JP2000332951A - Device and method for copying - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a copying machine capable of immediately deciding image processing corresponding to user setting without executing complicated processing algorithm in a copying machine capable of performing various output forms. SOLUTION: When a parameter about N up processing that arranges a plurality of read images on the same page of output paper is received from a user interface 101 as a user input parameter, an image processing means 106 retrieves a basic parameter retrieval table 103 obtained by making the user input parameter, the turn angles of respective images read by a scanning means 108 and the arrangement position of the read images on the page correspond to one another and extracts the turn angles and arrangement position information which are proper to the read images from the table. The means 108 carries out scanning on the basis of the extracted turn angles and arrangement position information and fetches data in the buffer of a copying machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a copying apparatus and a copying method. Particularly in a copying machine that prints out image data obtained by scanning a document image,
Size and orientation of the read image, output mode such as double-sided, single-sided, etc. on output paper, top binding, left binding, etc. after output, and individual images when multiple read images are arranged on one page of print paper Array, etc.
Efficient image processing in a copy processing device that performs copying according to various input image modes and output paper modes,
The present invention relates to a copying apparatus and a copying method for performing a scanning process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in the field of image processing apparatuses such as copying machines, images are captured as digital information, expanded,
2. Description of the Related Art Copying apparatuses having a so-called digital data processing function of performing various image processing such as reduction, rotation, and the like and outputting the processed images are rapidly spreading. The digital copying apparatus performs rotation, enlargement, reduction, and movement processing on an image read by scanning, or arranges a plurality of read images on the same page of output paper.
It has a configuration that can perform image processing according to various requests of the user, such as up processing. Furthermore, the multi-function digital copying machine has a finishing processing function such as single-sided printing, double-sided printing, top stapling, left stapling, or punching with staples, and is capable of outputting in various printing forms. It has become.

The input images in the copying process are A4, B
5, the size and direction of A3, such as the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, are various, and it is general that sheets of various sizes and directions can be used as output sheets. Copiers can handle input images of various sizes and orientations.
It automatically selects a user-set or optimum output sheet, performs various processes on the read image, and outputs the processed image. In a multi-function copier that can perform various processes such as double-sided copy, side-to-side spread, top-to-bottom spread, staple horizontal binding, top binding, etc., the input original image is output to the output page depending on which page each output paper forms. A different image rotation process for each page is required for adaptation. For example, in the case of double-sided output, a rotation process is selectively performed only on an image whose output is on the back side of a double-sided page, and the rotated image is developed on output paper.

By automatically detecting the direction of the input document and further inputting the paper direction by the user, the respective directions of the document and the paper are compared, and it is automatically determined whether the read document image needs to be rotated. A copying apparatus that performs copying by making a determination is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-131630. In the copying apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-131630, when a user designates a double-sided mode, the read image rotation processing mode is determined based on whether to perform left binding or top binding to form individual pages. Each time, a predetermined determination algorithm is executed to make a determination, and each processing is executed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-131630 discloses a judgment processing algorithm for each image forming an individual page based on various parameters such as output paper direction, binding direction, double-sided, single-sided, and the like set via a user interface. This is the configuration to be executed. By applying a parameter set by the user to a processing algorithm stored in the copying apparatus in advance and executing it, a rotation processing mode of the read image is determined. However, the copying apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-131630 has a drawback in that the number of processing algorithm branches increases as the number of parameters set by the user increases, and the processing becomes complicated with an increase in the number of parameters. Have. For example, when an 8-up designation in which eight read images are arranged on one page of output paper is performed, the processing for each image needs to be different depending on which part of the output page each read image is arranged. The processing mode must be determined by performing case classification. Furthermore, in the case of 8-up double-sided printing, there are 16 types of image processing, and it is inevitable that a processing algorithm for determining a process according to each arrangement mode becomes complicated.

In an apparatus using such a processing algorithm, a parameter which can be set by a user is determined in advance, and an algorithm is designed based on the parameter. For example, a new setting parameter may be added. However, if an attempt is made to modify an existing parameter, it is necessary to change the processing algorithm, so that there is a disadvantage that the parameter cannot be easily modified or added. For example, when attempting to change the configuration to add a usable paper size in the copying apparatus, it is necessary to add a paper size parameter that can be specified by the user. In such a case, it is necessary to add a determination step for the added paper size to the processing algorithm, and it is necessary to change the determination algorithm for this.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art. In a copying apparatus capable of various output modes, a processing mode corresponding to a user setting is complicated. It is an object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus and a copying method having a configuration that can be determined immediately without executing the copying.

The present invention further provides a new parameter addition,
Alternatively, it is another object of the present invention to provide a copying apparatus and a copying method that can easily change a setting parameter without requiring a process of changing a processing algorithm in response to a request for parameter correction.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a copying apparatus according to the present invention reads an original image by scanning means and outputs an image processing image based on the read image. And a user interface means capable of setting an output mode of the read image as a user input parameter, and an N-up processing mode in which a plurality of read images are arranged on the same page of an output sheet as a user input parameter; A basic parameter search table in which user input parameters set in the user interface means are associated with rotation processing angles of individual images read by the scanning means and arrangement positions of a plurality of read images on the same page; A basic parameter search table is searched based on a user input parameter set in the interface means, and a rotation processing angle definition parameter of each image read by the scanning means and an arrangement position of a plurality of read images on the same page Basic parameter search means for determining basic parameters including definition parameters, and image processing means for determining scan parameters in the scanning means, wherein the image processing means for determining scan parameters for individual images based on the basic parameters. It is characterized by having.

Further, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, the basic parameter search table is a set of tables configured in different modes according to the number N of images arranged on the same page, and the number of images arranged on the same page is N. The basic parameter search table corresponding to (N is a natural number) is N
Table configuration in which N arrangement position definition parameters indicating the arrangement position of each of the images on the page and N rotation processing angle definition parameters indicating the rotation processing angles of each of the N images are recorded in association with each other. It is characterized by having.

Further, the copying apparatus of the present invention has a tray determining means for selecting an output paper tray from a plurality of trays capable of supplying a plurality of originals of different sizes, and a height of the output paper stored in each of the plurality of trays. Tray information in which the height and width of the main tray information arranged in the order of selection priority and information obtained by reversing the height and width of the main tray information arranged in the order of selection priority are recorded as rotating tray information. The output paper tray of the tray determination table is searched in the order of the normal tray information and the rotation tray information in accordance with the selection priority, and a tray containing paper having a size closest to the size of the output image is selected as the output paper tray. It is characterized by.

Further, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, when selecting the output sheet from the rotation tray information in the tray determination table, the tray determination unit issues a rotation request to the image processing unit, and receives the rotation request. The image processing means is characterized in that the image processing means is configured to execute a process of changing a rotation processing angle definition parameter of each image received from the basic parameter search means and a layout position definition parameter of a plurality of read images on the same page. .

Further, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, the changing mode of the rotation processing angle definition parameter and the arrangement position definition parameter of the image in accordance with the rotation request from the tray determination means is changed for each type of the tray before the change and the tray after the change. The image processing unit has a 90-degree conversion table classified as
Rotation processing angle definition parameters for individual images when the output paper is selected from the rotation tray information by searching the 90-degree conversion table based on the types of the tray before change and the tray after change, and the same page of a plurality of read images It is characterized in that it has a configuration for performing a process of changing the arrangement position definition parameter upward.

Further, in the copying apparatus according to the present invention, when the output paper tray is selected from the rotation tray information in the tray determination table in selecting the output paper tray based on the tray determination table, the tray determination unit is provided with a user interface. The present invention is characterized in that a warning display for prompting resetting of input parameters or document arrangement is executed.

Further, according to the copying method of the present invention, in a copying method of a copying apparatus for reading an original image and outputting an image processing image based on the read image, a user input based on a user input parameter set in a user interface means. A table search step for searching a basic parameter search table in which the parameters are associated with the rotation processing angle definition parameters of the individual images read by the scanning means and the arrangement position definition parameters of the plurality of read images on the same page; Determining scan parameters corresponding to each of the read images in the scanning means based on the basic parameters retrieved and extracted in the step, and executing a scan using the determined scan parameters; Characterized in that it has a.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of a copying apparatus and a copying method according to the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system in a copying apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, particularly a main configuration relating to determination of scan parameters. First, an outline of the copying apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, and then details of each component will be described.

In FIG. 1, the user interface (U
I) The unit 101 is, for example, a user input unit of a touch panel type, and designates output paper size, orientation, one-sided, two-sided,
The output paper mode such as enlargement / reduction and binding margin setting, and input document information are set. Further, the copying apparatus of the present invention is capable of so-called N-up output designation in which a plurality of document images are arranged on one page of output paper. As will be described later with reference to the drawings, the copying apparatus of the present invention has two pages per page.
, Four, eight, etc., so that a plurality of images can be output by dividing the page equally. In the following, these output modes are output on one page, and the number of images is N.
It is referred to as N-up output, such as 2-up and 4-up. This N-up setting is also performed on the user interface 101. The configuration for setting various parameters in the user interface will be described later in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0018] Among the user input parameters which are input information in the user interface unit 101, information necessary for setting basic parameters is sent to the basic parameter search unit 102. Here, the basic parameter is a parameter that designates a rotation angle when a rotation process is necessary when the scanning unit 108 develops a read document image on output paper. These basic parameters are extracted by the basic parameter search unit 102 searching the basic parameter search table 103 based on the UI input parameters input to the user interface unit 101. Details of the basic parameter search table will be described later.

A tray determination unit 104 receives document information necessary for tray selection of output paper in input parameters, which is input information input in the user interface unit 101, and furthermore, a basic parameter search unit 102 LEF / SEF information as output paper information extracted from the printer 103 is acquired. LEF is information for specifying a portrait (Long Edge Feed), and SEF is information for designating a landscape (Short Edge Feed) output sheet. The tray determination unit 104 searches the tray determination table 105 based on the document size information and the output paper information acquired from the user interface 101 and the basic parameter search unit 102, and determines the optimal paper for output. At this time, for example, when the output for the LEF paper is the optimum paper and no LEF paper is set on the tray, the rotation of the read image causes the SEF to rotate.
In some cases, it is possible to output to paper. LE like this
If rotation processing is required in response to a change in the output paper tray, such as F to SEF or SEF to LEF,
The tray determination unit 104 outputs a rotation designation to the image processing unit 106 to execute a rotation process. The tray designation determination table will be described later in detail with reference to the drawings.

The image processing unit 106 receives the basic parameters output from the basic parameter search unit 102 and the rotation designation output from the tray determination unit 104 as needed, and scans according to these parameters and the rotation designation. It is a processing unit that determines the rotation processing mode at the time. The image processing unit 106 determines a scan parameter in the scanning unit 108. Scan parameters are defined based on a parameter defining a rotation processing angle of an image read by the scanning means 108 with respect to each image and a parameter defining an N-up arrangement position when a plurality of read images are arranged on the same page of output paper. decide. The image processing unit 106 determines scan parameters in consideration of various types of image processing such as image reduction, movement, image allocation, image density adjustment, and color adjustment in addition to the rotation processing. The following describes mainly the image rotation processing and the arrangement position determination processing in the N-up arrangement.

The image processing unit 106 sets a rotation processing designation parameter when a document image read by the scanning unit 108 for reading a document is taken into a coordinate system unique to the copying machine. The rotation angle is output from the image processing unit 106 to the scanning unit 108 as a scan parameter, and a rotation process according to the parameter designation is performed during scanning, and is taken into a memory (not shown) such as a page buffer provided in the copying apparatus. . Since the image captured in the memory has been subjected to the rotation processing according to the output mode, it is not necessary to perform new image processing such as rotation processing at the time of output. The image processing unit 106 also determines the processing such as image enlargement and reduction, and the arrangement of each image in the case of N-up processing in which a plurality of images are output on one page of output paper.
Is performed.

The image processing unit 106 usually determines a rotation processing angle based on the basic parameters output from the basic parameter search unit 102. However, the rotation processing angle may be re-determined according to the rotation specification output from the tray determination unit 104 as necessary. For example, the output to the LEF (portrait) output paper is performed by the basic parameter search unit 102.
Despite the designation from, the LEF paper is not set, so the tray determination unit sends SEF (landscape)
The output specification using paper may be made. If the above-described N-up setting is made when changing the output sheet from LEF to SEF or from SEF to LEF, it is necessary to change the arrangement and rotation processing of each read image. This LEF to SEF or S
The 90-degree conversion table 107 is a table that determines a change process according to a change in output paper from EF to LEF. 90
Details of the degree conversion table 107 will be described later with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 2 to 6 show the user interface unit 1.
5 shows an example of setting various input parameters at 01. All show input screens using the touch panel method. FIG.
Shows a setting example in which a double-sided / single-sided selection screen is displayed and a single-sided original is output on one side. For the orientation of the original set, one of upward and horizontal is designated. FIG. 3 shows a setting screen for outputting a single-sided document on both sides. In the case of double-sided output, a left-right opening mode in which the left side of the output sheet is bound and an up-down opening mode in which the upper side of the output sheet is bound. Either option is possible.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a setting for outputting a double-sided document on both sides. In this example, a setting is made so that a left-right opening document is output on a left-right opening output sheet. Settings corresponding to the original and the output paper can be set for each of the left-right opening and the up-down opening.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an N-up setting screen when a plurality of read images are arranged on one output sheet. As shown in FIG. 5, N-up can be specified in the forms of “not up”, “2 up”, “4 up”, and “8 up”, one for each output sheet.
Arrange 2, 4, and 8 images. FIG. 5 shows a specification in which N-up is not performed, that is, one read image is output on one output sheet. FIG. 6 shows a 2-up designation. In this case, a different layout can be designated as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 7 to 9 show reference arrangements for 2-up, 4-up and 8-up, respectively. The numbers 11 to 42 assigned to the sheets shown in the drawings are position identification numbers indicating the arrangement positions of the read images. 7A and 7B show a 2-up reference arrangement in which two images are arranged in one page. FIG. 7A shows a reference arrangement in SEF (landscape) output paper, and FIG. 7B shows a reference arrangement in LEF (portrait) output paper. ing. The reference arrangement of the front (front) surface output and the back (back) surface output is shown. "11", "2"
"1" and the like are shown as coordinate points at the respective reference arrangement positions. That is, the position on the sheet corresponds to a coordinate point indicated by (XY) with the X-coordinate in the downward direction and the Y-coordinate in the right direction. These position identification numbers are sequentially associated with the read images, and the arrangement of the read images is determined. These position identification numbers are used in each table such as a basic parameter search table described later. In each table, the rotation angle of each image is also determined. Each table will be described in detail later. FIGS. 8A and 8B show a reference arrangement in the case of 4-up printing. FIG. 8A shows a reference arrangement in SEF (landscape) output paper, and FIG. 8B shows a reference arrangement in LEF (portrait) output paper. 9A and 9B show a reference arrangement in the case of 8-up, in which FIG. 9A shows a reference arrangement in SEF (landscape) output paper and FIG. 9B shows a reference arrangement in LEF (vertical) output paper.

As described above, the user interface unit 1
The various input parameters set via 01 are transferred to the basic parameter search unit 102, and the basic parameter search unit 102 searches the basic parameter search table 103 based on the received input parameters.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the basic parameter search table.
17 to FIG. FIG. 10 is a basic parameter search table used when the N-up designation is “not performed” shown in FIG. 6, ie, when N-up = 1 is designated. FIG.
1 to 13 are basic parameter search tables used when N-up = 2, that is, 2-up for arranging two images on one page, and FIGS. 14 to 15 are used when N-up = 4 is specified. 16 and 17 show a part of a basic parameter search table used when N-up = 8 is specified.

Each item of the basic parameter search table will be described. The item “double-sided” indicates whether the original and output paper are single-sided or double-sided, “SS” indicates single-sided original, single-sided output, “SD” indicates single-sided original, double-sided output, “D”
"S" indicates a double-sided original, single-sided output, and "DD" indicates a double-sided original, double-sided output. The “document (image size)” indicates whether the document is portrait or landscape, and “L
“EF” is portrait and “SEF” is landscape.

The "original orientation" indicates the orientation of the upper side of the original. "Top" indicates that the upper side of the original is on the upper side, and "top of left" indicates that the upper side of the original is on the left side. It is shown that. The “document double-sided mode” distinguishes the binding method of a double-sided document when the input document is double-sided, that is, either “DS” or “DD”. Left-right opening ".

The "N-UP layout" classifies and sets the layout mode when outputting a read image, and is an item defining the layout mode when a plurality of images are positioned on the same page. In the conversion table shown in FIG. 10, N-UP = 1, and since only one image is arranged on the same page, this item is not recorded. In the two-up basic parameter search table shown in FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, a combination of a right arrow and a downward arrow or a combination of a left arrow and a downward arrow is shown in the item “N-UP arrangement”. These correspond to, for example, two modes of the layout order on the input screen of the user interface shown in FIG. That is, the right arrow and the down arrow are arranged in the upper row of the layout order in FIG.
The left arrow and the downward arrow correspond to the arrangement shown in the lower part of the layout order in FIG.

4-up, 8-up "N-UP arrangement"
Are "Z", "inverse Z",
Either “N” or “reverse N”. The “N-UP arrangement” of “Z”, “reverse Z”, “N”, and “reverse N” will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 18 shows an example of an 8-up arrangement. FIGS. 18A and 18B show an 8-up arrangement in the SEF. The solid line in FIG. 18A corresponds to “N”, the dotted line corresponds to [Z], and the arrangement is performed in the order of arrows. (B)
Solid line corresponds to “reverse N” and dotted line corresponds to “reverse Z”.
(C) and (d) show an 8-up arrangement in LEF.
The dotted line in (c) corresponds to “N”, the solid line corresponds to [Z], and (d)
Is an arrangement of “reverse Z” and a dotted line is an arrangement of “reverse N”. In the 4-up arrangement mode, four images are arranged on one page, and the arrangement order is the same as the 8-up arrangement shown in FIG. , "N", and "reverse N".

Returning to the description of the items of the basic parameter search table shown in FIGS. The "copy duplex mode" distinguishes the binding method of duplex output paper when the output paper is duplex, that is, either "SD" or "DD". Either is defined.

The "tray reference" is an item indicating the type of reference tray used as output paper, and indicates whether the output tray paper is portrait or landscape. “LEF” is vertically long, and “SEF” is horizontally long. The output paper tray can be set to the paper specified by the user in the user interface unit 101 as it is, or can be automatically selected from the original and the output mode. There is a case where an object to be output on an LEF sheet is output on an SEF sheet or an object where an output on an SEF sheet is to be output as an LEF. Image processing in these cases will be described later.

"Arrangement" and "rotation" are for setting the arrangement and rotation angle of the read image on the output sheet, and are items for setting the rotation processing angle definition parameter and the arrangement position definition parameter. When a plurality of read images are arranged and output on the same page, or when both sides are output, the arrangement and the rotation angle are defined for each image. The numbers “1” and “2” in the column “Rotation” in the one-up basic parameter search table shown in FIG. 10 correspond to the identification numbers of the read images, and basically correspond to the reading order. For example, in the case of 1-up processing, in the case of front and back double-sided output, processing in which a first read image is processed as the front side and the next read image is processed as the back side is repeated as a set of two images. The numbers for identifying the images belonging to this set of processing units are the numbers “1” and “2” in the “Rotation” column. These front and rear images are required to be subjected to different rotation processing depending on the binding margin forming direction, and the basic parameter search table defines each processing mode for each image.

In the basic parameter search table shown in FIG. 10, N-UP = 1, only one read image is arranged on the same page, and there is no need to specify the arrangement position on the same page. There is no record of data in "Arrangement". In each of the two-up, four-up, and eight-up tables in FIGS. 11 to 17, respective values are set for “arrangement” and “rotation”. “Arrangement” and “Rotation” in the 2-up basic parameter search table in FIGS.
In this example, “1, 2” corresponds to the image output on the front side, and “3, 4” corresponds to the image output on the back side. In the “arrangement” and “rotation” in the 4-up basic parameter search tables in FIGS. 14 and 15, “1, 2, 3, 4” corresponds to the front surface, and “5, 6, 7, 8” corresponds to the back surface output image. “Arrangement” and “Rotation” in the 8-up basic parameter search table of FIGS.
In this case, “1 to 8” is an output image of the front surface, and “9 to 16” is an output image of the back surface. For the image of each number, the position identification numbers “11” and “21” set in “arrangement” of each table
Each image is arranged at a position corresponding to.

For each read image, the arrangement position and the rotation angle of each read image are determined according to the basic parameter retrieval table shown in FIGS. The corresponding image is arranged at the arrangement position set in the item "arrangement" shown in the basic parameter search table, and the rotation according to the rotation angle set in the "rotation" is executed, whereby the output according to the user setting is achieved. You. In addition,
The rotation angles recorded in “Rotation” are “0”, “90”,
Either “180” or “270”, and indicates the clockwise rotation angle as shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a specific processing mode according to the set values of the basic parameter search table of "arrangement" and "rotation".
0 is shown. FIG. 20 shows the first row of the two-sided basic parameter search table of FIG. 11 in which the item “double-sided” is “SD” and the item “document” is “SEF”, that is, “heaven is up”, and the N-up layout is “rightward arrow , Down arrow ”, copy duplex mode“ up and down ”, tray reference“ LE ”
21 shows an example of processing corresponding to “F”. 20, 1 and 2 are front (front) surface outputs, and 3 and 4 are back surface outputs. Of the images 1 and 2, the first read image 1 is arranged at the position identification number 11 at the rotation angle 0 according to the table of FIG. 11, and the next image 2 is arranged at the position corresponding to the position identification number 21 at the rotation angle 0. Is done. Images 3 and 4 corresponding to the back side image are also processed according to the settings of “arrangement” and “rotation” in the table of FIG. The image 3 is arranged at the position of the position identification number 21 by rotating by 180 degrees, and the image 4 is arranged at the position of the position identification number 11 by rotating 180 degrees. By performing such processing, the output shown in FIG. 20 is completed. FIG. 20 is a view in which “upside-down opening” is set in “double-sided copy”, and the reverse side images of 3 and 4 in FIG. it can.

For the 4-up and 8-up, 2 in FIG.
The same arrangement processing and rotation processing as described in the up example are executed according to the respective basic parameter search tables. In 4-up and 8-up, there are “N”, “reverse N”, “Z”, and “reverse Z” arrangement types as “N-up arrangement”, and the arrangement of read images differs according to each arrangement. Become. 14 and 15 show a part of a 4-up basic parameter search table. As described above, the N-up arrangement includes “N”, “inverse N”, “Z”, and “inverse Z”. These are shown in FIG.
This corresponds to the arrangement described in. In the four-up process, four images are arranged on one page. Therefore, in the item “arrangement”, the read image identification at each of the arrangement positions of the front (front) surface arrangement numbers 1 to 4 and the rear arrangement numbers 5 to 8 is performed. A number is set, and a rotation angle of each arrangement image is set in the item “rotation”.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a part of an 8-up basic parameter search table. As the N-up arrangement, "N", "Reverse N",
There are “Z” and “reverse Z” arrangements. These correspond to the arrangement described in FIG. In the 8-up processing, eight images are arranged on one page. Therefore, in the item “arrangement”, the read image identification at each of the arrangement positions of the front (front) surface arrangement numbers 1 to 8 and the rear arrangement numbers 9 to 16 is performed. A number is set, and the item “rotation” sets the rotation angle of each arrangement image.

The basic parameter search table shown in FIGS. 10 to 17 shows a part of the table stored in the basic parameter search table 103 shown in FIG. 1 of the copying apparatus of the present invention. Stores tables corresponding to various input documents and output paper forms.

As described above, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, FIG.
Parameter search unit 102 according to the user setting parameters set in the user interface 101 of FIG.
, The basic parameters are determined by searching the basic parameter search table 103 and transferred to the image processing unit 106 shown in FIG. Image processing unit 10
Reference numeral 6 transfers the scan parameters for executing the scan according to the basic parameters to the scan unit 108.
The scanning unit 108 performs a scan in accordance with the scan parameters to perform a rotation process of the arrangement position and the angle set in the basic parameter search table for each of the original images read by the scanning unit 108, and converts the image into a page in the copying apparatus. It can be stored in a memory such as a buffer. As described above, the copying apparatus of the present invention can immediately determine different scan parameters for each image using the table according to the user-set parameters, and does not need to execute various determination algorithms. In addition, since the rotation process according to the parameter designation is performed during scanning and is taken into the memory of the copying apparatus, it is not necessary to perform further new image processing when outputting the image taken in memory.

Next, the tray determination section 104 and the tray determination table 105 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The tray determination unit 104 performs a process of determining an output sheet, that is, determining an output tray. FIG. 21 shows an example of the tray determination table. FIG. 21 shows an example of a tray determination table when five trays are set as usable trays.

As shown in FIG. 21, the priority order is set for each set tray, the height and width of the paper size are recorded as the tray number and the tray information. The height and width information when used after being rotated by degrees is held as rotating tray information.

The tray determination unit 104 determines an output sheet based on output sheet information and document information set by the user in the user interface unit 101, document information read by document detection scanning, and the like. The size of the document detected by user settings or scanning (height,
If the width) is (x, y) and the scaling factor is m, the (height, width) of the document image size is (x * m, y * m). The tray determination unit sequentially compares the image sizes in accordance with the priority order of the tray determination table, and makes a selection to set a tray having the latest large size as output paper.
Note that the copying apparatus of the present invention can set a magnification slightly smaller than the enlargement / reduction magnification. When performing the processing with "slightly smaller", the (height, width) of the original image size is set to (height, width). x * m * a, y * m * a) are sequentially compared in accordance with the priority order of the tray determination table, and the tray of the latest large size is selected. In the case of the N-up process of outputting a plurality of images on one page, a tray selection process of selecting the total image size of the sum of N output images and the most recent size from the tray determination table is performed.

The tray selection in the tray determination unit 104 is sequentially performed from the priority 1 of the main tray information in the tray determination table shown in FIG. 21 in accordance with the priority. However, when the latest large tray of the document image cannot be found in the main tray information. Selects the most recent large-size tray from the rotating tray information. However, when this rotation tray is selected, a rotation process of a new image is necessary, so that the rotation is designated to the image processing unit 106 in FIG.

The tray determination unit 104 is the image processing unit 10
When the rotation designation is output to the image processing unit 6, the image processing unit 10
6 changes the image processing mode using the 90-degree conversion table 107 shown in FIG. Image processing unit 106
Has already been entered by the basic parameter search unit 102 based on the user input parameters.
The image processing unit 106 performs a parameter change process using the 90-degree conversion table 107 with respect to the received basic parameters.

FIG. 22 shows an example of the 90-degree conversion table 107. As shown in FIG. 22, the 90-degree conversion table indicates “N
Up ”,“ Tray reference before rotation ”,“ Arrangement X, Y before rotation ”,“ Arrangement X1, Y1 after rotation (270 degrees right) ”,
It has items of “arrangement X1, Y1 after rotation (right 90 degrees)” and “tray reference after rotation”. The tray before rotation is SEF
If it is, change to LEF after rotation and the tray before rotation is L
If it is EF, processing of each image to change to SEF after rotation is set.

"Arrangement X, Y before rotation", "Rotation (right 27
The positions X1 and Y1 after 0 °) and the “positions X1 and Y1 after rotation (right 90 °)” are indicated by (X, Y) with the position on the sheet as the X coordinate in the downward direction and the Y coordinate in the right direction. This is the same as “11” and “21” set in “arrangement” in the above-described basic parameter search table.

A specific example of the conversion process using the data shown in FIG. 22 will be described. For example, when the N-up is “2” and the tray reference before rotation is “LEF”, the arrangement before rotation is either “1, 1” or “2, 1”. This is the two-up LEF criterion in FIG.
This corresponds to the setting in the item “arrangement” in the 2-up basic parameter search table.

When the tray LEF (portrait) is changed to SEF (landscape), there are two processing modes. One is
This is a process of executing a right rotation of 270 degrees for each image and changing the arrangement to an arrangement of “arrangements X1 and Y1 after rotation (270 degrees to the right)”. The other is 90 for each image
This is a process of executing right rotation of degrees and changing the arrangement to the arrangement of “arrangement X1, Y1 after rotation (right 90 degrees)”. The image processing unit 108 selects and executes any of these processes.

For example, images "1,1", "2,1" in which the N-up is "2" and the tray reference before rotation is "LEF"
Is changed to the arrangement of “the arrangement X1, Y1 after rotation (270 degrees to the right)”, the arrangement “1,
"1" corresponds to the arrangement "1,1" after rotation and the arrangement "2, 2" before rotation.
“1” is changed to the post-rotation arrangement “1,2”. On this occasion,
Each image is rotated by 270 degrees.
By this processing, it is possible to output what was originally the setting of the LEF output to the SEF.

As described above, the image processing unit 1 in FIG.
In step 06, when the rotation designation is received from the tray determination unit 104, the basic parameters received from the basic parameter search unit 102 are rewritten according to the 90-degree conversion table 107, that is, the table of FIG. By this processing, normal output can be executed even when a tray that matches the tray criteria set in the basic parameter search table described with reference to FIGS.

The flow of processing in the copying apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 23 shows a process in which a user executing copying inputs predetermined parameters to the interface unit 101 and starts scanning in the scanning unit 108 of the copying apparatus. Hereinafter, each step in the flow will be described.

Step 2301 in FIG. 23 is a parameter input by the user. The user interface unit 101 shown in FIG. 1 is used to input input document information and various parameters of an output paper mode using screens such as those shown in FIGS.

Step 2302 is a basic parameter search step executed by the basic parameter search unit 102 based on the parameters input by the user in step 2301. This step is executed using, for example, the basic parameter search table described with reference to FIGS. As described above, the basic parameter search table is configured for each N-up mode. In step 2301, a search target table is selected based on the N-up information set by the user (see FIG. 6). Is searched.

Step 2303 is a step for judging automatic tray selection. When a process for automatically executing a comparison between the document size and the tray paper and selecting a tray, that is, a so-called automatic tray selection process is set, the tray determination unit 104
In FIG. 21, the tray determination table described with reference to FIG. 21 is searched based on the document size information from the user interface unit 101 and the portrait (LEF) or landscape (SEF) information as the tray reference from the basic parameter search unit 102 to optimize Select a tray. If no, step 2
At 304, a designated tray is selected by user input.

In step 2305, if the tray selected as the output paper tray does not match the LEF / SEF information received from the basic parameter search unit 102, the LEF
It is determined whether or not output by changing the output paper from SEF to SEF or from SEF to LEF is possible, that is, whether or not output by rotation processing is possible.

In step 2306, rotation is necessary (YE
If determined to be S), the process proceeds to step 2307, and the image processing unit 106 executes the image rotation and layout conversion designation in step 2307 using the 90-degree conversion table described in FIG. The scanning unit 108 performs a scan in step 2308 using the scan parameters set as a result of these. Step 2
If it is determined in 306 that rotation is unnecessary (NO),
Image rotation and arrangement conversion designation using the 90-degree conversion table in step 2307 are not executed. In this case, the scan is executed based on the basic parameters searched by the basic parameter search unit 102 using the basic parameter search table based on the user input parameters.

As described above, the copying apparatus of the present invention stores in advance the basic parameter search tables generated in response to the complicated settings by the user, for example, various settings including N-up designation, and searches the tables. Since the scan parameters can be specified only by the user, various determination processes in specifying the scan parameters based on the user input parameters become unnecessary, and the process is simplified. Also, when a designated tray is changed and output, such as from LEF to SEF, a new scan parameter can be immediately determined by a search using the 90-degree conversion table. Further, since all the conversion processes can be executed during scanning, the image conversion process at the time of output is not required, so that the printing process and the apparatus are simplified. Further, by changing various tables, it is possible to apply to various types of documents and output modes, and it is easy to flexibly change specifications.

Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention having a function of executing a warning display on the user interface unit 101 with reference to FIGS. 24 and 25. In this embodiment, a warning is issued to prompt the user to reset the original or input parameters, for example, when copying can be performed without performing the 90-degree conversion by changing the original setting mode of the user. It is what it was. FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a second embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention. The point of having a UI warning unit 2409 is different from the configuration of FIG. 1 described above.

In FIG. 24, the user interface (U
The I) unit 2401 is, for example, a touch panel type user input unit, and sets output paper mode such as output paper size, orientation, designation of one side, both sides, enlargement / reduction, binding margin, and input document information. 2 more on one page, 4
An N-up setting for outputting a plurality of images by dividing the page equally, such as eight or eight, is also performed.

The input parameters in the user interface unit 2401 are sent to the basic parameter search unit 2402, and the basic parameter search unit 2402 extracts necessary information from the basic parameter search table 2403 based on the input parameters. The basic parameter search table is the same table as in FIGS. 10 to 17 described in the first embodiment.

The tray determination unit 2404 receives the document information necessary for selecting the output paper tray from the input information in the user interface unit 2401, and furthermore, the basic parameter search unit 2402
LEF / SEF as output paper information taken out from 3
Get information. The tray determination unit 2404 includes a user interface unit 2401 and a basic parameter search unit 2402
The tray determination table 2405 is searched based on the document size information and the output paper information acquired from, to determine the paper required for output. At this time, for example, when the output to the LEF paper is designated, or when the LEF paper is not set on the tray despite being determined to be the optimum output paper, the output to the SEF paper is performed by rotating the read image. May be possible. When the rotation processing according to the change of the output paper tray is necessary, the copying apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention prompts the user interface warning unit 2409 to reset the original or the input parameters. Execute the display.

The user operates the user interface warning unit 24.
By looking at the warning message 09, it is possible to know that the rotation processing is required in the current setting, and it is possible to consider the resetting of the document or the input parameters. If the user resets the document or the input parameters in accordance with the warning display, the basic parameter search unit 2402 searches for the basic parameters based on the new UI input parameters, and the tray determination unit checks for a new tray. A determination is made. When the user does not perform the resetting based on the warning, it is determined that the rotation process is necessary, and the rotation designation is output to the image processing unit 2406 so that the image processing unit 2406 executes the rotation process.

The image processing unit 2406 receives the basic parameters output from the basic parameter search unit 2402 and the rotation specification output from the tray determination unit 2404 as necessary, and rotates according to these parameters and the rotation specification. This is a processing unit that determines scan parameters in consideration of processing. The image processing unit 2406 performs various image processing such as image reduction, movement, image allocation, image density adjustment, and color adjustment in addition to the rotation processing.

An image processing unit 2406 executes a rotation process when a document image read by a scanning unit 2408 for reading a document is taken into a coordinate system unique to the copying apparatus. The rotation angle is used as a scan parameter from the image processing unit 2406 to the scan unit 2408.
And performs a process such as a rotation process according to the parameter designation at the time of scanning, and takes it into a memory (not shown) such as a page buffer of the copying apparatus.

In the present embodiment, the document rotation and the input parameters are reset by the warning display to the user, so that the image rotation and layout conversion processing using the 90-degree conversion table can be made unnecessary.

Next, the flow of processing in the second embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 25 shows a case where a user who executes copying inputs predetermined parameters to the interface unit 2401 and scans the scanning unit 2408 of the copying apparatus.
5 shows the processing up to the start of scanning. Hereinafter, each step in the flow will be described.

Step 2501 in FIG. 25 is a parameter input by the user. This is executed in the user interface unit 2401 shown in FIG. 24, and the input document information and various parameters of the output paper mode are input using the screens shown in FIGS.

Step 2502 is a basic parameter search step executed by the basic parameter search unit 2402 based on the parameters input by the user in step 2501. As in the first embodiment, this step is executed using, for example, the basic parameter search table described with reference to FIGS.

Step 2503 is a step for judging automatic tray selection. If a process for automatically executing the comparison between the document size and the tray paper and selecting a tray, that is, a so-called automatic tray selection process is set, the tray determination unit 240
4, document size information from the user interface unit 2401 and portrait (LEF) or landscape (SE) as a tray reference from the basic parameter search unit 2402.
F) Based on the information, the tray determination table described with reference to FIG. 21 is searched to select an optimal tray. In the case of NO, in step 2504, the designated tray by the user input is selected.

In step 2505, if the tray selected as the output paper tray does not match the LEF / SEF information received from the basic parameter search unit 2402,
It is determined whether or not output by changing the output paper from F to SEF or from SEF to LEF is possible, that is, whether or not output by rotation processing is possible.

If it is determined in step 2506 that rotation is necessary, the flow advances to step 2507 to warn the user interface warning unit 2409 to reset input parameters or document layout. In step 2508, it is determined whether or not the input parameters or the document layout has been reset. If the reset has been performed, the process returns to step 2501 to search for a new basic parameter based on the reset input parameters.

If it is determined in step 2508 that the input parameters or the document arrangement has not been reset and the rotation process is still required, the flow advances to step 2509 to cause the image processing unit 2406 to execute the 90-degree conversion table described in FIG. Of the image and the designation of the arrangement conversion using the.

The scanning unit 2408 determines in step 2510
Perform a scan at. The scan parameters used here are the scan parameters when the rotation processing is unnecessary from the beginning in step 2506, the scan parameters when the rotation processing is unnecessary due to the resetting of the user as a result of the warning display in step 2507, or the scan parameters in 2507. The user is not reset despite the warning display, and is one of the scan parameters obtained by specifying the image rotation and layout conversion as in the case of using the 90-degree conversion table in step 2509.

As described above, in the configuration of the second embodiment, it is possible to reset the original and input parameters by displaying a warning to the user, so that image processing such as image rotation and layout conversion using the 90-degree conversion table can be performed. It can be omitted by the user's judgment.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can modify or substitute the embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention. That is, the present invention has been disclosed by way of example, and should not be construed as limiting. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims described at the beginning should be considered.

[0079]

As described above, in the copying apparatus of the present invention, the processing mode is set corresponding to each of the parameters input by the user, especially the parameters which require complicated processing such as N-up designation. With the basic parameter search table, scan parameters can be immediately specified by table search, and scan processing corresponding to an image can be quickly executed.

According to the copying apparatus and the copying method of the present invention, when the output paper tray is changed and output,
A new scan parameter can be immediately determined by a search using the degree conversion table.

Further, according to the copying apparatus and the copying method of the present invention, it is possible to reset the original and input parameters by displaying a warning to the user, and it is possible to omit extra image rotation and layout conversion processing.

Further, according to the copying apparatus and the copying method of the present invention, all the conversion processing can be executed at the time of scanning, so that the image conversion processing at the time of output is not required, so that the printing processing and the apparatus are simplified. Further, by changing various tables, it is possible to apply to various types of documents and output modes, and it is easy to flexibly change specifications.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration relating to scan parameter determination in a first embodiment of a copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example (part 1) of an input screen in a user interface of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an example (part 2) of an input screen in a user interface of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an example (part 3) of an input screen in the user interface of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an example (No. 4) of an input screen in the user interface of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an example (No. 5) of an input screen in the user interface of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a two-up output reference mode in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a 4-up output reference mode in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an 8-up output reference mode in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a one-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a two-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of a two-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example (part 3) of a two-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a 4-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of a 4-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of an 8-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of an 8-up basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 18 illustrates an N-up arrangement in the copying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a rotation process in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a processing example using a basic parameter search table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a tray determination table in the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a 90-degree conversion table in the copying apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the first embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram showing a main configuration relating to scan parameter determination in a second embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a processing flow of a second embodiment of the copying apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 2401 User interface unit 102, 2402 Basic parameter search unit 103, 2403 Basic parameter search table 104, 2404 Tray determination unit 105, 2405 Tray determination table 106, 2406 Image processing unit 107, 2407 90 degree conversion table 108, 2408 Scanning unit 2409 User interface warning section

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2H027 DB09 DC19 DE10 EC06 EF09 FB05 FB13 FB14 FD00 FD01 FD03 GA30 2H072 AA23 AA24 AA31 AB03 3F343 FA02 FB02 FC30 HA37 KB03 KB20 MA26 MB09 MC21 5C062 AA05 AB17 AB20 AB22 AB23 AC23 5C076 AA19 AA24 BA01 BA02 BA03 BA04 BA05 BA07

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A copying apparatus which reads a document image by a scanning means and outputs an image processing image based on the read image, wherein the user interface means is capable of setting document information of an input document and an output mode of the read image as user input parameters. A user interface unit capable of setting, as a user input parameter, an N-up processing mode for arranging a plurality of read images on the same page of an output sheet; a user input parameter set in the user interface unit; A basic parameter search table in which a rotation processing angle of each image is associated with an arrangement position of a plurality of read images on the same page; and a user input parameter set in the user interface means. The basic parameter search table is searched based on a meter to determine basic parameters including a rotation processing angle of each image read by the scanning unit and an arrangement position of a plurality of read images on the same page. A copying apparatus comprising: a parameter search unit; and an image processing unit that determines a scan parameter in the scanning unit, the image processing unit determining a scan parameter of each image based on the basic parameter. 2. The basic parameter search table is a set of tables configured in different modes according to the number N of images arranged on the same page, and the number of images arranged on the same page is N (N is a natural number). The corresponding basic parameter retrieval table includes N arrangement position definition parameters indicating the arrangement positions of each of the N images on the page, and N rotation processing angle definition parameters indicating the rotation processing angles of each of the N images. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the copying apparatus has a table configuration in which the table configuration is recorded in association with. 3. A copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said copying apparatus selects an output paper tray from a plurality of trays capable of supplying a plurality of originals of different sizes, and a height of output paper stored in each of said plurality of trays. A tray determination table in which widths are arranged in selection priority order and main tray information arranged in the selection priority order and information obtained by reversing the height and width of the normal tray information are recorded as rotating tray information; The output paper tray of the tray determination table according to the selection priority, regular tray information,
3. The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a search is performed in the order of the rotation tray information, and a tray that stores sheets having a size closest to the size of the output image is selected as an output sheet tray. 4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the tray determination unit issues a rotation request to the image processing unit when an output sheet is selected from rotation tray information in the tray determination table, and receives the rotation request. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the configuration is such that a rotation processing angle definition parameter of each image received from the basic parameter search unit and a layout position definition parameter of a plurality of read images on the same page are changed. 2. The copying apparatus according to claim 1. 5. A 90-degree conversion method for changing the rotation processing angle definition parameter and the arrangement position definition parameter of an image according to the rotation request from the tray determination means, classified according to the type of tray before change and the type of tray after change. An image processing unit that searches the 90-degree conversion table based on the type of the tray before the change and the type of the tray after the change to select an output image from the rotation tray information. 5. The copying apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the rotation processing angle definition parameter and the arrangement position definition parameter of a plurality of read images on the same page are changed. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said tray determination section selects an output paper tray from rotation tray information in said tray determination table when selecting an output paper tray based on said tray determination table. The copying apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising a configuration for performing a warning display for prompting resetting of the arrangement. 7. A copying method in a copying apparatus for reading a document image and outputting an image processing image based on the read image, wherein the reading is performed by a user input parameter and a scanning means based on a user input parameter set in a user interface means. A table search step for searching a basic parameter search table in which a rotation processing angle definition parameter of each image and an arrangement position definition parameter of a plurality of read images on the same page are associated with each other; Determining scan parameters corresponding to each of the images read by the scanning means based on the basic parameters determined, and executing a scan using the determined scan parameters. Copy method to.