JP2004222084A - Image forming apparatus and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify an operation of causing an image forming apparatus (a compound machine or fusion machine, for example) which forms composite image data by acquiring image data from an original, acquiring image data for a watermark from an original for a watermark, and composing the image data with the image data for a watermark to be composed as their watermark, and prints or transmits the composite image data, to acquire the image data and the image data for a watermark. <P>SOLUTION: This image forming apparatus is provided with an original setting means for setting the original, an original-for-a-watermark setting means for setting the original for a watermark, an image input means for acquiring the image data from the original and the image data for a watermark from the original for a watermark when the original for a watermark is set along with setting of the original, a composite image forming means for forming the composite image data by composing the image data with the image data as their watermark, and a composite image output means which prints the composite image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile, a multifunction peripheral, a multifunction peripheral, and the like, and an image forming method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, “multifunction machines” and “multifunction machines” that realize functions of copying, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile with one device have become commercially available. These multifunction devices and multifunction devices are equipped with hardware such as an imaging unit, a printing unit, and a communication unit, and are provided with four types of software corresponding to a copy, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile. Functions as a copy, printer, scanner, or facsimile.
[0003]
A multifunction device or a multifunction device can acquire image data from a document and output the data in various forms. For example, when functioning as a copy, the image data can be printed on a printing paper or the like, and when functioning as a scanner or facsimile, the image data can be transmitted to a computer or a facsimile via a network or the like. . In the case of tandem printing, image data can be transmitted to a printer or the like via a cable or the like. An ADF (automatic document feeder) or a flat bed is generally used as a mechanism for setting a document from which image data is acquired.
[0004]
As a technique for improving the security of the image data output in this way, a technique of combining image data with watermark image data as a watermark is used. When the composite image data thus created is printed, the watermark image data is printed together with the image data as the watermark.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction peripheral acquires watermark image data from a watermark document in the same manner as acquiring image data from a document, the watermark image data is acquired and held, and then the image data is acquired. You need to get it.
[0006]
In this case, the user sets the watermark document on the ADF or the flatbed, performs an operation of acquiring and holding the watermark image data, and then sets the document on the ADF or the flatbed again, and A two-stage operation of executing an operation for acquiring data has to be performed, and the operation is troublesome.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention obtains image data from a document, obtains watermark image data from a watermark document, creates composite image data in which the watermark image data is combined with the image data as a watermark, and synthesizes the image data. An object of an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction peripheral) that prints or transmits image data is to simplify an operation of causing the image forming apparatus to acquire image data and watermark image data.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a document setting unit for setting a document; a watermark document setting unit for setting a watermark document; When set, image input means for acquiring image data from the document and watermark image data from the watermark document, and combining the image data with the watermark image data as a watermark. The image processing apparatus includes a composite image generating unit that generates the composite image data, and a composite image output unit that prints the composite image data.
[0009]
According to a second aspect of the invention (an image forming apparatus), a document setting unit for setting a document, a watermark document setting unit for setting a watermark document, a document is set and the watermark document is set. When set, image input means for acquiring image data from the document and watermark image data from the watermark document, and combining the image data with the watermark image data as a watermark. The image processing apparatus includes a composite image generating unit that generates the composite image data, and a composite image output unit that transmits the composite image data.
[0010]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2 (image forming apparatus), wherein the document setting means is an automatic document feeder.
[0011]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to a fourth aspect is the invention according to the first or second aspect (image forming apparatus), wherein the watermark document setting unit is a flat bed.
[0012]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to a fifth aspect is the invention according to the third aspect (image forming apparatus), wherein the image input means is set in the automatic document feeder and conveyed by the automatic document feeder. To obtain image data from the original.
[0013]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 6 relates to the invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 4, wherein the image input means is set on the flat bed and faces through the flat bed. Watermark image data is obtained from the original document.
[0014]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 7 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composite image creating unit is configured to control the image data acquired first to be a control image. If the data is data, the synthesis condition of the watermark image data is set based on the control image data, and then the watermark image data is synthesized as the watermark with the image data acquired second and subsequent times. Create image data.
[0015]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 8 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the synthesizing condition is determined at which position in the image data the watermark image data is synthesized. is there.
[0016]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 9 is the invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 7, wherein the synthesizing condition is to which image data the watermark image data is synthesized.
[0017]
According to a tenth aspect (image forming apparatus) of the first aspect, the composite image output unit prints the composite image data as a copy.
[0018]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 11 is the invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 2, wherein the composite image output means transmits the composite image data as a scanner.
[0019]
According to a twelfth aspect (image forming apparatus) of the second aspect (image forming apparatus), the composite image output means transmits the composite image data as a facsimile.
[0020]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the composite image output unit transmits the composite image data for tandem printing.
[0021]
An image forming method according to a fourteenth aspect is an image forming method executed using a document setting device for setting a document and a watermark document setting device for setting a watermark document. When a document is set and a watermark document is set, an image input step of acquiring image data from the document and acquiring watermark image data from the watermark document; and The method includes a composite image creation step of creating composite image data in which image data is combined as a watermark, and a composite image output step of printing the composite image data.
[0022]
An image forming method according to a fifteenth aspect is an image forming method executed using a document setting device for setting a document and a watermark document setting device for setting a watermark document. When a document is set and a watermark document is set, an image input step of acquiring image data from the document and acquiring watermark image data from the watermark document; and The method includes a combined image creating step of creating combined image data in which image data is combined as a watermark, and a combined image output step of transmitting the combined image data.
[0023]
The invention (image forming method) according to claim 16 is related to the invention (image forming method) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the document setting device is an automatic document feeder.
[0024]
The invention (image forming method) according to claim 17 is the invention according to claim 14 or 15 (image forming method), wherein the watermark document setting device is a flat bed.
[0025]
According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the sixteenth aspect, in the image inputting step, the image input step is set on the automatic document feeder and conveyed by the automatic document feeder. To obtain image data from the original.
[0026]
The invention (image forming method) according to the nineteenth aspect is the invention according to the seventeenth aspect (image forming method), wherein the image inputting step is performed by setting the watermark on the flatbed and facing the watermark via the flatbed. Watermark image data is obtained from the original document.
[0027]
According to a twentieth aspect (an image forming method) according to the fourteenth aspect or the fifteenth aspect, the composite image creating step includes the step of: If the data is data, the synthesis condition of the watermark image data is set based on the control image data, and then the watermark image data is synthesized as the watermark with the image data acquired second and subsequent times. Create image data.
[0028]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 1 or 2 acquires image data from a document, acquires watermark image data from a watermark document, and combines the image data with the watermark image data as the watermark. When an original is set and a watermark original is set for an image forming apparatus (e.g., a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction peripheral) that creates or synthesizes composite image data and prints or transmits the composite image data, And the watermark image data is acquired from the watermark document, the operation of causing the image forming apparatus to acquire the image data and the watermark image data is integrated and simplified.
[0029]
The invention (image forming apparatus) according to claim 7 further obtains image data from a document, obtains watermark image data from a watermark document, and combines the image data with the watermark image data as the watermark. With respect to an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction peripheral) that creates synthesized image data and prints or transmits the synthesized image data, an operation of setting the synthesis condition of the watermark image data is simplified.
[0030]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0031]
FIG. 1 shows a multifunction peripheral 101 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction peripheral 101 in FIG. 1 includes various hardware 111, various software 112, and a multifunction peripheral starting unit 113. Thus, the MFP 101 of FIG. 1 functions as a copier, printer, scanner, or facsimile.
[0032]
The hardware 111 includes an imaging unit 121, a printing unit 122, and other hardware 123.
[0033]
The imaging unit 121 is hardware for acquiring image data from a document, and is used when functioning as a copy, a scanner, or a facsimile. The imaging unit 121 may be for a monochrome image or a color image. The photographing unit 121 includes a document setting unit and the like as a mechanism relating to a document.
[0034]
The printing unit 122 is hardware for printing image data on printing paper or the like, and is used when functioning as a copy, printer, or facsimile. The printing unit 122 may be for a monochrome image or a color image. The printing unit 122 employs an electrophotographic method here, and includes a photoconductor, a charging device, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and the like. The print unit 122 includes a paper feed unit, a paper discharge unit, a print paper transport mechanism, and the like as mechanisms related to print paper and the like.
[0035]
The other hardware 123 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0036]
As the software 112, there are various applications 131 and a platform 132. These are executed in parallel in process units by an OS (operating system) such as UNIX (registered trademark).
[0037]
The application 131 is software for executing information processing unique to each function such as copying, a printer, a scanner, and a facsimile. The applications 131 include a copy application 141 that is a copy application, a printer application 142 that is a printer application, a scanner application 143 that is a scanner application, a facsimile application 144 that is a facsimile application, and a network. There is a network file application 145 that is a file application.
[0038]
The platform 132 is software for executing information processing regarding a processing request from the application 131 to the hardware 111. The processing request from the application 131 is received by using an application interface (API) 133 that receives the processing request by a predefined function. The transmission of the processing request to the hardware 111 is performed by using a predefined function. An engine interface (ENI) 134 for transmitting a processing request by using a function is used. The platform 132 includes various control services 151, a system resource manager 152, and various handlers 153.
[0039]
The control service 151 interprets a processing request from the application 131 to the hardware 111 and generates a request to acquire the hardware 111 according to the interpretation result. The control services 151 include a network control service (NCS) 161, a facsimile control service (FCS) 162, a delivery control service (DCS) 163, an engine control service (ECS) 164, and a memory control service (MCS) 165. , An operation panel control service (OCS) 166, a user directory control service (UCS) 167, and a system control service (SCS) 168.
[0040]
The process of the NCS 161 provides an API for performing data communication via a network or the like. The process of the FCS 162 provides an API for performing image data communication, image data acquisition, image data printing, and the like as a facsimile. The process of the DCS 163 controls the delivery of the document data stored in the MFP 101. The process of the ECS 164 controls the engine units such as the imaging unit 121 and the printing unit 122. The process of the MCS 165 controls a memory and a hard disk drive such as image data storage and image data processing. The process of the OCS 166 controls the operation panel. The process of the UCS 167 controls the management of user information. The process of the SCS 168 controls the management of the system.
[0041]
The system resource manager (SRM) 152 arbitrates the acquisition request for the hardware 111 and performs control for realizing the processing request to the hardware 111 according to the arbitration result. Specifically, the process of the SRM 152 determines whether the hardware 111 related to the acquisition request is available (whether there is no conflict with another acquisition request), and if it is available, the fact is determined. To the control service 151. Further, a use schedule of the hardware 111 according to the acquisition request is created, and control for realizing a processing request to the hardware 111 is performed according to the creation result.
[0042]
The handler 153 manages the hardware 111 according to the arbitration result. As the handler 153, a facsimile control unit handler (FCUH) 171 and an image memory handler (IMH) 172 exist. The FCUH 171 manages the facsimile control unit. The IMH 172 allocates memory to each process and manages the memory allocated to each process.
[0043]
The multifunction peripheral starting unit 113 is executed first when the multifunction peripheral 101 is powered on. As a result, an OS such as UNIX (registered trademark) is started, and the application 131 and the platform 132 are started. These programs are stored in the hard disk drive, reproduced from the hard disk drive, and activated in the memory.
[0044]
FIG. 2 illustrates the hardware 111 of the MFP 101 of FIG. The hardware 111 includes a controller 201, an operation panel 202, a USB device 203, an IEEE 1394 device 204, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 205, an imaging unit 121, and a printing unit 122. Components other than the imaging unit 121 and the printing unit 122 in FIG. 2 correspond to the “other hardware 123” in FIG.
[0045]
The controller 201 includes a CPU 211, an ASIC 212, an NB (north bridge) 221, an SB (south bridge) 222, a MEM-P (system memory) 231, a MEM-C (local memory) 232, and an HDD (hard disk drive). ) 233 and an NIC (network interface controller) 241.
[0046]
The CPU 211 is hardware for executing various information processing. For example, the application 131 and the platform 132 are executed in parallel on a process basis by an OS such as UNIX (registered trademark). The ASIC 212 is an image data processing IC. The NB 221 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 211 and the ASIC 212. The SB 222 is a bridge for connecting the NB 221 to peripheral devices and the like.
[0047]
The MEM-P 231 is a memory connected to the NB 221 and used. The MEM-C 232 is a memory connected to the ASIC 212 and used. The HDD 233 is a storage connected to the ASIC 212 and used for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, form data, and the like. The NIC 241 is hardware used by being connected to the ASIC 212, and is used for performing data communication using a MAC address or the like via a network or the like.
[0048]
The operation panel 202 is hardware (operation unit) for the operator to input data to the multifunction peripheral 101 and hardware (display unit) for the multifunction peripheral 101 to output data to the operator. The operation panel 202 is connected to the ASIC 212.
[0049]
The USB device 203 is a device for connecting a cable conforming to the USB standard. The IEEE 1394 device 204 is a device for connecting a cable conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard. These are used for performing tandem printing and the like. The USB device 203, the IEEE 1394 device 204, the facsimile control unit 205, the imaging unit 121, and the printing unit 122 are connected to the ASIC 212 via a PCI bus.
[0050]
FIG. 3 shows an appearance of the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. FIG. 3 illustrates the position of the imaging unit 121, the position of the printing unit 122, and the position of the operation panel 202. FIG. 3 further shows a document setting unit 301 for setting a document, a paper feeding unit 302 as a paper feeding destination, and a paper discharging unit 303 as a printing paper discharging destination.
The document setting unit 301 is a component of the imaging unit 121, and the paper feeding unit 302 and the paper discharging unit 303 are components of the printing unit 122.
[0051]
The operation panel 202 includes, as shown in FIG. 4, a touch panel 311, numeric buttons 312, and a start button 313. When a document is set in the document setting unit 301, the MFP 101 obtains image data from the document by the imaging unit 121 by pressing the start button 313. In the case where the multifunction peripheral 101 functions as a copy, the image data is printed on a print sheet or the like by the printing unit 122. To other electronic devices via the Internet. In the case of tandem printing, the USB device 203 or the IEEE 1394 device 204 transmits the image data to another electronic device via a cable or the like.
[0052]
The document setting unit 301 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 321, a flatbed 322, and a flatbed cover 323.
[0053]
The ADF 321 is provided on the upper surface of the flatbed cover 323. A plurality of originals can be set on the ADF 321 in an overlapping manner. When a document is set on the ADF 321, the MFP 101 obtains image data from the document by the imaging unit 121 by pressing the start button 313. More specifically, when the start button 313 is pressed, the ADF 321 sequentially transports the originals along a path as shown by an arrow in FIG. 3, and the imaging unit 121 sequentially transmits the originals along a path as shown by an arrow in FIG. The image data is sequentially acquired from the conveyed document.
[0054]
The flatbed 322 appears when the flatbed cover 323 is opened. The flat bed 322 is formed of a transparent member such as glass, and a document is set on the flat bed 322 in a downward direction. When a document is set on the flatbed 322, the MFP 101 obtains image data from the document by the imaging unit 121 by pressing the start button 313. More specifically, when the start button 313 is pressed, the imaging unit 121 acquires image data from the facing document via the flatbed 322.
[0055]
(First embodiment)
A first embodiment according to the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1 will be described.
[0056]
In the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1, when a document is set on the ADF 321 and a watermark document is set on the flatbed 322, the start button 313 is pressed, and the image capturing unit 121 acquires image data from the document. At the same time, watermark image data is acquired from the watermark document, and the CPU 211 or the ASIC 212 creates composite image data in which the watermark image data is combined with the image data as the watermark.
[0057]
The MFP 101 of FIG. 1 prints the composite image data on a print sheet or the like by the printing unit 122 when functioning as a copy, and copies the composite image data by the NIC 241 when functioning as a scanner or facsimile. The data is transmitted to another electronic device via a network or the like. In the case of tandem printing, the USB device 203 or the IEEE 1394 device 204 transmits the composite image data to another electronic device via a cable or the like.
[0058]
As described above, in order to cause the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1 to acquire image data and watermark image data, a document is set on the ADF 321, a watermark document is set on the flatbed 322, and the start button 313 is pressed. One-step operation may be performed. The two-step operation of setting the watermark document on the flatbed 322, pressing the start button 313, setting the document on the ADF 321 again, and pressing the start button 313 need not be performed. Thus, the operation of causing the multifunction peripheral 101 in FIG. 1 to acquire the image data and the watermark image data is integrated and simplified.
[0059]
Here, the multifunction peripheral 101 in FIG. 1 recognizes the original set on the ADF 321 as an “original” and recognizes the original set on the flatbed 322 as a “watermark original”. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a difference between the original and the watermark original other than the user's subjectivity.
[0060]
The MFP 101 shown in FIG. 1 always obtains image data and watermark image data by pressing the start button 313 when a document is set on the ADF 321 and a watermark document is set on the flatbed 322. Alternatively, the image data and the watermark image data may be obtained only when the mode is set to that effect.
[0061]
The details of the first embodiment of the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0062]
As a premise, the user performs an operation of setting a document on the ADF 321, setting a watermark document on the flatbed 322, and pressing a start button 313. It is sufficient that the original is set and the watermark original is set before the start button 313 is pressed. Therefore, the original may be set first or the watermark original may be set first.
[0063]
When a document is set on the ADF 321 and a watermark document is set on the flatbed 322, the multifunction peripheral 101 obtains watermark image data from the watermark document by the imaging unit 121 by pressing the start button 313 (see FIG. S51). Subsequently, the image data is acquired from the document by the imaging unit 121 (S52).
Subsequently, the CPU 211 or the ASIC 212 creates synthesized image data obtained by synthesizing the image data with the watermark image data as the watermark (S53). The watermark image data, the image data, and the composite image data are stored in the MEM-P 231 or the MEM-C 232.
[0064]
Note that the control of the imaging unit 121, the ADF 321 and the flatbed 322 is performed by the process of the ECS 164, the control of the start button 313 is performed by the process of the OCS 168, and the control of the MEM-P 231 and MEM-C 232 is performed by the process of the MCS 165. .
[0065]
Subsequently, the multifunction peripheral 101 prints or transmits the composite image data (S54). When functioning as a copy, the printing unit 122 prints the combined image data on printing paper or the like, and when functioning as a scanner or facsimile, the NIC 241 converts the combined image data to a computer or facsimile via a network or the like. And so on. In the case of tandem printing, the combined image data is transmitted to a printer or the like via a cable or the like by the USB device 203 or the IEEE 1394 device 204. For example, how the multifunction peripheral 101 functions is set in advance by the user using the touch panel 311. In this case, for example, the initial setting is set so as to function as a copy.
[0066]
The control of the printing unit 122 is performed by the process of the ECS 164, and the API for performing data communication by the NIC 241, the USB device 203, and the IEEE 1394 device 204 is provided by the process of the NCS 161.
[0067]
When functioning as a copy, the copy application 141 is involved. When functioning as a scanner, the scanner application 143 is involved. When functioning as a facsimile, the facsimile application 144 is involved. When functioning as a facsimile, an FCS 162 process is further involved.
[0068]
When a plurality of originals are set on the ADF 321 in a superposed manner, the multifunction peripheral 101 executes the processing from S52 to S54 for each original one by one by pressing the start button 313. Therefore, when the processes from S52 to S54 are performed on one document, it is detected whether or not the document remains in the ADF 321 (S55). If the original remains in the ADF 321, the processes from S52 to S54 are executed again for one original.
[0069]
Here, the processing of S55 is executed after the processing of S54, but the processing of S55 may be executed after the processing of S53 or S52. That is, instead of performing the processing from S52 to S54 one by one in order, the processing from S52 to S53 may be performed one by one in order, and the processing in S54 may be performed collectively. May be executed one by one in order, and the processes from S53 to S54 may be executed collectively.
[0070]
(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment according to the MFP 101 of FIG. 1 will be described.
[0071]
In the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1, when a plurality of originals are set on the ADF 321 and a watermark original is set on the flatbed 322, the start button 313 is pressed, and the imaging unit 121 outputs the plurality of originals. The image data is sequentially obtained from the original document, and the watermark image data is obtained from the watermark original.
[0072]
In the case where the first acquired image data is control image data, the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1 sets the synthesis condition of the watermark image data based on the control image data, The combined image data is created by combining the watermarked image data with the acquired image data as the watermark.
[0073]
The MFP 101 of FIG. 1 prints the composite image data on a print sheet or the like by the printing unit 122 when functioning as a copy, and copies the composite image data by the NIC 241 when functioning as a scanner or facsimile. The data is transmitted to another electronic device via a network or the like. In the case of tandem printing, the USB device 203 or the IEEE 1394 device 204 transmits the composite image data to another electronic device via a cable or the like.
[0074]
The control image data is image data obtained from the control document.
The control document is a document on which a control image for controlling the MFP 101 of FIG. 1 is drawn. Here, the control image is composed of 16 black bars as shown in FIG. 6, and holds 16-bit information depending on the presence or absence of the 16 black bars.
For example, it holds the conditions for synthesizing the watermark image data, such as at which position of the image data the watermark image is to be synthesized and to which image data the watermark image is to be synthesized. The multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1 analyzes whether or not the first acquired image data is control image data. If the first acquired image data is control image data, The conditions for synthesizing watermark image data are set based on the image data for use.
[0075]
As described above, in order to set the conditions for synthesizing the watermark image data, a simple operation of setting the control document on the ADF 321 may be performed. This simplifies the operation for setting the conditions for synthesizing watermark image data.
[0076]
In the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1, when a document is set on the ADF 321 and a watermark document is set on the flatbed 322, the start button 313 is pressed, so that the first acquired image data is always displayed. It may be analyzed whether or not the image data is control image data, or it is determined whether or not the first acquired image data is control image data only when the mode is set to that effect. The analysis may be performed.
[0077]
The details of the second embodiment relating to the multifunction peripheral 101 of FIG. 1 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0078]
As a premise, the user performs an operation of setting a plurality of originals (including control originals) on the ADF 321 in a superposed manner, setting a watermark original on the flatbed 322, and pressing a start button 313. This is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0079]
When a document is set on the ADF 321 and a watermark document is set on the flatbed 322, the multifunction peripheral 101 obtains watermark image data from the watermark document by the imaging unit 121 by pressing the start button 313 (see FIG. S51). This is the same as S51 of the first embodiment. Subsequently, the image data is acquired from the document by the imaging unit 121 (S52). This is the same as S52 of the first embodiment.
[0080]
Here, the multifunction peripheral 101 analyzes with the CPU 211 and the ASIC 212 whether or not the first acquired image data is control image data (S71, S72). Here, pseudo OMR processing is performed on a specific portion of the first acquired image data, and whether or not the image data is control image data is analyzed based on whether or not 16 black bars are detected. The analysis result is held in MEM-P231 or MEM-C232.
The control of the MEM-P 231 and the MEM-C 232 is performed by the process of the MCS 165.
[0081]
If the first acquired image data is control image data, the multifunction peripheral 101 further sets the conditions for synthesizing watermark image data based on the control image data by the CPU 211 or the ASIC 212 (S73). Here, a pseudo OMR process is performed on a specific portion of the first acquired image data, and 16-bit information is calculated based on the presence or absence of 16 black bars, thereby synthesizing the watermark image at any position in the image data. To be combined, and with which image data the watermark image is combined. The setting result is stored in the MEM-P231 or the MEM-C232. The control of the MEM-P 231 and the MEM-C 232 is performed by the process of the MCS 165.
[0082]
Incidentally, when the ADF 321 conveys the document in order from the top, the image data obtained from the document set on the top becomes the image data obtained first, and the ADF 321 transfers the document in order from the bottom. When the document is conveyed, the image data obtained from the document set at the bottom becomes the image data obtained first.
[0083]
Subsequently, the multifunction peripheral 101 creates composite image data in which the CPU 211 and the ASIC 212 combine the image data with the watermark image data as the watermark under the above-described composition condition with respect to the image data acquired after the second (S53). ). This is the same as S53 of the first embodiment.
[0084]
Subsequently, the multifunction peripheral 101 prints or transmits the composite image data (S54). When functioning as a copy, the printing unit 122 prints the combined image data on printing paper or the like, and when functioning as a scanner or facsimile, the NIC 241 converts the combined image data to a computer or facsimile via a network or the like. And so on. In the case of tandem printing, the combined image data is transmitted to a printer or the like via a cable or the like by the USB device 203 or the IEEE 1394 device 204. This is the same as S54 of the first embodiment.
[0085]
When a plurality of originals are set on the ADF 321 in a superposed manner, the start button 313 is pressed, and the MFP 101 executes the processing from S52 to S54 and the processing from S71 to S73 one by one for each original. . Therefore, when the processes from S52 to S54 and S71 to S73 are performed for one document, it is detected whether or not the document remains in the ADF 321 (S55). If the original remains in the ADF 321, the processes from S52 to S54 and S71 to S73 are executed again for one original. This is the same as S55 of the first embodiment.
[0086]
By the way, in a case where the combined image data is created and printed on the printing paper under the combining condition that the watermark image is combined with the N-th acquired image data, the N-th printing paper is referred to as “transfer paper”. If so, it can be used as a substitute for slip sheets.
[0087]
Further, the control image may hold a storage request or a reproduction request of the watermark image data. In this case, the MFP 101 accumulates the watermark image data in the HDD 233 in S73 based on the accumulation request, and reproduces the watermark image data from the HDD 233 in S53 in response to the reproduction request. The watermark image data is combined with the image data. In this case, instead of acquiring the first image data after acquiring the watermark image data, the watermark image data may be acquired after acquiring the first image data. This is because when the watermark image data is reproduced and used, the process of acquiring the watermark image data can be omitted. The control of the HDD 233 is performed by the process of the MCS 165.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the present invention obtains image data from a document, obtains watermark image data from a watermark document, and creates composite image data obtained by combining the image data with the watermark image data as the watermark. With regard to an image forming apparatus that prints or transmits composite image data (for example, a multifunction peripheral or a multifunction peripheral), it is possible to simplify the operation of causing the image forming apparatus to acquire image data and watermark image data.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows hardware of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 shows an appearance of the multifunction peripheral shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 shows an operation panel.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 shows a control image.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 fusion machine
111 hardware
112 software
113 Fusion machine starter
121 Imaging unit
122 Printing unit
123 Other hardware
131 Application
132 platform
133 Application Interface
134 Engine Interface
141 Copy application
142 Printer App
143 Scanner app
144 facsimile application
145 Network File App
151 Control Service
152 System Resource Manager
153 handler
161 Network Control Service
162 facsimile control service
163 Delivery control service
164 Engine control service
165 Memory control service
166 Operation Panel Control Service
167 User Directory Control Service
168 System Control Service
171 Facsimile control unit handler
172 Image memory handler
201 Controller
202 Operation Panel
203 USB device
204 IEEE 1394 device
205 Facsimile control unit
211 CPU
212 ASIC
221 NB
222 SB
231 MEM-P
232 MEM-C
233 HDD
241 NIC
301 Original setting section
302 Paper Feeder
303 paper output unit
311 Touch panel
312 Numeric buttons
313 Start button
321 ADF
322 flatbed
323 flatbed cover

Claims (20)

Document setting means for setting a document, watermark document setting means for setting a watermark document, and when a document is set and a watermark document is set, image data is obtained from the document. Image input means for acquiring watermark image data from the watermark manuscript; synthetic image creation means for creating composite image data obtained by combining the image data with the watermark image data as a watermark; and printing the composite image data An image forming apparatus comprising: Document setting means for setting a document, watermark document setting means for setting a watermark document, and when a document is set and a watermark document is set, image data is obtained from the document. Image input means for acquiring watermark image data from the watermark document; combined image creation means for creating combined image data obtained by combining the image data with the watermark image data as a watermark; and transmitting the combined image data An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document setting unit is an automatic document feeder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the watermark document setting unit is a flat bed. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image input unit acquires image data from a document set in the automatic document feeder and conveyed by the automatic document feeder. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image input unit acquires watermark image data from a watermark document set on the flat bed and facing the flat document via the flat bed. In the case where the first acquired image data is control image data, the composite image creating means sets a composition condition of the watermark image data based on the control image data, 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein combined image data is created by combining the watermarked image data with the acquired image data as a watermark. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the combining condition is a position in the image data at which the watermark image data is combined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the combination condition is to which image data the watermark image data is combined. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the composite image output unit prints the composite image data as a copy. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the composite image output unit transmits the composite image data as a scanner. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the composite image output unit transmits the composite image data as a facsimile. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the composite image output unit transmits the composite image data for tandem printing. An image forming method performed using a document setting device for setting a document and a watermark document setting device for setting a watermark document, wherein the document is set and the watermark document is set. In this case, an image input step of acquiring image data from the document and acquiring watermark image data from the watermark document, and creating composite image data obtained by combining the image data with the watermark image data as a watermark. An image forming method, comprising: a composite image creating step; and a composite image output step of printing the composite image data. An image forming method performed using a document setting device for setting a document and a watermark document setting device for setting a watermark document, wherein the document is set and the watermark document is set. In this case, an image input step of acquiring image data from the document and acquiring watermark image data from the watermark document, and creating composite image data obtained by combining the image data with the watermark image data as a watermark. An image forming method, comprising: a composite image creation step; and a composite image output step of transmitting the composite image data. 16. The image forming method according to claim 14, wherein the document setting device is an automatic document feeder. 16. The image forming method according to claim 14, wherein the watermark document setting device is a flat bed. 17. The image forming method according to claim 16, wherein in the image input step, image data is acquired from a document set on the automatic document feeder and conveyed by the automatic document feeder. 18. The image forming method according to claim 17, wherein in the image input step, watermark image data is acquired from a watermark document set on the flat bed and facing through the flat bed. When the first acquired image data is control image data, the composite image creation step sets a composition condition of the watermark image data based on the control image data, 16. The image forming method according to claim 14, wherein composite image data is generated by combining the watermarked image data with the acquired image data as a watermark.

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