JP2005269274A - Operation support device for image scanner, image scanner, image forming apparatus, operation support program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image scanner by which an operator can place an original manuscript within the read range by accurately confirming an arrangement state prior to the output of the reading result without increasing the cost and the weight of a display means for the confirmation of the placing position of the original manuscript by the operator. <P>SOLUTION: A part such as a corner part and a midpoint part of the side of the read range is displayed partially or by magnifying it on a display panel part 311 from the image data obtained by the image scanner in accordance with an area and the number of pixels of the display panel part 311. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes an operation support provided in an image reading apparatus that includes a reading unit that reads a top surface of a document table on which a document is placed, and that reads the top surface of the document table and outputs image data of the document. The present invention relates to an apparatus, an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an operation support program, and a recording medium.

  The image reading apparatus is mounted on an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a digital multifunction machine having a copying function, a FAX function, a printer function, or the like. The image reading apparatus is also one of peripheral devices for personal computers.

  In such an image reading apparatus, a range for reading a document can be set in accordance with the document size. When setting the scanning range, some models have a document detection function that automatically sets the scanning range by roughly detecting the size and orientation of the document placed on the platen. There is also a model that does not have a function and uses the previously set reading range, or uses the previously set reading range until a predetermined time elapses, and returns to the default reading range after the predetermined time elapses.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus is often installed in an office or a convenience store, and used in an environment where a plurality of users are used. In such an environment, since the reading range of the original is appropriately changed by the user, the reading range may be set to an unexpected reading range by the previous user. In such a case, if the reading operation is performed without confirming the setting contents, the reading range of the document will be different from the one intended by the user. In addition, although the setting contents have been confirmed, the operation is not understood, and eventually, only the reading different from the reading range of the original document can be performed as described above.

  In addition, even if the reading range is set correctly, it is difficult to place the original on the transparent original platen with no mark in accordance with the set reading range. Sometimes. In addition, the mark for checking the reading range written around the document table may be different from the actual reading range due to the assembly accuracy of the image reading device, or when the document is pressed with the document cover. The original placed on the screen moves, and even if the original is correctly arranged in accordance with the set reading range, reading according to the intention cannot be performed.

  In order to eliminate such inconvenience, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228707 displays the arrangement state of the document placed on the document table on the display means before reading the document and outputting the information. A technique is disclosed in which an operator can confirm the arrangement position situation.

Patent Document 2 discloses an image processing apparatus for reading an image original with coarser accuracy than the main scan to acquire preliminary scan image data, and setting a trimming area at the time of the main scan using the preliminary scan image data. With respect to the pre-scanned image, a trimming frame is displayed, the four corners of the trimming frame are enlarged to form one composite image, the trimming frame is displayed on the composite image, and this is moved, A technique is disclosed in which a trimming region is finely adjusted by enlarging or reducing.
JP 10-143016 (published May 29, 1998) JP 10-326335 (released on December 8, 1998)

  However, the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem that, depending on the extent of the original protruding from the actual reading range, it cannot be confirmed that the original is protruding, causing a reading error. .

  A general image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus, and the like include only display means provided in an operation unit such as an operation panel. The display area of the display means provided in such an operation unit is usually much smaller than the area of the reading range. In such a display means, the number of pixels is usually smaller than the number of pixels of image data obtained by reading the reading range. That is, in an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus that are widely used at present, both the area and the number of pixels are smaller on the display means side than on the reading side.

  Therefore, conventionally, when displaying on the display means, the entire image of the image data read from the reading range is not displayed, but the display range is narrowed or the number of pixels is reduced. However, performing display by narrowing the display range or reducing the number of pixels means that information that can be confirmed has been reduced. For this reason, even if the document is arranged slightly beyond the actual reading range, the protruding portion is crushed and overlapped at the stage of display on the display means, as if the document is within the reading range. It looks and results in reading failure.

  Of course, in order to avoid such a situation, display means having a display area equal to or larger than the area of the reading range or display means having a display pixel number equal to or larger than the number of pixels on the reading side may be used. However, these display means are very expensive compared to the display means that are widely used at present, and are heavy and difficult to adopt.

  Further, Patent Document 2 is intended to finely adjust a trimming region, and enlarges and displays four corners of a trimming frame displayed in a part of a preliminary scan image as one composite image. To do. Therefore, it is assumed that the document is correctly placed on the platen during the preliminary scan, and there is no description of the document misalignment or the like during the preliminary scan, and the document placement position deviates from the reading range. It is not possible to solve reading errors caused by

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to be able to confirm at a glance the detailed document arrangement state with respect to the reading range even if the display means is low-priced and lightweight. An object of the present invention is to provide an operation support apparatus, an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an operation support program, and a recording medium for an image reading apparatus that can prevent a reading error by accurately placing a document in a reading range.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an operation support apparatus and an image reading apparatus for an image reading apparatus according to the present invention include a document table on which a document is placed and a reading unit that reads the top surface of the document table. An operation support apparatus provided in an image reading apparatus for reading the top surface of the original plate based on a set reading range and outputting the read image data, the image data acquired by the reading means Display control means for displaying on the display means the image on the top of the document table in association with the reading range, the display control means extracts image data at the end of the reading range, An image of the end of the reading range is displayed based on the extracted image data.

  According to this, since the display control means displays the image on the top of the document table in association with the reading range on the display means based on the image data acquired by the reading means, it is more effective than actually outputting the image data. Before that, it is possible to confirm the document placement status from the image displayed on the display means.

  In addition, here, the display control means does not display using all the read image data, but extracts the image data at the end of the read range from the acquired image data, and based on the extracted image data An image at the end of the reading range is displayed. Therefore, in the case of a low-priced and light-weight display device with a small display capacity, if the acquired image data for support is used as it is, the display is accurate enough to confirm the deviation of the document from the reading range. Although it was difficult, it is necessary to check the document placement status by displaying only the image at the end of the reading range where it can be easily confirmed that the document is shifted from the reading range. It is possible to display with close accuracy or close proximity.

  Thereby, even if the display means is low-priced and light-weight, it is possible to confirm the detailed document arrangement status with respect to the reading range at a glance, and to accurately place the document in the reading range to prevent reading mistakes. It is possible to provide an operation support device for an image reading apparatus and an image reading apparatus.

  The operation support device and the image reading apparatus of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention may further include at least the document table top surface being read by the reading unit before the reading unit acquires image data for output. The preliminary scanning means includes the preliminary scanning means that includes the scanning range and acquires the supporting image data by reading with coarser accuracy than the accuracy of acquiring the output image data. The image data at the end of the reading range is extracted from the support image data acquired in this way, and the image at the end of the reading range is displayed based on the extracted image data. .

  The placement status of the document placed on the platen can also be confirmed by displaying the image at the edge of the reading area using the image data for main output obtained by scanning only the image in the scanning range on the top of the platen. However, since the image data for this output requires a high degree of definition, it takes a long time to read.

  On the other hand, according to the above configuration, before the preliminary scanning unit acquires the image data for output, the reading unit includes at least the reading range of the original table top surface and the main output unit. The image data for support is acquired by reading with coarser accuracy than when the image data is acquired, and the display control means reads the image at the end of the reading range from the image data for support acquired by the preliminary scan means. Data is extracted and an image at the end of the reading range is displayed. Accordingly, the image at the end of the reading range is displayed on the display means speedily, and the image for output is output whether the document is placed again or the image data for output is read as it is. It is possible to shorten the time until data reading is completed.

  In addition, since the preliminary scanning is performed in this way, an image wider than the reading range can be easily read without taking time, so that the reading range can be read wider than the reading range. Outside images are also displayed without missing, and it is possible to more accurately check the document placement status.

  In the operation support apparatus and the image reading apparatus of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the display control means further displays an image at the end of the reading range in accordance with the display area of the display means or the number of pixels of the display means. According to this, it is possible to reliably display with the accuracy required to check the document placement status.

  Further, in the operation support apparatus and the image reading apparatus of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, when the reading range is rectangular, the image at the corner of the reading range or the side of the reading range is used as the image at the end of the reading range. You may make it display the image of a point part. In this case, the image of a plurality of corners in the reading range can be displayed at the same time by dividing the display area, or the image of the midpoint part of a plurality of sides can be displayed at the same time by dividing the display area. Thus, the number of parts that can be confirmed at the same time increases, and the placement status of the document on the document table can be confirmed more efficiently.

  In the operation support apparatus and the image reading apparatus of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the display control unit further divides a display area into an image of a plurality of corners in the reading range as an image of an end portion of the reading range. When the images of the midpoint portions of a plurality of sides are displayed at the same time by dividing the display area, one of the images of the midpoint portions of the plurality of corner portions or sides that are displayed at the same time is displayed. It is also possible to have a display mode in which only one image is displayed to be expanded to the area of another image displayed in a divided manner.

  Thereby, it is possible to display an image with a wide display area only for the image of the corner portion or the middle point portion of the side of interest, and it is possible to make it easier to confirm the document placement state.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention has a document table on which a document is placed, and is placed on the document table by reading the top surface of the document table with a reading unit. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that acquires image data of the original; and an image forming unit that forms and outputs an image on a sheet based on the image data read by the image reading unit The image reading unit includes the above-described operation support device for the image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  As described above, the operation support apparatus for the image reading apparatus according to the present invention can accurately check the detailed arrangement state of the document with respect to the reading range at a glance even if the display means is inexpensive and lightweight. Since it is possible to prevent a reading error by placing a document within the range, by installing such an operation support device in the image reading unit, it is possible to effectively generate a miscopy due to a mistake at the time of reading the document. Therefore, the image forming apparatus is easy to operate and friendly to humans.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention may further be characterized in that the image reading unit sets the reading range in accordance with the size and orientation of the sheet used by the image forming unit. it can.

  In an image forming apparatus that cannot automatically rotate scanned image data to form an image on a sheet, the orientation of the document placed on the document table of the image reading unit and the orientation of the selected sheet If they are different, it will be a miscopy. Further, since the document may be intentionally printed with a different orientation, the image forming apparatus can prevent miscopying by setting an area for pre-reading according to the sheet to be used.

  As described above, the operation support program of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to execute the display control means and the preliminary scan means in the operation support apparatus of the image reading apparatus of the present invention. Even if the means is low-priced and light-weight, it is possible to check the detailed document arrangement status with respect to the reading range at a glance and to accurately place the document within the reading range to prevent reading mistakes. The operation support apparatus for the image reading apparatus according to the present invention can be realized in a computer. Therefore, the operation support apparatus for this image reading apparatus can be made universal.

  As described above, the recording medium of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium that records the operation support program of the present invention. In addition, the operation support program according to the present invention can be easily stored in a computer so that a detailed document arrangement state with respect to the reading range can be confirmed at a glance and a document can be accurately placed in the reading range to prevent reading mistakes. Can be supplied.

  As described above, the operation support apparatus and the image reading apparatus of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention include the document table on which the document is placed and the reading unit that reads the top surface of the document table. An operation support apparatus provided in an image reading apparatus that reads the top of the document table based on a set reading range and outputs the read image data, based on the image data acquired by the reading means Display control means for displaying on the display means the image on the top of the document table in association with the reading range, the display control means extracts image data at the end of the reading range, and extracts the extracted data An image at the end of the reading range is displayed based on the image data.

  Thereby, even if the display means is low-priced and light-weight, it is possible to confirm the detailed document arrangement status with respect to the reading range at a glance, and to accurately place the document in the reading range to prevent reading mistakes. An operation support device for an image reading apparatus and an image reading apparatus can be provided.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has a document table on which a document is placed, and the top surface of the document table is read by a reading unit to read the document placed on the document table. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that acquires image data; and an image forming unit that forms and outputs an image on a sheet based on the image data read by the image reading unit. The reading unit includes the above-described operation support apparatus for the image reading apparatus of the present invention.

  As described above, the operation support apparatus for the image reading apparatus according to the present invention can accurately check the detailed arrangement state of the document with respect to the reading range at a glance even if the display means is inexpensive and lightweight. Since it is possible to prevent a reading error by placing a document within the range, by installing such an operation support device in the image reading unit, it is possible to effectively generate a miscopy due to a mistake at the time of reading the document. Thus, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy to operate and is kind to humans.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 as follows.

  FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a digital copying machine (image forming apparatus) 1 according to the present embodiment. An image reading device (image reading unit) 10 is installed in the upper part of the digital copying machine 1, and an image forming device (image forming unit) 20 is installed in the lower part.

  On the upper surface of the image reading device 10, an original platen glass 111 that is uniformly colorless and transparent and has a size larger than the document scanable range is provided so that the reflected light can be accurately read by applying light to the original from below. A document table 110 including a supported document table frame 112 is provided. Further, a document cover 130 is provided so as to cover the document table 110. The document cover 130 presses the document placed on the document table 110 with a document cover mat 131 having a size larger than the glass surface of the document table, and blocks incident light from outside so as not to interfere with reading.

  The document reading unit (reading unit) 120 is disposed below the document table 110 and scans and reads an image of the document placed on the document table 110, that is, reads the top surface of the document table 110. Reading means. The document reading unit 120 includes a first scanning unit 121, a second scanning unit 122, an optical lens 123, a CCD line sensor 124 that is a photoelectric conversion element, and a document detection unit 125.

  The first scanning unit 121 includes an exposure lamp unit that exposes the surface of a document, a first mirror that reflects a reflected light image from the document in a predetermined direction, and the like. The second scanning unit 122 includes a second mirror and a third mirror that guide reflected light from the document reflected from the first mirror to the CCD line sensor 124. The optical lens 123 focuses reflected light from the original on the CCD line sensor 124.

  With this configuration, the document reading unit 120 reads a document at a predetermined exposure position. The document detection unit 125 can detect that a document is placed on the document table 110, and can also detect the approximate size and orientation of the document.

  The document image read by the document reading unit 120 is sent to the image data processing unit 400 as image data. An operation panel 30 (see FIG. 9), which will be described later, is attached to the image reading apparatus 10 (not shown in FIG. 8), and is electrically connected to the image data processing unit 400. The sent document image is subjected to predetermined image processing by the image data processing unit 400 in accordance with an operation on the operation panel 30, and image data that can be formed by the image forming apparatus 20 is created.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 210, an image forming unit 220, a recording paper transport unit 250, a post-processing device 260, a multistage paper feeding unit 270, and a large capacity paper feeding unit 280. Image data generated by the image reading apparatus 10 and control information corresponding to an operation by the operation panel 30 (see FIG. 9) are transferred to the control unit 210 electrically connected to the image data processing unit 400. The control unit 210 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the transferred image data and control information.

  The laser writing unit 221 of the image forming unit 220 is an optical writing head unit for forming the image data transferred from the control unit 210 as an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 222 of the image forming unit 220. The laser writing unit 221 includes a semiconductor laser light source that emits a laser beam according to image data, a polygon mirror that deflects the laser beam at an equal angular velocity, and a laser beam deflected at an equal angular velocity is deflected on the photosensitive drum 222 at an equal velocity. It is composed of an f-θ lens or the like that corrects such that In this embodiment, a laser writing unit is used as the writing device, but a solid scanning optical writing head unit using a light emitting element array such as an LED or an EL may be used.

  In addition, the image forming unit 220 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 222 and a charger 223 that charges the photosensitive drum 222 to a predetermined potential around the photosensitive drum 222. A developing device 224 for visualizing, a transfer device (transfer charger or the like) 225 for transferring image data formed as a toner image visualized on the surface of the photosensitive drum 222 to a recording paper, and a cleaning device 226 for collecting excess toner. Further, a static eliminator (static charge charger or the like) 227 is provided. In the image forming unit 220, the recording paper on which the image data is transferred is then sent to the fixing unit 228, and the image is fixed on the recording paper.

  On the discharge side of the image forming unit 220, in addition to the fixing unit 228, a switchback path 257 that reverses the front and back of the recording paper in order to form an image again on the back side of the recording paper, and the recording paper on which the image is formed A post-processing device 260 having a lifting tray 261 is also provided. The recording paper on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit 228 is guided to the post-processing device 260 by the paper discharge roller 258 through the switchback path 257 as necessary, and is subjected to predetermined post-processing. After that, it is discharged.

  The paper feed unit is disposed below the image forming unit 220, and includes a manual feed tray 254, a duplex unit 256 and a paper tray 251 provided in the main body, and a paper feed tray provided in the multistage paper feed unit 270. 252 and 253 and a paper feed tray 255 provided in the large capacity paper feed unit 280. Further, a recording paper transport unit 250 is provided for transporting paper fed from these trays of reference numerals 251, 252, 253, 254, and 255 to a transfer position where the transfer unit in the image forming unit 220 is disposed.

  The duplex unit 256 communicates with a switchback path 257 that reverses the recording paper, and is used when image formation is performed on both sides of the recording paper. The duplex unit 256 can be replaced with a normal paper cassette, and the duplex unit 256 can be replaced with a normal paper cassette.

  In this embodiment, the image data read by the image reading device 10 is transferred to the image forming device 20 to form an image on a recording sheet. However, how to store and reproduce the read image data is described here. It is not limited to. For example, even when the read image data is transferred to a computer connected to the image reading apparatus 10 via a network, the image data read by connecting a drive to the image reading apparatus 10 is stored as a file on a disk medium. The configuration may be such that it is stored in The same applies to the case where the facsimile transmission function is realized by converting the signal from the image data processing unit 400 and connecting it to a telephone line.

  FIG. 9 shows the operation panel 30 in the digital copying machine 1. The operation panel 30 includes a touch panel display unit 310, a right key group 320 on the right side, and a left key group 330 on the left side.

  The touch panel display unit 310 includes a display panel unit 311 and touch key units 312 and 313. The touch panel display unit 310 is electrically composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD) 314 and a touch panel 315 as shown in FIG. The LCD 314 of the display panel unit 311 can display various screens such as the current operation state of the digital copying machine 1 and various setting values, operation guidance and warnings, and the like. When the screen is directly pressed with a finger, the touch panel 315 on the surface of the display panel unit 311 reacts and can be operated. That is, the display panel unit 311 is a display unit. The touch key units 312 and 313 are not a liquid crystal display but a fixed display, but the touch panel 315 is configured on the surface, and the same operation as the display panel unit 311 can be performed.

  The right key group 320 includes a ten key 321, an interrupt key 322, a clear key 323, an all cancel key 324 and a start key (print start key) 325. A numeric keypad 321 is a key used for inputting a numerical value (such as the number of copies) on the LCD screen, and a start key 325 is a key for instructing the start of an operation such as copying. A clear key 323 is a key for clearing a set value displayed on the display panel 311 and interrupting operations such as image reading, image copying, and image formation. An all cancel key 324 is used for copying conditions and the like. The key for returning the setting to the initial setting value is an interrupt key 322. The interrupt key 322 is a key for temporarily interrupting the operation being executed and allowing other operations.

  The left key group 330 includes several keys, and operation modes such as an image reading operation, a copying operation, and a printing operation are assigned to each key, and an operation state switching operation can be performed.

  In this embodiment, an LCD is used as the display panel unit 311. However, an EL panel or a CRT display may be used, and an operation key configuration and a touch panel are not limited to this embodiment. It only needs to be able to operate.

  FIG. 10 is an electrical configuration diagram of the digital copying machine 1. A document image read by the document reading unit 120 of the image reading apparatus 10 is first converted into an electrical signal by the CCD line sensor 124. Next, the electrical signal is converted from analog data to digital data at a portion called an analog front end (AFE) 126 and transferred to the image data processing unit 400.

  The digital image data transferred to the image data processing unit 400 is subjected to image processing such as removal of image data differences among individual differences in the document reading unit 120 by the input image processing unit 412, and the subsequent image data processing unit 413. Forward to. The image data processor 413 performs image processing such as filter processing, rotation processing, scaling processing, and gradation conversion processing on the transferred image data. The image data can be formed by transferring the image data to the control unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 20. Further, when the image data is transferred to the data converter 414, the data converter 414 performs processing such as compression of the image data and conversion into a data protocol that can be handled by the subsequent circuit.

  Image data processed by the data converter 414 so that it can be handled by a subsequent circuit can be stored in a hard disk drive (HDD) 415. Alternatively, the facsimile can be transmitted by sending image data to the connected facsimile circuit 141 and the telephone line ahead. Similarly, image data can be transmitted to the computer network through the computer network card 142. The universal serial bus interface (USB-I / F) 143 can be connected to a rotating disk recording medium such as an HDD or a solid-state element recording medium such as a flash disk, and image data can be transferred to these media.・ Can be saved.

  Image processing and processing performed by the input image processor 412, the image data processor 413, and the data converter 414 are performed based on various settings. The central processing unit (CPU) 411 gives the setting. Some of the settings given by the CPU 411 are determined in advance at the factory, and others are determined when the image is read. Examples of the former include a setting for individual difference correction of the document reading unit 120, a data protocol for facsimile when the image data is transmitted by facsimile, and the same for any document image reading. Settings are listed. Examples of the latter setting include settings that change at the time of reading each image, such as the size of the recording paper to be printed or the size of the reading range to be transmitted, the document size, the document type, the number of printed sheets, and the like. . Many of the latter settings are made by human operations.

  Regarding the document size, the document detection unit 125 can detect not only the presence / absence of a document but also a rough document size. The document size detected by the document detection unit 125 is notified to the CPU 411, and based on this information, the print settings such as the size of the recording paper and the reading range to be transmitted are automatically determined. Furthermore, relevant settings such as scaling processing are determined in consideration of the current state.

  In this way, a setting method of automatically determining the recording paper to be used from the document detection unit can be used. However, the user of the digital copying machine 1 sets the desired setting by transmitting the desired setting to the CPU 411 through the operation panel 30. You can also.

  In the operation panel 30, the touch panel display unit 310, the right key group 320, and the left key group 330 are connected to a panel control circuit 340, and this circuit controls display on the display 314. Further, the panel control circuit 340 is connected to the image data processing unit 400 and the control unit 210 of the image forming apparatus 20, and can exchange signals with each other.

  The CPU 411 of the image data processing unit 400 that knows the current state / setting of the digital copying machine 1 can display the state / setting on the display 314 through the panel control circuit 340. Further, the user confirms this display and displays the operation mode such as whether to transmit a fax or to copy, the number of prints at the time of copying, the desired paper sheet, etc., touch panel 315, right key group 320 and left key group. 330 is used to input the desired setting to the CPU 411 through the panel control circuit 340. Thus, the user can operate the digital copying machine 1 using the operation panel 30.

  Further, since an external display interface (I / F) 351 is attached to the operation panel 30, a display can be connected to the outside using this. Similar to the display 314 of the operation panel 30, various screens such as the current operation state of the digital copying machine 1 and various setting values, operation guidance and warnings, and the like can be displayed on the external display.

  On the display 314 or the external display, in addition to the operation state, various settings, guidance, warnings, and the like, the read image data and data obtained by processing them can be displayed. The image data transferred to the data converter 414 can be converted into data that can be handled by the CPU 411, and resolution conversion processing can also be performed. The data converted here is further processed by the CPU 411 and displayed on the external display via the panel control circuit 340 and the display 314 or the external display I / F 351.

  In the digital copying machine 1, the CPU 411 in the image data processing unit 400 controls the operation of the document reading unit 120 having the CCD line sensor 124 in accordance with the signal input from the operation panel 30 to perform a preliminary scan. It is a preliminary scanning unit, and an image obtained by reading the top surface of the document table 110 is displayed on the touch panel display unit 310 in association with the reading range via the panel control circuit 340 in response to a signal input from the operation panel 30. It is also a display control means.

  Hereinafter, an operation support apparatus provided in the digital copying machine 1 of the present embodiment for assisting in placing an original on the original table 110 will be described in detail.

  FIG. 5 shows the positional relationship between the document table 110 and the document 501 placed on the document table 110 at the time of image reading, and is an example of a reading error if it is read as it is. In the figure, reference numeral 111 is an original table glass as described above, and reference numeral 112 is an original table frame that supports the original table glass 111. On the document frame 112, marks 113 and 114 for the operator to confirm the placement position of the document 501 are marked. During reading, since the document cover 130 (see FIG. 8) is closed, the document 501 and the document table glass 111 cannot be seen, but the document cover 130 is not shown in the drawing.

  When an actual reading operation is performed in such a state, an output range (hereinafter referred to as a reading range) of the read image data determined by the reading setting set at that time is referred to. This is a range indicated by a two-dot chain line denoted by reference numeral 510.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, if the document 501 is placed horizontally with respect to the reading range 510 set in the portrait orientation, a portion (shaded portion) of the document 501 that protrudes from the reading range 510 is placed. Image data is not output, resulting in a reading error. If the reading error is output to the recording paper as it is, the recording paper is also wasted, and it may be necessary to perform printing again. In this way, reading errors cause waste of resources and time.

  In FIG. 5, there are two causes of reading errors other than the orientation of the original 501. One is that the document 501 is placed obliquely. When the document 501 is placed obliquely, even if the orientation of the document 501 is the same as the reading range 510, a deviation 511 due to the oblique placement occurs, and a portion that protrudes from the reading range 510 occurs. Reading error. It is difficult to place the document 501 on the transparent platen glass 111 without a mark, relying on the marks 113 and 114 on the document frame 112, and the document 501 cannot be placed with high accuracy. Such a situation can occur when a force is applied to the document 501 when the cover 130 is closed and the document 501 moves beyond the placement position.

  Another factor that causes a reading error is that the accuracy of assembling the document frame 112 when assembling the image reading apparatus 10 is poor, and the distance between the reading range 510 and the marks 113 and 114 shown on the document frame 112 is low. This is a point where a misalignment 512 occurs. If there is such a deviation, a reading error occurs even if the operator appropriately places the document 501 based on the marks 113 and 114.

  As a measure to prevent reading errors, conventionally, before the actual document is read and output as image data, the top surface of the document table on which the document is placed is made wider than the reading range, and In practice, preliminary scanning is performed with coarse accuracy to actually read a document and output as image data, and an image read by preliminary scanning is displayed on a display unit together with a set scanning range. FIG. 6 shows a display example when reading is performed in a state where the document 501 is placed on the document table 110 as shown in FIG. In the figure, the dotted line indicated by reference numeral 901 is the reading range, and reference numeral 902 is the document image.

  Certainly, it can be confirmed from the dotted line 901 indicating the reading range and the original image 902 that the orientation of the placed original 501 is wrong. However, the displacement of the placement position due to the document 501 being placed obliquely and the displacement of the placement position due to the assembly accuracy can hardly be confirmed. However, in the case where the reading range is automatically reset based on the detection result of the document detection unit 125 (see FIG. 8), it is possible to eliminate some mistakes that cause the document 501 to be misoriented. However, this is a case where the image reading apparatus 10 is used alone, and when operating in cooperation with other devices such as the image forming apparatus 20 such as the image forming apparatus 10, mistakes cannot be avoided. Will occur.

  Therefore, in the operation support apparatus installed in the digital copying machine 1, when displaying the image data (support image data) obtained by the preliminary scan, the image is not displayed based on all the image data but set. The image data at the end of the read range is extracted and only the image of that portion is displayed on the display panel unit 311. The operation support apparatus includes an image data processing unit 400 and a panel control circuit 340.

  For example, assume that a document 502 is placed on the document table glass 111 as shown in FIG. In the figure, the right half of the document table glass 111 is omitted. When the document 502 is placed, the document detection unit 125 (see FIG. 8) detects the approximate size and arrangement state of the document 502, or the CPU 411 according to an operation performed through the operation panel 30 (see FIG. 9). (See FIG. 10) determines the reading range 510.

  The range in which the CCD line sensor 124 (see FIG. 8) can actually read the document (hereinafter referred to as the readable range) is set to be larger than the reading range 510. Then, the read image data in the readable range is shaped into image data in the size of the reading range by the image data processor 413 (see FIG. 10) and output to the subsequent stage. When the placement position of the document 502 is displayed on the display panel unit 311, image data in a readable range outside the reading range 510 can be used to display the image data of the portion that protrudes from the reading range 510. It has become.

  In this example, the image data output from the reading range 510 is 600 dpi, and is set as data of 4960 horizontal and 7016 vertical pixels. However, the number of pixels of the LCD constituting the display panel unit 311 is 640 pixels wide and 480 pixels long. When the entire reading range 510 is displayed on the display panel unit 311, the number of pixels of the image data is set in each direction. It cannot be displayed unless it is reduced to about 1/20. Even a display that can be connected to the external display I / F 351 (see FIG. 10) has about 1600 pixels in the horizontal direction and 1200 pixels in the vertical direction, and similarly needs to be reduced to about 1/10. For this reason, the image data in the reading range 510 to the readable range is subjected to various resolution conversions such as a thinning process by the image data converter 414 (see FIG. 10), and data of 1/20 of the original data in each direction. By doing so, it is possible to display the placement status of the original 502 including the entire reading range 510 on the display panel unit 311.

  In the preliminary scan, it is not always necessary to read wider than the reading range and acquire the image data of the portion that protrudes from the reading range, and a similar display may be performed by reading the image in the reading range. . In this case, there is a drawback that image data out of the reading range cannot be displayed, but it is possible to sufficiently check the document placement state. Further, it is not always necessary to read with coarser accuracy (resolution) than the output image data in the preliminary scan, and the time required for the preliminary scan is sufficiently short, or as long as it is practically acceptable. The reading accuracy (resolution) is not lowered, and conversely the accuracy can be increased.

  When displaying the reading range 510 and the placement status of the document 502 on the display panel unit 311, some data processing is performed to make the display easy to see. First, as shown in FIG. 7, the image data is displayed by being reversed left and right as seen from the back side of the document 502. This is because when the original 502 is placed, the person who places the original 502 can see the back of the original 502, and conversely, the image reader 10 reads the front side. This is because the placement position is not reversed as a person's sense of placement, and is easy to understand. However, it may be displayed as viewed from the front side for an operator who is difficult to see when viewed from the back side, or may be configured to be switched.

  In addition, the image data representing the original 502 is displayed with a slightly darker color density (lighter color) and emphasizes the boundary line between the original 502 and the portion other than the original 502 (the original cover mat 131 portion). Yes. This is to make it easy to understand the state of placing the original 502 by making it possible to easily distinguish between the original 502 and the portion that is not. The reading range 502 is represented by the inside of the dotted line.

  In order to realize the data processing, image data in a readable range including the reading range 510 is converted into data necessary for display using the image data processor 413, the image data converter 414, and the CPU 411, and the display panel unit 311 is used. Is displayed. Settings such as what position the data in the readable range is read from and where the reading range corresponds are set at the time of factory shipment or machine maintenance. In this setting, several types are stored as reference data according to the size and orientation of the document, and several types are stored as reference data according to the size and orientation of the recording sheet. In order to deal with zooming, it may be calculated and obtained based on these reference data.

  In addition, the original cover mat 131 is colored rather than white for determining the original 502 and the portion other than the original 502. Since white paper is often used for the original 502, a portion of the read image data recognized as the color of the original cover mat 131 can be recognized as a portion other than the original 502, and thus such image processing is performed. Using this, it is possible to determine the portion that is the original 502.

  FIG. 2 shows a display panel unit 311 that is a display device in such a manner that the placement status of the document 502 including the entire reading range 510 is displayed. As in the prior art, when the document 502 is placed on the platen glass 111 and the reading range 510 is determined based on the setting conditions, the image data around the data in the reading range 510 is converted in resolution as described above and displayed. A screen as shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the panel unit 311. In the figure, the dotted line indicated by reference numeral 601 indicates the reading range, and reference numeral 602 indicates the document image. At this time, when the reading range 510 is vertical but the document 502 is placed sideways, the dotted line 601 indicating the reading range and the document image 602 indicate the reading range of the placed document 502 even in the entire display. Although it can be easily confirmed that the orientation is wrong, a slight deviation of the original 502 that cannot be recognized unless it is observed with fine accuracy cannot be confirmed by comparing the original image 602 and the dotted line 601.

  For example, when the number of pixels in the vertical direction is 480 pixels in a 96 ppi (pixel per inch) LCD, one pixel is about 0.265 mm. If the amount of deviation between the original 502 and the reading range 510 is 2 mm, if the resolution is less than 1/20, the size is smaller than one pixel, and the dotted line 601 and the original image 602 are not compared. The amount of deviation cannot be confirmed.

  Therefore, the digital copying machine 1 extracts the image data of the four corners 520, 521, 522, and 523 that can confirm the deviation of the placement position of the original 502 within the reading range 510 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, the extracted image data is subjected to a process of increasing or decreasing the resolution without converting the resolution or within a range in which the accuracy required for checking the deviation is obtained. It is displayed on the panel unit 311.

  Here, the image data of the upper left corner 520 in FIG. 3 of the document 502 is displayed in the upper left area 530 among the four divided display areas in the display panel unit 311, and the image data of the upper right corner 521. Are displayed in the upper right area 531 in the display area divided into four. Similarly, the image data of the lower left corner 522 is displayed in the lower left area 532 of the four divided display areas, and the image data of the lower right corner 523 is divided into four display areas. Are displayed in the lower right area 533.

  Note that the accuracy required for checking the deviation here is about one-sixth of the resolution of reading because the resolution is about one-sixth of 600 dpi when, for example, a 96 ppi LCD is used as the display. If the resolution is up to 1, the area displayed on the display device will be larger than the actual size, so that can be said as a guide. However, the required accuracy differs depending on the concept of the allowable deviation amount, the performance of the display device, the performance of image processing until image data is read and displayed on the display device, the document type, etc. Absent.

  Further, at this time, touching one of the divided display areas in the display panel unit 311 in FIG. 1A, for example, the upper left area 530 (the image portion of the upper left corner 520 with respect to the document 502) causes the touch panel 315 to react, As shown in FIG. 1B, only the upper left corner portion of the reading range 510 indicated by reference numeral 524 in FIG. 3, which is a wider corner area including the corner portion 520, includes a wider range including other divided areas. Is displayed. The same operation can be performed in the other three divided display areas 531, 532, and 533.

  The image data displayed on the display panel unit 311 is not limited to the entire reading range 510 but limited to a part thereof, and as shown in FIG. 1A, four corners of the reading range 510 are divided into four. In the display mode for displaying as an image, only an image in a narrow range including corners 520, 521, 522, and 523 within the reading range 510 is displayed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1B, only one corner image shown in one of the four divided display areas 530, 531, 532, and 533 is expanded and displayed in the other divided display areas. By providing a display mode, it is possible to display a display area that is four times as large as the corner of interest, so that the displacement of the placement position of the original 502 is further compared with the dotted line 601 that indicates the reading range 510. It can be confirmed effectively.

  As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2, such display modes include “entire display” and “four-side display” indicated by reference numerals 352, 353, and 351 displayed at the top of the screen. By touching the “four-sum display” area, the touch panel 315 reacts to switch to a desired display mode. Here, the current display mode is represented by white characters, and the display mode that can be switched is represented by normal black characters.

  For example, when the display shown in FIG. 1B is pressed, the display mode shown in FIG. Furthermore, if the part displayed as the whole display is pressed, the display mode is switched as shown in FIG.

  Further, the image data of the midpoint portions 525, 526, 527, and 528 shown in FIG. 3 including not only the portion including the corner of the reading range 510 but also the substantially midpoint of the side is extracted, and FIG. As shown in FIG.

  Here, the image data of the middle point portion 525 of the upper side in FIG. 3 of the original 502 is displayed in the upper triangular area 535 in the display area divided into four in the display panel portion 311 and the middle point portion 526 of the left side. Are displayed in the left triangular area 536 in the display area divided into four. Similarly, the image data image of the midpoint portion 527 on the right side is displayed in the left triangular area 537 of the display area divided into four, and the image data image of the midpoint portion 528 on the lower side is divided into four. It is displayed in the lower triangular area 538 in the display area.

  And it can transfer to this display mode by pushing the part called 4 side display shown to Fig.1 (a). As in the case of the corner, when one of the divided display areas in the display panel unit 311 in FIG. 4A, for example, the left triangular area 536 is touched, the touch panel 315 reacts, and as shown in FIG. Only the midpoint portion of the left side of the reading range 510 indicated by reference numeral 529 in FIG. 3, which is a wider midpoint portion area including the midpoint portion 526, is displayed in a wide range including other divided areas. It is like that. The same operation can be performed in the other three divided display areas 535, 537, and 538.

  Further, even in the display modes shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the display panel unit 311 has a display mode that can be switched between a current display mode represented by white characters and a normal black character. Above, they are displayed as reference numerals 354 and 355, respectively.

  In this way, the display panel unit 311 is configured by displaying not only the overall document placement status display according to the prior art but also the image of the end of the reading range such as the corner and the side midpoint. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately check the deviation of the original without increasing the display performance of the display device. The reason why the placement status can be confirmed only at the corners or the midpoints of the sides is that there is only information that is unnecessary in the sense of confirming the placement status at the center of the document. In the case shown in FIG. 3, it can be recognized that a deviation has occurred by confirming the display as shown in FIG. 1 (a) or FIG. 4 (a).

  Thus, the document can be correctly placed again by checking the deviation of the placement position of the document before the output of the image data from the image reading apparatus 10 such as copying operation or transmission of image data. At this time, the “four-sum display” is as shown in FIG. 7, and it can be confirmed that there is no deviation only by this display. If the copying operation or the image data transmission operation can be performed in this state, the operation is started by pressing the start key 325.

  In this embodiment, as described above, there are a plurality of display modes for displaying the reading range and the arrangement state of the document, but the display is first performed in the display mode confirmed at the time of the operation performed immediately before. Yes. This is because when the start key 325 is pressed, an operation of outputting image data such as a copying operation from the image reading apparatus occurs. The CPU 411 stores the display state at this time, and the original is placed next. Sometimes, display is performed based on this state. For example, after a copying operation is performed in a state where four smears are displayed as shown in FIG. 7, when another document is placed, the four smears as shown in FIGS. 1A and 7 are displayed. It is displayed on the display device in the mode. The display mode shown in FIG. 4A is displayed when another document is placed after FAX transmission in a state where the four sides are displayed as shown in FIG. However, in the display mode in which one of the corners and the midpoints of the sides is widely displayed as shown in FIGS. 1B and 4B, FIG. 1A and FIG. ), The corners and the midpoints of the sides are displayed in the display mode displayed in the respective divided display areas.

  Further, as a default, any display mode may be switched and set. In this case, it is always displayed first in the display mode set as default. Then, the display may be switched by the operator depending on the situation at that time. By configuring in this way, since the screen to be displayed first is determined, the display mode is different every time it is used, and the operator can be prevented from being confused.

  In addition, a setting in which the display mode is always executed and a setting in which the display mode is not executed may be selected. And when confirmation of a mounting state is required, it may be made to carry out in spot by operating the confirmation key 314 shown in FIG.

  In order to execute this display mode, a preliminary scan is necessary, and the preliminary scan is performed when a signal that the document setting is completed (for example, a signal that the document cover is closed) or a confirmation key is pressed. To be executed. When the confirmation key is pressed after setting the document reading conditions (magnification, etc.), the reading area and the reading area for the display area in the preliminary scan are set in consideration of information such as the magnification ratio. It has become.

  In the preliminary scan, the entire surface may be read. However, since the time required for the reading becomes long, only the area necessary for the display determined based on the result of detecting the size and orientation of the original is read. Is preferred. In this case, an area that is not read may be skipped at high speed.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 20 is provided with means for detecting or setting the size (including orientation) of the sheet set in each sheet feeding tray, and reading is performed according to the selected tray. Configuration in which the range and the area at the time of preliminary scanning are set based on information on the size (including orientation) of the sheet set on the paper feed tray in preference to the document size detection (including orientation) information Is desirable.

  The digital copying machine 1 is configured to perform a preliminary scan in order to obtain support image data. However, before the image data read for output is output without performing the preliminary scan, the digital copy machine 1 is used for the support. The image data may be used for display. In this case, an image for support may be generated by the image processing unit 400, and if the display image is confirmed, the output may be indicated as it is.

  However, since the image data for this output requires a high degree of definition, it takes a long time to read. Therefore, it is better to perform preliminary scanning to obtain support image data at the end of the reading range. Image can be displayed quickly, and it can be shortened to complete the reading of the output image data, whether the document is placed again or the output image data is read as it is. . In addition, by performing the preliminary scan, it is possible to easily read an image wider than the reading range without taking time, so that an image outside the reading range can be read by making the reading wider than the reading range. Can be displayed without missing, and it is possible to more accurately check the document placement state.

  Although the digital copying machine 1 has been illustrated here, the image reading apparatus may be configured as a single unit, and the display device need not be included in the image reading apparatus or the mounted image forming apparatus. An external display device may be used.

  Further, the reading control means and the display control means in the operation support device may be realized by hardware logic, or may be realized by software using a CPU as follows.

  That is, an image data processing unit 400 that functions as an operation support device, a CPU (central processing unit) that executes an instruction of an image processing method that realizes the function of each block of the panel control circuit 340, and a ROM (read only) that stores the program memory), a RAM (random access memory) for expanding the program, a storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing the program and various data, and the like. Then, the operation support apparatus can read the program codes (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of the control program of the image data processing unit 400 and the panel control circuit 340, which are software for realizing the functions described above, by a computer. This can also be realized by supplying the recorded recording medium to the operation support apparatus, and the computer (or CPU or MPU) reads and executes the program code recorded on the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the recording medium realizes the above-described function, and the recording medium recording the program code constitutes the present invention.

  Thus, in this specification, the means (unit) does not necessarily mean a physical means, but includes cases where the function of each means is realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

  In other words, in the present embodiment, if a program to be executed by a computer is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, it can be provided in a portable manner.

  In the present embodiment, as the recording medium, a memory (not shown) such as a ROM itself may be a program medium because processing is performed by a microcomputer. However, it may be a program medium provided with a program reading device as an external storage device and readable by inserting a recording medium therein.

  In any case, the stored program may be configured to be accessed and executed by the microprocessor, or in any case, the program is read and the read program is illustrated in the microcomputer. The program may be downloaded to a non-program storage area and executed. It is assumed that this download program is stored in the main device in advance.

  Here, the program medium is a recording medium configured to be separable from the main body, such as a tape system such as a magnetic tape or a cassette tape, a magnetic disk such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or a hard disk, or a CD-ROM / MO /. Optical discs such as MD / DVD, IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, mask ROM, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash It may be a medium that carries a fixed program including a semiconductor memory such as a ROM.

  In the present embodiment, since the system configuration is such that a communication network including the Internet can be connected, a medium that fluidly carries the program so as to download the program from the communication network may be used. When the program is downloaded from the communication network in this way, the download program may be stored in the main device in advance or may be installed from another recording medium.

  According to the present invention, in an image reading apparatus such as a scanner, a reading error can be prevented by the display means when reading an image, and multicolor and single color can be applied to a predetermined recording sheet according to the read image. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer complex machine that forms images.

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention, and both (a) and (b) are screens on which a part including an end of a reading range is displayed in an image obtained by reading a document table top surface for operation support. It is explanatory drawing which shows. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention and a screen that is displayed including the entire reading range in an image obtained by reading the top of the document table for operation support. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a document placed on a document table. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the other screen as which one part including the edge part of the reading range in the image which read the original stand top surface for operation support is displayed. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of a document placed on a document table. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a screen displaying a document placement state by a conventional method for operation support when a document is placed in the state of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen on which a part including an end of a reading range is displayed in an image obtained by reading a top surface of a document table for operation support. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a block diagram of the operation panel in the digital copying machine. It is a block diagram of the digital copying machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Digital copier (image forming device)
10 Image reading device (image reading unit)
20 Image forming apparatus (image forming unit)
30 Operation panel (operation unit)
110 Document table 112 Document frame 120 Document reading unit (reading unit)
311 Display panel section (display means)
411 CPU (display control means, preliminary scanning means)
502 manuscript

Claims (13)

Image data obtained by reading and reading a document table on which a document table is placed and reading means for reading the top surface of the document table based on a set reading range. An operation support apparatus provided in an image reading apparatus that outputs
Display control means for displaying on the display means the image on the top of the document table in association with the reading range based on the image data acquired by the reading means;
The display control means extracts image data at the end of the reading range, and displays an image at the end of the reading range based on the extracted image data. . Prior to acquiring output image data by the reading unit, the reading unit includes at least the reading range, and is rougher than the accuracy of acquiring output image data by the reading unit. Preliminary scanning means for acquiring image data for support by reading with accuracy,
The display control means extracts image data at the end of the reading range from the support image data acquired by the preliminary scanning means, and an image at the end of the reading range based on the extracted image data. An operation support apparatus for an image reading apparatus, characterized by:   3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays an image at an end of the reading range in accordance with a display area of the display unit or a number of pixels of the display unit. Operation support device.   3. The image reading according to claim 1, wherein the reading range is rectangular, and the display control unit displays an image of a corner portion of the reading range as an image of an end portion of the reading range. Device operation support device.   5. The operation support apparatus for an image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the display control means displays a plurality of corner images in the reading range simultaneously by dividing a display area.   3. The reading range according to claim 1, wherein the reading range is rectangular, and the display control unit displays an image of a middle point portion of the side of the reading range as an image of an end portion of the reading range. Operation support device for the image reading apparatus.   The operation support apparatus for an image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the display control unit displays an image of a midpoint portion of a plurality of sides in the reading range simultaneously by dividing a display area.   The display control means expands and displays only one image in the images of the midpoint portions of each of the plurality of corners or sides that are displayed at the same time, to the other image regions that are displayed separately. 8. The operation support apparatus for an image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the operation support apparatus has a display mode.   An image reading apparatus comprising the operation support apparatus for an image reading apparatus according to claim 1. An image reading unit having a document table on which a document is placed, and reading the top surface of the document table by reading means, and acquiring image data of the document placed on the document table, and the image reading In an image forming apparatus comprising an image forming unit that forms and outputs an image on a sheet based on the image data read by the unit,
An image forming apparatus, wherein the image reading unit includes the operation support apparatus for an image reading apparatus according to claim 1.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the image reading unit sets the reading range in accordance with a size and an orientation of the sheet used by the image forming unit.   An operation support program for causing a computer to execute the display control means and the preliminary scanning means in the operation support apparatus for an image reading apparatus according to claim 1.   The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the operation assistance program of Claim 12.

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