JP2001285536A - Method and device for image input and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for image input by which dirt of an original platen is detected, without having to reduce the start speed of document read operation and dust is surely detected even in the case of dust fall onto the original platen. SOLUTION: Dirt of the original platen interposed between a scanner part 11 and a document is detected by a controller part 9, and the detection result is displayed, and the controller part 9 performs control so that dirt of the original platen is detected after the end of read of a document image as to whether a document feed part 10 is used for read of the document image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input method and apparatus for inputting an image by an image input apparatus such as a scanner, a digital copier, a facsimile apparatus, and a control program for controlling the image input apparatus. It relates to the stored storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, scanners, digital copiers,
2. Description of the Related Art In the field of facsimile apparatuses and the like, the reading speed of a document has been significantly improved. In order to improve the reading speed of a document, a large number of CCs serving as image reading means for reading a document image are used.
An image reading apparatus has been increasing in which the position of an optical system on which a D (imaging element) is mounted is fixed, and an original is moved over the optical system at a constant speed.

In such an image input apparatus in which the position of an optical system for reading an image is fixed and the image is read by moving the document, a document mounting device located between the optical system at the fixed position and the document. If there is dust (dirt) on the transparent glass (platen glass), which is a table, the optical system does not move. , And the image quality often deteriorates remarkably, for example, a black line enters in the sub-scanning direction.

In order to solve such a problem, there have already been proposed some methods for preventing a black line from entering an image by detecting dirt (adhesion of dust) on a reading portion of an optical system in advance. ing.

[0005]

However, in such an image input apparatus in which the position of the optical system portion is fixed and the original is flowed and read, it is very difficult to detect the stain on the reading portion of the optical system. It is. because,
In order to detect dirt, it is originally desirable to perform the dirt detection processing before reading the original image. However, if the dirt detection processing is performed before reading the original image, it is very difficult to start the original image reading operation. This is because it has the disadvantage of being slow.

Further, in an image input apparatus in which the position of the optical system is fixed and the original is scanned and read, it is very difficult to detect the dirt on the reading portion of the optical system. Because, in order to detect dirt, it is necessary to read an image at the original reading fixed position and to detect dirt from the image, but it is almost impossible to obtain an image of only the platen glass as a platen. That's why.

Normally, the back of the platen cover and the platen glass are simultaneously read as one image through the platen glass which is a platen. Therefore, when dirt (dust) is detected, the platen glass is detected as shown in FIG. Glass 15
15 is garbage 1500 attached to the
As shown in FIG. 2B, the document table cover 10 of the document feeding unit 10 is used.
It is difficult to determine whether the dust is the dust 1500 attached to the back surface of “a”. Therefore, when the dust detection process is performed, the dust 1500 is detected even if the dust 1500 is attached to the back surface of the platen cover 10a. Is displayed, which is a cause of confusion for the user.

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 17 denotes a fixed optical system unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and a first object of the present invention is to place a document on a document without lowering the starting speed of the document reading operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image input method and apparatus capable of detecting dirt on a mounting table and reliably detecting dust even when the dirt falls on the document mounting table.

A second object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a control program for controlling the above-described image input device of the present invention.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input method for reading a document image by an image reading apparatus having image reading means for reading a document image. A dirt detecting step of detecting dirt on a document table interposed between the image reading means and the document, and controlling the dirt detecting step to detect dirt on the document table after reading of the document image is completed. And a control step of performing the control.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a second aspect.
The image input method according to the first aspect is characterized in that the image reading device has a document conveying means for automatically conveying the document to a reading position of the image reading means.

[0013] In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
3. The image input method according to claim 2, wherein the position of the image reading unit is fixed, and the document conveying unit automatically conveys the document on the image reading unit at a constant speed. It is characterized by doing.

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is directed to claim 4.
An image input method according to claim 1, wherein the image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device).

[0015] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a fifth aspect.
The image input method according to claim 1, wherein the document placing table is made of a translucent material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
An image input method according to claim 5, wherein the translucent material is transparent glass.

[0017] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a seventh aspect.
The image input method according to claim 1, further comprising a storage step of, when the attached matter is detected in the attached matter detection step, storing a result of the detection in a storage unit. I do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
The image input method according to claim 7, wherein the storage unit is a non-volatile storage unit.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ninth aspect.
An image input method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the storage means is provided in the image input device.

[0020] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
9. The image input method according to claim 7, wherein the detection result readout reads out the detection result of the dirt detection step by accessing the storage means at a timing when the document is set in the document conveying means. And a detection result display step of displaying a detection result of the dirt detection step read by the detection result reading step by using a display means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer system comprising:
An image input method according to a first aspect is characterized in that, in the image input method according to the first, seventh or tenth aspect, the dirt is dust attached.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
An image input method according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the image input method according to claim 10, the display means is provided in the image input device.

[0023] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
3. The image input device according to 3, wherein the image input device includes an image reading unit that reads a document image, and a dirt detection unit that detects dirt on a document table interposed between the image reading unit and the document. And control means for controlling the detection of the dirt on the document table after the reading of the document image is completed by the dirt detecting means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
An image input device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image input device according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the image input device further comprises a document conveying means for automatically conveying the document to the image reading means.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a first aspect is provided.
5. The image input device according to claim 5, wherein the position of the image reading unit is fixed, and the document conveying unit automatically moves the document over the image reading unit at a constant speed. It is characterized by being transported.

[0026] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is provided.
The image input device according to claim 6, wherein:
In the image input device as described in the above, the image reading means is C
It is characterized by being a CD (imaging element).

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
An image input device according to a seventh aspect is the image input device according to the thirteenth aspect, wherein the document table is made of a translucent material.

[0028] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
An image input device according to an eighth aspect is the image input device according to the seventeenth aspect, wherein the translucent material is a transparent glass.

[0029] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect is provided.
An image input device according to a ninth aspect is characterized in that, in the image input device according to the thirteenth aspect, when the dirt is detected by the dirt detection unit, a storage unit that stores a result of the detection is provided.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The image input device according to claim 0 is the image input device according to claim 19, wherein the storage unit is a nonvolatile storage unit.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
20. The image input device according to claim 19, wherein in the image input device according to claim 19, a detection result reading unit reads the detection result of the dirt detection unit by accessing the storage unit at a timing when the document is set in the document conveyance unit. Means, and detection result display means for displaying the detection result of the dirt detection means read by the detection result reading means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
An image input device according to claim 2, wherein:
In the image input device described above, the dirt is dust attached.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
3. The image input method according to claim 3, wherein the image input device includes an image reading device that reads a document image, and a document conveying device that conveys the document to the image reading device. A dirt detecting step of detecting dirt on a document table interposed between the reading means and the original, and a storing step of storing the detection result in the storing means when dirt detecting processing is performed by the dirt detecting step;
A display step of displaying a detection result of the dirt detection step, and reading of the document image even when reading of the document image is performed using the document conveying means or without using the document conveying means. Even when the reading of the original image is completed, control is performed so that the first stain detection process is executed in the stain detection step after the end of reading the original image, and the detection result is stored in the storage step, and the stain is detected in the stain detection step. And a control step of performing a second dirt detection process again in the dirt detection step using a blank document when the is detected.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
An image input method according to a fourth aspect is characterized in that, in the image input method according to the twenty-third aspect, the document conveying means automatically conveys the document to the image reading means.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The image input method according to claim 5, wherein the position of the image reading means is fixed, and the document conveying means automatically moves the document on the image reading means at a constant speed. It is characterized in that it is transported selectively.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
The image input method according to claim 6, wherein
In the image input method described in the above, the image reading means may be C
It is characterized by being a CD (imaging element).

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
An image input method according to a seventh aspect is characterized in that in the image input method according to the twenty-third aspect, the document table is made of a translucent material.

[0038] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
An image input method according to an eighth aspect is the image input method according to the twenty-seventh aspect, wherein the translucent material is transparent glass.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
24. The image input method according to claim 23, wherein in the dirt detecting step, when the dirt is detected, a result of whether or not the dirt is detected, and a position of the dirt. And detecting information.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
30. The image input method according to claim 29, wherein, in the image input method according to claim 29, the detection result readout reads out the detection result of the dirt detection step by accessing the storage means at a timing when the document is set in the document conveying means. Process
In the detection result display step, the detection result of the dirt detection step read by the detection result reading step is displayed using a display unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image input method as set forth in the thirty-first aspect, wherein the first dirt detection processing detects the dirt. Storing the detection result of the dirt and the position information of the dirt in the storage means;
The result of detecting the dirt by the second dirt detection process is compared with the position information of the dirt stored in the storage means by the first dirt detection process, and the dirt is detected by the second dirt detection process. If no dirt is detected, it is not displayed in the display step that the dirt is detected.

In order to achieve the first object, an image input method according to claim 32 is provided.
Or the image input method according to item 31, wherein the dirt is:
It is characterized by dust adhesion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image input method as set forth in the twenty-third aspect, wherein the storage means is a non-volatile storage means. It is characterized by.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image input apparatus comprising: an image reading device for reading a document image; and a document conveying device for conveying the document to the image reading device. An input device, a dirt detection means for detecting dirt on a document table interposed between the image reading means and the document, and storing a detection result when dirt detection processing is performed by the dirt detection means. Storage means, a display means for displaying the detection result of the dirt detection means, and a document image even when the document image is read using the document conveyance means or without using the document conveyance means. Even after the reading of the original image is completed, the first detection is performed by the stain detection unit after the reading of the original image is completed.
Control is performed so as to execute the second dirt detection process, and the detection result is stored in the storage unit. If the dirt is detected by the dirt detection unit, the dirt is detected again by the dirt detection unit using a blank document. And control means for performing control so as to execute the second dirt detection process.

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 35 is the image input device according to claim 34, wherein the document conveying means automatically transfers the document to the image reading means. Is transported to

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 36 is the image input device according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the position of the image reading means is fixed, and Is characterized in that the document is automatically conveyed over the image reading means at a constant speed.

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 37 is the image input device according to claim 34, 35 or 36, wherein the image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device). There is a feature.

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 38 is characterized in that, in the image input device according to claim 34, the document placing table is made of a translucent material. I do.

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 39 is characterized in that, in the image input device according to claim 38, the translucent material is transparent glass. .

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 40 is the image input device according to claim 34, wherein the dirt detecting means is provided when the dirt is detected. It is characterized in that a result of whether or not the dirt is detected and position information of the dirt are detected.

In the image input apparatus according to the present invention, in order to achieve the first object, in the image input apparatus according to the present invention, the storage means is provided at a timing when the original is set on the original transport means. And a detection result reading means for reading the detection result of the dirt detection means by accessing the detection result display means. The detection result display means uses a display means for displaying the detection result of the dirt detection means read by the detection result reading means. Is displayed.

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 42 is the image input device according to claim 41, wherein the dirt is detected by the first dirt detection processing. Storing the detection result of the dirt and the position information of the dirt in the storage means;
The result of detecting the dirt by the second dirt detection process is compared with the position information of the dirt stored in the storage means by the first dirt detection process, and the dirt is detected by the second dirt detection process. In the case where no dirt is detected, the fact that the dirt is detected is not displayed by the display means.

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 43 is characterized in that, in the image input device according to claim 34, 41 or 42, the dirt is dust attached. I do.

In order to achieve the first object, the image input device according to claim 44 is the image input device according to claim 34, 41 or 42, wherein the storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. It is characterized by.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 45 is a storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image input device having image reading means for reading an original image. The control program may further include a dirt detection module that detects dirt adhering to the document table interposed between the image reading unit and the document, and a dirt adhering to the document table after reading the document image. A control module for controlling the detection by the dirt detection module.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 46 is the storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the control program automatically conveys the document to the image reading means. It has a document transport module.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 47 is the storage medium according to claim 46, wherein the position of the image reading means is fixed, and Is automatically conveyed over the image reading means at a constant speed.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 48 is provided according to claim 45, 46 or 47.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit is a CCD.
(Imaging element).

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 49 is characterized in that, in the storage medium according to claim 45, the document table is made of a translucent material.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 50 is the storage medium according to claim 49, wherein the light-transmitting material is transparent glass.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 51 is the storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the control program is configured to execute the processing when the dirt is detected by the dirt detection module. And a storage module for storing the detection result in storage means.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 52 is characterized in that, in the storage medium according to claim 45 or 51, the dirt is dust attached.

In order to achieve the second object, a storage medium according to claim 53 is the storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the storage means is a nonvolatile storage means.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 54 is the storage medium according to claim 51, wherein the control program executes the control program at a timing when the document is set on the document transport means. A detection result reading module that accesses the storage unit and reads a detection result of the dirt detection module; and a detection result display module that displays the detection result of the dirt detection module read by the detection result reading module. It is characterized by.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium comprising: an image input means comprising: an image reading means for reading a document image; and a document transport means for transporting the document to the image reading means. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling the apparatus, wherein the control program includes a dirt detection module that detects dirt attached to a document table interposed between the image reading unit and the document. A storage module for storing the detection result in the storage means when the dirt detection processing is performed by the dirt detection module; a display module for displaying the detection result of the dirt detection module; Even when reading is performed, or when reading a document image without using the document conveying means, After the image reading is completed, control is performed so that the first dirt detection process is performed by the dirt detection module, and the detection result is stored in the storage unit. If the dirt detection module detects the dirt, A control module for controlling the second dirt detection process to be executed again by the dirt detection module using a blank document.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 56 is the storage medium according to claim 55, wherein the document transport means automatically transports the document to the image reading means. It is characterized by doing.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 57 is the storage medium according to claim 55 or 56, wherein the position of the image reading means is fixed, and The document is automatically conveyed over the image reading means at a constant speed.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 58 is provided according to claim 55, 56 or 57.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit is a CCD.
(Imaging element).

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 59 is characterized in that, in the storage medium according to claim 55, the document table is made of a light-transmitting material.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 60 is characterized in that, in the storage medium according to claim 59, the translucent material is transparent glass.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 61 is the storage medium according to claim 55, wherein the dirt detection module is configured to detect the dirt when the dirt is detected. The result of whether or not
It is characterized by detecting the position information of the dirt.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 62 is the storage medium according to claim 61, wherein the control program is provided at a timing when the original is set in the original transport means. A detection result reading module that accesses the storage unit and reads a detection result of the dirt detection module; and a detection result display module displays the detection result of the dirt detection module read by the detection result reading module. Characters are displayed by using.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 63 is the storage medium according to claim 62, wherein the first dirt detection processing detects the dirt. The dirt detection result and the dirt position information are stored in the storage means, and the dirt detection result in the second dirt detection processing and the dirt detection processing in the storage means are stored in the storage means. Comparing the stored dirt position information, and when the dirt is not detected by the second dirt detection process, the display means does not display the detection of the dirt. I do.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 64 is characterized in that, in the storage medium according to claim 55, 61, 62 or 63, the stain is dust adhesion. I do.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 65 is provided according to claim 55, 62 or 63.
In the storage medium described above, the storage unit is a nonvolatile storage unit.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 66 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a floppy disk.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 67 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a hard disk.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 68 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an optical disk.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 69 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a magneto-optical disk.

In order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 70 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a CD-RO.
M (Compact Disk Read Only)
Memory).

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 71 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a CD-R.
(Compact Disk Recordable)
It is characterized by being.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 72 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a magnetic tape.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 73 is a storage medium according to claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a nonvolatile memory card.

Further, in order to achieve the second object, the storage medium according to claim 74 is provided in accordance with claims 45 to 64 or 65.
The storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is a ROM (R
It is a feature that the chip is an "only-only memory" chip.

[0085]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an image input / output device (data processing device) according to the present embodiment.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image input / output device, which is a LAN (Local Area Ne) such as Ethernet (registered trademark).
2) in the present embodiment.
) Host computers (first and second host computers) 3 and 4.

The image input / output device 1 includes a reader unit 5, a printer unit 6, an operation unit 7, a CD-ROM (Compac
It is composed of a t Disc Read Only Memory drive 8 and a controller 9.
The reader unit 5 performs reading processing of image data, and includes a document feeding unit (DF) 10 that conveys a document, a scanner unit 11 that optically reads a document image and converts the document image into image data as an electric signal. have. Printer section 6
Performs a process of outputting image data, and includes a paper feed unit 12 having a plurality of paper feed cassettes 12a and 12b for accommodating recording paper, a marking unit 13 for transferring and fixing the image data to the recording paper, A paper output unit 1 that performs sorting and stapling on printed recording paper and discharges it outside the apparatus.
And 4. The operation unit 7 has a keyboard for inputting / outputting image data and a display such as a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) for displaying image data and various functions. The CD-ROM drive 8 mounts a CD-ROM in which a control program, image data, and the like are written in advance, and performs a process of reading stored contents of the CD-ROM. The controller unit 9 is composed of a single electronic component connected to each of the above-described components and controlling the components.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the internal structure of the reader unit 5 and the printer unit 6 shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the reader unit 5 is mounted on the printer unit 6. Then, in the reader unit 5, the documents stacked on the document feeding unit 10 are arranged in accordance with the stacking order.
Platen glass 15 serving as a platen one by one from the top
After a predetermined reading operation is completed by the scanner unit 11, the read original is placed on the platen glass 15.
The document is discharged to the document feeding unit 10 from above. Further, in the scanner section 11, when the original is conveyed onto the platen glass 15, the lamp 16 is turned on, then the movement of the optical system unit 17 is started, and the original on the platen glass 15 is irradiated from below and scanned. . Then, the reflected light from the original is transmitted through a plurality of mirrors 18, 19, 20 and a lens 21 to the C light.
A document image guided to a CD (image pickup device) image sensor (hereinafter, simply referred to as a CCD) 22 and scanned by
Read by CD22. The image data read by the CCD 22 is subjected to predetermined processing,
The data is transferred to the controller 9 (omitted in FIG. 2).

This method is the main method in the present embodiment. For example, when the document feeding unit 10 has a document moving reading function, the documents stacked on the document feeding unit 10 The document is passed from the document feeder 10 to the document flow reading position 15a at a constant speed.

In this case, the optical unit 17 moves to the document flow reading position 15a, irradiates the document conveyed at a constant speed with the lamp 16, reads the image by the CCD 22 as needed, generates image data, and transfers it to the controller unit 9. Is done.

Next, in the printer section 6, the laser beam corresponding to the image data output from the controller section 9 is
The laser light is emitted from a laser light emitting unit 24 driven by the laser driver 3, and the laser light irradiates the photosensitive drum 25 of the marking unit 13, on which an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the laser light is formed. The developer adheres to the portion of the electrostatic latent image by the container 6.

On the other hand, the recording paper is fed from the paper feed cassettes 12 a and 12 b of the paper feed unit 12 at the timing synchronized with the irradiation of the laser beam, is conveyed to the transfer unit 27, and is attached to the photosensitive drum 25. Transfer the agent to recording paper. The recording paper on which the image data has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 28,
The image data is fixed on the recording paper by the heating / pressing process in the fixing unit 28.

When the image data is to be recorded on one side of the recording paper, the recording paper that has passed through the fixing unit 28 is directly discharged to the paper discharge unit 14 by the discharge rollers 29, and the discharged paper 14 discharges the discharged recording paper. The recording sheets are sorted and sorted, or the sorted recording sheets are stapled.

When image data is recorded on both sides of a recording sheet, the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller 29,
The rotation direction of the discharge roller 29 is reversed, and the flapper 30 is rotated.
The recording paper guided to the re-feeding conveyance path 31 by the re-feeding conveyance path 31 is transferred to the transfer unit 2 in the same manner as described above.
7 is conveyed.

The controller 9 is composed of a single electronic component as described above, converts the image data read by the reader 5 into a code, and converts the image data into a code via the LAN 2 via the first and second host computers. A scanner function for transmitting to the printers 3 and 4; a printer function for converting code data received from the first and second host computers 3 and 4 via the LAN 2 into image data; Have.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the controller 9 shown in FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 32 denotes a main controller which includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 33, a bus controller 34, and functional blocks including various controller circuits to be described later, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) I / F (interface). 35, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) I / F (Interface)
37, and is connected to a DRAM 38 via a codec I /
It is connected to a codec 40 via an F (interface) 39 and to a network controller 42 via a network I / F (interface) 41.

The main controller 32 is stored in the ROM 36.
Various kinds of control programs and calculation data executed by the CPU 33 are stored. The DRAM 38 includes a CPU 33
Are used as a work area for the operation of the image data and an area for storing the image data. Codec 40 is a DRAM
MH / MR
/ MMR / JBIG and the like, and the compressed data is expanded into a raster image.
An SRAM (static random access memory) 43 is connected to the codec 40, and the SR
The AM 43 is used as a temporary work area of the codec 40.

The network controller 42 performs a predetermined control operation with the LAN 2 via the network 44. Further, the main controller 32 transmits a scanner I / F (interface) 46 via a scanner bus 45.
And a printer I / F via a printer bus 47.
(Interface) 48, and further connected to an expansion connector 50 for connecting an expansion board and an input / output control unit (I / O control unit) 51 via a general-purpose high-speed bus 49 such as a PCI bus.

The I / O control unit 51 includes two channels of an asynchronous serial communication controller 52 for transmitting and receiving control commands to and from the reader unit 5 and the printer unit 6. Is I
It is connected to a scanner I / F 46 and a printer I / F 48 via an I / O bus 53.

The scanner I / F 46 is connected to a scanner connector 56 via a first start-stop synchronous serial I / F (interface) 54 and a first video I / F (interface) 55, and the scanner connector 56
Is connected to the scanner unit 11 of the reader unit 5. The scanner I / F 46 performs a desired binarization process on the image data received from the scanner unit 11,
Perform magnification processing in the main scanning direction and / or the sub-scanning direction,
Further, it generates a control signal based on the video signal sent from the scanner section 11 and transfers it to the main controller 32 via the scanner bus 45.

The printer I / F 48 includes a second start-stop synchronous serial I / F (interface) 57
Is connected to a printer connector 59 via a video I / F (interface) 58, and the printer connector 59 is connected to the marking unit 13 of the printer unit 6. The printer I / F 48 performs a smoothing process on the image data output from the main controller 32, outputs the image data to the marking unit 13, and further, based on the video signal sent from the marking unit 13, The generated control signal is output to the printer bus 47.

Then, the CPU 33 reads the R
It operates based on a control program read via the OMI / F 35, and interprets, for example, PDL (page description language) data received from the first and second host computers 3 and 4, and develops the raster image data into raster image data. I do.

The bus controller 34 controls the transfer of data input / output from the scanner I / F 46, the printer I / F 48, and other external devices connected to the extension connector 50 and the like. (Arbitration) and DMA (direct memory access) data transfer. That is, for example, the above-mentioned DRA
Data transfer between the M38 and the codec 40, data transfer from the scanner unit 11 to the DRAM 38,
Data transfer from the memory 8 to the marking unit 13 is controlled by the bus controller 34 and is performed by DMA transfer.

The I / O control unit 51 includes an LCD controller 60 and a key input I / F (interface) 6.
1 is connected to a panel I / F (interface) 62, and the panel I / F 62 is connected to the operation unit 7. The I / O control unit 51 is connected to an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 66 as a nonvolatile memory, and is connected to the CD-ROM drive 8 via an E-IDE connector 63. Further, it is connected to a real-time clock module 64 for updating / saving the date and time managed in the device. The real-time clock module 64 is connected to a backup battery 65 and is backed up by the backup battery 65.

FIG. 4 shows the main controller 3 shown in FIG.
2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of FIG. In FIG.
Is a bus controller composed of a 4 × 4 64-bit cross bus switch, and a 64-bit processor bus (P
The bus 33 is connected to the CPU 33 via a local bus (M bus) 68 dedicated to memory, and to a memory controller 69 having a cache memory 69a. The memory controller 69 is provided in the ROM 36
And a memory such as the DRAM 38 to control the operation of these memories.

Further, the bus controller 34 is connected to a G bus arbiter 71 and a scanner / printer controller 72 via a graphic bus (G bus) 70, and a B bus arbiter 74 via an input / output bus (B bus) 73. G bus arbiter 71, interrupt controller 75 and each functional block (power management unit 76, UA
Serial I / F (interface) controller 77 such as RT, USB (Universal Serial)
Bus) controller 78, serial I / F (interface) controller 79 such as IEEE1284,
LAN controller 80, general-purpose input / output controller 8
1. The I bus is connected between the B bus 73 and the external PCI bus.
Bus I / F (interface) that controls I / F operation
82 and the scanner / printer controller 72.

The B bus arbiter 74 is an arbitration for emphasizing control of the B bus 73, receives a bus use request of the B bus 73, and after arbitration, is given the use permission to one selected master. This prohibits two or more masters from accessing the bus at the same time. The arbitration system has three levels of priority, and a plurality of masters are assigned to each priority.

The interrupt controller 75 accumulates interrupts from the respective function blocks and the outside of the controller unit 9 and redistributes the controllers 72, 77 to 82 and the non-maskable interrupt (NMI) supported by the CPU 33.

The power management unit 76 manages power for each functional block, and further monitors the amount of power consumed by the controller 9 as an electronic component composed of one chip. That is, the controller unit 9 is composed of a large-scale ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) incorporating the CPU 33. Therefore, when all the function blocks operate simultaneously, a large amount of heat is generated, and the controller unit 9 itself is generated. May be destroyed.

In order to prevent such a situation, power consumption is managed for each functional block, and the power consumption of each functional block is integrated in the power management unit 76 as a power management level. Then, the power management unit 76 sums up the power consumption of each functional block and monitors the power consumption of each functional block collectively so that the power consumption does not exceed the limit power consumption.

The G bus arbiter 71 cooperatively controls the G bus 70 by a central arbitration method, and has a dedicated request signal and a permission signal for each bus master. A priority arbitration mode in which all bus masters have the same priority and the bus right is imparted equally, and a priority arbitration mode in which one of the bus masters preferentially uses the bus is given as a method of giving priority to the bus masters. One of the modes can be specified.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the scanner / printer controller 72. In the figure, the scanner / printer controller 72 has a first video I
The scanner controller 83 connected to the / F 55 and the printer controller 84 connected to the second video I / F 58 are connected via the CPU 85 to output image data transmitted from the reader unit 5 and output from the printer unit 6. A synchronization signal for horizontal and vertical synchronization of the image data to be transmitted is directly connected. The scanner controller 83 is connected to a first G bus / B bus I / F (interface) unit 86, and the printer controller 84 is connected to a second G bus / B bus I / F (interface). ) It is connected to the unit 87. That is, the scanner controller 83 and the printer controller 84
Each is independently connected to the G bus 70 and the B bus 73,
Data transfer and register read / write processing are performed.

As described above, four buses (P bus 67, M bus 68, G bus 70, and B bus 73) are connected to the bus controller 34, and the four buses are connected as simultaneously as possible. It is configured so that parallel connection can be secured.

FIG. 6 shows the bus controller 34 shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG. In the figure, a bus controller 34 includes a B bus I / F (interface) 88 for connecting to the B bus 73, a G bus I / F (interface) 89 for connecting to the G bus 70,
A CPU I / F (interface) slave unit 90 for connecting to the CPU 33, an address switch 92 for connecting to a memory controller 69, a data switch 93 for connecting to a data bus, and a cache memory 69a of the memory controller 69. A cache invalidation unit 94 for invalidating the cache.

The address switch 92 has a CP
The output from the UI / F slave unit 90 is supplied, and the output from the address switch 92 is supplied to the memory I / F (interface) master unit 91. The data switch 93 is connected to the CPU I / F slave unit 9.
0 and the memory I / F master unit 91 in both directions.

The G bus I / F 89 is a G bus I / F.
It has a slave unit 89a and a G bus I / F data unit 89b. The output of the G bus I / F slave unit 89a is supplied to an address switch 92. Data is exchanged with the data switch 93 in two directions. I do.

The B bus I / F 88 is a B bus I / F.
It has a slave section 88a, a B bus I / F master section 88b, and a B bus I / F data section 88c. The output of the B bus I / F slave section 88a is supplied to an address switch 92 and a cache invalidation unit 94. . Furthermore, B bus I /
The output from the address switch 92 is input to the F master unit 88b, and the B bus I / F data unit 88c bidirectionally exchanges data with the data switch 93.

As described above, the bus controller 34 can simultaneously establish two connections between the B bus 73, the G bus 70, the P bus 67, and the M bus 68 by the cross bus switch, and High-speed data transfer with high reliability can be realized.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will be described below, taking the image input / output device 1 having the above configuration as an example.

The present invention provides a function of detecting, when there is dust (dirt) which may significantly lower the image quality of a read image at the document drift reading position 15a in the reader unit 5, detecting the dust and notifying the user. This is mainly related to the operation timing of dust detection processing. Therefore, the dust detection algorithm is only an example.

Hereinafter, in the image input / output apparatus according to the present embodiment, the processing operation for detecting dust on the original flow reading position 15a at the operation timing after the user uses the original feeding section 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 7, first, in step S701, the user starts a normal document reading (copying) operation using the document feeder (DF) 10. At this time, the original image is transferred to the controller unit 9 as described above, and the scanner connector 56, the video I / F 55, the scanner I
The data is stored in the DRAM 38 via / F46. The DRA
The document image stored in M38 can be output by the printer unit 6 or transferred to an external PC (personal computer) or another image input / output device via the LAN 2 via the codec 40 and the network controller 42. is there.

Then, the flow advances to step S702 to read (copy) a document image using the document feeder (DF) 10.
Is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S703, and a process of detecting dust (dirt) present on the original scanning reading position 15a is performed.

Since the algorithm for dust detection will be described below, the dust detection process will be described with reference to FIG. The dust detection algorithm itself is not directly related to the present invention, but is merely an example.

In FIG. 8, first, in step S801, the scanner unit 7 receives an instruction from the controller unit 9 and causes the original platen glass and the back surface (15b in FIG. 2) of the original feeder unit 10 to be placed at the original flow reading position 15a. Perform a read of. The read image is transferred to the controller 9 in the same manner as the original image, and is transferred to the DRAM 3 via the scanner connector 56, the video I / F 55, and the scanner I / F 46.
8 is stored. At this time, when a normal document is scanned, the image can be binarized by the scanner I / F 46, or various image processing such as image density change or filter processing can be performed by the LUT.
In step 01, an image of 64 lines or more in the sub-scanning direction is taken into the DRAM 38 as a multi-valued image (256 gradations) for dust detection.

Next, the process proceeds to step S802, in which the controller 33 calculates the average value of the image read in step S801 and stored in the DRAM 38 in the sub-scanning direction by the CPU 33.

When the data of one line is, for example, 700 pixels and the number of lines is 64 lines, D
When (X, Y) is pixel data, X is coordinates in the Line (sub-scanning) direction, and Y is coordinates in the main scanning direction, Line <1>: D (1,1), D (1,2) , D
(1,3), D (1,4), ..., D
(1,7000) Line <2>: D (2,1), D (2,2), D
(2,3), D (2,4), ..., D
(2,7000) Line <3>: D (3,1), D (3,2), D
(3,3), D (3,4), ..., D
(3,7000) Line <4>: D (4,1), D (4,2), D
(4,3), D (4,4), ..., D
(4,7000) Line <64>: D (64,1), D (64,2),
D (64, 3), D (64, 4), ..., D (64, 70)
00) At this time, the average value in the sub-scanning direction is: Dii (x) = ｛(D (1, x) + D (2, x) + D
(3, x)... + D (64, x)｝ / 64.

Then, the flow advances to step S803 to calculate the average value in the sub-scanning direction obtained in step S802 as CP.
It is calculated by U33. Thereby, the average density AVE of the pixels in all the read lines is calculated by the following equation.

AVE = Dii (1) + Dii (2) + Dii
(3)... + Dii (7000) / 7000 Next, the process proceeds to step S804, where the CPU 33 calculates a dust detection determination level from a determination criterion that can be specified by the user.

In the present embodiment, the criterion that can be specified by the user is a value that is input in advance by the user through the panel I / F 62. For example, the average value of the criterion is 0 to 100 levels. Can be set as the multiplication rate Z of The multiplying ratio Z is determined in advance by the user through the panel I / F.
62, and the setting contents are E
Since the multiplication rate Z is stored in the EPROM 66,
U33 reads via the I / O control unit 51 (Read
To do).

In the above case, the judgment level is Jud.
ge = AVE × Z / 100.

Next, the flow advances to step S805, and an actual dirt (dust) detection operation is executed. This detection of dirt is determined to be "dirty" when the average value Dii (x)> Judge in the sub-scanning direction is satisfied. The CPU 33 writes this determination result in the DRAM 38 (Write
Do).

The dust detection processing in the flow shown in FIG. 8 is an example of the processing executed in step S703 in FIG.

After performing the dust detection processing in step S703 in FIG. 7, the flow advances to the next step S704 to save the dust detection result.

For storing the dust detection result, the CPU 33 of the controller 9 reads out the result of the dust detection in step S703 written on the DRAM 38, and writes the result in the EEPROM 66 via the I / O controller 51. Incidentally, since the EEPROM 66 is a nonvolatile memory, the dust detection result is retained even when the power of the image input / output apparatus 1 is turned off.

Next, the processing operation for notifying the user of the dust detection result will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The data of the dust detection result in step S703 in FIG.
66 is written.

Referring to FIG. 9, first, in step S901, the document feeding unit (DF) 10 detects (detects) that a document has been placed on the document feeding unit (DF) 10. Information that a document is detected by the document feeding unit (DF) 10 is notified to the CPU 33 via the reader unit 5 and the scanner I / F 46 of the controller unit 9. The CPU 33, which has been notified of the information that the original has been placed, proceeds to the next step S90.
The process proceeds to 2.

In step S902, the CPU 33 reads the contents written in the EEPROM 66 in step S704 in FIG. 7 through the I / O control unit 51.

Here, the detection result that there is no dust is EE
The case where the data is read from the PROM 66 is not directly related to the present invention, and the description thereof is omitted.

When data indicating that there is dust (detection result) is read from the EEPROM 66, the CPU
The process proceeds to the next step S903.

In the step S903, the CPU 33 sets the I
A request is made to the LCD controller 60 via the / O control unit 51, and a message as shown in FIG. 10A is displayed on the panel I / F 62. The user is required to enter the information shown in FIG.
By reading the message shown in (1), it is possible to know that the platen glass at the document flow reading position 15a is dirty, and to select whether or not to clean the platen glass.

When the user selects “clean”, the CPU 33 advances the process to the next step S904. Here, twice, the CPU 33 operates the panel I / F 6
2 and a message as shown in FIG. 10C is displayed on the panel I / F 62.

In step S904, whether the user has selected or canceled the cleaning,
The CPU 33 advances the process to step S907, and ends this processing operation.

On the other hand, if the user selects “do not perform cleaning” in step S903,
The message as shown in FIG.
/ F62, and displays it on the panel I / F62. The user can also clean, cancel, or change the dust detection level here.

If "clean" is selected, the CPU 33 advances the process to step S904. If "change of dust detection level" is selected, the process proceeds to step S906, and the user can change the dust detection level. The contents of the dust detection level changed here are sent from the CPU 33 to the I / O control unit 51.
Is written to the EEPROM 66 via the. The content of the dust detection level written in the EEPROM 66 is read out by the CPU 33 and used as the multiplying factor Z when calculating the determination level in step S804 in FIG.

When the process of changing the dust detection level is completed,
The CPU 33 advances the process to step S907,
This processing operation ends.

According to the above procedure, the document feeder (DF) 1
After the original reading operation from 0, a dust detection operation can be performed. Thereby, FCOT (FirstC
dust, and the like, can be detected without affecting the image output, and when the dust is detected, the user is notified at an appropriate timing before the user reads the document image using the document feeding unit 10. can do.

In the image input / output device 1 according to the present embodiment, the functions of the present embodiment described above are realized by a computer reading and executing a control program stored in a storage medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and performs part or all of actual processing such as an OS (Operating System) running on a computer based on an instruction of the control program, and executes the processing. It goes without saying that a case where the function of the present embodiment described above is realized is also included.

The storage medium for storing the control program includes, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM (Co-ROM).
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
ry), CD-R (Compact Disk Rec)
order, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM chip, or the like.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The basic configuration of the image input / output device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 6 of the above-described first embodiment. It will be explained.

In the above-described first embodiment, dust (dirt) at the document flow reading position 15a is detected after the document image is read using the document feeder (DF) 10. In the embodiment, the image input / output device 1 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment described above is taken as an example. (Dirt) is detected.

The processing operation for detecting dust on the original flow reading position 15a at the operation timing after the user has read the original image using the pressure plate will be described below with reference to FIG.
1 and the flowchart of FIG.

In FIG. 11, first, at step S110
In step 1, the user starts a normal document reading operation using the pressure plate. At this time, the original image is transferred to the controller unit 9 as described above, and is transferred to the DRAM 3 via the scanner connector 56, the video I / F 55, and the scanner I / F 46.
8 is stored. The image data stored in the DRAM 38 is output by the printer unit 6 or transmitted to the LA 38 via the codec 40 and the network controller 42.
The data can be transferred to an external PC or another image input / output device 1 through N2.

The flow advances to step S1102 to finish reading the original image from the pressure plate.
The process proceeds to dust detection processing operation 103.

From here, the algorithm for dust detection will be described. Since the dust detection processing operation is the same as that of FIG. 8 of the first embodiment, its description is omitted.

After performing the dust detection processing, the flow advances to step S1104 to save the dust detection result.

For storing the dust detection result, the CPU 33 of the controller 9 reads out the result of the dust detection in step S1103 written in the DRAM 38, and writes the result in the EEPROM 66 via the I / O control unit 51. Incidentally, since the EEPROM 66 is a nonvolatile memory, the dust detection result is retained even when the power of the image input / output apparatus 1 is turned off.

Next, the processing operation for notifying the user of the dust detection result is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the description is omitted.

According to the above procedure, dust detection can be performed after the operation of reading the original image from the pressure plate. As a result, FCOT (First Copy Out Tim)
e) It is possible to detect dust without affecting the like, and to detect dust even if the dust falls on the platen when reading a document image using the pressure plate. . Further, when dust is detected, the user can be notified at an appropriate timing before reading the document image using the document feeding unit 10.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

The basic configuration of the image input / output device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 6 of the above-described first embodiment. It will be explained.

In this embodiment, the processing operation from the start of reading an original image using the original feeder (DF) 10 to the storage of the dust detection result will be described in the first embodiment. Since this is the same as FIG. 7 of the embodiment, its description is omitted.

Further, the dust detection processing operation in the present embodiment is the same as that in the above-described first embodiment shown in FIG.

However, in the dust detection processing operation in the present embodiment, the data written by the CPU 33 to the DRAM 38 indicates whether or not dust is detected, and indicates the position of the dust when dust is detected. Data.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the platen glass 15 to which dust adheres, as viewed from above. If dust is present on the platen glass 15 as shown in the figure, the coordinates of the dust can be detected from the image data used for dust detection by means such as the algorithm described above. is there.

In FIG. 14, 15 is a platen glass,
Reference numeral 15a denotes a document flow reading position, and 1500 denotes dust adhering on the platen glass 15.

In this embodiment, after detecting dust in step S703 in FIG. 7, dust detection result information including dust position coordinate information is stored in the next step S704.

Next, the processing operation of notifying the user of the dust detection result will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Note that steps S1201 to S1201 in FIG.
Step S1207 is the same as step S901 to step S907 in FIG. 9 of the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted, and only processing steps unique to this embodiment will be described.

In FIG. 12, when the user wants to confirm the cleaning result on the screen shown in FIG. 10C in step S1204, he presses the cleaning confirmation button. In this case C
The PU 33 proceeds to the process in step S1208.

In step S1208, the user enters
According to the display as shown in FIG. 3A, a blank document is set in the document feeding unit 10, and then the cleaning confirmation button is pressed. Here, if the cancel button is selected, the CPU 33
Shifts to the process of step S1207, and ends this processing operation.

On the other hand, if the cleaning confirmation button has been pressed in step S1204, the CPU 33 proceeds to the processing in step S1208.

In step S1208, the CPU 33 executes
A blank document is fed from the document feeding unit 10 to the scanner unit 11 via the scanner I / F 46 and the serial I / F 54,
Indicates to read an image.

The scanner unit 11 instructs the original feeding unit 10 to feed the original, moves the optical unit 17 to the original reading position 15a, and starts irradiation by the lamp 16. The document feeding unit 10 feeds a document in accordance with an instruction from the scanner unit 11, and instructs the scanner unit 11 to start reading when the leading edge of the document reaches the document moving reading position 15a. In the scanner section 11, an image is read by the CCD 22, and the read image data is transferred to the controller 9 after performing predetermined processing. The CPU 33 detects dust present on the image from the transferred image data.

From here on, the algorithm for dust detection is the same as that of FIG. 8 in the first embodiment described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

If no dust is detected in step S1208, the CPU 33 proceeds to step S1208.
Proceed to step 209.

In step S1209, a message as shown in FIG. 13 (b) is displayed on the screen, and the process proceeds to step S1207 to end this processing operation.

If dust is detected in step S1208, the CPU 33 returns to the processing in step S1203.

According to the above procedure, the document feeder (DF) 1
After the original reading operation from 0, a dust detection operation can be performed. Thereby, FCOT (FirstC
dust, and the like, can be detected without affecting the image output, and when the dust is detected, the user is notified at an appropriate timing before the user reads the document image using the document feeding unit 10. can do.

When dust is detected, the dust is cleaned and a blank document is used for scanning.
Since it is possible to easily and reliably determine whether dust is located on the upper surface of the document as shown in FIG. 15B or whether dust is located on the lower surface of the document as shown in FIG. In the case shown in FIG. 15B that does not cause a problem when reading, it is possible to notify the user of a correct dust detection result by not giving notification of dust detection to the user.

Note that other configurations and operations in the present embodiment are the same as those in the above-described first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

This embodiment is also applicable to the case where dust detection is performed after using the pressure plate without using the document feeding unit 10 as in the second embodiment described above. It is.

As described in detail above, according to the image input apparatus of the present embodiment, after the original image is read from the original platen or after the original image is read from the original feeder, By performing the detection operation of (dust adhesion) and storing the detection result information, it is possible to detect the contamination at the original flowing reading position without impairing the starting speed of the original image reading operation. In addition, since the dirt is detected even when the original image is read using the pressure plate, even if the dust is dropped on the original platen from the original feeding unit due to the opening and closing of the pressure plate, the dirt is reliably detected. Can be detected. In addition, when a document is placed on the document feeding unit, the dust detection result is notified to the user, so that the user can obtain the dust detection result at an optimal timing.

Further, when dust is detected, a scan using a blank document is performed after cleaning, so that it is easy to determine whether the dust is located on the upper surface of the document or the lower surface of the document. If there is dust on the upper surface of the document that does not cause a problem during normal image reading, it is possible to notify the user of the correct dust detection result by not notifying the user of dust detection. It becomes possible.

[0189]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the dirt is detected after the reading of the original image is completed, the dirt on the original table can be detected without disturbing the original image reading operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image input / output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an internal configuration of the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller unit in the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main controller in the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a scanner / printer controller in the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a bus controller in the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a dust detection processing sequence at a document flow reading position in the image input / output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of dust detection processing of a document flow reading position in the image input / output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a dust detection processing sequence at a document moving reading position in the image input / output apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen at the time of detecting a dust at a document flow reading position in the image input / output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a dust detection processing sequence at a document flow reading position in the image input / output apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a dust detection processing sequence at a document moving reading position in the image input / output apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen at the time of detecting dust in a document flow reading position in the image input / output device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a position of dust on a document flow reading position in the image input / output device.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing a position of dust on a document flow reading position in the image input / output device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 Image input / output device 2 LAN 3 Host computer 4 Host computer 5 Reader unit 6 Printer unit 7 Operation unit 8 CD-ROM drive 9 Controller unit 10 Document feed unit (DF) 11 Scanner unit 12 Paper feed unit 12a Paper feed cassette 12b Paper feed cassette 13 Marking unit 14 Paper discharge unit 15 Platen glass (document table) 15a Document flow reading position 16 Lamp 17 Optical unit 18 Mirror 19 Mirror 20 Mirror 21 Lens 22 CCD image sensor 23 Laser driver 24 Laser light emitting unit 25 Photosensitive drum 26 Developing device 27 Transfer unit 28 Fixing unit 29 Discharge roller 30 Flapper 31 Refeeding conveyance path 32 Main controller 33 CPU 34 Bus controller 35 ROM I / F 36 ROM 37 DRAM I / F 38 DRA 39 codec I / F 40 codec 41 network I / F 42 network controller 43 SRAM 44 network 45 scanner bus 46 scanner I / F 47 printer bus 48 printer I / F 49 general-purpose high-speed bus 50 expansion connector 51 input / output control unit (I / O controller) 52 serial communication controller 53 I / O bus 54 first start-stop synchronous serial I / F 55 first video I / F 56 scanner connector 57 second start-stop synchronous serial I / F 58 second video I / F 59 Printer connector 60 LCD controller 61 Key input I / F 62 Panel I / F 63 E-IDE connector 64 Real-time clock module 65 Backup battery 66 EEPROM 67 Processor bus (P bus) 68 Local (M bus) 69 Memory controller 69a Cache memory 70 Graphics bus (G bus) 71 G bus arbiter 72 Scan printer controller 73 I / O bus (B bus) 74 B bus arbiter 75 Interrupt controller 76 Power management unit 77 Serial I / F Controller 78 USB controller 79 Parallel controller 80 LAN controller 81 General-purpose input / output controller 82 PCI bus I / F 83 Scanner controller 84 Printer controller 85 CP bus 86 First G bus / B bus I / F unit 87 Second G bus / B bus / I / F unit 88 B bus I / F 88a B bus I / F slave unit 88b B bus I / F master unit 88c B bus I / F data unit 89 G bus I / F 89a G bus I / F slave unit 89b G bus I / F data unit 90 CPU I / F slave unit 91 memory I / F master unit 92 address switch 92a sequencer 93 data switch 94 cache invalidation unit

Claims (74)

[Claims] 1. An image input method for reading a document image by an image reading device provided with an image reading means for reading a document image, wherein a stain on a document table interposed between the image reading means and the document is detected. An image input method, comprising: a dirt detecting step for performing the dirt detection; and a control step of performing control such that dirt on the document table is detected by the dirt detecting step after reading of the document image is completed. 2. The image input method according to claim 1, wherein said image reading apparatus has a document conveying means for automatically conveying said document to a reading position of said image reading means. 3. The image according to claim 2, wherein the position of the image reading unit is fixed, and the document conveying unit automatically conveys the document on the image reading unit at a constant speed. input method. 4. The image input method according to claim 1, wherein said image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device). 5. The image input method according to claim 1, wherein the document placing table is made of a translucent material. 6. The image input method according to claim 5, wherein said translucent material is transparent glass. 7. The image input method according to claim 1, further comprising a storage step of, when the attached matter is detected in the attached matter detecting step, storing a result of the detection in a storage unit. 8. An image input method according to claim 7, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. 9. The image input method according to claim 7, wherein said storage means is provided in said image input device. 10. A detection result reading step of accessing the storage means at a timing when the document is set on the document conveyance means and reading a detection result of the dirt detection step.
8. The image input method according to claim 7, further comprising a detection result display step of displaying, using a display unit, a detection result of the dirt detection step read by the detection result reading step. 11. The image input method according to claim 1, wherein the stain is dust attached. 12. The image input method according to claim 10, wherein said display means is provided in said image input device. 13. An image input apparatus comprising image reading means for reading a document image, wherein the document detecting means detects a stain on a document table interposed between the image reading means and the document, and a document image. And control means for controlling the dirt detecting means to detect dirt on the document table after the reading of the document is completed. 14. The image input apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a document conveying means for automatically conveying said document to said image reading means. 15. The position of the image reading means is fixed,
2. The document conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the document conveying device automatically conveys the document on the image reading device at a constant speed.
4. The image input device according to 4. 16. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device).
5. The image input device according to 5. 17. The image input apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said document table is made of a translucent material. 18. The image input device according to claim 17, wherein said translucent material is transparent glass. 19. The image input apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising storage means for storing a detection result when said dirt is detected by said dirt detection means. 20. The image input device according to claim 19, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. 21. A detection result reading means for accessing the storage means at a timing when the document is set in the document conveying means and reading a detection result of the stain detecting means,
20. The image input device according to claim 19, further comprising: a detection result display unit that displays a detection result of the dirt detection unit read by the detection result reading unit. 22. The image input device according to claim 13, wherein the stain is dust attached. 23. An image reading means for reading a document image,
An image input method for reading a document image by an image input device having a document conveying means for conveying a document to the image reading means, wherein a stain on a document table interposed between the image reading means and the document is removed. A dirt detection step for detecting, a dirt detection process executed by the dirt detection step, a storage step of storing the detection result in a storage means, a display step of displaying the dirt detection step detection result, Even if the original image is read using the means, or even if the original image is read without using the original conveying means, the dirt detecting step is performed after the original image is read. When the first dirt detection process is controlled to be executed and the detection result is stored in the storage step, and the dirt is detected in the dirt detection step Image input method characterized by a control step of controlling to perform a second round of contamination detection processing again by the contamination detection step using a blank document. 24. The image input method according to claim 23, wherein said document conveying means automatically conveys said document to said image reading means. 25. A position of the image reading means is fixed,
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the document conveying means automatically conveys the document on the image reading means at a constant speed.
The image input method according to 3 or 24. 26. The image processing device according to claim 23, wherein said image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device).
5. The image input method according to 5. 27. The image input method according to claim 23, wherein the document placing table is made of a translucent material. 28. The image input method according to claim 27, wherein said translucent material is transparent glass. 29. The dirt detecting step, when the dirt is detected, detects a result of whether the dirt is detected and position information of the dirt. Image input method described. 30. A detection result reading step of reading the detection result of the dirt detection step by accessing the storage means at a timing when the document is set on the document conveyance means, and the detection result display step includes the detection result reading step. 30. The image input method according to claim 29, wherein the detection result of the dirt detection step read by the result reading step is displayed using a display unit. 31. When the dirt is detected by the first dirt detection process, the dirt detection result and the position information of the dirt are stored in the storage means, and the second dirt is detected.
The result of detecting the dirt by the second dirt detection process is compared with the position information of the dirt stored in the storage means by the first dirt detection process, and the dirt is detected by the second dirt detection process. 31. The image input method according to claim 30, wherein, if not detected, the display step does not display that the dirt is detected. 32. The image input method according to claim 23, wherein the dirt is dust attached. 33. The image input method according to claim 23, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. 34. Image reading means for reading a document image,
An image input device comprising: a document conveying unit configured to convey a document to the image reading unit; and a stain detection unit configured to detect a stain on a document table interposed between the image reading unit and the document. When a dirt detection process is performed by the dirt detection device, a storage device that stores a result of the detection, a display device that displays a detection result of the dirt detection device, and a document image is read using the document conveyance device. Even if the original image is read without using the original conveying means, the first dirt detection process is performed by the dirt detecting means after the original image reading is completed. And the detection result is stored in the storage means. If the dirt is detected by the dirt detecting means, the dirt detecting means uses the white paper original again to perform the second detection. An image input apparatus characterized by a control means for controlling to perform the eye contamination detection process. 35. The image input apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said document conveying means automatically conveys said document to said image reading means. 36. The position of the image reading means is fixed,
4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the document conveying means automatically conveys the document on the image reading means at a constant speed.
36. The image input device according to 4 or 35. 37. The image reading device according to claim 34, wherein the image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device).
6. The image input device according to 6. 38. The image input apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said document placing table is made of a translucent material. 39. An image input method according to claim 38, wherein said translucent material is transparent glass. 40. The dirt detecting means, when the dirt is detected, detects a result of whether the dirt is detected and position information of the dirt. The image input device according to the above. 41. A detection result reading means for accessing the storage means and reading a detection result of the stain detection means at a timing when the document is set on the document conveyance means, and a detection result display means for detecting the detection result. 41. The image input device according to claim 40, wherein the detection result read by the result reading means by the dirt detection means is displayed using a display means. 42. When the dirt is detected by the first dirt detection processing, the dirt detection result and the position information of the dirt are stored in the storage means, and the second dirt is detected.
The result of detecting the dirt by the second dirt detection process is compared with the position information of the dirt stored in the storage means by the first dirt detection process, and the dirt is detected by the second dirt detection process. 42. The image input device according to claim 41, wherein when the dirt is not detected, the display means does not display that the dirt is detected. 43. An image input apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said dirt is dust attached. 44. The image input device according to claim 34, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. 45. A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image input device having an image reading means for reading a document image, wherein the control program is provided between the image reading means and the document. A dirt detection module that detects dirt adhering to the interposed document mounting table, and a control module that controls the dirt detection module to detect dirt adhering to the document mounting table after reading of the original image is completed. Characteristic storage medium. 46. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said control program has a document transport module for automatically transporting said document to said image reading means. 47. A position of the image reading means being fixed,
47. The storage medium according to claim 46, wherein the document transport module automatically transports the document over the image reading unit at a constant speed. 48. The apparatus according to claim 45, wherein said image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device).
7. The storage medium according to 7. 49. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said document table is made of a translucent material. 50. The storage medium according to claim 49, wherein said translucent material is transparent glass. 51. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the control program has a storage module for storing a detection result in a storage means when the dirt is detected by the dirt detection module. 52. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the dirt is dust attached. 53. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. 54. A detection result reading module, wherein the control program accesses the storage means at a timing when the document is set on the document conveying means and reads a detection result of the dirt detection module, and the detection result reading module. 52. The storage medium according to claim 51, further comprising: a detection result display module for displaying a detection result of the dirt detection module read by the method. 55. An image reading means for reading a document image,
A storage medium storing a control program for controlling an image input device including a document conveying unit that conveys a document to the image reading unit, wherein the control program is provided between the image reading unit and the document. A dirt detection module for detecting dirt adhering to the document table interposed between the dirt detection module, a dirt detection process executed by the dirt detection module, a storage module for storing the detection result in storage means, and detection of the dirt detection module A display module for displaying the result and a case where a document image is read using the document transport unit or a case where a document image is read without using the document transport unit After the reading of the original image is completed, control is performed by the dirt detection module to execute the first dirt detection processing, and the detection is performed. A control module for storing the same in the storage means, and controlling the second dirt detection process to be performed again by the dirt detection module using a blank document when the dirt is detected by the dirt detection module. A storage medium characterized by having: 56. The storage medium according to claim 55, wherein said document conveying means automatically conveys said document to said image reading means. 57. A position of the image reading means is fixed,
6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the document conveying means automatically conveys the document on the image reading means at a constant speed.
56. The storage medium according to 5 or 56. 58. The image reading device according to claim 55, wherein the image reading means is a CCD (image pickup device).
7. The storage medium according to 7. 59. The storage medium according to claim 55, wherein said document table is made of a translucent material. 60. The storage medium according to claim 59, wherein said translucent material is transparent glass. 61. The dirt detecting module according to claim 55, wherein when the dirt is detected, a result of whether or not the dirt is detected and position information of the dirt are detected. The storage medium according to the above. 62. The control program, further comprising: a detection result reading module for accessing the storage means at a timing when the document is set in the document conveying means and reading a detection result of the dirt detection module, and displaying the detection result. 62. The storage medium according to claim 61, wherein the module displays a detection result of the dirt detection module read by the detection result reading module using a display unit. 63. When the dirt is detected by the first dirt detection processing, the dirt detection result and the position information of the dirt are stored in the storage means, and the second dirt is detected.
The result of detecting the dirt by the second dirt detection processing is compared with the position information of the dirt stored in the storage means by the first dirt detection processing, and the dirt is detected by the second dirt detection processing. 63. The storage medium according to claim 62, wherein, if not detected, the display means does not display that the dirt has been detected. 64. The storage medium according to claim 55, wherein the stain is dust attached. 65. A storage medium according to claim 55, wherein said storage means is a nonvolatile storage means. 66. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the storage medium is a floppy (registered trademark) disk.
65. The storage medium according to 65. 67. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said storage medium is a hard disk. 68. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said storage medium is an optical disk. 69. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said storage medium is a magneto-optical disk. 70. The storage medium is a CD-ROM (Co-ROM).
mpact Disk Read Only Memo
70. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the storage medium is ry). The storage medium may be a CD-R (Comp)
The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the storage medium is an act disk recordable. 72. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein said storage medium is a magnetic tape. 73. The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the storage medium is a nonvolatile memory card.
The storage medium according to the above. The storage medium may be a ROM (Read).
The storage medium according to claim 45, wherein the storage medium is an Only Memory (chip) chip.