JP2004235680A - Manuscript reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a manuscript reader which has no need of works for inserting wrong recognized pages after printing, etc. or works for removing papers after printing, etc. <P>SOLUTION: The reader comprises a reading unit 4 for reading picture images on a manuscript, a decider 5 for deciding whether the read manuscript is a blank, an indicating/operating unit 6 for extracting and indicating the picture of a page decided to be blank and for executing operations by a user, and an output unit 7 for outputting image data of the read picture image. The user operates to select each of pages decided to be blank and listed on the indicating/operating unit 6 and output it from the output unit 7, thus printing it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus such as a scanner, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, and a multifunction printer that scans a document, reads an image, and outputs image data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art A conventional document reading apparatus scans a document by optical reading, reads the image as an image, and outputs and prints image data of the read image. As a result, copying of a document can be performed. Patent Document 1 discloses a document reading apparatus provided with a determination unit that determines whether a document is blank.
[0003]
This determining means determines, based on the luminance signal of the reflected light of the light radiated onto the original, black if the luminance is smaller than a predetermined value for each pixel, and blanks if the number of pixels determined to be black is smaller than the predetermined number. Is determined. The user can prohibit the output of a page determined to be blank in advance. As a result, it is possible to reduce wasteful printing paper and the burden on the user who removes blank paper.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-7-264363 (pages 2 to 12, FIG. 1)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, according to the above-described conventional document reading apparatus, when a document having a small amount of information in which only an outer frame line is described in one page is read, the determination unit may erroneously recognize that the sheet is blank. As a result, image data to be output is not output, and it is necessary to insert a page that has been removed after printing.
[0006]
Further, in recent years, a document reading apparatus capable of reading both sides of a document has become widespread. When reading both sides of a document, if the document with the information on the back side and the document without the information are mixed, the output of blank image data is prohibited and the page is packed and printed. Can be reduced.
[0007]
At this time, if the page to be output is erroneously recognized by the determination means, the page cannot be inserted later. Further, it is impossible to leave a part of the back page made of blank paper adjacent to the front page as a margin for memos or the like. Therefore, there is a problem that the convenience of the user is further deteriorated.
[0008]
SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a document reading apparatus that can improve user convenience.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a reading unit for reading an image of a document, a determining unit for determining whether the read document is blank, and a display capable of extracting and displaying an image of a page determined to be blank. Unit, an operation unit for performing an operation by a user, and an output unit for outputting image data of the read image image, and selecting each page displayed on the display unit by determining that the page is blank by operating the operation unit And output by the output unit.
[0010]
According to this configuration, the image of the document is read by the reading unit, and the determination unit determines whether the document is blank. The pages determined to be blank are displayed, for example, in a list on the display unit, and whether or not to output image data for each page is set by a user operation on the operation unit. For example, it is possible to set so as to output a page which has a small amount of information described and is erroneously recognized as a blank page or a page which is to be left as a blank page. Image data is output from the output unit together with the page determined to be non-blank and the page set to be output as determined to be blank is printed.
[0011]
Further, according to the present invention, in the document reading apparatus having the above-described configuration, an image of a page determined to be not blank can be extracted and displayed on the display unit, and the output of image data can be prohibited by selecting the image by operating the operation unit. And According to this configuration, the pages determined not to be blank are displayed in a list on the display unit, for example, and whether or not to prohibit the output of the image data for each page is set by a user operation using the operation unit. For example, output of a page made of colored paper on which no information is described and incorrectly recognized as not blank is prohibited.
[0012]
Further, according to the present invention, in the document reading apparatus having the above configuration, reduced images of each page determined by the determination unit are displayed as a list on the display unit. According to this configuration, a list of reduced images of the page determined to be blank is displayed on the display unit. Also, a list of reduced images of the page determined to be not blank is displayed on the display unit. When the number of pages increases, the screen of the display unit is switched and displayed as a list.
[0013]
Further, according to the invention, in the document reading apparatus having the above-described configuration, the reading unit reads images on both sides of the document. According to this configuration, the image image on the front side and the image image on the back side of the document are read, and, for example, pages with blank back sides are packed and output. At this time, the page determined to be blank can be output while being left by the user's selection.
[0014]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the document reading apparatus having the above-described configuration, the result of blank sheet determination on the front and back sides is displayed on the display unit every time one document is read. According to this configuration, erroneous recognition of blank sheet determination can be checked in real time.
[0015]
Further, according to the present invention, in the document reading apparatus having the above-mentioned configuration, the image on the front side and the image on the back side of the document can be displayed on separate screens by the display section.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment. The document reading device 1 includes a CPU 2 that controls each unit. The feeding unit 3, the reading unit 4, the determination unit 5, the display / operation unit 6, the output unit 7, the storage unit 8, and the printing unit 9 are connected to the CPU 2.
[0017]
The feeding unit 3 feeds the documents placed on a paper feed tray or the like one by one. The reading unit 4 includes a light source that emits light, a scanning unit that scans the light emitted from the light source in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the feeding unit 3, and a light receiving unit such as a CCD that receives reflected light of the document and converts the reflected light into an electric signal. Element.
[0018]
As a result, the document fed by the feeding unit 3 is irradiated with light and scanned, and the brightness of the reflected light is captured to create and output an image image based on a brightness signal for each pixel. Note that a pair of the reading units 4 of the present embodiment are provided on both sides of the document so as to read images on both sides of the document.
[0019]
The determination unit 5 is configured by an electronic circuit or software, and determines whether or not a sheet is blank based on the image output from the reading unit 4. For example, whether or not a sheet is blank is determined by determining that the pixel is black when the brightness is smaller than a predetermined value for each pixel, and determining that the pixel is blank when the number of pixels determined to be black is smaller than the predetermined number.
[0020]
The display / operation unit 6 is configured by a touch panel or the like that can operate on a display screen. The display / operation unit 6 displays a reduced image of the image read by the reading unit 4 and a setting menu, and allows the user to set document reading conditions and the like. A display unit including a liquid crystal panel or the like and an operation unit including an operation panel may be provided separately.
[0021]
The output unit 7 extracts image data of the image read by the reading unit 4 under a predetermined condition and outputs the extracted image data to the printing unit 9. As a result, the printing unit 9 performs printing based on the data received from the output unit 7 and copies the original. The image can also be captured by outputting image data from the output unit 7 to a personal computer or the like connected to the document reading device 1. The storage unit 7 includes a RAM, an HDD, and the like, and stores image data read by the reading unit 3 and data set by the user using the display / operation unit 6.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document reading apparatus 1 having the above configuration. In step # 11, one document is fed by the feeding unit 3, and the image images on both sides of the document are read by the reading unit 4. In step # 12, the image read by the reading unit 4 is stored in the storage unit 8. In step # 13, the determination unit 5 determines whether the front and back sides of the read original are blank.
[0023]
In step # 14, the determination result of the determination unit 5 is displayed on the display / operation unit 6. FIG. 3 shows a display screen 30 of “blank sheet automatic determination reading” displayed on the display / operation unit 6 at this time. On the display screen 30, a reduced image 21a on the front side and a reduced image 21b on the back side of the read document are displayed together with the page number 20. Marks such as “○” indicating that the determination result is not blank and “x” indicating that the determination result is blank are added to the reduced images 21a and 21b. Thereby, the user can confirm the erroneous recognition of the determination unit 5 in real time.
[0024]
In step # 15, it is determined whether or not all the originals have been fed by the feeding unit 3. If there is a document that has not been read, the process returns to step # 11 and steps # 11 to # 15 are repeated. When reading of all originals is completed, the process proceeds to step # 16.
[0025]
In step # 16, the result of the blank page determination is displayed on the display / operation unit 6 in total. FIG. 4 shows a display screen 31 of “blank sheet determination total result” displayed on the display / operation unit 6 at this time. Frames 12 and 13 are provided on the display screen 31, and the results of blank sheet determination on the front and back sides of the document are displayed in total.
[0026]
A blank paper list button 14 for displaying a list of reduced images on the front surface is provided in the frame 12. In the frame 13, a blank sheet list button 15 for displaying a list of reduced images on the back surface is provided. At the bottom of the display screen 31, an all-page edit button 16 for displaying a list of reduced images of all pages of the document is provided. Further, a print start button 17 for printing by the printing unit 9 based on the data output from the output unit 7 is provided at an upper portion of the display screen 31.
[0027]
In step # 17, it is determined whether or not all pages are displayed in a list by operating the all page edit button 16. If the all page edit button 16 has been operated, the process proceeds to step # 21. If the all page edit button 16 has not been operated, the process proceeds to step # 18.
[0028]
In step # 18, it is determined whether or not the list of the front surface or the back surface is displayed by operating the blank page list button 14 or the blank page list button 15. When the blank page list button 14 or the blank page list button 15 is operated, the process proceeds to step # 19, and when the blank page list button 14 or the blank page list button 15 is not operated, the process proceeds to step # 23.
[0029]
In step # 23, it is determined whether the print start button 17 has been operated. If the print start button 17 is not operated, the process returns to step # 16, and waits until any one of the all page edit button 16, the blank page list buttons 14, 15 and the print start button 17 is operated. When the print start button 17 is operated, the image data of the page determined to be not blank by the determination unit 5 is output from the output unit 7 to the printing unit 9. As a result, printing is performed while omitting pages determined as blank by the printing unit 9 in step # 24.
[0030]
When the blank page list button 14 or the blank page list button 15 is operated from the standby state of steps # 16 to # 23, the process proceeds to step # 19. In step # 19, a reduced image of the front or back surface is displayed on the display / operation unit 6 in a list according to the blank page list buttons 14 and 15 operated. FIG. 5 shows a display screen 32 of “blank page determination page list” in which the back side is displayed in a list on the display / operation unit 6 by operating the blank page list button 15. The reduced image of the front side is displayed on the same screen by operating the blank page list button 14.
[0031]
On the display screen 32, the reduced image 21b on the back surface is displayed as a list together with the page number 20. At the upper part of the display screen 32, a setting end button 18 for returning to the display screen 31 of the "blank sheet determination total result" shown in FIG. On both sides of the display screen 32, page feed buttons 19a and 19b are provided.
[0032]
By operating the page feed buttons 19a and 19b, a reduced image 21b of another page that cannot be displayed on one screen is displayed. Above each reduced image 21b, a label 22 such as "x" indicating that it is a blank sheet determined by the determination unit 5 or "o" (not shown) indicating that it is not a blank sheet is displayed.
[0033]
In step # 20, when each of the reduced images 21b or each of the labels 22 is pressed and operated, the state of the labels 22 can be switched and set. That is, the label 22 of “X” is changed to “O”, the label 22 of “O” is changed to “X”, and the changed result is stored in the storage unit 8. This makes it possible to output image data of a page determined to be blank and to inhibit output of image data of a page determined not to be blank.
[0034]
When the output of each page is set, the operation of the setting end button 18 returns to the display screen 31 of "blank sheet determination total result" in FIG. 4, and it is determined in step # 23 whether the print start button 17 has been operated. When the print start button 17 is operated, the image data of the page to which the label 22 of “○” is added according to the judgment result of the judgment unit 5 and the user setting is taken out of the storage unit 8, and the printing unit 9 is output from the output unit 7. Is output to As a result, in step # 24, printing is performed by the printing unit 9 while omitting the page to which the “X” label 22 is added.
[0035]
When the all page edit button 16 is operated from the standby state of steps # 16 to # 23, the process proceeds to step # 21. In step # 21, the reduced images of all pages are displayed in a list on the display / operation unit 6. FIG. 6 shows a display screen 33 of "edit all pages list" displayed on the display / operation unit 6 at this time.
[0036]
Similar to the display screen 32 (see FIG. 5), the display screen 33 is provided with a setting end button 18 at the upper part, and page feed buttons 19a and 19b on both sides. Then, the reduced images 21a and 21b of the front and back surfaces are displayed in a list together with the page number 20. Above each of the reduced images 21a and 21b, a label 22 such as "x" indicating that the sheet is a blank sheet judged by the judging section 5 or "o" indicating that the sheet is not a blank sheet is displayed.
[0037]
In the step # 22, if the setting for switching the label 22 by operating each of the reduced images 21a and 21b or each label 22 is performed, the image data of the page determined to be blank can be output and the blank It is possible to prohibit the output of the image data of the page determined not to be. Then, printing is performed according to the settings in steps # 23 and # 24.
[0038]
According to the present embodiment, a list of pages determined to be blank by the determination unit 5 can be displayed and a page to which image data is output can be set by the user, so that a page erroneously recognized as blank by the determination unit 5 can be printed. Therefore, it is not necessary to insert an erroneously recognized page after printing, thereby improving user convenience. In addition, since a list of pages determined to be blank is displayed, it is not necessary to confirm erroneous recognition of the determination unit 5 for all pages of the document, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.
[0039]
Note that a list of documents that are not determined to be blank may be displayed so that output of image data can be prohibited by a user operation. Thus, it is possible to prevent image data from being output when a document on which information is described is misidentified as blank or when a colored sheet is not determined to be blank.
[0040]
In addition, since both sides of the document are read by the reading unit 4, even if a document with information on the back side and a document with no information are mixed, the determination unit 5 erroneously recognizes the page as a blank page and reads the page. Can not be inserted later. In addition, a part of the back page made of blank paper can be left as a margin for memos or the like adjacent to the front page by user setting. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further improved.
[0041]
In addition, since the image on the front side and the image on the back side of the document are displayed on separate screens, it is not necessary to search all pages for a page for which printing of a blank page or printing of a non-blank page is to be inhibited, thereby enabling quick setting operation. .
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the document reading apparatus 1 capable of double-side reading is described. However, even in the case of a single-side reading document reading apparatus, a list of pages determined to be blank can be displayed and output can be prohibited. . Also, although the document reading apparatus 1 having the printing unit 9 has been described, a scanner or the like that outputs image data from the output unit 7 without the printing unit 9 may be used.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a page determined to be blank by the determination unit can be displayed and a page for outputting image data can be set by the user, so that a page erroneously recognized as blank by the determination unit can be printed. Therefore, it is not necessary to insert an erroneously recognized page after printing, thereby improving user convenience. In addition, since a list of pages determined to be blank is displayed, it is not necessary to confirm erroneous recognition of the determination unit for all pages of the document, and the convenience for the user can be further improved.
[0044]
Further, according to the present invention, a list of pages determined to be non-blank by the determination unit can be displayed, and a page for which image data output is prohibited can be set by a user. If it is erroneously recognized that is not a blank sheet, the output of image data can be prohibited by user setting. Therefore, work such as removal of paper after printing becomes unnecessary, and user convenience can be improved.
[0045]
Further, according to the present invention, since the image images on both sides of the original are read, even if the original with information on the back side and the original with no information are mixed, the determination unit erroneously recognizes the page as blank and recognizes the page as a blank page. The problem that cannot be inserted later can be solved. Also, a part of the back page made of blank paper can be left as a margin for memos or the like adjacent to the front page by user setting. Therefore, the convenience for the user can be further improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a document reading apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the document reading apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view showing a display screen of a blank sheet automatic determination reading of a display unit of the document reading apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of a blank page determination totaling result on a display unit of the document reading apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen of a blank page determination page list on the display unit of the document reading apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a display screen for listing / editing all pages on a display unit of the document reading apparatus according to the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Document reading device 2 CPU
3 feeding unit 4 reading unit 5 determination unit 6 display / operation unit 7 output unit 8 storage unit 9 printing units 21a, 21b reduced images 22 labels

Claims (6)

A reading unit that reads an image of a document, a determination unit that determines whether the read document is blank, a display unit that can extract and display an image of a page determined to be blank, and an operation unit that is operated by a user An output unit that outputs image data of the read image image, wherein each page displayed on the display unit determined as blank is selected by an operation of the operation unit and output by the output unit. Document reading device. 2. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image of a page determined to be not blank is extracted and displayed on the display unit, and output of image data can be inhibited by selecting the image by operating the operation unit. 3. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reduced image of each page determined by the determination unit is displayed as a list on the display unit. 4. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads images on both sides of the document. 5. The document reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each time one document is read, the result of blank page determination on the front and back sides is displayed on the display unit. 6. The document reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display unit can display an image on the front surface and an image on the back surface of the document on different screens.

Images