JP2003078670A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus with an original set direction detection function, which enhances the original set direction detection accuracy in an operation mode where much real time performance is not required for network scanning while maintaining the copy performance. SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is provided with an image input means that receives an image signal read from an original, an image storage means that stores the image signal received by the image input means, a plurality of output means that output the image signal, a control means that controls output images from the image output means, and an original set direction discrimination means that discriminates the direction of a placed original and outputs the result of discrimination corresponding to the original. In the image forming apparatus for controlling the control means according to the result of discrimination, the original set direction discrimination means outputs the result of discrimination within a predetermined processing time and controls the processing time of the original set direction discrimination means depending on the image output means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing device such as a copying machine / printer / scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, copying machines have been able to improve work efficiency by mounting accessories such as an automatic document feeder and an automatic collator. Further, a digital copying machine has been devised, and more advanced functions have been realized by handling images as digital information.

For example, a reduction layout function for collectively printing a plurality of originals on one sheet and a function for originals for detecting the direction of characters on the originals have been proposed. With this function, it is not necessary to pay attention to the orientation of the document when performing the reduction layout, and it is possible to reduce copy mistakes.

However, in order to detect the orientation of the document, it is necessary to judge each character one by one. Therefore, if the number of characters increases, it takes too much time for the maximum processing speed of the device such as scanning speed and printing speed. However, there is a problem that the performance of the device is degraded as a result. In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed a method of setting a time limit on the processing time for detecting the orientation of the characters on a document.

[0005]

However, if the processing time is short, there is a problem that the accuracy of the orientation determination of the characters of the original document deteriorates. As a result, there is a problem that the detection accuracy of the document orientation determination is lowered even in network scanning or FAX transmission, which generally does not require real-time processing as compared with copying.

[0006]

In view of the above points, according to the present invention, the following problems are solved by taking the following means.

That is, in an image processing apparatus that has means for reading a document and converting it into an image signal and holding it in a memory means for outputting the image signal, a plurality of image output means for outputting the image signal, the image Control means for controlling the output image of the output means, original orientation determining means for determining the orientation in which the original is placed and outputting a determination result corresponding to the original, and image forming for controlling the control means by the determination result In the apparatus, the document orientation determination means outputs the determination result within a predetermined processing time, and controls the processing time of the document orientation determination means according to the image output means, thereby eliminating the above-mentioned problem. is there.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As a preferred embodiment, a copying machine will be described in detail below. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

(Overall Configuration) An overall configuration diagram is shown in FIG.

Controller unit 2000
Is connected to a scanner 2020 which is an image input device and a printer 2019 which is an image output device, while a LAN 2011 and a public line (WAN) 20 are connected.
21 is a controller for inputting and outputting image information and device information by connecting 21.

The CPU 2001 is a controller that controls the entire system. RAM 2004 is CPU 2001
Is a system work memory for operating, and is also an image memory for temporarily storing image data. Boo
The tROM 2002 is a boot ROM that stores a system boot program. Backup RAM
Reference numeral 2003 denotes a battery-backed RAM that stores device-specific information such as user settings and counter values.

Peripheral device I / F 2006 is HDD 2007
Controls serial communication, parallel communication, and interrupt signals. HDD2007 is a hard disk drive,
Stores system software and image data. The operation unit I / F 2009 is an interface unit with the operation unit (UI) 2008 and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2008. In addition, it plays a role of transmitting information input by the system user from the operation unit 2008 to the CPU 2001. Modem 2005 connects to the public line 2021,
Input and output information. The above buses are system buses 201
Placed on the 4th.

The image bus 2022 is a bus mainly for transferring image data at high speed, and is PCI or IEEE1394.
It consists of a high-speed shared bus like. Image bus 202
The following devices are arranged on the device 2. Network
Reference numeral 2010 is connected to the LAN 2011 to input / output image data and other information. A raster image processor (RIP) 2012 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The image bus I / F unit 2013 includes a scanner image processing 2080, a printer image processing 2090 and a C
The PU 2001 is connected to perform synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data processed by the scanner 2020 or the printer 2019 which is an image input / output device.

The scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. Image compression / decompression /
The rotation units 2030 and 2040 perform compression / expansion / rotation of the value image data. The compression / decompression processing is JBIG, MMR, MH for binary image data and JPE for multi-valued image data.
However, the compression method is not limited to this, and any compression method may be used.

(Image Input / Output Section) An image input / output device is shown in FIG. Scanner unit 2020 which is an image input device
Illuminates an image on a paper as an original and scans a CCD line sensor (not shown) to convert it into an electrical signal as raster image data 2071. Document sheets are set on the tray 2073 of the document feeder 2072, and the controller CPU 2001 causes the scanner CPU 202 to scan the scanner 202 when the apparatus user issues a reading start instruction from the operation unit 2008.
An instruction is given to 0 (2071), and the feeder 2072 feeds the original sheets one by one to read the original image.

A printer unit 201 which is an image output device
Reference numeral 9 is a portion for converting the raster image data 2096 into an image on a sheet. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a minute nozzle array to directly form an image on the sheet. Although there is an ink jet system for printing, etc., any system may be used. The print operation is started by an instruction 2096 from the controller CPU 2001. The printer unit 2019 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and there are paper cassettes 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104 corresponding thereto.
The paper discharge tray 2111 receives the printed paper.

(Operation Unit) The configuration of the operation unit 2008 is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit 2113 has a touch panel sheet attached on the LCD, displays the operation screen of the system, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU 2001 when the displayed key is pressed. The start key 2114 is used when starting the reading operation of the original image. At the center of the start key 2114, there are two-color LEDs 2118 for green and red, and the color indicates whether the start key 2114 is ready for use. The stop key 2115 functions to stop the operation in progress. J
The D key 2116 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key 2117 is used when initializing the settings from the operation unit.

(Scanner Image Processing Unit) FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the scanner image processing unit 2080. Image bus I / F 201
The scanner image processing unit 208 is connected to the image bus 2022 and controls the bus access sequence.
Generates control and timing of each device within 0.

The image data 2071 input from the scanner 2020 is input to the filter processing unit 2082, and convolution calculation is performed by the spatial filter. Editing unit 2083
Recognizes a closed area surrounded by a marker pen from the input image data, and performs image processing such as shadowing, shading, and negative / positive inversion on the image data in the closed area. The scaling processing unit 2084 performs interpolation calculation in the main scanning direction of a raster image to change the resolution of the read image, thereby performing enlargement / reduction.

The scaling in the sub-scanning direction is performed by changing the scanning speed of the image reading line sensor (not shown). The table 2085 is a table conversion that is performed in order to convert the read image data that is the brightness data into the density data. The binarization 2086 binarizes multi-value grayscale image data by error diffusion processing or screen processing.

The processed image data is stored in the image bus I.
The data is transferred to the image bus 2022 via the / F2013.

(Printer Image Processing Unit) FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the printer image processing unit 2090. Image bus I / F 201
3 is connected to the image bus 2022, controls the bus access sequence, and the printer image processing unit 209.
Generates control and timing of each device within 0.
The resolution conversion unit 2092 performs resolution conversion for converting the image data coming from the Network 2011 or the public line 2021 into the resolution of the printer 2095.
The smoothing processing unit 2093 performs processing for smoothing jaggies (roughness of an image appearing at a black-and-white boundary portion such as a diagonal line) of image data after resolution conversion.

(Image Compression / Expansion / Rotation Unit) FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the image compression / expansion / rotation units 2030 and 2040. The image bus I / F controller 2041 is the image bus 202.
2 and functions to control the bus access sequence, and performs timing control for exchanging data with the input buffer 2042 and output buffer 2045, and mode setting for the image compression / expansion / rotation unit 2043. . The image compression / decompression processing procedure is shown below.

The CPU 200 is connected via the image bus 2022.
From 1 to the image bus I / F controller 2041, settings for image compression / expansion control are performed. With this setting, the image bus I / F controller 2041 makes necessary settings for the image compression / decompression / rotation unit 2043 (for example, MMR compression / decompression).
JBIG extension). After making the necessary settings, the CPU 2001 again sets the image bus I / F controller 20.
The image data transfer permission is given to 41. In accordance with this permission, the image bus I / F controller 2041 has the RAM 2
004 or image data transfer from each device on the image bus 2022 is started. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and the image compression unit 204
The image is transferred at a constant speed in accordance with the image data request of No. 3.

At this time, the input buffer determines whether the image data can be transferred between the image bus I / F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, reads the image data from the image bus 2022, and If the image cannot be written to the compression unit 2043,
Control is performed so as not to transfer data (hereinafter, such control is referred to as handshake).

The image compression unit 2043 temporarily stores the received image data in the RAM 2044. This is because several lines of data are required when performing image compression depending on the type of image compression processing to be performed, and several lines of image data must be prepared in order to perform the first one line of compression. This is because image compression cannot be performed unless it is empty. The image data subjected to the image compression is immediately sent to the output buffer 2045.

In the output buffer 2045, the image bus I /
Handshaking is performed with the F controller 2041 and the image compression unit 2043, and the image data is transferred to the image bus I / F controller 2041. The image bus I / F controller 2041 transfers the transferred (or expanded) image data to the RAM 2004 or the image bus 202.
2. Transfer data to each device on 2. This series of processes is repeated until there is no processing request from the CPU 2001 (when the processing for the required number of pages is completed) or until a stop request is issued from this image compression unit (when an error occurs during compression and expansion). Be done.

Next, the processing procedure of the image rotation unit will be described.

The CPU 200 is connected via the image bus 2022.
From 1 to the image bus I / F controller 2041, settings for image rotation control are performed. With this setting, the image bus I /
The F controller 2041 makes settings necessary for image rotation (for example, image size, rotation direction / angle, etc.) to the image rotation unit 2043. After making the necessary settings, CP again
The U2001 permits the image bus I / F controller 2041 to transfer image data. According to this permission,
The image bus I / F controller 2031 is a RAM 2004
Starts the transfer of image data. 32b here
The image size to rotate with it as its size is 32 × 3
2 (bit), and when transferring image data to the image bus 2022, image transfer is performed in units of 32 bits (the image to be handled is assumed to be binary).

As described above, in order to obtain a 32 × 32 (bit) image, it is necessary to perform the above-described unit data transfer 32 times, and it is necessary to transfer image data from discontinuous addresses ( (See FIG. 7). The image data transferred by the discontinuous addressing is written in the RAM 2044 so as to be rotated at a desired angle at the time of reading.

For example, in the case of 90 ° counterclockwise rotation,
The initially transferred 32-bit image data is written in the Y direction as shown in FIG. The image is rotated by reading in the X direction at the time of reading. The received image data is temporarily stored in the input buffer 2042, and data is transferred by handshaking with the image rotation unit 2043.

32 × 32 (bit) image rotation (RAM
(Writing to 2044) is completed, the image rotation unit 20
43 reads the image data from the RAM 2044 by the above-mentioned reading method, sends it to the output buffer 2045, and transfers the image to the image bus I / F controller 2041 by handshaking. The image bus I / F controller 2041 which has received the image data that has been subjected to the rotation processing, uses the RAM 2004 or the image bus 2 with continuous addressing.
Data is transferred to each device on 022.

The image rotation processing has been described when the image is input to the image bus I / F controller 2041, but the image rotation can be performed when the image is output to the image bus 2022 by the same procedure, but the description is omitted. It is also possible to combine the image rotation process and the image compression process, and the image expansion process and the image rotation process.

(Image bus I / F unit) Image bus I / F unit 2
The configuration of 013 is shown in FIG. The image bus I / F controller 2121 is connected to the image bus 2022, functions to control the bus access sequence, and controls and timings of each device in the image bus I / F unit 2013. In addition, the external scanner 2020 and printer 20
Generate a control signal to 19. Scan buffer 21
Reference numeral 22 temporarily stores the image data sent from the scanner 2020, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the image bus 2022.

The serial-parallel / parallel-serial converter 2123 arranges or decomposes the image data stored in the scan buffer 2122 in order, and converts the image data into a data width of image data that can be transferred to the image bus 2022. Parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2124
Disassembles the image data transferred from the image bus 2122 or arranges the image data in order, and the print buffer 212
Convert to the data width of the image data that can be stored in 5. The print buffer 2125 temporarily stores the image data sent from the image bus 2022, and outputs the image data in synchronization with the printer 2019.

The processing procedure during image scanning is shown below.
The image data sent from the scanner 2020 is saved in the scan buffer 2122 in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the scanner 2020. When the image bus 2022 is a PCI bus, when 32 bits or more of image data is stored in the buffer, the image data is sent in 32 bits on a first-in first-out basis from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2123.
It is converted to bit image data and transferred to the image bus 2022 through the image bus I / F controller 2121.

In addition, the image bus 2022 is IEEE139.
In the case of 4, the image data in the buffer is sent on a first-in first-out basis, sent from the buffer to the serial-parallel / parallel-serial conversion 2123, converted into serial image data, and sent to the image bus 2 through the image bus I / F controller 2121.
022 on.

The processing procedure for printing an image is shown below.
If the image bus 2022 is a PCI bus, the 32-bit image data sent from the image bus is transferred to the image bus I / O.
The F controller receives it, sends it to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel converter 2124, decomposes it into image data of the number of input data bits of the printer 2019, and stores it in the print buffer 2125.

Further, the image bus 2022 is IEEE139.
In the case of 4, the image bus I / F controller receives the serial image data sent from the image bus and sends it to the parallel-serial / serial-parallel conversion 2124.
The image data having the number of input data bits of the printer 2019 is converted and stored in the print buffer 2125. Then, in synchronization with the timing signal sent from the printer 2019, the image data in the buffer is sent to the printer 2019 on a first-in first-out basis.

[Software] (Whole System) FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of the whole network system of the present invention. An apparatus 1001 of the present invention includes a scanner and a printer, which will be described later, and an image read from the scanner is read by a local area network 1010.
An image received from the LAN can be printed out by a printer. In addition, the image read from the scanner is transmitted to the P
Send to STN or ISDN (1030), PS
The image received from the TN or ISDN can be printed out by the printer.

A database server 1002 manages a binary image and a multivalued image read by the apparatus 1001 of the present invention as a database. 1003 is a database client of the database server 1002,
Image data stored in the database 1002 can be browsed / searched. 1004 is an electronic mail server,
The image read by the device 1001 of the present invention can be received as an attachment of an electronic mail.

An e-mail client 1005 is capable of receiving and viewing the mail received by the e-mail server 1004 and transmitting the e-mail. WWW 1006 provides HTML document to LAN
The server can print out the HTML document provided by the WWW server by the device 1001 of the present invention. 10
A router 07 connects the LAN 1010 to the Internet / Intranet 1012. On the Internet / Intranet, the database server (100
2), a WWW server (1006), an electronic mail server (1004), and a device similar to the device (1001) of the present invention, respectively 1020, 1021, 1022, 1023.
Are linked together.

On the other hand, the device 1001 of the present invention is
Or, via the ISDN (1030), the FAX machine 10
It is possible to send and receive with 31. A printer I040 is also connected to the LAN, and the device 1001 of the present invention is connected.
The image read by is printed out.

(Overall structure of software block) FIG.
FIG. 3 is a software block diagram of a multi-function peripheral that implements the present invention.

Reference numeral 1501 denotes a UI, that is, a user interface, and is a module that mediates with the equipment when the operator performs various operations and settings of the multifunction peripheral. This module transfers input information to various modules, which will be described later, to request processing, set data, or the like according to the operation of the operator.

Reference numeral 1502 denotes an address-book, that is, a database module for managing a data transmission destination, a communication destination and the like. The content of Address-Book is U
Data is added, deleted, or acquired by an operation from I1501, and is used to give data sending / communication destination information to each module described later by an operator's operation.

Reference numeral 1503 denotes a Web-Server module, which is used for notifying management information of this multifunction peripheral in response to a request from a Web client (not shown).
The management information is Control-API1518 described later.
HTTP1512, TCP, which will be described later and read via
/ IP1516, Network-Driver151
The Web client is notified via 7.

1504 is Universal-Send
That is, it is a module that controls the distribution of data, and the UI 15
The data instructed by the operator by 01 is distributed to the communication (output) destination similarly instructed. Also,
If the operator uses the scanner function of this device to generate distribution data, the
The device is operated via the 11-API1518 to generate data.

1505 is Universal-Send
A module executed when a printer is designated as an output destination in 1504.

I506 is Universal-Send
A module executed when an E-mail address is designated as a communication destination in 1504.

1507 is Universal-Send
This is a module executed when a database is designated as an output destination in 1504.

1508 is Universal-Send
This module is executed when a multifunction peripheral similar to this device is designated as an output destination in 1504.

1509 is Remote-Copy-Sc
The an module is a module that uses the scanner function of this multi-function peripheral, outputs another multi-function peripheral connected via a network etc. as an output destination, and performs the same processing as the Copy function realized by this multi-function peripheral alone. .

Reference numeral 1510 is Remote-Copy-Pr.
The int module is a module that uses the printer function of this multifunction peripheral and performs the same processing as the Copy function realized by this multifunction peripheral alone, using another multifunction peripheral connected via a network or the like as an input destination. .

Reference numeral 1511 is a module for reading out and printing information of various home pages on the Web-Pun-Print, that is, the Internet or the intranet.

Reference numeral 1512 denotes a module used when the multi-function peripheral communicates by HTTP.
The above-mentioned Web-Serv by the IP1516 module
er1503, Web-Pull-Print1511
It provides communication to the module.

Reference numeral 1513 denotes an lpr module, which is used by the TCP / IP 1516 module to be described later for the Uni
Communication is provided to the printer module 1505 in the versal-Send 1504.

Reference numeral 1514 is an SMTP module, and the above-mentioned Un by the TCP / IP 1516 module described later.
The E-mail module 1506 in the universal-Send 1504 is provided with communication.

1515 is an SLM, that is, Salutatio
n-Manager module, which will be described later in TCP / TCP /
IP1516 module enables the above-mentioned Universal
Database module 15 in l-Send 1504
17, DP module 1518, and Remote-C
opy-Scan1509 module, Remote-
It provides communication to the Copy-Print 1510 module.

Reference numeral 1516 denotes a TCP / IP communication module, which is provided in each of the above-mentioned modules in a Network-
It provides network communication by the driver.

Reference numeral 1517 is a network driver,
It controls the part physically connected to the network.

Reference numeral 1518 is a Control-API, and a Job-Manager 151, which will be described later, is provided to an upstream module such as Universal-Send 1504.
It provides an interface with downstream modules such as 9 and reduces the dependency between upstream and downstream modules and enhances their reusability.

Reference numeral 1519 denotes Job-Manager, which is a Control-AP from the various modules described above.
It interprets the processing instructed via I1518 and gives an instruction to each module described later. In addition, this module centrally manages hardware-like processing executed in this multifunction peripheral.

Reference numeral 1520 is a CODEC-Manager, which manages and controls various compression / decompression of data in the processing instructed by the Job-Manager 1519.

Reference numeral 1521 denotes an FBE-Encoder, which is Job-Manager 1519, Scan-Ma.
This is for compressing the data read by the scan processing executed by the nager 1524 by the FBE format.

1522 is JPEG-CODEC,
job-Manager1519, Scan-Mana
scan processing executed by ger1524, and P
In the print processing executed by the print-Manager 1526, JPEG compression of read data and JPEG expansion processing of print data are performed.

Reference numeral 1523 is an MMR-CODEC, J
ob-Manager1519, Scan-Manag
Scan processing executed by er1524 and Pr
In the print processing executed by the int-Manager 1526, MMR compression of read data and MMR expansion processing of print data are performed.

Reference numeral 1524 is a Scan-Manager, which manages and controls the scan processing instructed by the Job-Manager 1519.

Reference numeral 1525 is an Engine-I / F driver, which communicates between the Scan-Manager 1524 and the scanner section.

A print-manager 1526 manages and controls the print processing instructed by the job-manager 1519.

Reference numeral 1527 denotes an Engine-I / F driver, which provides an I / F between the Print-Manager 1526 and the printing section.

Reference numeral 1528 is a parallel port driver, which provides an I / F when the Web-Pull-Print 1511 outputs data to an output device (not shown) via the parallel port.

Application An embodiment of the embedded application of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 18 shows a built-in application block for distribution according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 4050 is a block showing the operation unit application of the present invention described in the above 3000.

Reference numeral 4100 is a block diagram showing the transmission side of the remote copy application.

Reference numeral 4150 is a block diagram showing the transmission side of the broadcast distribution.

4200 is a Web Pull Print
It is a block diagram which shows a module.

Reference numeral 4250 is a block diagram showing the Web Server module.

Reference numeral 4300 is a block diagram showing the receiving side (printing side) of the remote copy.

Reference numeral 4350 is a block diagram of a general-purpose printer receiving and printing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.

Reference numeral 4400 is a block diagram showing the receiving side (printing side) of the remote print.

Reference numeral 4450 is a block diagram for receiving and storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution by the known Notes Server.

Reference numeral 4500 is a block diagram for receiving and storing a binary image of the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.

Reference numeral 4550 is a block diagram for receiving / storing the image transmitted by the broadcast distribution by the known Mail Server.

Reference numeral 4600 is a block diagram for receiving / storing a multi-valued image transmitted by the broadcast distribution.

Reference numeral 4650 is a diagram showing a known Web server including information contents.

Reference numeral 4700 is the Web Server of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows the well-known WebBrowser which accesses r etc.

Hereinafter, the application group will be described in detail with reference to each block.

(User interface application) User In shown in block 4050
The details of the interface (hereinafter, UI) are as described above, but here, the address B of 4051 is used.
Look will be described. This Address Boo
k is stored in a non-volatile storage device (non-volatile memory, hard disk, etc.) in the device of the present invention, and the features of the device connected to the network are described therein. For example, the ones listed below are included.

Device official name or alias name Device network address Device processable network protocol Device processable document format Device processable compression type Device processable image resolution Printer device paper feed possible Folder sizes that can store documents for different paper sizes and paper source information server (computer) devices Each application described below is
It is possible to determine the characteristics of the delivery destination based on the information described in ss Book 4051.

Also, this Address Book is
In addition to being editable, it is also possible to download and use what is stored in a server computer in the network or refer to it directly.

(Remote Copy Application) The remote copy application sends the resolution information that can be processed by the device designated as the distribution destination to the Address Bo.
It is discriminated from ok4051 and accordingly, the binary image read by the scanner is compressed by using the known MMR compression, and the compressed binary image is converted into the known TIFF (Tagged Image).
e File Format), and sends it to the printer device on the network through the SLM 4103. S
Although not described in detail with the LM4103, the well-known Sa
rotation Manager (or Smar
t Link Manager) is a type of network protocol including device control information and the like.

(Broadcast Delivery Application) Unlike the remote copy application, the broadcast delivery application can send an image to a plurality of delivery destinations with one image scanning. Moreover, the delivery destination is not limited to the printer device, and can be delivered directly to a so-called server computer.

Hereinafter, description will be made in order according to the delivery destination.

The delivery destination device is a well-known network printer protocol, LPD (Line Printer).
Daemon), an L known as a printer control command
Address Book 405 that can process IPS
If it is determined from 1, the Address Book is also the same.
The image is read in accordance with the image resolution determined from 4051, and the image itself is the known FBE (F
It is compressed using irst Binari Encoding), further LIPS coded, and transmitted to the partner device by LPR which is a known network printer protocol.

The delivery destination device can communicate with the SLM,
In the case of server device, Address Book405
The server address and the designation of the folder in the server are discriminated from 1 and the binary image of the image read by the scanner is read by the known M as in the remote copy application.
It is compressed by using MR compression, and the compressed TIFF (Ta
Gaged Image File Format),
Through the SLM, it can be stored in a specific folder of the server device on the network.

In the device of this embodiment, when it is determined that the server, which is the other device, can process a well-known JPEG-compressed multi-valued image, the multi-valued image is read like the binary image. It is also possible to convert it into a known JFIF by using a known JPEG compression and store it in a specific folder of a server device on a network through an SLM.

When the device of the delivery destination is a known E-Mail server, the mail address described in Address Book 4051 is discriminated, and the binary image read by the scanner is compressed using the known MMR compression. Is a known TIFF (Tagged Image)
File Format), and known SMTP (Simp)
le Mail Transfer Protco1) 4
153 to send to the E-Mail server.
Subsequent distribution is executed according to the Mail Server 4550.

(Outline of Operation Unit) The configuration of the operation unit is shown in FIG. The LCD display unit (3001) has a touch panel sheet stuck on the LCD, displays the operation screen of the system, and transmits the position information to the controller CPU when the displayed key is pressed. Start key (3
002) is used when starting the reading operation of the original image. At the center of the start key, there is a two-color LED of green and red, and the color indicates whether the start key is in a lying position. The stop key (3003) functions to stop the operation in progress. The ID key (3004) is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key (3005) is used when initializing the settings from the operation unit.

Each screen of the operation unit will be described in detail below.

(Operation Screen) The functions provided by the device of the present invention are Copy / Send / Retrieve / Task.
s / Management / Configuratio
n is divided into 6 major categories, and these are the 6 main tabs (COPY / SEND / RETREIVE / TA) displayed at the top of the operation screen (3010).
SKS / MGMT / CONFIG) (3011 to 301)
It corresponds to 6). By pressing these main tabs, switching to the screen of each category is performed. If switching to another category is not allowed, the display color of the main tab changes and there is no reaction even if the main tab is pressed.

Copy is a function for copying a normal document by using the scanner and printer of the own machine and a function for copying a document by using the printer of the own machine and a printer connected to the network (remote copy). )including. Send has a function of transferring a document placed on the scanner of the own machine to an electronic mail, a remote printer, a fax, a file transfer (FTP) and a database, and a plurality of destinations can be designated. Retrieve is a function that acquires an external document and prints it with a printer of the own machine. WWW, e-mail, file transfer and fax can be used as a document acquisition means. Tasks automatically processes documents sent from the outside such as fax and Internet print, and regularly generates and manages tasks for performing Retrieve. Management manages jobs, address books, bookmarks, documents, account information, and the like. In the Configuration, settings (network, clock, etc.) regarding the device itself are performed.

Hereinafter, the method for performing these function settings will be described by LC.
An example of D screen display will be described.

(COPY screen) When the start button is pressed when the COPY screen is displayed, the scanner operates and the selected printer outputs a copy corresponding to each setting parameter displayed on the screen.

The COPY main screen (3100) has a printer selection button (3103) and a printer display area (3
102), Image Quality selection button (3
105) and Image Quality display area (3104), copy parameter display (3101) similar to a conventional copying machine, and enlargement / reduction setting button (3106, 3).
107), paper selection button (3108), sorter setting button (3110), duplex copy setting button (3112),
Concentration indicator and concentration setting button (3109),
It is composed of a numeric keypad (3114).

When the printer selection button (3103) is pressed, a list (312) of usable printers (the printer owned by itself and the printer connected by the network) is displayed.
0) is displayed as a pull-down display. When you select the desired printer from the list, the list disappears and the printer display area (3
The selected printer name is displayed in 102).

When the Image Quality setting button (3105) is pressed, a list of Image Quality (3125) is displayed, and the desired Image is selected from the list.
e Quality can be selected.

When the above-mentioned copy parameter setting button is pressed, a sub-screen (enlargement / reduction setting: 3130, paper selection, original setting, double-sided copy setting) for making corresponding settings is displayed, and conventional copying is performed. Parameters can be set in the same way as settings on the machine. Further, the density setting can be operated in the same manner as the conventional copying machine.

(SEND screen) When the Start button is pressed while the Send screen is displayed, the scanner operates to start the process of transmitting the read image data to the set destination by the designated transmission method.

The SEND main screen (3200) has a destination display area (3202) and a detailed destination number display area (320).
3), destination scroll button (3204), address book button (3208), New button (3209),
Edit button (3210), Delete button (3
211), Subject input area (3205), Me
ssage input area (3206), File Nanl
e input area (3207), Coverpage check button (3212), Put Into HD check button (3213), Print out check button (3214), Scan Setting button (32
15). 3 at initialization including reset
As indicated by 201, no destination is displayed in the destination display area, and the operation explanation screen is displayed.

A list of input destinations is displayed in the destination display area (3202). Inputs are added sequentially at the end. The number of destinations currently set is displayed in the detailed destination number display area (3203).

After selecting a destination from the destination display area,
When the Delete button (3211) is pressed, the selected destination is deleted.

Subject input area (3205), M
message input area (3206), File Name
When the e input area (3207) is pressed, the full keyboard is displayed and each input is possible.

(Address Book Subscreen) Addresses
When the sBook button (3208) is pressed, the address book sub-screen (3220) is displayed. The address marked with the selection mark (3232) in the address book display area (3221) is displayed by pressing the OK button (3231).
It is added to the destination display area (3202) of the SEND main screen. The address book is displayed by the sort item setting button (3
224 to 3226) to sort by class, ascending order of name, and descending order of name. The number of items with a selection mark is displayed in the item selection number display area (3227).

When the OK button (3231) or the cancel button (3230) is pressed, the address book sub-screen is closed and the SEND main screen is displayed.

When the Detail button (3229) is pressed with one item selected in the address book, Det
The ail sub-screen (3235) is displayed.

On the Detail sub-screen, all the information obtained from the address book is displayed as the information of the selected item.

(Detailed Destination Sub-Screen) When the New button (3209) on the SEND main screen is pressed, the Person class detailed sub-screen (3270) is displayed, and a new destination can be set. To enter the destination, press the transmission method selection buttons (3271 to 274) corresponding to the transmission method (e-mail, fax, printer, FTP) or the detailed destination input area (3275 to 3278). The keyboard (3050) and the full keyboard (3040) for others are displayed and ready for input.
Although buttons 3279 to 3382 are buttons for performing a transmission option of each transmission method, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

On the SEND main screen, with the Person class destination selected, the Edit button (321
Even if 0) is pressed, the Person class details sub-screen (3290) is displayed. Detailed destination input area (327
5 to 3278), the details of the selected destination are displayed, and when the keyboard is displayed by the method described above, the destination can be edited.

[Data Base] on the SEND main screen
When the Edit button (3210) is pressed while the class destination is selected, the Data Base class details sub-screen (3310) is displayed. Database name (331)
1), the folder list (3312) is displayed.

On the SEND main screen, with the destination of the Group class selected, the Edit button (321
When 0) is pressed Group class detail sub screen (3
320) is displayed. Group member display (3321) is displayed on the Group class detail sub-screen.

(HD SETTING sub screen) Put
When you press the Into HD check button (3213),
HD SE to set for sending to hard disk
The TTING subscreen (3330) is displayed. Detailed description is omitted.

(Print Out sub-screen) Prin
When the t Out check button (3214) is pressed, the printout sub-screen (3340) is displayed. On the printout subscreen, set the number of prints, paper size, enlargement / reduction ratio, double-sided printing, sorting, resolution, etc. When the paper size selection button (3345) is pressed, a list of paper sizes is displayed, and the user selects from there. Sorter selection button (3
Pressing (350) displays a list of selectable sorters.

(Scan Setting subscreen) S
When you press the can Setting button (3215),
The Scan Setting sub-screen (3370) is displayed. Pre in the Scan Setting subscreen
When one scan setting is selected from the set mode selection area (3371), the corresponding preset resolution, scan mode, and density are displayed in the respective display areas (33).
77, 3379, 3381). These values can be changed manually. A screen 3390 is a screen in which a paper size selection list is displayed in a pulldown display, and the size and orientation of the paper to be used is selected from this list. 3391,
Reference numeral 3392 shows a state in which a list of resolutions and scan modes is displayed in a pull-down display.

(RETRIEVE screen) RETRIEV
E WWW (3401), E on the main screen (3400)
-Mail (3402), fax (3403), FTP
(3404) subtab and PUTINTO HD check button (34) commonly used in each subcategory
05), PRINT SETTING button (340
6) is displayed. By pressing a sub tab, the corresponding WWW, E-mail, Fax, and FTP sub screens are displayed. At the time of initialization including reset, the WWW sub screen is displayed.

(WWW sub-screen) When the start button is pressed when the WWW sub-screen is displayed, the home page is printed according to each setting displayed on the screen. However, UR
Nothing works even if the start button is pressed when nothing is displayed in the L input area.

When the URL input area (3411) on the WWW sub screen (3400) is pressed, the full keyboard (304
0) is displayed and the URL can be directly input. Li
nkDepth (3412) and Max Pages
(3414) When the input area is pressed, the numeric keyboard (30
50) is displayed and it becomes possible to directly input a numerical value.

(Bookmark sub-screen) Bookm
Press the ark button (3419) to create a Bookmark
A sub screen (3460) is displayed. Bookmark
A list of set bookmarks is displayed in the bookmark display area (3461) on the sub screen.
By pressing one line, it becomes the selection display state. When the OK button (3466) is pressed, the Bookmark sub screen is closed and the URL corresponding to the item in the selected state is displayed.
Is displayed in the URL input area of the WWW sub screen. Bo
Descriptions of functions of other buttons on the okmark sub-screen will be omitted.

(E-mail sub-screen) On the E-mail sub-screen (3430), settings for receiving the E-mail are made. When each input area (3431 to 3343) is pressed, a full keyboard (3040) is displayed to enable input.

(Fax sub-screen) Fax sub-screen (34
In 40), the fax number is entered. Input area (3
When the user presses 441), a ten-key keyboard (3050) is displayed and a fax number can be input.

(FTP Server sub-screen) FTP
On the Server sub-screen (3450), settings for receiving data from the server are made. Each input area (3451
When ~ 3453) is pressed, the full keyboard (3040) is displayed to enable input.

(HD Setting sub-screen) When the Put Into HD check button (3406) common to each category is pressed, the HD Setting sub-screen (3330) is displayed. Function is Send HD S
It is the same as the editing sub-screen.

(Print Setting subscreen)
If you press the Print Setting button (3406) that is common to each category, Print Setting
A sub screen (3470) is displayed. The function is the same as the Print Out sub screen of Send.

(TASKS screen) When the START key is pressed while the TASKS screen is displayed, TASK is displayed.
Automatic R according to the parameters set on the S screen
The ETRIEVE operation is executed.

W appears on the TASKS main screen (3500).
WW, E-mail, PrintReceive, Fa
Sub tabs (3501 to 3505) of x Receive and Fax Polling are displayed. At the time of initialization including reset, the WWW sub screen (3500) is displayed.

(WWW sub screen) In the WWW task list display area (3511), the tasks held in the device are displayed in the order of input. Select marks are attached to the tasks that need to be actually executed. Tasks for which the selection mark is not displayed are held in the device as tasks, but are not actually executed.

When the New button (3513) is pressed, WW
The W task details sub-screen (3520) is displayed, and a new task can be input. The WWW task details sub-screen will be described later.

When one of the tasks is selected from the WWW task list and the Edit button (3514) is pressed, the WWW task details sub-screen (3520) containing the selected task information is displayed and the settings can be edited. Will be possible.

When the Delete button (3515) is pressed with one task selected from the WWW task list, the selected task is deleted.

(WWW task details sub-screen) On the WWW task details sub-screen (3520), there are components (3521 to 3333) having common functions to the RETRIEVE main screen and the WWW sub-screen of RETRIEVE, the check time display area (3534), Check time setting button (3535), PRINT WHENCHANG
An ED check button (3536), a transfer check button (3537), an OK button (3539), and a cancel button (3538) are displayed. The description of the same parts as RETRIEVE is omitted.

The check time display area (3534) is
When the WWW task setting sub-screen is displayed by the New button, it is blank, and when it is displayed by the Edit button, the set task execution time is displayed. Immediately after the setting is made on the check time sub-screen described later, the set task execution time is displayed.

When the check time setting button (3535) is pressed, a check time sub-screen, which will be described later, is displayed, and the timing for executing the task can be set.

(Check time sub-screen) The check time sub-screen (3550) has schedule mode setting buttons (3551 to 3553) and a time input area (355).
4), OK button (3558), Cancel button (3
557) is displayed. In addition, when the Once button (3551) is selected from the schedule mode setting buttons, the month input area (3555) and the date input area (3556) are displayed. Weekly button (35
52) When selected, a day setting check button (3561) is displayed. When the Monthly button (3553) is selected, the date input area (3571) is displayed. When each input area is pressed, a ten-key keyboard (3050) is displayed, and a numerical value can be input. The day setting check button can select a plurality of days.

(Full keyboard) Full keyboard (30
40) is displayed when the character input area is pressed.
www. Button (3041), com button (304
When 2) is pressed, the characters "www." And "com" are input respectively. The other keys have the same functions as conventional ones, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(Numerical keyboard) Numerical keyboard (30
50) is displayed when the numerical value input area or the month input area is pressed. A description of each key is omitted.

(DeviceformationS
control API for setting values for jobs, device (scanner, printer, etc.) functions, status, billing information, etc. in the service (DIS) controller.
The database to be retained in the data format conforming to the standard and the I / F with that database are Devicenforma
definition service (hereinafter referred to as DIS). FIG. 52 shows the DIS7102 and JobM.
The interaction between the manager 7101 and each of the DocumentManager 7103 and 7104 of Scan and Print is shown.

Basically, dynamic information such as a job start command is sent from the JobManager 7101 to each Document.
Directly instructed by ntManager, the DIS 7102 is referred to for static information such as device functions and job contents. Static and dynamic information and events from each DocumentManager are sent to JobMa via DIS7102.
It is transmitted to the nager7101.

D from each DocumentManager
When setting and acquiring data in the IS database,
Since the internal data format of DIS conforms to Control API, the conversion processing between the data format conforming to Control API and the data format understood by each DocumentManager is performed. For example, each D
When setting status data from the documentManager, interpret the device-specific data and
It is converted into the corresponding data defined by the control API and written in the DIS database.

[0150] To set and obtain data in the DIS database from jobManager, the button bMa
No conversion of data occurs between the nager and DIS.

For DIS, DocumentMan is used.
The event data is updated based on the various event information notified from the ager.

FIG. 53 shows various databases (hereinafter referred to as DB) held inside the DIS, and each DB will be described. The rounded rectangles in FIG. 53 represent individual DBs.

Reference numeral 7201 denotes a Supervisor DB, which is a DB that holds statuses and user information about the entire device. Information that needs to be backed up, such as a user ID and a bus word, is stored in an HD device or a nonvolatile memory such as a backup memory. Held in storage.

7202 is ScanComponentD
B and 7203 are PrintComponentDBs, and these ComponentDBs are existing Comps.
It is held corresponding to each onent. For example, if the device consists of only a printer, PrintComponen
Only tDB exists, and, for example, in the case of a device equipped with a FAX, FAXComponentDB is held.
At the time of initialization, each of the ComponentDBs has a corresponding DocumentManager.
Set the function and status of ent.

Reference numeral 7204 indicates ScanJobService.
DB, 7205 is PrintJobServiceDB
And these jobServiceDB are also Comp
Similar to onentDB, Do that corresponds to each at initialization
Sets the functions that the documentManager can use on the device and the support status of them.

Next, JobDB and DocumentDB will be described. 7206 is ScanJobDB, 72
07 is each JobDB of PrintJobDB, 7208
Is ScanDocumentDB, 7209 is Prin
This is tDocumentDB.

JobDB and DocumentDB are jo
Every time b and a Document associated with it are generated, JobManager dynamically secures and initializes them, and sets necessary items. Each Document
Before reading the processing of the Job, the Manager reads the items required for the processing from the JobDB and the DocumentDB and starts the Job. After that, when Job ends, these Job and the Document that came with it
DB of nt is released Job is one or more Docun
Since it has a lent, multiple Docs for a job
In some cases, the elementDB is reserved.

7210 is each DocurTlentMan
A database holding event information notified from the ager, and 7211 is a counter table for recording the number of scans and the number of prints of the apparatus.

The event notified from the DocumentManager includes ScanDocumentMan.
State transition of Component from ager, Sca
nProcessing operation completion, various errors, PrintDoc
Component from unlentManager
State transition, Print processing operation completion, paper jam, paper feed cassette open, etc., and event IDs for identifying respective events are predetermined.

When an event is issued from the DouncentManager, the DIS registers the issued event ID in the event database 7211 and, if necessary, detailed data associated with the event. Also, Docu
When the release of the event is notified from the mentManager, the event data designated to be released is deleted from the event database 7211.

When an event is polled by the job manager, the DIS refers to the event database 7210, and the event ID currently occurring and, if necessary, the detailed data attached to the event are recorded in the JobManager.
It returns to the ger, and if an event is not currently occurring, it is returned to that effect.

When the Scan processing operation is completed, Print
Scan when a processing operation completion event is notified,
The counter value of the user who performed the print is updated. The software counter writes back the value to the backed-up memory device or the non-volatile storage device of the HD device each time the value is updated so that the value is not lost due to accidental power-off or the like.

(Scan Operation) The details of the scan operation will be described below. FIG. 54 shows the software structure related to the scan operation. JobManag
er8201 classifies application level requests,
Has a function to save. The DIS8202 stores parameters required for scan operation from the application level. The request from the application is stored in the RAM 2004. The scan operation management unit 8203 is jobMa.
The information necessary to perform the scan is acquired from the nager 8201 and the DIS 8202. Scan operation management unit 82
03 receives the job number / document number table data 8301 of FIG. 55 from the JobManager 8201, and receives the scan parameter 8302 from the DIS 8202 based on the job number / document number table data 8301. As a result, scanning is performed based on the scanning conditions requested by the application.

The scan operation management unit 8203 uses the DIS 82.
The scan parameters 8302 acquired from No. 02 are passed to the scan sequence control unit 8204 in the document number order. Upon receiving the scan parameter 8302, the scan sequence control unit 8204 receives the scan image attribute 8308.
The image bus F2013 is controlled in accordance with the contents of. As a result, a scan is executed by sending a control command to the scanner 2020.

The scanned image is the scanner image processing unit 2.
The data is stored in the RAM 2004 via the image bus I / F 2013 via the image bus 2022 and via the image bus 2022. When the scan is completed and the image is stored in the RAM 2004 via the image bus 2022, the scan sequence control unit 8204 follows the RA according to the content of the scan image compression format 8309 of the scan parameter 8302.
A request is issued to the compression / decompression control unit 8205 to compress the scan image stored in M2004.

The compression / decompression control unit 820 that has received the request
Reference numeral 5 designates a scan image compression format 83 from the scan sequence control unit 8204 using the image compression / expansion item 2030.
09, and compresses the compressed image in RAM 2004
To store.

The scan sequence control unit 8204 has a compression / decompression control unit 8205 which has a scan image compression format 8309.
Compress the scanned image into the format specified in
04 stored in the RAM 200 according to the image file type 8307 of the scan parameter 8302.
The compressed scan image stored in 4 is converted into a file.

The scan sequence controller 8204 sends the scan parameter 8 to the file system 8206.
A request is made to create a file in the file format designated by the image file type 8307 302. The file system 8206 is a RAM according to the image file type 8307 from the scan sequence control unit 8204.
The compressed image stored in 2004 is converted into a file, and the hard disk is sent via the peripheral device I single lung 2006.
The compressed compressed image is converted into a file by transferring to k2007. Scan sequence control unit 820
4 has a file system 8206 of Hard Disk2
At the time when the filed image is stored in 007, it is assumed that one current process on the scanner 2020 ends.
The scan end notification is sent back to the scan operation management unit 8203.

At this point, there is an original document that has not been scanned on the scanner 2020, and the job
When there is a scan request from the ger 8201, the scan operation is again requested to the scan sequence control unit using the scan parameter 8302 stored in the DIS 8202.

If there is no unscanned document on the scanner 2020, or if JobManager
If there is no scan request from the 8201, it is assumed that the scan operation has ended and jobManager
A scan end notification is issued to 8201.

(Printing Operation) The printing operation will be described in detail below.

The image bus I / F 2013 is the printer 20.
VCLK (VideoClock) given from 19
The image data developed on the RAM 2004 in accordance with
To the printer via. The timing of this transmission is shown in FIG. 56. VCLK is always output,
HSYNC is applied in synchronization with the start of one line of the printer. The video controller stores the data for the set image width (WIDTH) in the set RAM 200.
4 and read it from the printer 20 as a video signal.
It outputs to 19. After repeating this for a designated line (LINES), an IMAGE_END interrupt is generated.

As described above, when a print job instruction is passed from the application program on the CPU to the Control API, the Control API
Passes this as a job to JobManager at the controller level. In addition, this JobManager stores the job settings in the DIS, and PrintManager
Instruct er to start the job. PrintManag
When the er receives the job, it reads the information necessary for executing the job from the DIS and sets it in the image bus I / F 2013 and the printer 2019.

The setting items of the image bus I / F 2013 are shown in FIG.
FIG. 58 shows printer setting items, control commands, and status commands. For simplicity, this job is uncompressed, letter (11 "x 8.5") binary image, 2
The operation will be specifically described on the assumption that the page copy and the printer have a performance of 600 dpi.

First, when this job is received, PrintM
The manager calculates the number of image bytes of the width of this image (in this case, on the side of 8.5 ″).

WIDTH = 8.5 × 600 ÷ 8≈630
(Bytes) Next, the number of lines is calculated.

LINES = 11 × 600 = 6600 (L
ines) These calculated values and the SOURCE address in which the image of the given first page is stored are set in WIDTH, LINES, and SOURCE shown in FIG. 57.
At this point, the image bus I / F 2013 is ready for image output, but since the HSYNC signal from the printer has not arrived (VCLK has come), image data has not been output.

Next, PrintManager sets 1 as the number of output copies (BookNo) as shown in FIG. After that, a paper feed request (FEED_REQ) for the output paper for the first page is issued, and the IMAGE_REQ from the printer 2019 is awaited. IM from the printer 2019
When AGE_REQ comes, issue IMAGE_START. In response to this, the printer 2019 starts to output HSYNC, and the image bus I / F 2013 waiting for HSYNC
Outputs an image. When the printer 12019 detects the trailing edge of the output sheet, it outputs IMAGE_END, and when the output sheet is discharged, it outputs the SHEEET style) UT. Pr
intManager is IMAGE_EN on the first page
After receiving D, WIDTH, LINES, S on the second page
SOURCE is set to the image bus I / F 2013, and FEE is set.
Issue D_REQ and wait for IMAGE_REQ. The operation after the IMAGE_REQ of the second page is the same as that of the first page.

(Original Orientation Detection) The original orientation detection means makes two determinations of the orientation of the original (upper, lower, left, right) and the character arrangement of the original (vertical writing, horizontal writing). As described above, in the operation unit, when the automatic orientation is designated as the manuscript orientation designation and when the automatic arrangement is designated as the character arrangement designation, it is assumed that the respective judgment results have been given. Control is performed.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of document orientation detection, and FIG. 11 shows a processing flow.

First, in FIG. 1, an image signal is input to the document orientation detecting means 2050. This image is shown by 601 in FIG. Next, in 802, only the character portion in the read image is extracted by character area separation. This image is shown at 602. That is, a character area as shown by a rectangle in (b) is cut out by the cumulative histogram in the vertical direction / horizontal direction in the document shown in (a).

Further, at 803, as shown at 603, a character is cut out from the character area. In the character direction matching of 804, it is determined whether the character faces up, down, left or right. That is, as shown by 604, by obtaining the matching degree with the template rotated by 90 degrees,
Recognize the direction of characters. In the case of 604, since the degree of match of 0 degree is the largest, it is determined to be upward. In this determination, it is not possible to make a 100% reliable determination, and in some cases it is uncertain.

For example, the uncertainties may be caused by the layout of characters in a plurality of orientations in one original, or the type of font used. Assuming this case, a plurality of characters in the image are judged, and the judgment result is inferred from those results. In the count of 805, the matching degrees of 0 degree, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees are counted, and which matching degree in the image is the highest is determined.

Reference numeral 806 is provided with a time-out for ending the document orientation determination within a predetermined processing time.
At 807, it is checked whether there are other cut out characters,
If it exists, determination processing is performed, and if it does not exist, document determination is performed. In the document determination of 808, the document having the highest matching degree counted in 805 is determined as the document orientation.

For example, in FIG. 12, 701 is upward / horizontal writing, 702 is left / horizontal writing, 703 is right / vertical writing, and 704 is upward / vertical writing.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a timeout time setting screen set for the document orientation detection 2050.

In 901, the timeout time in each operation mode is set. Each operation mode is copy, FAX,
HD, Printer, File, and FTP independently set the timeout time of the document orientation detection 2050. Here, copy is a mode when a normal copy operation is performed, and FAX is a mode when FAX transmission is performed. HD is HD Setting and Print.
Indicates Print out. File is a mode for sending images to the database server, and FTP
Is a mode for transferring an image to the FTP server. 90
Reference numeral 2 is a ten-key pad for inputting a set value.

When 0 second is set as the set value, the mode in which the document orientation detection 2050 is not used is set. The time set here becomes the timeout time of 806.

Control Example by Specifying Original Orientation FIG. 15 shows an example of reduced layout double-sided control in the copy mode. This control is performed as an image editing operation on the RAM 2004 based on the control of the memory control circuit according to an instruction from the CPU 2001.

That is, depending on the orientation of the original document designated by the operation unit or the automatic detection means and the vertical writing / horizontal writing, the layout and the binding margin staple are controlled as follows.

That is, in FIG. 15, 501, 502,
... are a plurality of horizontally-written originals placed upward, and when these are set in the direction shown in the automatic document feeder (DF), the front like 503 and the back like 504. Layout is performed, a binding margin is added, and a desired position is stapled and copied. In addition, "1" in the figure,
"2", "3", "4", ..., "8" correspond to the document order, that is, the pages of the document.

On the other hand, reference numerals 505, 506, ... denote a plurality of vertically written originals placed upward, and when these are set in the orientation shown in the DF, the front side is 507 and the back side is 508. Is laid out, a binding margin is added, and a desired position is stapled and copied.

Similarly, left-sided vertical writing originals 509, 51
In the case of 0, ..., The front side is laid out like 511, the back side is laid out like 512, a binding margin is added, and a desired position is copied in a stable manner. In the case of 514, ..., As in the table 515,
The back side is laid out like 516, a binding margin is added, and a desired position is stapled and copied.

Although not described in the case of a combination (not shown) such as a downward document, the layout and the binding margin stable are similarly controlled.

FIG. 14 shows an example of control during image transmission. Similar to the copy mode, this control is performed as an image editing operation on the RAM 2004 based on the control of the memory control circuit according to the instruction of the CPU 2001.

The image rotation and the like are controlled as described below by the orientation of the original document designated by the operation unit or the automatic detection means and the distinction between vertical writing and horizontal writing.

In FIG. 14, reference numeral 101 denotes a document placed face up, and when the document is set in the direction shown in the DF, it is read as a rightward image like 105. The read image 105 is rotated as in 201 so that the image to be transmitted faces upward, and the image is transmitted.

On the other hand, reference numeral 102 denotes an original placed on the left side, and when the original is set in the direction shown in the DF, it is read as an upward image like 106. The image is transmitted by rotating the image so that the image to be transmitted is directed upward as in 202.

Similarly, in the case of the downward document 103, 202
The image is transmitted by rotating the image so that the transmitted image faces upward, and in the case of the right-facing original 103, the image is transmitted by rotating the image so that the transmitted image faces upward like 202.

[0200]

As described above, according to the present invention, the copy performance is maintained during copying by controlling the time-out time for determining the orientation of the original for each operation mode such as copy, FAX, database transmission, and HD transmission. At the same time, by improving the detection accuracy of the document orientation determination in the image transmission mode, it is possible to reduce the determination error of the document orientation determination.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 Overall block diagram of this system

FIG. 2 is an external view of a scanner unit, a printer unit, and an operation unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an operation unit

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a scanner image processing unit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a printer image processing unit.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image compression processing unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of image rotation processing.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of image rotation processing.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a device I / F unit.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of detecting the orientation of a document.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the principle of detecting the orientation of a document.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view of the principle of document orientation detection.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view of the principle of document orientation detection.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of image control in Send.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a reduced layout double-sided control side in copying.

FIG. 16: Overall system configuration diagram

FIG. 17: Overall configuration diagram of software of this system

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an embedded application.

FIG. 19 Overall view of operation unit

FIG. 20 Operation screen

FIG. 21 COPY main screen

FIG. 22: Printer list display screen

FIG. 23: Image Quality list display screen

FIG. 24: Enlargement / reduction setting sub-screen

Figure 25: SEND main screen

FIG. 26: SEND initial screen

FIG. 27 Address Book screen

28] Detailed information screen

[Fig. 29] Detailed destination screen (New)

[Fig. 30] Detailed destination screen (Person)

FIG. 31: Detailed destination screen (Data Base)

[Fig. 32] Detailed destination screen (Group)

[Fig. 33] Hard disk setting screen

[Fig.34] Print setting screen

[Fig.35] Scan setting screen

[Fig.36] Paper size list display screen

[Fig. 37] Resolution list display screen

[Fig. 38] Scan mode list display screen

[Fig. 39] PETRIEVE main screen (WWW)

FIG. 40 E-Mail screen

FIG. 41 Fax screen

FIG. 42 FTP screen

[Figure 43] Bookmark screen

FIG. 44 PETRIEVE-Print setting screen

FIG. 45 TASKS main screen

FIG. 46 WWW detailed setting screen

[Fig. 47] Check time subscreen (Once)

[Fig. 48] Check time subscreen (Weekly)

FIG. 49 Check time sub-screen (Monthl
y)

FIG. 50 shows a full keyboard

FIG. 51 is a diagram showing a numeric keyboard.

FIG. 52 DIS and jobManager, Prin
Diagram showing interactions with tManager and ScanManager

FIG. 53 is a diagram showing a database inside the DIS and a counter.

FIG. 54 is a block diagram of software control in scanning.

FIG. 55 is a schematic diagram of a parameter table in scanning.

FIG. 56 is a transfer timing diagram of print image data.

FIG. 57 is a diagram showing a print parameter register table in the Engine I / F board.

FIG. 58 is a diagram showing a communication command table between the printer and the Engine I / F board.

[Explanation of symbols]

2000 control unit 2008 Operation part 2020 scanner 2019 printer

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image input unit for inputting an image signal read from a document, an image storage unit for storing the image signal input by the image input unit, a plurality of image output units for outputting the image signals, and the image output unit. A control means for controlling the output image of the document, a document orientation determining means for determining the orientation of the document and outputting a determination result corresponding to the document, and an image forming apparatus for controlling the control means according to the determination result. The image processing apparatus, wherein the document orientation determination means outputs the determination result within a predetermined processing time, and controls the processing time of the document orientation determination means according to the image output means. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document orientation determination means determines whether the document is placed in the up, down, left, or right orientation. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document orientation determination unit determines whether the document is a vertically written document or a horizontally written document. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the image output means is an image forming means for forming an image of the image signal on a medium. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the image output means is a FAX transmission. 6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the image output means is network image transmission. 7. A second image storage unit different from the image storage unit, wherein one of the image output units is the second image storage unit.
2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, which is an operation of accumulating an image in the image storage means. 8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a user can set the processing time of the determination means by controlling the processing time.