JP2005094473A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus for properly forming an image on recording paper even when recording paper not in use and recording paper on one side of which recording is made are intermingled. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of recording paper sheets contained in paper feed trays 6a to 6c of a paper feed section 2 are set on an original platen 21 of an ADF 4 in an MFP 1, when investigation of recording paper is instructed, a paper feed sensor 22 senses the recording paper to be carried, a front side image sensor 24 and a rear side image sensor 26 sense the presence / absence of images of the front and rear sides of the recording paper, the MFP 1 acquires sheet quantity information denoting to which order number of recording paper sheets a concerned recording paper sheet corresponds and image information about presence / absence of the images on the front and rear sides, stores the information to a memory of a paper management section 32, and allows a recording print section 27 to record the sheet quantity information and the image information on recording paper. Thus, the MFP 1 can efficiently acquire a state of each recording paper (blank on both sides, blank on one side, and recorded on both sides, or the like) and easily sort the recording paper sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus that appropriately forms an image even when unused recording paper and single-sided recording paper are mixed.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are MFPs (multifunction devices) such as digital copiers having composite functions such as a copying function, a printer function, and a facsimile function. In such an MFP, an original is separated one by one from a group of original bundles. In many cases, an ADF (Auto Document Fieder) is provided that transports the document to the reading position and discharges the document that has been read to the paper discharge unit (see Patent Document 1).

  By providing an ADF in this way, when reading a document, it is very efficient because it saves the trouble of reading each document one by one. This eliminates the need for organizing the document that has been discharged to the paper discharge unit and has been discharged, which is efficient.

  An MFP having such an ADF generally includes an image memory, and when copying, image data obtained by reading an image of a document conveyed by the ADF is temporarily stored in the image memory, and is usually recorded. As soon as preparation is completed, it is read out from the image memory and recorded on a recording sheet.

  In addition, as an image processing apparatus, an apparatus capable of performing double-sided recording that records an image on both sides of a recording sheet has conventionally appeared (see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-279844 JP 7-66929 A

  However, in an image processing apparatus equipped with an ADF and capable of double-sided recording, the original can be automatically conveyed and double-sided recording can be performed. Considering the use of, there was a need for improvement in improving usability.

  That is, conventionally, as recording paper, blank recording paper is generally used on both sides, but in order to make effective use of resources, single-sided recording paper on which an image has already been recorded on one side is also used.

  Since double-sided blank recording paper can be used on both sides, when an image is formed by an image processing apparatus capable of double-sided recording, the user can make settings related to transfer such as double-sided writing. In this case, if the user does not know that one side has been recorded in advance, double-sided writing or the like is performed without knowing, and the user performs double-writing that forms an image on the recorded side. However, unintended image formation is performed and the paper is discharged.

  In particular, when single-sided recording paper and double-sided blank recording paper are mixed in the same paper feed tray, which recording paper is in the paper feed tray is single-sided recording paper and which recording paper is double-sided. In addition to being able to easily classify whether it is blank recording paper, it is also necessary to perform an operation for sorting, which is extremely inefficient and poorly usable.

  Therefore, the present invention is an image processing apparatus provided with an ADF, in which a recording paper group in which one-side recorded recording paper and double-sided white recording paper are mixed is set in the ADF before being stored in the paper feed tray, and image processing is performed. The recording paper is separated one by one by the image reading unit of the apparatus, sequentially transported and read, and each time the recording paper is read, which recording paper is a single-side recorded recording paper or double-sided paper The type of recording paper, which is blank recording paper, is stored, and when all the recording papers are discharged, the recording paper type information is displayed and notified so that the recording paper can be easily separated. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus.

  Specifically, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet tray are set on the document placing table of the automatic document conveying section and the recording sheet investigation is instructed, the conveyance is performed. The recording paper to be detected is detected by the paper detection means, and the front side reading means and the back side reading means detect the presence or absence of images on the front and back sides of the recording paper, and indicate the number of the recording papers in order. By acquiring the number information and the image information on the presence / absence of front and back images and storing them in the storage means, the status of each recording sheet (double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded, etc.) can be efficiently acquired and recorded. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can easily separate paper.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic document feeder, the number of pieces of information and the image information are provided by the recording unit provided on the downstream side of the reading unit on the downstream side in the document conveying direction among the front side reading unit and the back side reading unit. By sequentially recording on each recording sheet, the state of each recording sheet can be easily and appropriately understood by the recording sheet itself, and information on conducting a multiple recording sheet survey can be obtained from the recording sheet itself. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that makes it possible to more easily sort recording paper.

  The invention according to claim 3 displays and outputs on the display means the recording paper classification information such as double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded and the number of the recording paper surveyed by the recording paper investigation processing as recording paper investigation result information. In addition to making it easy and appropriate to understand the status of each recording sheet from the contents displayed on the display means, it is possible to obtain information when performing multiple recording sheet surveys from the recording sheet itself, thereby further separating the recording sheets. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can be performed more easily.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the recording paper is investigated, on the basis of the recording paper investigation result, the recording with matching image information is recorded on the automatic document feeder provided with a plurality of paper discharge trays for discharging the read paper. By classifying and ejecting paper into a plurality of paper discharge trays for each paper, a group of recording paper bundles can be sorted efficiently and accurately for each piece of image information, and the recording paper can be more easily separated. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that can be used.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the recording paper group in which the number of pieces of information and the image information are recorded by the recording means after the recording paper investigation process is performed is set again on the document placing table of the automatic document conveying unit, When a recording paper survey is instructed, the number information and image information recorded on the recording paper read by either the front side reading means or the back side reading means match the number information and image information stored in the storage means. Whether or not to do so is checked for each recording paper, and if they do not match, by displaying that fact on the display means, the information for conducting the recording paper survey multiple times is obtained from the recording paper itself, It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that appropriately grasps whether or not there is a change in recording paper and makes it easier to sort the recording paper.

  The image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention conveys a plurality of documents set on a document placing table one by one, sequentially detects the conveyed documents by a sheet detecting means, and detects the detected documents. A paper feeding unit that includes an automatic document conveyance unit that sequentially reads front and back images by a front surface reading unit and a back surface reading unit, and sequentially conveys a plurality of recording sheets stored in a recording paper tray to the image recording unit; An image processing apparatus comprising: an image recording unit that records an image of a document read by at least one of a front side reading unit and a back side reading unit on the recording paper conveyed by the paper feeding unit; When a plurality of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet tray are set on the document placing table and a recording sheet survey is instructed, the recording sheets on the document placing table are conveyed one by one, Recorded Is detected by the paper detection means, the front side reading means and the back side reading means detect the presence or absence of images on the front and back sides of the recording paper, and indicate the number of recording papers in order. The above-mentioned object is achieved by performing a recording paper investigation process in which information and image information on the presence / absence of images on the front and back surfaces are stored in the storage means.

  In this case, for example, as described in claim 2, the automatic document conveyance unit performs predetermined recording on the downstream side of the reading unit on the downstream side of the document conveyance direction among the front surface reading unit and the back surface reading unit. And the image processing apparatus may sequentially record the number information and the image information on each recording sheet.

  For example, as described in claim 3, the image processing apparatus includes a predetermined display unit, and recording paper classification information such as double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded, and the like investigated by the recording paper research process; The number of sheets and the like may be displayed and output on the display means as recording sheet survey result information.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 4, the automatic document feeder includes a plurality of paper discharge trays for discharging the read paper, and the image processing apparatus performs the recording when the recording paper is investigated. Based on the paper survey result, the automatic document feeder may classify and discharge the recording paper with the matching image information into the plurality of paper discharge trays.

  Further, for example, as described in claim 5, the image processing apparatus includes a predetermined display unit, and the recording sheet investigation process is performed first, and the recording unit records the number information and the image information. When the recording paper group that has been set is set again on the document placing table of the automatic document conveying section and recording paper investigation is instructed, the recording paper read by either the front surface reading means or the back surface reading means Whether the number information and the image information recorded on the recording sheet coincide with the number information stored in the storage means and the image information is checked for each recording sheet. May be displayed on the display means.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when a plurality of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet tray are set on the document placing table of the automatic document conveying section and the recording sheet investigation is instructed, The recording paper to be conveyed is detected by the paper detection means, the front side reading means and the back side reading means detect the presence / absence of images on the front and back sides of the recording paper, and the number of the recording papers is sequentially determined. The number information shown and the image information on the presence / absence of the front and back images are acquired and stored in the storage means, so that the state of each recording sheet (double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded, etc.) can be efficiently acquired. The recording paper can be easily separated.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic document conveyance unit, the recording unit provided on the downstream side of the reading unit on the downstream side in the document conveyance direction among the front side reading unit and the back side reading unit, Since the number information and the image information are sequentially recorded on each recording sheet, the state of each recording sheet can be easily and appropriately understood by the recording sheet itself, and information when conducting a plurality of recording sheet surveys can be obtained. It can be obtained from the recording paper itself, and the recording paper can be more easily separated.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the third aspect of the invention, the recording paper classification information such as double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded, and the number of sheets, etc., investigated by the recording paper investigation processing are displayed on the display means as recording paper investigation result information. Since it is displayed and output, the status of each recording sheet can be easily and appropriately understood from the display contents on the display means, and information on conducting a plurality of recording sheet surveys is acquired from the recording sheet itself. And the recording paper can be more easily separated.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 4, when the recording paper is investigated, the automatic document conveying unit having a plurality of paper discharge trays for discharging the read paper based on the recording paper investigation result, Since the recording papers with the same image information are classified and discharged into the plurality of paper discharge trays, a group of recording paper bundles can be efficiently and accurately sorted according to the image information. Can be performed more easily.

  According to the image processing apparatus of the invention described in claim 5, the recording paper group in which the number of pieces of information and the image information are recorded by the recording means after the recording paper investigation processing is performed is the original placement table of the automatic original conveyance section. When the recording sheet inspection is instructed again, the number of sheets information and image information recorded on the recording sheet read by either the front surface reading means or the back surface reading means are stored in the storage means. Whether the information and the image information match is checked for each recording paper, and if it does not match, a message to that effect is displayed on the display means. Thus, it is possible to appropriately grasp the presence or absence of the change of the recording paper, and the recording paper can be more easily separated.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, since the Example described below is a suitable Example of this invention, various technically preferable restrictions are attached | subjected, However, The scope of the present invention limits this invention especially in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.

  1 to 4 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an MFP (Multi Function Printer: composite apparatus) to which the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG.

  In FIG. 1, the MFP 1 has a main body 3 placed on the upper part of a paper feeding unit 2, and an ADF (automatic document feeder) 4 is provided on the upper part of the main body 3. A plurality of paper discharge trays 5 a to 5 c for discharging recorded recording paper are provided on the left side surface of the main body 3, and the paper feeding unit 2 has a plurality of paper feeding trays each storing a plurality of recording papers. Paper trays (recording paper trays) 6a to 6c are provided.

  The main body unit 3 stores an image forming unit that records an image on a recording sheet by a predetermined image forming method, for example, an electrophotographic method, and the image forming unit (image recording unit) is a sheet feeding unit 2. An image is formed on the recording paper conveyed from the trays 6a to 6c, and the recording paper on which the image has been formed is discharged to the paper discharge trays 5a to 5c. Further, the image forming unit includes a reversing mechanism unit that reverses the front and back surfaces of the recording paper, and has a double-sided recording function that reverses the front and back surfaces of the recording paper by the reversing mechanism unit to form images on both sides of the recording paper. . When double-sided recording is selected, the image forming unit forms an image on one side of the recording paper conveyed from the paper feed trays 6a to 6c of the paper feeding unit 2, and the reversing mechanism unit forms an image on the single side. The recording sheet is reversed, an image is formed on the other side of the reversed recording sheet, and the recording sheet on which images are formed on both sides is discharged to the discharge trays 5a to 5c.

  In addition, an operation unit 10 is provided on the upper front surface of the main body unit 3, and the operation unit 10 is a mode for selecting each mode such as numeric keypad 11, copy, FAX, printer, and scanner as shown in FIG. In addition to various operation keys such as a selection key 12, a program key 13, an initial setting key 14, an interrupt key 15 and a start key 16, a liquid crystal display (display means) 17 is provided. And a liquid crystal touch panel that can input commands by a touch operation is used. This liquid crystal display 17 displays a mode (recording paper reading mode) key for reading the recording paper separately from the scanner, and the user selects the recording paper reading mode with the recording paper reading mode key, thereby recording. Paper reading can be performed. The recording paper reading mode key does not need to be a dedicated key, and may be selected from, for example, keys for selecting various modes.

  The ADF 4 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, and includes a document table 21, a paper feed sensor 22, a paper feed roller 23, a front surface image sensor 24, a transport roller 25, a back surface image sensor 26, a recording and printing unit 27, a discharge unit. A paper roller 28 and a document discharge table 29 are provided. The MFP 1 also includes a counter unit 31, a paper management unit 32, and the like.

  On the document placing table 21, a plurality of documents and recording papers placed on the paper feed trays 6a to 6c in the recording paper reading mode to be described later (hereinafter, the originals and the recording papers are collectively referred to as paper P as necessary). The paper feed roller 23 pulls in the paper P placed on the document placement table 21, and the paper feed sensor 22 detects the paper P drawn in the paper feed roller 23.

  In the recording paper reading mode, the paper feed sensor (paper detection unit) 22 outputs a detection signal to the counter unit 31 every time the paper P (recording paper) is detected. The counter unit 31 counts the detection signal, The count result is output to the paper management unit 32.

  The paper feed roller 23 pulls the paper P on the document placement table 21 one by one and sends it out in the direction of the front image sensor 24 and the transport roller 25. The paper P from which the transport roller 25 has been sent out is fed to the front image sensor 24 and the back image. The sensor 26 is sequentially conveyed, and the paper discharge roller 28 is discharged onto the document discharge table 29.

  Although not shown, the surface image sensor (surface reading means) 24 is composed of a light source such as an LED, a lens, a sensor element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and the like, and is conveyed in close contact with the surface image sensor 24. The surface of the paper P is irradiated with light from a light source, the reflected light is focused on a sensor element by a lens, and photoelectrically converted by the sensor element, and an image on the surface of the paper P is read with a predetermined resolution.

  Although not shown, the back surface image sensor (back surface reading means) 26 is composed of a light source such as an LED, a lens, a sensor element such as a CCD, and the like, and is in close contact with the back surface image sensor 26. Light is emitted from the light source to the back surface of the paper P being conveyed, the reflected light is focused on the sensor element by the lens, and photoelectric conversion is performed by the sensor element, and the image on the back surface of the paper P is read at a predetermined resolution.

  Then, when reading a double-sided document or a recording paper, the MFP 1 reads the image on the surface of the conveyed paper P with the front surface image sensor 24 and the image data on the surface of the read paper P is stored in the image memory. Next, the back side image sensor 26 reads the back side image of the paper P conveyed to the back side image sensor 26.

  The recording / printing unit (recording unit) 27 operates under the control of the sheet management unit 32, and in the recording sheet reading mode, the count value and the recording sheet are double-sided white paper, front surface white paper, and back surface. Image information such as blank paper and double-sided recording is recorded at a predetermined position on the recording paper.

  The paper management unit 32 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory (storage means), and the like, and the count result counted by the counter unit 31 in the recording paper reading mode, information on the paper P detected by the front surface image sensor 24, and the back surface. Image information indicating whether the front and back surfaces of the recording paper, which is information of the paper P detected by the image sensor 26, is a blank paper or a recorded surface is stored in a memory, and the storage printing unit 27 is driven to store the memory. The recorded count value and the image information are recorded on a recording sheet and displayed on the liquid crystal display 17 of the operation unit 10.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the MFP 1 of this embodiment stores a recording paper bundle made up of a plurality of recording sheets in the paper supply trays 6a to 6c of the paper supply unit 2, before storing the recording paper bundle in the paper supply trays 6a to 6c. Further, the recording paper bundle is set in the ADF 4 and both types of recording paper are read to inspect the recording paper type.

  That is, the operator of the MFP 1 first sets a plurality of recording sheets on the document placing table 21 of the ADF 4 before setting the recording sheets 6a to 6c on the operation unit 10 as shown in FIG. By touching the touch panel of the liquid crystal display 17, the recording paper reading mode, that is, the recording paper survey is selected as the scanner mode.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the MFP 1 checks whether the recording paper reading mode is selected as the scanner mode (step S101). When the normal mode is selected, the front image sensor 24 and the back image sensor 26 read. As a setting for processing image data as image data when a normal document is read, normal document reading processing is performed thereafter (step S102).

  If the recording paper reading mode is selected in step S101, the MFP 1 conveys the recording paper P placed on the document placing table 21 one by one by the ADF 4, and the paper feed sensor 22 feeds the recording paper. When it is detected (step S103), the counter unit 31 counts the number of the recording sheet (step S104) and records it as the number information in the memory of the sheet management unit 32 (step S105). Further, the MFP 1 causes the front surface image sensor 24 to read the front surface, which is one side of the recording paper (step S106), and determines the image type of the front surface of the recording paper (step S107). That is, it is determined whether the surface of the recording paper is a blank paper or a recorded surface.

  When determining the image type on the surface of the recording paper, the MFP 1 records the count information and the image type information as the image information in the memory of the paper management unit 31 (step S105).

  Next, when the recording paper is conveyed to the back surface image sensor 26, the MFP 1 causes the back surface image sensor 26 to read the back surface that is the remaining surface of the recording paper (step S108), and the MFP 1 reads the back surface of the recording paper. The image type is discriminated (step S109), and the image type information on the back side together with the image type information (image information) on the front side is associated with the count information (number information) on the number of sheets in the memory of the paper management unit. It records as image information (step S105).

  Then, the MFP 1 drives the recording / printing unit 27 under the control of the paper management unit 32 to store the number information and the image information of the recording paper stored in the paper management unit 32 at a predetermined position of the recording paper, for example, on the back surface. It is recorded on the upper corner or the like (step S110), and it is checked whether the discrimination processing has been performed for all the recording sheets set on the document placing table 21 of the ADF 4 (step S111).

  If it is determined in step S111 that the determination process for all recording sheets has not been completed, the MFP 1 returns to step S103 and performs the same processing as described above (steps S103 to S111). Then, by sequentially performing the above-described determination processing, the memory of the paper management unit 32 determines which number of recording papers are double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper (single-sided recorded), or double-sided recorded paper. Image information is recorded.

  When the discrimination processing for all the recording papers is completed in step S111, the MFP 1 displays the recording paper information subjected to the discrimination processing on the liquid crystal display 17 of the operation unit 10 and ends the processing (step S112).

  In the display on the liquid crystal display 17, the MFP 1 displays recording sheet information such as the number of all recording sheets and the number of sheets for each recording sheet type state.

  As described above, in the MFP 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of recording sheets stored in the sheet feeding trays 6a to 6c of the sheet feeding unit 2 are set on the document placing table 21 of the ADF 4, and the recording sheet investigation is instructed. Then, the conveyed recording paper is detected by the paper feed sensor 22, and the front surface image sensor 24 and the back surface image sensor 26 detect the presence / absence of images on the front and back surfaces of the recording paper. The number information indicating whether the sheet is a recording sheet and the image information indicating the presence / absence of front and back images are acquired and stored in the memory of the sheet management unit 32.

  Accordingly, the state of each recording sheet (double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded, etc.) can be efficiently acquired, and the recording paper can be easily separated.

  Further, the MFP 1 of the present embodiment sequentially records the number information and the image information on each recording sheet by the recording / printing unit 27 provided on the ADF 4 and on the downstream side of the back surface image sensor 26 on the downstream side of the front surface image sensor 24. It is recorded.

  Therefore, the state of each recording sheet can be easily and appropriately understood by the recording sheet itself, and information when performing the recording sheet investigation multiple times can be acquired from the recording sheet itself. Separation can be performed more easily.

  Further, the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment records the recording paper classification information such as double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded, and the number of sheets, etc., which has been investigated in the recording paper investigation processing, on the liquid crystal display 17 of the operation unit 10 as recording paper investigation result information. Display output.

  Therefore, the state of each recording sheet can be easily and appropriately understood from the display contents on the liquid crystal display 17, and information for conducting a plurality of recording sheet surveys can be acquired from the recording sheet itself. Thus, the recording paper can be more easily separated.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the ADF 40 of the MFP 1 to which the second embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to the same MFP as the MFP 1 of the first embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same components as the first embodiment. The detailed description thereof will be omitted, and portions not shown will be described using the reference numerals used in the first embodiment as they are, if necessary.

  In FIG. 5, an ADF 40 is mounted instead of the ADF 4 of the MFP 1 of the above-described embodiment, and operates under the control of the MFP 1.

  Similar to the MFP 4 of the first embodiment, the ADF 40 is configured to place the document placing table 21, the paper feed sensor 22, the paper feed roller 23, the front surface image sensor 24, the transport roller 25, the back surface image sensor 26, the recording printing unit 27, and the paper discharge roller. 28 and the like, as well as three document discharge trays (sheet discharge trays) 41, 42, 43, and the like. The MFP 1 also includes a counter unit 31, a paper management unit 44, and the like.

  As in the first embodiment, the counter unit 31 counts the number of recording sheets detected by the paper feed sensor 22 and outputs the count value to the sheet management unit 44. As in the first embodiment, recording paper information that is image information of the front surface image sensor 24 and the back surface image sensor 26 is input.

  As in the first embodiment, the paper management unit 44 controls the recording / printing unit 27 based on the count result (number information) of the counting unit 31 and the image information of the detection results of the front surface image sensor 24 and the back surface image sensor 26. The number of sheets and the image information are recorded on the recording paper, and a distribution mechanism (not shown) is controlled to classify and discharge the recording paper into the document discharge trays 41, 42, and 43 according to the image information. . For example, the distribution mechanism of the document discharge trays 41, 42, and 43 switches the discharge of the paper to each of the document discharge trays 41, 42, and 43 by changing the rotation speed of the discharge roller 28.

  That is, in the MFP 1 of this embodiment, when a plurality of recording sheets are set in the ADF 40 and the start key is pressed in the recording sheet reading mode, the sheet feeding sensor 22 detects the recording sheet as described above. Then, the counting unit 31 counts the number of recording sheets, and the sheet management unit 44 stores the number information and the recording sheet image information detected by the front surface image sensor 24 and the back surface image sensor 26 in association with the memory. When the recording paper passes through the recording / printing section 27, the recording / printing section 27 is driven to record the number information and the image information on the recording paper at a predetermined position. Further, the paper management unit 44 controls the distribution mechanism based on the image information, for example, controls the rotation speed of the paper discharge roller 28, and the document discharge table 41 corresponding to the image information of the recording paper. The recording paper is discharged to 42 and 43.

  The ADF 40 of the MFP 1 sequentially performs the above processing for each recording sheet, stores the number information and image information in the memory of the sheet management unit 44 for each recording sheet, and stores the number information and image information on the recording sheet. The image is recorded and further discharged onto the document discharge trays 41, 42, and 43 according to the image information.

  As described above, the MFP 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment stores the image information in the ADF 4 including the plurality of paper discharge trays 5a to 5c that discharges the read-completed paper based on the recording paper investigation result during the recording paper investigation. Each matching recording sheet is classified into the plurality of discharge trays 5a to 5c and discharged.

  Therefore, a group of recording paper bundles can be sorted efficiently and accurately for each image information, and the recording paper can be more easily sorted.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing recording sheet check processing by the MFP to which the third embodiment of the image processing apparatus of this embodiment is applied.

  The present embodiment is applied to the same MFP as the MFP 1 including the ADF 40 of the second embodiment. In the description of the present embodiment, the first or second embodiment is performed as necessary. The description will be made using the reference numerals used in the description of the embodiments as they are.

  The MFP 1 according to the present embodiment completes the recording sheet investigation process, performs the recording sheet investigation process again on the recording sheet on which the number information and the image information are recorded on each recording sheet, and is recorded on the recording sheet. It is determined whether there is a change in the number information and the image information.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the MFP 1 checks whether the recording paper reading mode is selected as the scanner mode (step S201), and when the normal mode is selected, the front image sensor 24 and the back image sensor 26 read. As a setting for processing the image data as image data when a normal document is read, a normal document reading process is performed thereafter (step S202).

  If the recording paper reading mode is selected in step S201, the MFP 1 checks whether the rereading mode is selected (step S203). The recording sheet investigation process described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment is executed (step S204).

  If the reread mode is selected in step S203, the MFP 1 conveys the recording sheets placed on the document table 21 by the ADF 40 one by one, and the paper feed sensor 22 detects the recording sheets. (Step S205), the counter unit 31 counts the number of the recording sheet, and image information (pre-recording) stored in the memory of the sheet management unit 31 corresponding to the number information of the recording sheet Paper information) is read out and displayed on the liquid crystal display 17 of the operation unit 10 (step S206). Further, the surface image sensor 24 reads the surface which is one side of the recording paper (step S207). The surface image type (image information) is determined (step S208).

  When determining the image information on the front side, the paper management unit 31 checks whether it matches the image information on the front side of the recording paper (paper management information in FIG. 6) stored in the memory (step S209). When the recording paper is conveyed to the back surface image sensor 26, the back surface image sensor 26 reads the back surface, which is the remaining surface of the recording paper (step S210), and determines the image type of the back surface of the recording paper. (Step S211).

  When the paper management unit 31 determines the image type on the back side of the recording paper, it checks whether it matches the image information on the back side of the recording paper (paper management information in FIG. 6) stored in the memory of the paper management unit 31. (Step S212), when they match, the recording / printing unit 27 is driven to write the matching information on the recording paper, and the recording paper is discharged onto the document discharge tray 29 (Step S213). It is checked whether discrimination processing has been performed for all the recording sheets set on the original document table 21 (step S214).

  If it is determined in step S214 that the discrimination processing for all recording sheets has not been completed, the MFP 1 returns to step S205 and performs the same processing as described above (steps S205 to S214).

  Then, by sequentially performing the above determination processing, when there is no change between the state stored in the memory of the paper management unit 32 and the state of the recording paper, the memory state of the paper management unit 32 is saved as it is and the document is discharged. A document is placed on the paper table 29 in a state stored in the memory of the paper management unit 32.

  Further, in step S209, the image information on the surface of the recording paper set and conveyed on the document placing table 21 of the ADF 4 and the image information on the surface for the recording paper stored in the memory of the paper management unit 31 are displayed. If the two do not match, the MFP 1 stops feeding the recording paper (step S215), displays information indicating that there is a mismatch on the liquid crystal display 17 of the operation unit 10, and ends the processing (step S216).

  As described above, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, the recording sheet group in which the number of pieces of information and the image information are recorded by the recording printing unit 27 is set on the document placing table 21 of the ADF 4 again. When the recording paper survey is instructed, the number information and the image information recorded on the recording paper read by either the front image sensor 24 or the back image sensor 26 are stored in the memory of the paper management unit 31. Whether or not the number information and the image information match is checked for each recording sheet, and if it does not match, that fact is displayed on the liquid crystal display 17 of the operation unit 10.

  Therefore, it is possible to acquire information when conducting multiple-sheet recording surveys from the recording sheet itself, appropriately grasp whether there is a change in the recording sheet, and make it easier to sort the recording sheets. Can do.

  The invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  The present invention can be generally applied to an image processing apparatus capable of recording an image read by conveying a document with an ADF.

1 is an external front view of an MFP to which a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a plan view of an operation unit of the MFP in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a front schematic configuration diagram of an ADF of the MFP of FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart showing recording sheet check processing by the MFP of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of an ADF of an MFP to which a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied. 9 is a flowchart showing recording sheet check processing by an MFP to which a third embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP
2 Paper Feeding Unit 3 Main Body 4 ADF
5a to 5c Paper discharge tray 6a to 6c Paper feed tray 10 Operation unit 11 Numeric keypad 12 Mode selection key 13 Program key 14 Initial setting key 15 Interrupt key 16 Start key 17 Liquid crystal display 21 Document placement table 22 Paper feed sensor 23 Paper feed roller 24 Front surface image sensor 25 Conveying roller 26 Back surface image sensor 27 Recording and printing unit 28 Paper discharge roller 29 Document discharge table 31 Counter unit 32 Paper management unit 40 ADF
41, 42, 43 Document output tray 44 Paper management section

Claims (5)

  A plurality of documents set on the document placing table are conveyed one by one, the conveyed documents are sequentially detected by a sheet detecting unit, and images of the detected front and back surfaces of the detected document are sequentially detected by a front surface reading unit and a back surface. At least one of a paper feed unit that includes an automatic document conveyance unit that is read by the reading unit and sequentially conveys a plurality of recording sheets stored in a recording paper tray to the image recording unit, and the front side reading unit and the back side reading unit In an image processing apparatus comprising: an image recording unit that records an image of a document read by the reading unit on the recording sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding unit; a plurality of recording sheets stored in the recording sheet tray Is set on the document table, and when a recording paper survey is instructed, the recording sheets on the document table are conveyed one by one, and the conveyed recording sheet is detected by the sheet detection means. The table The reading unit and the back side reading unit detect the presence / absence of images on the front and back sides of the recording paper, the number information indicating the number of the recording sheets in sequence and the image information on the presence / absence of the front and back images. An image processing apparatus for performing a recording sheet investigation process for storing the information in a storage unit.   The automatic document conveying unit includes a predetermined recording unit on the downstream side of the reading unit on the downstream side in the document conveying direction of the front surface reading unit and the back surface reading unit, and the image processing apparatus includes the recording unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number information and the image information are sequentially recorded on each recording sheet.   The image processing apparatus includes a predetermined display unit, and the display unit uses recording sheet classification information such as double-sided white paper, single-sided white paper, double-sided recorded, and the number of sheets as the recording paper investigation result information. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus performs display output.   The automatic document transport unit includes a plurality of paper discharge trays for discharging the read-completed paper, and the image processing apparatus is configured to check whether the automatic document transport unit is based on the recording paper survey result during the recording paper survey. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording sheets having the same image information are classified into the plurality of paper discharge trays and discharged. 5. The image processing apparatus includes a predetermined display unit, and the recording sheet group in which the recording sheet investigation process is performed first and the number information and the image information are recorded by the recording unit includes the automatic document conveyance unit. When the recording paper survey is instructed, the number information and the image information recorded on the recording paper read by either the front side reading unit or the back side reading unit are stored. Whether or not the number information stored in the storage means matches the image information is checked for each recording sheet, and if it does not match, that fact is displayed on the display means. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2.

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