JP2001156998A - Image processor and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To deal with not only a request on the high-quality copy of images on a color original but also a request on high-speed image reading equal with a black-and-white copy machine in the case of copying images on a black-and- white original when color copy machines come into wide use in the offices. SOLUTION: When reading a color image, the original is fed to an ADF and fixed and the image on the fixed original is read (fixed reading mode). When reading a black-and-white image, the original is conveyed to the ADF and the image on the original under conveying is read (flow reading mode).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a control method therefor, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus for reading a document image and processing the read image or outputting the read image to an external device and a control method therefor. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There has been proposed a monochrome copying machine having a so-called drift reading mode in which a CCD for reading an original image is fixed and an image is read while moving the original.

On the other hand, a color copying machine needs to form a color component image in a frame-sequential manner using MCYK four color toners, and synchronizes the formation of the color component image with the same original image four times. There is no proposal to provide a pan-reading mode for reading a document. Furthermore, fix the original and CC
Compared with the so-called fixed reading mode in which the document image is read by moving D, the moving reading mode has a lower document moving accuracy and is likely to cause image quality deterioration such as color misregistration.

[0004]

It is expected that color copiers will spread to offices in the future. In such a case, it is natural that the color copying machine is required to copy the image of the color original with high image quality. When copying the image of the monochrome original, the same high productivity as the monochrome copying machine is required. That is, high-speed reading of a document image is required.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and method capable of reading a color image with high image quality and reading a monochrome image at high speed. And

[0006]

The present invention has the following configuration as one means for achieving the above object.

[0007] An image processing apparatus according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus having a transport unit for supplying a document from which an image is to be read to a reading unit and removing the supplied document from the reading unit. A first reading mode for reading an image of the original document supplied and fixed by the transport unit, and a second reading mode for reading an image of the original document being transported by the transport unit, and a color image When reading a monochrome image, the device operates in the first reading mode, and when reading a monochrome image, the device operates in the second reading mode.

An image processing method according to the present invention is a control method for an image processing apparatus having a transport unit for supplying a document from which an image is to be read to a reading unit and removing the supplied document from the reading unit. When reading a document, a document is supplied and fixed to the transport unit, a first reading mode in which the reading unit reads an image of the document in a fixed state is set, and when a monochrome image is read, the transport unit is read. A second mode is set in which the document is conveyed to the scanner and an image of the document being conveyed is read by the reading means.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Configuration] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a multifunction peripheral 1 which is an image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. The multifunction device 1 has a scanner function for reading a color multivalued image and a printer function for printing a color multivalued image, in addition to a function of locally copying a color multivalued image as a stand-alone color copying machine. The multifunction device 1 can also execute the function of remote copying color multivalued images between networked copiers and the function of facsimile color multivalued images by using the scanner and the pudding multifunction. It is possible.

As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 1 includes other MFPs 41 and 42 having the same functions as the MFP 1, and computers 31 and 32 such as personal computers.
And is connected via the network 2. In the case of the present embodiment, Ethernet is used for the network 2, but any network may be used as long as a plurality of devices can be connected to the network.

The operation section 6 is for the operator to give various operation instructions. The CPU 15 controls the entire MFP 1 based on programs and data stored in the ROM 16. The volatile RAM 17 is a rewritable memory that retains working data by the CPU 15 and whose contents are volatile when the power of the copying machine 1 is turned off. On the other hand, the nonvolatile RAM 18
Is a rewritable memory for storing semi-permanent data, in which the stored contents do not volatilize even when the power of the copying machine 1 is turned off due to battery backup or the like.

[Operation Mode] Next, the operation mode of the MFP 1 will be described.

First, when the multifunction peripheral 1 is used as a stand-alone copying machine, an image of a document placed on a document placing portion is scanned by an image reading portion and converted into an electric signal. The image reading unit includes three lines of CCDs 71 to 73 separated for each RGB, an A / D converter for converting an analog signal to a digital signal, an optical system, and the like. Since the CCDs of the respective lines are displaced in the sub-scanning direction, the image signals read by the respective CCDs are subjected to position correction by the line delay correction unit 8 and sent to the image processing unit 9.

The image processing unit 9 writes the input RGB image signals into the image memory 13, converts the RGB image signals into MCYK image signals, and sends the MCYK image signals to the image forming unit 11 in a frame-sequential manner to form a color image. .

The image forming section 11 receives MCYK images which are input in a frame-sequential manner.
A color image formation for sequentially forming MCYK color component images is performed by image signals. When forming an M color component image for the first time, an RGB image signal read by the image reading unit is converted into an M image signal by the image processing unit 9 in real time. On the other hand, when forming C, Y and K color component images, M
Was written to the image memory 13 when forming the color component image
The RGB image signal is read from the image memory 13 and the image processing unit 9
Are converted to C, Y and K image signals.

The image reading section can read a black and white image in addition to a color image. When reading a black-and-white image, the amount of light illuminating the document may be smaller than when reading a color image, so the light amount is reduced, and the monochrome image is read using the CCD 72 for reading the G color component image.
Therefore, the position correction by the line delay correction unit 8 is unnecessary. The black-and-white image reading method is used not only when the multifunction peripheral 1 is used for local copy but also when used as a scanner, when the multifunction peripheral 1 is used as a reading side at the time of remote copy via the network 2, and when the facsimile communication is transmitted. The same is true when using.

When the multifunction device 1 is used as a printer, PDL data described in a page description language (PDL) sent from an external device such as a computer 31 is controlled by the CPU 15 to control the external interface. 5 and stored in the image memory 13 via the bus 19 and rasterized. Then, the CPU 15 activates the image forming unit 11 and sends an image signal stored in the image memory 13 to the image forming unit 11 via the image processing unit 9 to form an image.

When the multifunction machine 1 is used as a scanner, an image of a document placed on a document placing section is read by an image reading section, and subjected to various digital image processing by an image processing section 9, and then to an image memory. Written to 13. Then, CPU15
The RGB image signal read from the image memory 13 is transmitted to the external device, such as the computer 31, via the bus 19 and the external interface 5 under the control of.

In the above scanner operation, the RGB image signal may be transmitted after being compressed, or may be transmitted without being compressed. Also, the RGB image signal is divided into a plurality of packets and output discontinuously by the external interface 5,
This is because the transmission of the RGB image signal does not occupy the network 2 to which a plurality of devices are connected. The RGB image signal divided into a plurality of packets is restored to a continuous RGB image signal by the receiving computer 31 or the like.

Furthermore, if the reading of the document image and the transmission to the external device are repeated for each document, the storage capacity of the image memory 13 can be relatively small. On the other hand, by providing the multifunction device 1 with a large-capacity memory such as a hard disk, images of a plurality of documents placed on the automatic document feeder (ADF) are continuously read, and the plurality of images are continuously read. It can also be sent to an external device. In this way, the image reading and the image transmission to the external device can be performed asynchronously, and a plurality of images can be quickly read regardless of the image transmission time to the external device. Thus, the image reading operation is completed in a short time.

When the multifunction device 1 is used as a reading side in remote copying, an image is transmitted to the multifunction devices 41 and 42, which are external devices, as in the case where the multifunction device 1 is used as a scanner. However, different processing is performed between the case where the function is used as a scanner and the case where the function is used as a remote copy reading side because the applied functions are different. For example, when operating as a copier, various functions such as enlargement, reduction, trimming, masking and center movement are required, but when operating as a scanner, the computer can freely perform image processing. There are not many opportunities to require the functions required for copier operation.
Further, in the copying machine operation, high productivity cannot be obtained unless mechanical operations are synchronized between the reading-side copying machine and the image forming-side copying machine. Since there is no mechanical element in the processing of (1), there is a difference that it is not necessary to synchronize the mechanical operation.

When the multifunction peripheral 1 is used as an image forming side for remote copying, an image transmitted from the multifunction peripherals 41 and 42, which are external devices, is formed in the same manner as when the multifunction peripheral 1 is used as a printer. However, the processing to be performed is different between the case where the printer is used as a printer and the case where the printer is used as the remote copy image forming side because the applied functions are different. For example, when operating as a printer, received PDL data is rasterized and an image is printed, but when operating as a copier, there is a difference that raster image data is received and an image is printed. Further, in the case of a printer operation, synchronization between the processing on the computer side and the processing on the printer side is not required, that is, batch processing is possible. Synchronization with the former is required.

When the multifunction device 1 is used on the transmission side of facsimile communication, the read image is written to the image memory 13 in the same manner as when the multifunction device 1 is used as a scanner. continue,
Under the control of the CPU 15, the image read from the image memory 13 is encoded by JPEG encoding or the like, and written into the image memory 13 again. Subsequently, under the control of the CPU 15, the code read from the image memory 13 is modulated into an audio signal by the MODEM 20, and the facsimile device of the communication partner via the public line 21 based on the communication function defined by the CCITT recommendation. Sent to

When the multifunction device 1 is used on the receiving side of facsimile communication, a voice signal transmitted via the public line 21 is demodulated by the MODEM 20 and the obtained code is stored in the image memory 13.
Is written to. Subsequently, under the control of the CPU 15, the code read from the image memory 13 is decoded into raster image data and written into the image memory 13 again. Then, CPU1
Under the control of 5, the image data read from the image memory 13 is sent to the image processing unit 9 and subjected to image processing such as resolution conversion. The image data on which the image processing has been performed is sent to the image forming unit 11, and an image received by facsimile is formed.

As described above, the image reading unit is used not only for the reading operation in the local copy but also for the reading operation in the scanner operation, the reading operation in the remote copy, and the reading operation in the facsimile communication.

[Overview] FIGS. 2 and 3 are overview views of the multifunction peripheral 1. FIG. 2 shows a state when an image on a sheet document is read.
Indicates a state when a book document is read. An image reading unit 39 for reading a document image is disposed above the image forming unit 11, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 40 is disposed above the image reading unit 39. The operation unit 6 is arranged in front of the ADF 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ADF 40 has a configuration in which the back side is opened up and down with the back side as a fixed side. When reading a sheet document, a sheet document to be read is placed on the document placing portion of the ADF 40 with the ADF 40 shown in FIG. On the other hand, when reading the book document, with the ADF 40 shown in FIG. 3 open, place the book document on the document placing portion 41 of the image reading portion 39 so that the page to be read faces downward, and from the operation portion 6, Instruct reading.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the ADF 40 and the image reading section 39 viewed from the front of the apparatus with the ADF 40 closed.

First, when reading a book document, the operator opens the ADF 40, places the book document on the document placing portion 41 such that the page to be read faces downward, lowers the ADF 40 and presses the document. Then, the operator operates the operation unit 6
When reading is instructed by lines CCD 71, 72 and 7
The reading unit 7 incorporating 3 is moved by a drive system (not shown) in the direction of arrow 42 to the reading end position 43, and the image is read.

The reading unit 7 includes a light source and an optical system (not shown) and lines CCD 71 to 73 for reading RGB color components. The light output from the light source is transmitted through the glass document placing portion 41 and reflected by the document, and the reflected light is read by the CCDs 71 to 73, whereby an image is read. The lines CCD 71 to 73 are offsetly arranged along the sub-scanning direction 42 as described above and as shown in FIG. Therefore, the lines read by each line CCD at the same timing are physically shifted, so that the position correction by the line delay correction unit 8 is required.

[Sheet Document Reading Mode] When reading an image on a sheet document, there are two modes: a "flow reading mode" for reading the image while moving the document, and a "fixed reading mode" for reading the image while fixing the document. Types are possible. In the case of the fixed reading mode, one or more sheet documents are placed on the document mounting portion 31 of the ADF 40. The CPU 15 can detect whether or not there is a document on the document placing portion 31 based on the output of a sensor (not shown).

In the fixed reading mode, the original placed on the original placing portion 31 is supplied to the original placing portion 41 one by one from the upper part of the original group by the rollers 32, guides 33 and rollers 34. Subsequently, the document image is read by the reading unit 7 as in the case of the book document. The document from which the image has been read is discharged to a paper discharge unit 38 by sheet-like rollers 35, guides 36 and rollers 37. The above operation is repeated until the images of all the originals placed on the original placing section 31 are read.

In the case of the flow reading mode, the original placed on the original placing portion 31 is supplied to the original placing portion 41 one by one from the top of the original group by the rollers 32, the guides 33 and the rollers 34, and the reading unit 7 and is discharged to a paper discharge unit 38 by a sheet-like roller 35, a guide 36 and a roller 37. The image is read by the reading unit 7 in accordance with the passage of the document. In the case of the flow reading mode, the reading unit 7
Since the original moves without moving, the original can be scanned only once for one original.

When reading images on both sides of a sheet document, after the image on the first surface is read in the fixed reading mode, the document on the document placing portion 41 is moved by the sheet-like rollers 35 and 34. It is transported in the opposite direction. Then, the document is reversed by passing through a reversing path composed of guides 45 and 47 and rollers 44 and 46,
The document is again supplied onto the document placing section 41. Then, after the image on the second surface is read in the fixed reading mode, the document is discharged to the paper discharge unit 38.

As described above, when reading an image on one side of a sheet document, the multifunction device 1 can use two modes, the flow reading mode and the fixed reading mode. However, when all of the following conditions are satisfied, The reading mode is used. Condition 1: Scan a black-and-white image Condition 2: A single-sided document Condition 3: A sheet document Condition 4: Locally copy a black-and-white image

[Condition 1] In reading a color image, a large amount of light is generally required. Therefore, in the drift reading mode in which the reading position is fixed, it is to prevent the temperature of the glass such as the document placing portion 41 from rising due to the heat from the document illumination lamp and breaking the glass. When reading a black-and-white image, the amount of light required to read a color image is not required, so that the glass such as the document placing portion 41 is not broken. Therefore, when reading a color image, the flow reading mode is not used.
Thus, there is an advantage that an inexpensive glass having low heat resistance can be used for the document placing portion 41 and the like.

When reading a color image in the fixed reading mode, the line delay correction unit 8 reads the blue component image first by the B color component reading CCD 73, and then delays the green component image by the G component reading CCD 72 a little later. The component image is read, and the shift in the timing at which the red component image is read by the R component reading CCD 71 with a slight delay is corrected. On the other hand, when the color image is read in the moving reading mode, the red component image is read first, so that the reading order is opposite to that in the fixed reading mode. Therefore, the line delay correction in the reverse order is required, and the configuration of the line delay correction unit 8 is complicated. Therefore, in the present embodiment, when reading a color image, the flow reading mode is not used, and the configuration of the line delay correction unit 8 is simplified.

Further, since the thickness and frictional resistance vary depending on the original and are not always uniform even within the same original, the reading accuracy is lower in the flowing reading mode than in the fixed reading mode, which causes color misregistration. For such a reason, in the present embodiment, the flow reading mode is not used when reading a color image.

Condition 2 In the case of a two-sided original, it is necessary to reverse the front and back through the original in the above-described original inversion path. I do.

● Condition 3 In the case of a book document, the document cannot be conveyed, so that the flow reading mode cannot be used.

Condition 4 This is because, in copying a color image, it takes more time to form an image than to read an image, and the high-speed reading mode cannot be used.

On the other hand, when the multifunction device 1 is used as a scanner, since image formation is not performed, it is not necessary to determine the condition 4 and it is determined whether or not to use the flow-reading mode based on the conditions 1 to 3. I do. Similarly, in the case of the remote copy, since the formation of the color image at the destination of the image is not always slow, the determination is made based on the conditions 1 to 3 without determining the condition 4.

[Structure of MFP] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the image forming section 11 of the MFP 1. As shown in FIG.

When the image forming unit 11 is activated and the image formation is started, RGB image data is input from the image reading unit 7 or the image memory 13 to the image processing unit 9 in accordance with the start. The MCYK image data output from the image processing unit 9 is input to the laser driving unit 51, where the laser light is modulated. The modulated laser light scans the photosensitive drum 52 to form an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image is developed by a developing device (not shown) into a toner image. In parallel with the formation of the toner image, the recording paper supplied from the upper cassette 53 or the lower cassette 54 is wound around the transfer drum 55, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 52 is transferred to the recording paper.

The process of scanning the photosensitive drum 52 by the laser beam (latent image formation), developing the electrostatic latent image (developing), and transferring the toner image (transfer) is performed by magenta, cyan, and cyan.
These four color toner images are transferred onto the recording paper wound around the transfer drum 55 by repeating the process for each of the yellow and black color component images. The recording paper to which the four color toner images have been transferred is fed to a sorter unit 57 having a staple unit 58 after the toner is fused and fixed by a fixing device 56, and is usually discharged to an uppermost bin 591.

Although the above process is for forming a color image, the image forming section 11 can also form a monochrome image. When forming a black-and-white image, the above-mentioned latent image formation,
The development and transfer need only be performed for black, so that the printing time is shorter and the cost is lower than when a color image is formed.

When a plurality of pages and a plurality of copies are printed and the print results are sorted, the first copy sent to the sorter unit 57 is placed in the bin 591, the second copy is placed in the bin 592, and the third copy is placed in the bin 592. Each part is distributed to each bin and discharged so as to be discharged to the bin 593. In short, each bin is loaded with a part of a print of a plurality of pages. Although FIG. 5 shows only three bins, a sorter unit having 10 or 25 bins is generally used in practice.

The staple unit 58 staples the prints stacked on each bin. Usually, the stapling function is used in combination with the sorting function. When the stapling function and the sorting function are combined, a plurality of pages are stapled for each part of a print, and a plurality of copies are obtained.

[Timing in Original Copying] FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the timing in original copying. With reference to FIG. 6, the difference in productivity between the fixed reading mode and the flowing reading mode when a monochrome image is formed by reading a monochrome image of a single-sided sheet document will be described.

The upper part of FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the fixed reading mode. The original placed on the original placement unit 31 is supplied to the original placement unit 41, and then the image reading unit 7
Is moved to the reading end position 43, the image is read. In parallel with the reading of the image, the formation of the read image is performed. When the reading and forming of the image are completed, the document is discharged to the document discharge unit 38, the image reading unit 7 is returned to the reading start position, and the supply of the next document is started.

The lower part of FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the flow reading mode. Documents placed on the document placement unit 31 are successively supplied at a predetermined timing, pass over the image reading unit 7, and are discharged to the document discharge unit 38. The image is read by the image reading unit 7 in synchronization with the passage of the document over the image reading unit 7, and the read image is formed in parallel with the image reading.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the moving reading mode, since the image reading unit 7 is not moved, there is no need to return the image reading unit 7 from the reading end position 43 to the reading start position. Further, the discharge of the original and the subsequent supply of the original can be performed at the same time.
There is no need to fix the time. As described above, the moving image reading mode can read and form an image at a higher speed than the fixed reading mode.

FIG. 6 shows the timing in the local copy. However, in the case of other functions such as the scanner function, there is a difference that no image is formed or that the reading and the formation of the image are asynchronous. Although there is,
The same applies to the image reading timing.

[Color Image Reading Timing] FIG. 7 is a timing chart for explaining the color image reading timing. The timing of reading a color image of a single-sided sheet document and forming a color image will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the fixed reading mode is used to form a color image.

The original is supplied to the original placing section 41 as in the case of reading a monochrome image in the fixed reading mode. continue,
The image reading unit 7 is moved to read the RGB image of the entire area of the document, but since each line CCD is displaced in the sub-scanning direction, output of B data is started first, then G data is finally Output of R data starts. The line delay of these data is corrected by the line delay correction unit 8. Specifically, it is sent to the image processing unit 9 as corrected RGB data adjusted to the timing of the R data whose output start is the latest, and written into the image memory 13.

The image processing unit 9 processes the corrected RGB data to generate M data, sends the M data to the image forming unit 11, and forms a magenta color component image. Thereafter, the document is discharged, and the next document is supplied. In parallel, the corrected RGB data written in the image memory 13 is read out,
The C data is generated by the image processing unit 9, and the C data is sent to the image forming unit 11, where a cyan component image is formed. Subsequently, a color image is formed by similarly generating Y data and K data.

As shown in FIG. 7, the formation of a color image
It takes about four times as long as forming a black and white image.
Therefore, it is only necessary to discharge the original while the MCYK image is being formed and supply the next original, and there is no need to hurry the supply and discharge of the original. In other words, it is not necessary to speed up the supply and discharge of the original by the flow reading mode, and the flow reading mode is not used when a color image is formed. Also, multifunction devices
1 has a function of reading a black-and-white image from a black-and-white document and forming a color image in which colors are added to the read black-and-white image, but also does not use the flow reading mode.

FIG. 7 shows the timing in the local copy. However, even in the case of other functions such as the scanner function, there is a difference that no image is formed or that the reading and the formation of the image are asynchronous. Although there is,
The same applies to the image reading timing.

[Operation Unit] FIG. 8 is a view of the operation unit 6 and the ADF 40 as viewed from above the multifunction device 1. When the multifunction device 1 is looked down from above, the operation unit 6 is disposed in the foreground, and the ADF
40 are located. The operation unit 6 has a large liquid crystal display 65
Besides, numeric keypad 66, cancel key 67, OK key 68,
Scan setting start key 61, remote copy setting start key
62, a facsimile setting start key 63, a local copy setting start key 64, and the like are arranged. An arbitrary character or symbol can be displayed on the liquid crystal display section 65. Various messages are displayed here, and interactive operation is possible. The display of a message on the liquid crystal display unit 65 and the interactive processing accompanying the message display are executed by the CPU 15.

[Scanner Operation] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the multifunction peripheral 1 is used as a scanner, and a diagram illustrating an example of a series of messages displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 65.

When the scan setting start key 61 of the operation unit 6 is pressed, a screen 171 for selecting a computer to which a read image is to be sent is displayed in step S1. Screen 171
In the list, computers registered in advance are displayed as a list from "1" to "4", and an image destination is selected from the list. The screen 171 shows an example in which four computers are displayed in a list, but more computers can be displayed by scrolling the list display or switching pages.

For example, when the operator operates the ten key 6
By pressing "1" in step 6 and then pressing the OK key 68, the computer corresponding to "1" (computer A on screen 171) is selected. If the user presses “5” on the numeric keypad 66, the screen moves to a screen 172 representing the next page, and a list of computers currently connected to the network 2 is displayed. Network 2
Can be checked, for example, by broadcasting an inquiry to the network 2 as to whether or not the computer has a function of receiving a read image, and examining each device's response to the inquiry.

When the destination of the image read in steps S1 to S4 is determined, a screen 173 for setting the document type is displayed in step S5. If the operator designates “single-sided” or “double-sided” using the numeric keypad 66, step S6
A screen 174 for setting the color mode is displayed. Note that the color modes of the present embodiment include three types of RGB 24 bit “full color”, 8-bit multi-valued “gray scale”, and 1 bit “black and white”.

The operator operates the numeric keypad 66 and the OK key 68 to select "full color", "gray scale" or "black and white".
Is specified, a screen 175 for setting the document size is displayed in step S7. The document size of this embodiment includes A4 portrait A4SEF (Short Edge Feed), A4 landscape A4, B4 portrait B4, and A3 portrait A3. There are four types.

When the operator specifies the document size with the ten keys 66 and the OK key 68, a screen 176 for setting the resolution of the image read in step S8 is displayed.
Since the image reading unit 7 of the present embodiment has a reading resolution of 400 dpi, a resolution of 400 dpi or less can be designated by the screen 176 and the ten keys 66. When a resolution lower than 400 dpi is specified, the resolution is reduced by performing a thinning process on the image read at 400 dpi by the image processing unit 9. If a large resolution is set, a high-resolution image can be obtained. However, it goes without saying that the image size increases, the storage area of the disk for storing the image is consumed, and the transfer time is long.

Next, a screen 177 for setting the data format of the image read in step S9 is displayed. The data format that can be set includes the scanned image data as is (with no header, etc.)
W '', standard data formats such as TIFF and P
There are at least five types: "ICT", "JPEG" which performs JPEG encoding and compression, and "UNIX compression" which uses UNIX (R) as a standard compression format data format. Although various other data formats exist for the image data format, their description is omitted. In short, one of various data formats may be selected on the screen 177.

Next, at step S10, a screen 178 for confirming the file name and the start of scanning is displayed. The operator places a sheet document on the document placing section 31 or places a book document on the document placing section 41 and presses an OK key 68 to instruct the start of scanning. When the OK key 68 is pressed, image reading is started in step S11, and the image data of the set original size, color mode, resolution and data format is sent to the set destination. If "double-sided" is set as the document type, images on both sides are read.

If the cancel key 67 is pressed, the scanner operation is canceled. Then, in step S12, the display on the liquid crystal display unit 65 is returned to the standard screen.

If the operator does not specify a file name, the multifunction device 1 of this embodiment automatically generates a file name. For example, add a serial number indicating the scanning order after the prefix `` IMG '', and add an extension indicating the data format at the end, for example, `` .ra for RAW data
Since "w" is added, the file name becomes "IMG002.raw". In addition, since the screens 173 to 177 display default setting values, for example, document type = 1 and resolution = 72, the operator simply presses the OK key 68 if the default setting values are acceptable.

[Remote Copy Operation] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an operation for remotely copying an image read by the multifunction peripheral 1 and a series of message examples displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 65.

Remote copy setting start key 62 of operation unit 6
Is pressed, a screen 181 for selecting an output device for printing the read image is displayed in step S21. On the screen 181, the pre-registered copying machines are displayed as a list from "1" to "4", and an output device is selected from the list. The screen 181 shows an example in which four copiers are displayed in a list, but more copiers can be displayed by scrolling the list display or switching pages.

For example, the operator operates the ten key 6
If "1" of 6 is pressed, and then the OK key 68 is pressed, the copying machine corresponding to "1" (the copying machine A on the screen 181) is selected. If the user presses “5” on the numeric keypad 66, the screen moves to a screen 182 representing the next page, and a list of copying machines currently connected to the network 2 is displayed.

When the output device is determined in steps S21 to S24, a screen 183 for setting the document type is set in step S25.
Is displayed. The operator uses the numeric keypad 66 and OK key 68
If you specify "Simplex" or "Duplex", step
A screen 184 for setting the color mode is displayed in S26. Note that the color modes of the present embodiment include three types of RGB 24 bit “full color”, 8-bit multi-valued “gray scale”, and 1 bit “black and white”.

The operator operates the numeric keypad 66 and the OK key 68 to select "full color", "gray scale" or "black and white".
Is designated, a screen 185 for setting the number of copies to be printed in step S27 is displayed. When the number of print copies is input, a screen 186 for setting the recording paper supply method is displayed in step S28. FIG. 10 shows three types of recording paper supply methods, `` manual feed '', `` upper (A4) '', and `` lower (A3) ''. Must be obtained from the output device.

Next, a screen 18 for setting post-processing (finishing processing) to be performed by the output device in step S29.
7 is displayed. FIG. 10 shows three examples of “none”, “sorting”, and “sorting and stapling” as an example of post-processing. Specific post-processing information needs to be obtained from the selected output device. There is. Of course, depending on the selected output device, there is also a device that can execute binding for gluing and binding the sorted print results.

Next, a screen 188 for confirming the start of the remote copy is displayed in step S30. The operator places a sheet document on the document placing portion 31 or places a book document on the document placing portion 41 and presses an OK key 68 to instruct the start of remote copy. When the OK key 68 is pressed, the step
Image reading is started in S31, image data in the set color mode is sent to the set output device, and a print result of the specified number of copies subjected to the set post-processing is obtained. If "double-sided" is set as the document type, images on both sides are read and copied.

If the cancel key 67 is pressed, the scanner operation is canceled. Thereafter, the display on the liquid crystal display unit 65 is returned to the standard screen in step S32.

[Facsimile Transmission Operation] FIG.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when facsimile transmitting an image read in step S5, and a diagram illustrating an example of a series of messages displayed on a liquid crystal display unit 65.

When the facsimile setting start key 63 of the operation unit 6 is pressed, a screen 191 for setting a destination of facsimile communication is displayed in step S41. When the operator specifies a communication destination using the numeric keypad 66 or the like, a screen 192 for setting a document type is displayed in step S42. When the operator designates “single-sided” or “double-sided” using the ten keys 66 and the OK key 68, a screen 193 for setting a color mode is displayed in step S43. Note that the color mode of this embodiment includes RGB 24-bit “full color”, 8-bit multi-valued “gray scale”,
Also, there are three types of 1-bit "black and white".

The operator operates the ten keys 66 and the OK key 68 to select "full color", "gray scale" or "black and white".
Is designated, a screen 194 for setting the resolution of the transmission image is displayed in step S44. In the case of the present embodiment, the resolution of the transmission image can be selected from either fine corresponding to 400 dpi or normal corresponding to 72 dpi.

Next, a screen 195 for setting the document size is displayed in step S45. Note that the document size of the present embodiment is “A4SEF (Short Edge Fee)
d) ", A4 horizontal" A4 ", B4 vertical" B4 ", and
There are four types of "A3" that are A3 vertical.

Next, a screen 196 for confirming the start of facsimile transmission is displayed in step S46. The operator
A sheet original is placed on the original placing section 31, or a book original is placed on the original placing section 41, and an OK key 68 is pressed to instruct the start of facsimile transmission. When the OK key 68 is pressed, image reading is started in step S47, and image data of the set color mode, resolution, and document size is transmitted by facsimile to the set communication partner. If "double-sided" is set as the document type, images on both sides are read.

If the cancel key 67 is pressed, the facsimile transmission is canceled. Then, step S4
At 8, the display of the liquid crystal display section 65 is returned to the standard screen.

[Local Copy Operation] FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining an operation for performing a local copy in the multifunction device 1 and a series of message examples displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 65.

Local copy setting start key 64 of operation unit 6
Is pressed, a screen 201 for setting the document type is displayed in step S51. When the operator designates “single side” or “double side” using the numeric keypad 66, step S5
A screen 202 for setting the color mode is displayed in step 2. Note that the color modes of the present embodiment include three types of RGB 24 bit “full color”, 8-bit multi-valued “gray scale”, and 1 bit “black and white”.

The operator operates the numeric keypad 66 and the OK key 68 to select "full color", "gray scale" or "black and white".
Is designated, a screen 203 for setting the number of copies to be printed in step S53 is displayed. When the number of print copies is input, a screen 204 for setting a recording paper supply method is displayed in step S54. FIG. 12 shows an example of a recording paper supply method such as “manual feed”, “upper (A4)”, “middle (B
4) ”and“ Lower (A3) ”are shown, but it is necessary to obtain information on the specific recording paper supply method from the image forming unit 11.

Next, a screen 205 for setting the post-processing (finishing processing) is displayed in step S55. FIG. 12 shows three types of “none”, “sorting”, and “sorting and stapling” as an example of post-processing. However, information on specific post-processing needs to be acquired from the image forming unit 11. is there. Of course, sorter unit
Depending on the configuration of 57, the binding described above may be possible.

Next, a screen 206 for setting the image recording density is displayed in step S56. In the case of local copy, 400 dpi or 200 dpi can be selected as the recording density.

Next, a screen 207 for confirming the start of the local copy is displayed in step S58. The operator places a sheet document on the document placing section 31 or places a book document on the document placing section 41 and presses an OK key 68 to instruct the start of local copying. When the OK key 68 is pressed, the step
Image reading is started in S58, and a print result of the designated number of copies processed according to the set color mode, post-processing, and recording density is obtained. If "double-sided" is set as the document type, images on both sides are read and copied.

If the cancel key 67 is pressed, the scanner operation is canceled. Then, in step S59, the display on the liquid crystal display unit 65 is returned to the standard screen.

[Image Reading Operation] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a control flow of an image reading operation in the multifunction peripheral 1.
This is executed by the CPU 15 when the power of the multifunction device 1 is turned on.

In steps S101 to S104, it is determined which operation has been instructed. In other words, the process branches depending on which of the scan setting start key 61, the remote copy setting start key 62, the facsimile setting start key 63 and the local copy setting start key 64 of the operation unit 6 is pressed. If the scan setting start key 61 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S105.
When the remote copy setting start key 62 is pressed, the processing shown in FIG. 10 is performed in step S106. When the facsimile setting start key 63 is pressed, the processing in step S107 is performed.
In the local copy setting start key 64
If is pressed, the processing shown in FIG. 12 is executed in step S108.

Next, in steps S109 and S110, the setting of the color mode and the original type is determined, and if a color image is read or a double-sided original is read, step S1 is executed.
13 sets the fixed reading mode.

When reading a black and white image of a single-sided document, other than local copy, that is, in step S1 for scanner operation, remote copy and facsimile transmission.
Use 12 to set the reading mode. On the other hand, in the local copy, it is determined whether or not to form a black and white image in step S111. If so, the fixed reading mode is set in step S113.

Then, after executing the operation designated by the operator in step S114, the process returns to step S101.

Although not shown in FIG. 13, the flow reading mode is not possible when the ADF 40 is opened and the document placing portion 41 is exposed, for example, when reading the image of a book document. In this case, the fixed reading mode is set. Note that whether or not the ADF 40 is open can be detected by a sensor (not shown). Of course, if the document type is set to one side with the ADF 40 opened, it can be determined that the document is a book document and the fixed reading mode can be set. Similarly, if the document type is designated as double-sided with the ADF 40 opened, an error can be displayed. Further, when the ADF 40 is opened, it is possible to prevent both sides from being designated as the document type.

For simplicity of explanation, FIG. 13 does not show an image receiving operation in remote copy, an image receiving operation in facsimile communication, etc., but requests for these processes are sent to the network 2 or the public line 21. It is needless to say that the CPU 15 performs control according to the request when received via the.

[0099]

[Modification] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which a color image read by one scan is stored in the image memory 13 and the color image is read from the image memory 13 as many times as necessary. A color image may be read by four scans in synchronization with the formation of the component image.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining a color image reading timing in the fixed reading mode for reading a color image on one side of a sheet document and forming a color image, and corresponds to FIG. 7 in the above embodiment. Fig. 7
In the above, an example has been shown in which an RGB image is read by one scan, stored in the image memory 13, and an image is formed by the image data read from the image memory 13. On the other hand, in FIG. 14, the image memory 13 is not required because the scanning is performed four times, but the scanning mode cannot be used because the same document needs to be scanned four times. That is, the flow reading mode is not used even when reading a color image as shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the multifunction peripheral 1 is configured as one device has been described. However, the multifunction peripheral 1 may be configured by a combination of a plurality of devices, for example, a local copying machine and a controller. In this case, the MODEM 20 and the external interface 5 are arranged on the controller side, and depending on the configuration, the image memory 13 is also arranged on the controller side. In this way, if only the local copy function is used, only the local copier needs to be prepared, and if functions such as scanner, printer, remote copy, and facsimile transmission are also required, the local copier has a controller. Should be connected.
Further, the local copying machine may be configured separately from the scanner unit 39 and the image forming unit 11.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to the local area network (LAN) 2 has been described. However, if the multifunction peripheral 1 is connected to the network, it connects, for example, branches in Japan. Such a wide area network (WAN) may be used. In such a case, it becomes possible to use the multifunction device 1 of the branch A as a scanner to send an image to the computer of the branch B or to perform a process of printing by a copying machine of the branch C. Of course, the Internet is also included in the wide area network.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, in an image reading apparatus such as a color copying machine or a color scanner,
A high-quality color image can be read by the fixed reading mode, and a high-speed monochrome image can be read by the flowing reading mode.

[0104]

[Other Embodiments] Even if the present invention is applied to a system including a plurality of devices (for example, a host computer, an interface device, a reader, a printer, etc.), an apparatus (for example, a copying machine) Machine, facsimile machine, etc.).

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is recorded to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It is needless to say that a case in which the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing part or all of the actual processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion card inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium includes the above-described FIG. 9 to FIG.
At least a program code corresponding to the flowchart shown in a part thereof is stored.

[0108]

As described above, according to the present invention,
An image processing apparatus and method capable of reading a color image with high image quality and reading a black and white image at a high speed can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multifunction peripheral 1 which is an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the multifunction device 1,

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the multifunction device 1,

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ADF and the image reading unit viewed from the front of the apparatus with the ADF closed;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming unit of the multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining timing in copying a document;

FIG. 7 is a timing chart illustrating the timing of reading a color image,

FIG. 8 is a view of the operation unit and the ADF viewed from above the multifunction peripheral;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when the multifunction peripheral is used as a scanner, and a diagram illustrating an example of a series of messages displayed on a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for remotely copying an image read by a multifunction peripheral, and a diagram illustrating an example of a series of messages displayed on a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when facsimile transmitting an image read by the multifunction peripheral, and a diagram illustrating an example of a series of messages displayed on a liquid crystal display unit.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when local copying is performed by the multifunction peripheral, and a diagram illustrating an example of a series of messages displayed on a liquid crystal display unit;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control flow of an image reading operation in the MFP 1.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart for explaining a color image reading timing in a fixed reading mode for reading a color image on one side of a sheet document and forming a color image in a modified example.

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a transport unit that supplies a document to be read for an image to a reading unit and removes the supplied document from the reading unit, wherein the reading unit is supplied by the transport unit and fixed. A first reading mode for reading an image of a document in a state where the document is conveyed, and a second reading mode for reading an image of the document in a state where the document is conveyed by the conveyance unit. An image processing apparatus that operates in the reading mode, and operates in the second reading mode when a monochrome image is read. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit has a reading unit that optically reads an image, moves the reading unit in the first reading mode to read a document image, and reads the document image in the second mode. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit is fixed to read a document image. 3. The reading unit has a light source for illuminating a document, and a light emission amount in the second reading mode is reduced as compared with a light emission amount of the light source in the first reading mode. 3. The image processing device according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image processing means for performing image processing on the image read by the reading means, and forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium based on the image processed image. 4. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an image processing unit configured to perform image processing on the image read by the reading unit; and an output unit configured to output the image processed image to an external device. The image processing device according to claim 3. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising image processing means for performing image processing on the image read by said reading means, and transmission means for facsimile transmitting the image processed image. 3. The image processing device according to any one of 3. 7. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: a feeding unit that supplies a document to be read for an image to a reading unit and removes the supplied document from the reading unit. A first reading mode in which the document is supplied and fixed to the means, and the image of the document in the fixed state is read by the reading means.When a black and white image is read, the document is transported by the transport means, and the transport is performed. A second mode for setting the reading unit to read an image of the document in a state where the reading is performed. 8. The reading unit includes a reading unit that optically reads an image, moves the reading unit in the first reading mode to read a document image, and reads the document image in the second mode. 8. The control method according to claim 7, wherein the reading unit is fixed to read the document image. 9. The reading unit has a light source for illuminating a document, and a light emission amount in the second reading mode is reduced as compared with a light emission amount of the light source in the first reading mode. 9. The control method according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A recording medium on which a program code of a control method of an image processing apparatus having a transport unit for supplying a document from which an image is to be read to a reading unit and removing the supplied document from the reading unit is recorded, The program code is a code for setting a first reading mode in which at least when reading a color image, a document is supplied and fixed to the transporting means, and an image of the document fixed to the reading means is read. And a code for setting a second mode in which, when a monochrome image is read, the document is transported by the transport unit and an image of the document being transported by the reading unit is read. Recording medium.