frames” generated around books, magazines, and the like are deleted. For this reason, the time for transmitting to the destination is also reduced. Therefore, the transmission fee can be reduced. In addition, a black frame does not occur at the destination when recording the received image data. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the toner on the destination side from being rapidly reduced from the transmission side device.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. In the setting of the erasing amount shown in FIG. 4, when the original size and the recording paper size are the same, one of the erasing amount from the front end or the rear end and the erasing amount from the left end or the right end Is set, the erasing amount from the rear end or the front end and the erasing amount from the right end or the left end may be calculated from the document size without requiring the user to input the erasing amount.

In the read image data, "black data" from the left and right ends may be replaced with "white data". With this configuration, it is possible to save the trouble of setting the erasure amount from the left and right ends.

For example, the image memory 86 is not used for encoding in the MMR system, but is used as black and white binary image data.
May be stored. The amount of erasure from the front, rear, left and right ends is set to, for example,
[Mm] may be set.

The erase amounts from the front end and the rear end may be set to the same value. -The erase amounts from the left end and the right end may be set to the same value. A scale for judging the erasure amount may be provided at the end of the original placing plate 31. With this configuration, the amount of erasure can be accurately determined, and the value can be input from the ten key 84a.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiment and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] In the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the size of the document to be read is the same as the size of the recording paper, the control means may determine the amount of erasing from the front end or the rear end. And an image processing apparatus that calculates the other erasing amount based on one of the erasing amounts from the left end or the right end.

With this configuration, it is possible to save the trouble of setting the erasure amount. [2] The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the setting means can arbitrarily set an erasure amount from front, rear, left and right ends.

With this configuration, the amount of erasure from the front, rear, left, and right ends can be set according to the size and thickness of the document.

[0063]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the consumption of the storage means and to erase the black frame.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), no "shift" occurs between the read image and the image recorded on the recording paper.

According to the invention described in claim 3, according to claim 1
Alternatively, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 2, the encoding of the encoding unit can further reduce the consumption of the storage unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when setting an erasing amount of a black frame.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when a flat original is read by a flatbed reading unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when image data is recorded on recording paper.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining processing from reading of an original to recording on recording paper.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunction machine as an image processing apparatus, 14 ... Reading part as a reading means, 16 ... Recording part as a recording means, 81 ... MPU which comprises a control means, 82 ... R which comprises a control means
OM, 83: RAM constituting control means, 84: operation unit as setting means, 86: image memory as storage means, 87: codec as encoding means.

Claims (3)

[Claims] A reading means for reading an image of a document; a storage means for storing image data; a setting means for setting an erasing amount of the image; and an image at both ends in the sub-scanning direction based on the erasing amount of the setting means. And a control unit for causing the reading unit to read the remaining image except for the image data, replacing the image data at both ends in the main scanning direction with white data, and storing the white data in the storage unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet, wherein the control unit transfers the recording sheet based on an erasing amount in the sub-scanning direction, and then controls the recording unit. An image processing device for starting recording. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an encoding unit that encodes the read image, wherein the control unit encodes the image data replaced with white data by the encoding unit. An image processing device that causes the image to be stored in the storage unit after the image processing.