JP2000287025A - Image processor and control method for the image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent waste of resource and time resulting from applying image processing such as copying to a white original and the waste of cost accompanying other image processing, even when a white original is mixed in an original bundle or a one side original is set with its wrong side out. SOLUTION: A CPU 301 discriminates whether or not an original fed by a document feeder is a white original, by comparing an integrated value of a CCD output integration circuit 305 with a threshold 312 in a ROM 302. The CPU 301 stops controlling prescribed image processing over an original image read from the original, on the basis of the result of discrimination.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a document feeder for automatically transporting a plurality of documents placed at a document loading position to a reading position on a document reading table, and transporting the documents by the document transporting device. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that reads a document image from a read document by a reading unit and sequentially performs predetermined image processing on the read document image and a control method of the image processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as copying machines are capable of performing various image processings on original images read by digitization.

On the other hand, many image processing apparatuses such as copiers are equipped with a document feeder (original conveying apparatus) for automatically feeding an original to an original reading table. .

As described above, the conventional image processing apparatus places a plurality of originals on the document feeder,
Copies can be made one after another without replacing the original document by hand.

[0005]

By the way, when copying a group of originals in which originals and blank papers are mixed, if all the originals are placed on the document feeder, there is a problem that even blank papers are copied.

Further, if a single-sided document whose front and back are reversed is mixed in the document bundle, the output becomes blank,
There is also a problem that paper and time are wasted.

Further, in the case of stapling the copy output of a large number of originals, it is late to notice that the original is a blank sheet, and it is necessary to remove the stapled sheet bundle from the sheet bundle and stapling again. There is a problem that time is wasted.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the first to seventeenth inventions according to the present invention is to provide a plurality of originals placed at an original placing position. And a document transport device for automatically transporting the document images to a reading position on a document reading table, reading a document image from a document transported by the document transport device by a reading unit, and sequentially determining a predetermined number of the read document images In the image processing apparatus that performs the image processing, it is determined whether or not the document conveyed by the document conveying device is a blank document, and when it is determined that the document is a blank document, the predetermined process for the document is performed. Since the process is stopped, even if a blank document is mixed in the bundle of documents or a single-sided document is set upside down, the resources, time, Is to provide a method for controlling an image processing apparatus and an image processing apparatus capable of preventing the waste of cost and the like associated with the other image processing operations.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a plurality of originals (an original 201 shown in FIG. 2) placed at an original placing position (an original feed port 102 shown in FIG. 2). And a document feeder (document feeder 101) for automatically and sequentially transporting the document to a reading position (document reading position 206 shown in FIG. 2) on a document reading table. Unit (such as a CCD 211 shown in FIG. 2) and sequentially performs predetermined image processing (copy processing, transmission processing, electronic file processing) on the read document image. Determination means for determining whether or not the original whose image has been read is a blank original (determined by the CPU 301 shown in FIG. Control means for controlling predetermined image processing on a document image read from the document based on the determination result of the determination means (the CPU 301 shown in FIG. Perform processing and the like).

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the control means (the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) is arranged such that, when the document read by the determination means is determined to be a blank document,
The predetermined image processing for the document image read from the document is stopped and controlled.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the document feeder (document feeder 101 shown in FIG. 2), a plurality of documents placed at the document placement position are read by a designated number of sheets at the reading position. And the document read by the reading unit is returned to the document placing position.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the reading section (such as the CCD 211 shown in FIG. 2) moves the document surface of the document conveyed to the reading position by the document conveying device from the reading position in the document conveying direction. Scanning means (lamp 207, mirror 208, mirror table 209 shown in FIG. 2) for moving and scanning from the upstream document reading start position (mirror table document reading position 802 shown in FIG. 6) is provided. A first reading operation for reading a document image, or the scanning means is fixed to a fixed position (flow reading position 601 shown in FIG. 5) upstream of the reading position in the document conveyance direction before the document is conveyed by the document conveyance device. A second reading operation for reading a document image when a document conveyed by the document conveying device passes over the scanning means; Wherein said control means (CPU shown in FIG. 3
301) is the first time at the time of the judgment by the judgment means.
It is determined whether or not the document is a blank document based on the document image read by the reading operation. When the predetermined image processing is performed, the predetermined image processing is performed on the document image read by the second reading operation. Is controlled.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) determines whether the original is blank when the determination means determines that the original is blank. Reading an image by the first reading operation;
It is determined whether or not this document is a blank document. If it is determined that this document is not a blank document, control is performed such that the document image of this document is read by the second reading operation following the determination processing. Is what you do.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) determines that the document is blank, the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) It is controlled to return to the original placing position.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) determines that the document is blank, the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) Returning to the original placement position, interrupting the original transport operation by the transport device, and urging the operator to be warned (a warning sound is issued from the speaker 406 shown in FIG. 4 to the operator). To control.

In an eighth aspect according to the present invention, the determination means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) counts the number of pixels of the document image read by the reading section (the CCD output value integration circuit 305 shown in FIG. 3). ), The counted number of pixels and a predetermined threshold (threshold 31 shown in FIG. 2).
By comparing 2), it is determined whether or not the document is blank.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an original image is read from a blank original of the same paper type as the original determined by the determining means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3), and the sum of the densities of the read original image is calculated. Setting means for setting the predetermined threshold value in advance based on the threshold value.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first instructing means (FIG. 9) for instructing to skip reading a document which has been determined to be a blank document and returned to the document placing position after the document conveyance operation has been interrupted. Blank paper skip mode setting key 40 shown in FIG.
5) and second instruction means (copy start and stop keys 401 shown in FIG. 4) for instructing restart of the operation, and the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) provides the first and / or second The restart operation is controlled based on the instruction result of the instruction means.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) is instructed to restart by the second instruction means after the skip instruction is issued by the first instruction means. In this case, control is performed so that the next original is conveyed. If resumption is instructed by the second instructing unit without the skip instruction being instructed by the first instructing unit, it is determined that the original is a blank original and The original returned to the original placing position is re-conveyed, an original image is read from this original, and after performing predetermined image processing, control is performed so that the next original is conveyed.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the control means (CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) is configured so that the restart instruction is not issued by the second instruction means within a predetermined time after the interruption of the predetermined image processing operation. Controls the restarting operation based on the instruction result of the first instruction means.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a setting means for setting a blank sheet skipping mode for executing a blank sheet judgment by the judgment means and a predetermined image processing control based on a judgment result of the judgment means by the control means. (A blank page skipping mode setting key 405 shown in FIG. 4), and the control unit (the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 3) determines whether the blank page skipping mode is set by the setting unit and the blank page determination by the determining unit. The control is performed so as to execute a predetermined image processing control based on the determination result of the determination means.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a copy processing means (copying unit 103 shown in FIG. 2) for copying a document image read by the reading unit to a recording medium,
The predetermined image processing is an image copy process by the copy processing unit of the document image read by the reading unit.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a non-volatile storage means (a large-capacity storage device 1101 shown in FIG. 11) for storing a document image read by the reading section, and the read image is read by the reading section. The predetermined image processing of the document image is an image storage processing in the nonvolatile storage unit.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmitting means for transmitting an original image read by the reading section to an external device communicably connected via a predetermined communication medium (see FIG. 11). Interface (I / F) 110
2) is provided, and the predetermined image processing of the document image read by the reading unit is an image transmission process by the transmission unit.

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document transport device for automatically transporting a plurality of documents placed at a document loading position to a reading position on a document reading table automatically. A reading unit that reads a document image from a document conveyed by a scanner, and sequentially performs predetermined image processing on the read document image. Judgment process for judging whether or not the document is a blank document (step (6) in FIG. 8, step (1) to FIG. 9)
(6)) and, if it is determined that the read document is a blank document, a stop process of stopping the predetermined image processing on the document image read from the document (step (10) in FIG. 8). , Steps (1) to (3) in FIG. 10).

[0026]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of a copying machine to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 102 denotes a document feed port for placing and storing a plurality of documents. A document feeder 101 conveys a plurality of documents placed and stored in a document feed port 102 continuously from above or below to a document reading position of the copying unit 103.

Reference numeral 103 denotes a copying unit that reads a document image from a document and performs a copying operation on a recording medium. 104,
A paper cassette 105 stores copy paper (hereinafter, paper) as a recording medium.

Reference numeral 106 denotes an operation unit.
The user sets a copy mode such as a double-sided copy mode and a blank page skip mode, and performs a key input for starting / stopping copying. The operation unit 106 includes a buzzer or the like for issuing a warning to the operator from the copying machine when a blank document is mixed.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the structure of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1, and the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 201 denotes the document feed port 10;
2 represents a plurality of originals placed and stored. Reference numeral 202 denotes a document feed port moving position. When a copy start button is pressed, the document feed port 102 moves (down) to a position indicated by 202. A roller 203 conveys the lowermost or uppermost document among the documents placed in the document feed port 102 onto the belt 204 (puts it on the belt 204). The roller 203 can be driven by changing its position up and down. The uppermost document is driven by the upper position, and the lowermost document is driven by the lower position. Can be transported up.

The belt 204 carries the paper conveyed by the rollers 203 and conveys the paper in the direction indicated by the arrow 205, and stops at the timing when the rear end of the original is located at the original reading position 206.

Next, in the copying section 103, a lamp 207 irradiates the original. 208 is a mirror, lamp 2
The reflected image of the original illuminated by 07 is sent to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter, CCD) 211. The lamp 207 and the mirror 208 are formed by a mirror base 209.
Reference numeral 210 denotes a motor, which is driven by an optical motor driver described later and moves the mirror base 209. Thereby, the mirror 208 can irradiate the whole area of the original.

The CCD 211 converts the reflected image sent by the mirror 208 into a voltage level. Reference numeral 212 denotes a controller for setting a laser intensity according to a voltage level input from the CCD 211. A laser 213 irradiates the photosensitive drum 214 with a laser beam based on the laser intensity set by the controller 212.

The photosensitive drum 214 stores on its surface a potential corresponding to the intensity of the irradiated laser beam. A developing device 215 stores a developer such as a toner, and a laser 2.
The amount of toner proportional to the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 214 stored by the laser beam irradiated by the laser light 13 is applied to the photosensitive drum 214 to form a toner image on the photosensitive drum 214.

A registration roller 217 temporarily stops the sheet fed from the sheet cassette 104 or 105 through the path 216 and temporarily stops the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 214 at a predetermined position of the sheet. The copy paper is conveyed at such a timing that the leading edge of the paper comes in contact with the paper.

Reference numeral 218 denotes a transfer roller, which is a photosensitive drum 214
The photosensitive drum 21 has a potential for peeling off the toner,
4, the toner image is placed (transferred) on the paper and the paper is conveyed to the belt 219. 220
Denotes a fixing roller, which has a built-in heater and a belt 219.
And heat-fixes the toner to the sheet on which the toner is attached, and discharges the toner onto the discharge tray 221.

The operation of each section will be described below.

First, when the copy start button is pressed, the document feed port 102 is lowered to the position indicated by the document feed port moving position 202, and one of the documents placed in the document feed port by the rollers 203 is moved. The bottom or top document is placed on the belt 204. Next, the roller 203
Is transported on the belt 204,
The belt 2 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the missing mark 205 and the belt 2
04 stops.

Next, the lamp 207 and the mirror 208 formed by the mirror base 209 read the entire area of the document while moving by a motor 210 driven by an optical motor driver described later. The reflected image sent by the mirror 208 is converted into a voltage level by the CCD 211, and when a laser intensity setting corresponding to the voltage level is performed on the laser 213 in the controller 212, a laser beam of the intensity set from the laser 213 is emitted. Photosensitive drum 2
14 is irradiated.

At this time, the photosensitive drum 214 stores a potential corresponding to the intensity of the laser beam emitted from the laser 213 in the photosensitive drum. Next, the developing device 215 applies the toner on the photosensitive drum 214 in an amount proportional to the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 214 stored in the memory.
4 to form a toner image.

On the other hand, copy paper is fed from the paper cassette 104 or the paper cassette 105. When or before paper is fed, a CP shown in FIG.
The sheet size is transmitted to U301.

The sheet passes through a path 216 and is conveyed to a position just before a registration roller 217. The registration roller 217 is
The sheet is conveyed at such a timing that the leading end of the toner image comes into contact with the determined position of the sheet.

Next, the transfer roller 218 is connected to the photosensitive drum 2 via the sheet conveyed by the registration roller 217.
14, the toner image is placed on the paper, the paper is conveyed to a belt 219, and the paper on which the toner adheres is placed on the belt 219.
0 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 221.

FIG. 3 shows the controller 212 shown in FIG.
3 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration, and the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a control CPU (hereinafter, referred to as a control CPU).
A CPU 302 for storing a program and fixed data (including a threshold 312 for determining whether a read document is a blank document and a paper area table corresponding to the document size), a stack for executing variables and programs And a RAM 303 for holding the
01 executes a program stored in the ROM 302 or another storage medium (not shown) to control the entire copying machine.

An A / D converter 304 converts an output voltage from the CCD 211 into digital data and outputs the converted digital data to the CPU 301 and the CCD output value integrating circuit 305.

The CCD output value integrating circuit 305 is
01 until the zero reset signal is input via the bus 306, the output value from the A / D converter 304 is continuously accumulated in the built-in counter, and the CC accumulated in the counter is accumulated.
The D output integrated value SUM is held. That is, the number of pixels of the original image read by the CCD 211 is counted (CCD
The pixel values output from 211 are integrated) and held. 3
07 is a sampling timing clock source.
The timing for taking in the D output value, the timing for integrating the CCD outputs, and the timing for emitting a laser of the corresponding intensity are generated.

Reference numeral 308 denotes a laser driver.
The laser beam corresponding to the input value is
A driver for emitting light sets the intensity of the laser beam to the laser 213 based on the value input from the CPU 301. Then, the laser 213 emits a laser beam having the intensity set by the laser driver 308 to the photosensitive drum. Reference numeral 309 denotes an optical motor driver,
0 drive control is performed.

A drive control CPU 310 controls the formation of a toner image, and communicates with the CPU 301. An operation unit control CPU 311 operates the operation unit 106.
And communicates with the CPU 301.

FIG. 4 is a plan view for explaining the configuration of the operation unit 106 shown in FIG.

In the figure, reference numeral 401 denotes a copy start and stop key. When the operator presses this key, the copy operation is started or stopped. The copy start / stop key 401 detects that the original read by the copier is a blank sheet, issues a warning, and then resumes the copy operation when the operator presses this key again.

Reference numeral 402 denotes a set copy number display and a copy number counter. The number of copies set by the operator is displayed before copying is started, and the remaining number of copies is displayed during copying. Reference numeral 403 denotes a copy number input key, which is constituted by a numeric keypad. The operator presses this key to input a copy number.

Reference numeral 404 denotes a copy mode setting key.
By pressing this key, the operator can select either one-sided copy or two-sided copy. 40
Reference numeral 5 denotes a blank page skipping mode setting key. The operator can select a blank page skipping mode by pressing this key. Reference numeral 406 denotes a speaker in which a blank page skip mode is set and a blank document is detected at the time of copying.
A warning sound is issued from the speaker to the operator.

Reference numeral 407 denotes a document size designation key for designating the size of the document to be read before the start and stop keys 401 are pressed. Reference numerals 408 and 409 denote paper cassette size designation keys.
Before pressing 1, the size of the paper stored in the paper cassettes 104 and 105 is designated.

FIGS. 5 to 7 are cross-sectional views for explaining the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG. 2, and correspond to a case where it is determined whether or not a document is a blank sheet while conveying the document. The same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 601 denotes a moving reading position, which is a moving position of the mirror table 209 when performing moving reading of a document (flow reading mode), and the leading end of the conveyed document has reached this position. At this time, the lamp 207 starts irradiation, and the controller 212 starts reading an image. At this time, the mirror table 209 does not operate from the position 601, and reads the entire area of the document by the belt 204 conveying the document. Note that the above-mentioned flow reading mode is automatically set by the CPU 301 when a copy operation (document reading operation) is performed using the document feeder 101.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 802 denotes a mirror-table original reading position, which is used when the document feeder 1
Reference numeral 01 denotes a movement position of a mirror base for starting reading of the document conveyed to the document reading position 206 to start reading the document during the copying operation.

Here, the mirror base document reading position 802
6 is located on the left side of the document reading position 206 in FIG. 6 because the mirror stand 209 needs a distance for accelerating to a reading speed of the document.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 901 denotes a re-conveyed document, which corresponds to a document which is determined to be blank and returned to the document placing position 201, and then re-conveyed to the document reading position 206.

Hereinafter, a copy operation in the blank page skipping mode of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a first control procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to a procedure of skipping blank paper and copying. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 shows that the CPU 301 shown in FIG.
The program is executed based on a program stored in the storage medium 302 or another storage medium (not shown). Also, (1) to (1)
0) indicates each step.

First, a start key and a stop key 40
When 1 is pressed (1), the mirror base 209 is moved to the flow reading position 601 shown in FIG. 5 (2). next,
The lowermost document is conveyed by the belt 204 from the paper feed port 102 of the document feeder 101 (3).

The document waits until the leading edge of the document reaches the position 601 (4). When the leading edge of the document reaches the position 601, the lamp 207 starts irradiation and the controller 212
Starts reading the image. At this time, the mirror base 209
Does not operate from the position 601 and the entire area of the document is read by the belt 204 conveying the document. Also, CP
U301 is a counter value of the CCD output value integrating circuit 303 (CCD output integrated value SU) before starting to read an image.
M) is reset to zero, and the CCD output integrated value SUM of the CCD output value integrating circuit 303 when reading of the entire area of the document is completed is read (5).

Next, it is determined whether or not the read original is blank using the threshold value 312 stored in the ROM 302 (6). The detailed algorithm of blank page determination is shown in FIG. 9 described later.

If it is determined in step (6) that the original is not blank, the original is transported to the original reading position 206 shown in FIG. 6, and the mirror base 209 is moved to the mirror for starting reading the original during the copy operation. The document is moved to the platen reading position 802 (7), and the copying operation is started (8).
After the copy operation is completed, the mirror base 209 is moved to the moving reading position 601 to convey (feed) the next original.
To start.

Here, the mirror base document reading position 802
6 is located on the left side of the document reading position 206 in FIG. 6 because a distance is required for the mirror table 209 to accelerate to a reading speed of the document.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (6) that the original is blank,
(In the present embodiment, the document is placed on the top of the document 201), the process is temporarily interrupted (9), and the operation unit 106
A warning sound is generated from the speaker 406 to the operator, and a blank sheet skip mode shown in FIG. 10 described later is executed (10).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the second control procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, and corresponds to the blank page determination processing procedure shown in step (6) of FIG.
Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 9 corresponds to the CP shown in FIG.
U301 is executed based on a program stored in the ROM 302 or another storage medium (not shown). (1) to (6) show each step.

First, the CPU 301 is an operation unit control CPU.
By communicating with 311, the document size set by the document size designation key 407 on the operation unit 106 is read. A sheet area table corresponding to the document size is stored in the ROM 303 in advance, and an area SZ corresponding to the read document size is acquired (1).

Next, in step (5) of FIG. 8, the CCD output integrated value SUM of the entire original read out from the CCD output value integrating circuit 303 is divided by the area SZ obtained in step (1). Substitute into the variable VAL (2).

Next, the threshold value TH (threshold value 3) of the integrated value of the CCD output per unit area for blank sheet determination is determined from the ROM 302.
12) is read (3) and compared with the variable VAL calculated in step (2) (determining whether the variable VAL is larger than the threshold TH) (4), and it is determined that the variable VAL is larger than the threshold TH. In this case, it is determined that the read original is not blank (5), and the process returns.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (4) that the variable VAL is not larger than the threshold value TH, it is determined that the read original is blank (6), and the process returns.

By the way, the above-mentioned threshold value is not always zero in consideration of dust and the like on blank paper, and it is possible to have a plurality of threshold values depending on the type of paper and the like.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a third control procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.
Corresponds to the blank page skipping mode processing procedure shown in step (10). Note that the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 10 is executed by the CPU 301 illustrated in FIG. 3 based on a program stored in the ROM 302 or another storage medium (not illustrated). (1) to (5) show each step.

First, after generating a warning sound from the speaker 406 of the operation unit 106 that the document is blank, the operator selects whether to copy the document as it is or to exclude it from the document because it is a blank document. I do.

When the document is to be excluded as a blank document, the operator removes the document that has returned to the top of the placed document 201 in the document feed port 102 and presses the blank page skipping mode key 405 again (1). Subsequently, by pressing the start key 401 (2), the lowermost document (that is, the next document) of the documents in the document feed port 102 is conveyed (supplied) (3), and the process returns.

At this time, since the mirror base 209 has already been moved to the moving reading position 601, there is no need to move it again.

On the other hand, if the returned document is not a blank document,
Alternatively, in the case of copying a blank document as it is, the operator presses the start key 401 again without pressing the blank page skipping mode key 405 (4). The document returned to the top is moved to the document reading position 60 as shown at 901 in FIG.
The sheet is conveyed again to 1 and a copy operation is performed (5), and the process returns. After that, the mirror base 209 is moved to the moving reading position 601, and the conveyance (feed) of the next original (the lowermost original) is started.

As described above, by utilizing the paper feeding time from the feeder in the copying operation of the conventional copying machine,
Blank copy can be efficiently prevented with almost no change from the time required for conventional copy.

Even if a single-sided original with the wrong side is set on the feeder, the operator is notified of this fact, so that even an unskilled operator who does not know the original setting direction can copy a large amount of blank paper. This makes it possible to easily make a copy using the document feeder without mistakes.

In FIG. 10, the case where the copy operation is restarted by pressing the start key 401 after the interruption of the copy processing has been described. However, the CPU 301 measures the time after the interruption of the copy processing and determines the predetermined time ( For example, 3
If the start key 401 is not pressed within minutes),
Based on whether or not the blank page skipping mode key 405 has been pressed, it may be configured to control whether to convey the next original or to convey the next original after re-conveyed copy of the returned original.

Thus, even if the operator moves from the front of the apparatus to another place after starting the processing and does not notice the interruption of the processing, or even if he is not accustomed to knowing the restarting operation, the copying processing can be performed. It is possible to avoid a situation in which the user is interrupted and cannot be used by another user.

Note that the predetermined time is determined in advance in the ROM 30
2 may be set (programmed) in the RAM 30 or a desired time set by the user from the operation unit 106 or the like.
3 may be set in the non-volatile memory.

Although not particularly described in the present embodiment, the threshold value for determining blank paper may be set in advance, or a blank paper of the same paper type as the original to be copied may be read. The threshold value may be set based on the CCD output integrated value.

As described above, by reading a blank sheet of the same paper type and determining the threshold value based on the sum of the densities of the read original images (CCD output integrated value), for example, when the blank sheet is colored paper For example, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination that the sheet is not blank.

In this embodiment, the operator may intentionally mix blank paper into the original, and the operator may select whether or not to set the blank paper skip mode described in this embodiment. Is also possible. Note that the CPU 301 may be configured to execute the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 to 11 only when the blank page skipping mode is set by the blank page skipping mode setting key 405.

Further, a sensor is provided in the document feeder 102 of the document feeder 101 to detect whether or not the original returned as blank is removed, and the original returned as blank is determined within a predetermined time. When the document is removed, copying may be restarted from the next document following the removed document, and when the document is not removed within a predetermined time, the copying may be started again from the document.

Also, a case has been described where a warning sound is issued to the operator from the speaker 406 of the operation unit 106 when it is determined that the document is blank, but the subsequent operation is guided instead of the warning sound. Thus, the message may be generated by voice or displayed on a display unit (not shown) of the operation unit 106.

In this embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an electrophotographic copying machine has been described. However, the present invention may be applied to other types of copying apparatuses such as an ink jet type and a sublimation type.

[Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment,
The case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine and a case where a blank copy is skipped in the copying operation of the copying machine has been described. However, the present invention is applied to an electronic filing device or a document reading device and the like, and the operation of reading a document and converting it to an electronic file is performed. A configuration may be adopted in which a blank document is skipped. Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 shows the controller 21 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration in FIG. 2, and the same components as those in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 1101 is a large-capacity storage device,
For example, a document is conveyed by a document feeder 101 using a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like.
To store the read original image. As a result, this device can be used as an electronic file device.

Reference numeral 1102 denotes an interface (I / F).
The document can be communicated with an external device 1103 such as a personal computer. The document is conveyed by the document feeder 101, and a document image read by the CCD 211 is transmitted to the external device 1103. As a result, this device can be used as a document reading device such as a scanner.

The interface (I / F) 1102
May be facsimile-transmitted and received via a public line such as a telephone line, and a document may be conveyed by the document feeder 101 and a document image read by the CCD 211 may be transmitted by facsimile. As a result, this device can be used as a facsimile device.

Therefore, the first embodiment shown in FIGS.
By applying the copy operation in the blank page skipping mode shown in (1) to the electronic file operation, by using the document feed time from the document feeder 101 in the conventional operation of reading a document and converting it to an electronic file, the conventional document can be converted to an electronic file. It is possible to efficiently prevent a blank document from being converted into an electronic file with almost the same time as the time required to convert a read electronic file.

8 to 10 of the first embodiment.
By applying the copy operation in the blank page skipping mode shown in (1) to an image reading operation for transferring to an external device or a facsimile operation, by utilizing the document feeding time from the document feeder 101 in the conventional document reading operation, Transmission of a blank document (facsimile transmission) can be efficiently prevented with almost no change from the time required for reading a conventional document.

As described above, when it is determined that the document is blank, a warning is issued to the operator to urge the operator to check the document determined to be blank, and if necessary, the operator removes the blank document. Alternatively, when a single-sided original is set upside down, the original with the correct side is placed on the document feeder again, so that copying can be continued.

When the original is removed, copying is performed from the next original after the removed original, and when the original is not removed, the copying operation of the original is started again, thereby eliminating the trouble of removing blank paper from the original group. Further, it is possible to prevent waste of paper and time caused by blank paper being copied.

As described above, the storage medium storing the program codes of the software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to the system or the apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MP) of the system or the apparatus is supplied.
It goes without saying that the object of the present invention is also achieved when U) reads out and executes the program code stored in the storage medium.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the novel function of the present invention, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

Examples of a storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk,
D-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, EEPROM, etc. can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instruction of the program code, The CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing,
It goes without saying that a case where the function of the above-described embodiment is realized by the processing is also included.

Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. .

Further, by downloading and reading out a program represented by software for achieving the present invention from a database on a network by a communication program, the system or apparatus can be
It is possible to enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0107]

As described above, the first embodiment according to the present invention is described.
According to the second and third aspects of the present invention, the determining unit determines whether or not the original whose image has been read by the reading unit is a blank original, and based on the determination result of the determining unit,
Since the control means controls (stops) predetermined image processing on a document image read from the document, resources and time required for performing image processing such as copying on a blank document, and other costs associated with image processing operations, etc. Waste can be prevented.

According to the third aspect, the document transport device sequentially transports a plurality of documents placed at the document loading position to the reading position by a designated number of sheets, and the reading unit finishes reading. The returned document is returned to the document placement position, so that the document returned to the document placement position can be easily transported again.

According to the fourth invention, the reading section is
Scanning means for moving and scanning the original surface of the original conveyed to the reading position by the original conveying device from an original reading start position upstream of the reading position in the original conveying direction; and 1st to read
Before the document is conveyed by the document conveying device, the scanning unit is fixed at a fixed position upstream of the reading position in the document conveying direction, and the document conveyed by the document conveying device is placed on the scanning unit. A second reading operation for reading a document image when the document passes through the control unit. The control unit determines that the document is a blank document based on the document image read by the first reading operation when the determination unit determines. In executing the predetermined image processing, control is performed so as to perform predetermined image processing on the document image read by the second reading operation. The determination of a blank document can be performed, and image processing can be performed with high accuracy by ordinary reading.

According to the fifth aspect, when the determination section determines that the original is blank, the control section reads the original image of the next conveyed original by the first reading operation. Then, it is determined whether or not the original is a blank original. If it is determined that the original is not a blank original, the original image of the original is replaced with the second original after the determination processing.
, The blank document can be efficiently determined in a short time by the flow reading, and the image processing can be accurately performed by the normal reading.

According to the sixth aspect, the control means returns the document to the document placement position following the determination processing when the determination means determines that the document is blank. Since the control is performed, the operator can easily remove the blank document as needed.

According to the seventh aspect, when the determination section determines that the original is a blank sheet, the control section returns the original to the original mounting position following the determination processing. Suspend the document transport operation by the transport device,
Control is performed so that a warning is issued to the operator, so that the operator is prompted to check a document determined to be blank, and if necessary, the operator can remove the blank document or set the one-sided document upside down. When the document has been read, the document that has been adjusted to the correct side can be set again in the document feeder.

According to the eighth aspect, the judging means counts the number of pixels of the original image read by the reading section, and compares the counted number of pixels with a predetermined threshold value. Since it is determined whether or not the document is blank, a blank document can be accurately determined.

According to the ninth aspect, an original image is read from a blank original of the same paper type as that of the original determined by the determination means, and the predetermined threshold is set in advance based on the sum of the densities of the read original images. Since the setting means for setting is provided, it is possible to perform blank sheet determination according to the paper type of the document, and to accurately determine blank (no information) documents for documents of various colors other than white. Can be.

According to the tenth aspect, after the interruption of the original transporting operation, the first instruction means for instructing skipping of the original which is determined to be a blank original and returned to the original placing position, and Second instruction means for instructing resumption is provided, and the control means controls the resumption operation based on the instruction result of the first and / or second instruction means. Eliminate the troublesome work of removing blank paper from a group of originals and inserting blank paper again after processing is completed, and also prevent waste of resources and time due to image processing of blank paper, and other costs associated with image processing operations. Can be.

According to the eleventh aspect, the control means includes:
When a restart is instructed by the second instructing unit after the skipping is instructed by the first instructing unit, control is performed so that the next original is conveyed, and the skipping is instructed by the first instructing unit. If the restart is instructed by the second instructing means without being performed, the original which is determined to be a blank original and is returned to the original placing position is re-conveyed, and an original image is read from this original, and a predetermined Since the control is performed so that the next document is conveyed after performing image processing, it is possible to eliminate the troublesome work of removing blank paper from the document group before setting it on the document conveyance device and inserting blank paper again after processing is completed, and It is possible to prevent waste of resources and time caused by image processing of a blank sheet, and other costs associated with the image processing operation.

According to the twelfth aspect, the control means includes:
If there is no restart instruction by the second instruction means within a predetermined time after the interruption of the predetermined image processing operation, the restart operation is controlled based on the instruction result of the first instruction means. Remove the blank paper from the group of originals before setting it in the printer, and save the troublesome work of inserting the blank paper again after the processing is completed.In addition, resources and time due to image processing of blank paper, other costs associated with image processing operation, etc. In addition to preventing waste, it is also possible to avoid a situation in which the processing is interrupted and cannot be used by another user.

According to the thirteenth aspect, there is provided a setting means for setting a blank sheet skipping mode for executing a blank sheet judgment by the judgment means and a predetermined image processing control based on a judgment result of the judgment means by the control means. Since the control means performs control such that only when the blank sheet skip mode is set by the setting means, control of predetermined image processing based on the blank sheet determination by the determination means and the determination result of the determination means is performed. When the blank-sheet skipping process is not necessary, the execution of the blank-sheet skipping process can be restricted by a simple operation.

According to the fourteenth aspect, there is provided copy processing means for copying an original image read by the reading section onto a recording medium, wherein the predetermined image processing of the original image read by the reading section is performed by: Since the image processing is performed by the copy processing means, it is possible to prevent waste of paper, time, and other costs associated with the copy operation caused by performing the copy processing on the blank document.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the nonvolatile storage means for storing the original image read by the reading section is provided, and the predetermined image processing is performed by the nonvolatile storage section of the original image read by the reading section. Since the image storage process is performed on the storage unit, it is possible to prevent the waste of the memory resources and the time due to performing the storage process on the blank document, and other costs associated with the operation.

According to the sixteenth aspect, there is provided transmission means for transmitting the original image read by the reading section to an external device communicably connected via a predetermined communication medium, The process is an image transmission process by the transmission unit of the document image read by the reading unit. Therefore, communication cost and time required for performing a transmission process such as facsimile on a blank document, and other costs associated with the image processing operation. Waste can be prevented.

According to the seventeenth aspect, there is provided a document transport device for automatically transporting a plurality of documents placed at the document loading position to a reading position on a document reading table, and transporting the document by the document transport device. A reading unit that reads a document image from a read document and sequentially performs predetermined image processing on the read document image, wherein the document whose document image is read by the reading unit is a blank document And if the read document is determined to be a blank document, the predetermined image processing for the document image read from the document is stopped. It is possible to prevent waste of resources and time caused by performing image processing such as copying, and other costs associated with image processing operations.

Therefore, even when a blank document is mixed in the bundle of documents or when a single-sided document is set upside down, resources and time by performing image processing such as copying on the blank document, and other image processing operations Thus, it is possible to prevent the cost and the like from being wasted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a copying machine to which an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration in a controller illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of an operation unit illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the configuration of the copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a first control procedure of the image processing apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a second control procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third control procedure of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration inside a controller shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 301 CPU 302 ROM 303 RAM 305 CCD output value integration circuit 312 Threshold value 1101 Mass storage device 1102 Interface (I / F)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C087 AA03 AA09 AC05 AC07 AC08 BB10 BD10 CB02 DA11 2H027 DA32 DB01 DE02 DE07 DE10 EC10 EK03 FA30 GA48 GB07 HA02 2H076 BA45 BA56 BA65 BA66 BA71 3F048 AA01 AB02 BA06 BB02 CC02 DA08 DA08 EA09 EB28 EB30 5C062 AA05 AB01 AB17 AB42 AC02 AC11 AC60 AC65 AF15

Claims (17)

[Claims] A document feeder for automatically transporting a plurality of documents placed at a document placement position to a reading position on a document reading table automatically; and a document image transferred from the document transported by the document feeder. An image processing apparatus that reads a document image by the reading unit and sequentially performs predetermined image processing on the read document image, and determines whether the document from which the document image has been read by the reading unit is a blank document. An image processing apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control predetermined image processing on a document image read from the document based on a determination result of the determination unit. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines that the read original is a blank original.
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined image processing for the document image read from the document is stopped and controlled. 3. The original transport device sequentially transports a plurality of originals placed at the original placement position to the reading position by a designated number of sheets, and places the originals read by the reading unit on the original loading position. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is returned to the installation position. 4. The scanning device according to claim 1, wherein the scanning unit scans a document surface of the document conveyed to the reading position by the document conveying device from a document reading start position upstream of the reading position in a document conveying direction. A first reading operation of moving the scanning unit to read a document image, or fixing the scanning unit to a fixed position upstream of the reading position in the document transport direction before the document is transported by the document transport device; A second reading operation for reading a document image when the document conveyed by the document conveying device passes over the scanning means is possible, and the control means performs the first reading operation when the judgment is made by the judgment means. Based on the read document image, it is determined whether or not the document is a blank document. When the predetermined image processing is performed, the second reading operation is performed. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the controller controls to perform a predetermined image processing to more read document image. 5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the document is a blank sheet, the control unit reads the document image of the next document to be conveyed by the first reading operation.
It is determined whether or not this document is a blank document. If it is determined that the document is not a blank document, control is performed such that the document image of the document is read by the second reading operation following the determination processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: 6. The control means controls, when the determination means determines that the document is blank, to return the document to the document placement position following the determination processing. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 7. The control means, when the determination means determines that the document is a blank sheet, returns the document to the document placement position following the determination processing, and performs a document transport operation by the transport device. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control is performed so as to prompt the operator to issue a warning. 8. The determination unit counts the number of pixels of a document image read by the reading unit, and compares the counted number of pixels with a predetermined threshold to determine whether the document is blank. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: 9. A setting means for reading an original image from a blank original of the same paper type as that of the original determined by the determining means and presetting the predetermined threshold based on the sum of the densities of the read original images. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A first instructing means for instructing skipping of a document which has been determined to be a blank document and returned to the document placing position after the interruption of the document transport operation, and a second instruction for instructing resumption of the operation The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit controls a restart operation based on an instruction result of the first and / or second instruction unit. 11. When the second instruction means instructs resumption after the skip instruction is issued by the first instruction means, the control means controls to convey the next document. When the restart is instructed by the second instructing unit without the skipping instruction being instructed by the first instructing unit, it is determined that the original is a blank original, and the original returned to the original placing position is re-conveyed. 11. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a control is performed so that a document image is read from the document, and after a predetermined image processing is performed, the next document is conveyed. 12. The control unit, if there is no restart instruction by the second instruction unit within a predetermined time after the interruption of the predetermined image processing operation, based on an instruction result of the first instruction unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein a restart operation is controlled. 13. A blank sheet judgment by the judgment means, and
Setting means for setting a blank page skip mode for executing a predetermined image processing control based on the determination result of the determination means by the control section, wherein the control section is configured to set a blank page skip mode by the setting section The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein only the white paper determination by the determination unit and a predetermined image processing control based on the determination result of the determination unit are performed. 14. A copy processing unit for copying a document image read by the reading unit to a recording medium, wherein the predetermined image processing is an image of the document image read by the reading unit by the copy processing unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is a copy process. 15. A non-volatile storage unit for storing a document image read by the reading unit, wherein the predetermined image processing includes storing an image of the document image read by the reading unit in the non-volatile storage unit. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing is processing. 16. A transmitting unit for transmitting an original image read by the reading unit to an external device communicably connected via a predetermined communication medium, wherein the predetermined image processing is performed by the reading unit. 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing is an image transmission process of the original image read by the transmission unit. 17. A document transport device for automatically transporting a plurality of documents placed on a document loading position to a reading position on a document reading table automatically, wherein a document image is transferred from the document transported by the document transport device. In the image processing apparatus that reads a document image by the reading unit and sequentially performs predetermined image processing on the read document image, wherein it is determined whether or not the document from which the document image has been read by the reading unit is a blank document. A determining step; and a stopping step of stopping predetermined image processing on a document image read from the document when the read document is determined to be a blank document. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus.