JP2006166099A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of enhancing the operability by decreasing a required time attended with pre-scanning processing and improving the convenience by carrying out required minimum recovery processing on the occurrence of a defect at the pre-scanning processing. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus includes: a first read means for sequentially reading an image of an original and converting the read image into electronic image information; a print means for printing the image information on paper; an operation section including a panel on which a reception state or the like is displayed; a storage device; a large capacity storage device used for storing a large capacity of data; and a second read means that reads image information on an original platen in a shorter time than the read time of the first read means while emitting light to the original as required by a device such as a non-movable area CCD and converts the image information into the electronic image information, and the image processing apparatus uses the first and second read means on purpose in response to the object of the image read operation to control reading of the image information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

  At present, the multifunction device is used as a reading device. A bar-shaped movable light emitter scans a document on the document table while irradiating light, and reads the reflected light with a CCD arranged in a line. The type is the mainstream (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This is characterized in that it is relatively easy to obtain high image quality mainly by improving the accuracy of sensor movement control in the sub-scanning direction, but it is difficult to increase the reading speed due to the presence of moving parts. .

In addition, with the spread of digital cameras and the like, area-type CCDs are becoming higher in image quality and lower in price. Since the area CCD has sensors arranged in a plane, there is no moving part like the scanning scanner described above. Therefore, the reading speed is remarkably fast. On the other hand, in order to improve the image quality, the pixels must be arranged at a high density. It is very difficult to manufacture such an apparatus, and the current situation is that the image quality is lower than that of a scanning scanner.
JP-A-10-190990

  When a multifunction device or the like copies a document on a document table, pre-scanning is often performed mainly for the purpose of improving image quality or preventing miscopying. By performing pre-scanning before the copying operation, it is possible to execute the reading operation after checking the position and size information of the document, so that usability is improved.

  Also, determine whether the document image is black and white or color in advance and execute the printing process in the optimum mode for each, or determine the character direction in the document image and use it for imposition processing of the image image, etc. There are cases where pre-scanning is performed for the purpose of improving functions.

  On the other hand, as described above, the scanning scanner limits the reading speed for the time required for the moving operation during reading. For this reason, when pre-scanning is performed with a scanning scanner, it takes time for two scans in addition to the actual reading, greatly affecting the processing speed and reducing usability.

  For these reasons, pre-scan processing by scanning scanners is currently performed at the expense of processing speed, and only in certain limited cases where pre-scan needs to be performed even if the processing is reduced. It is the actual situation. That is, in a scanning scanner, pre-scanning is not actively performed to improve operability or function.

  For this reason, in current copying machines, as a means for improving usability such as document size and document orientation detection processing, simple reflective optical sensors are arranged in several places instead of performing prescanning with a scanning scanner. It is generally realized that the size information of the sheet is estimated from the position where the document placed on the document table is blocked by the user.

According to this method, an accurate judgment can be realized to some extent by a simple method. For this purpose, a sheet having a size of a predetermined standard must be arranged at a predetermined reference position on the platen. In other words, an inexperienced user can easily make a mistake in the paper layout position and setting conditions, resulting in an output product different from the intended one, that is, a miscopy.

As a solution to such a problem, an invention that improves operability without impairing the processing speed by performing pre-scan processing using an area-type scanner instead of a scanning scanner as disclosed in JP-A-2001-24862, etc. Exists. However, in the present invention, there is no mention of processing at the time of malfunction of the prescan processing by the area type scanner, and there is room for improvement in terms of drawing out the advantages of combining the area type scanner with the operation type scanner. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the purpose of the process is to improve the operability by shortening the time required for the prescan process and to solve the problem during the prescan process. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of enhancing convenience by performing a minimum necessary recovery process even when a problem occurs.

  The present invention has achieved the above object by the following technical configuration.

  A mobile device scans the surface of the document while irradiating light, thereby sequentially reading document images and converting them into electronic image information; printing means for printing image information on paper; At least an operation unit having a panel for receiving instructions and displaying a status, a storage device used for storing program data and image data, and a large-capacity storage device used for storing large-capacity data. Second reading means for reading image information on the document table and converting it to electronic image information in a short time compared with the first reading means while irradiating light as required by an apparatus such as an area CCD And reading image information using the first reading unit and the second reading unit in accordance with the purpose of the image reading operation. The image processing apparatus, characterized in that as controllable.

  According to the present invention, the operability is improved by reducing the time required for the pre-scan process, and the convenience is improved by performing the minimum necessary recovery process even when a problem occurs during the pre-scan process. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of an external view of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the internal configuration of the device in FIG. In the device configuration shown in this example, the main modules are connected to each other by a system bus 201 that mediates transmission and reception of data and control signals. These configurations are examples used in the description of the embodiments, and the present invention can be applied to any configuration as long as the items described in the claims are satisfied.

  The operation unit 202 is a part that includes one or a plurality of keys and a display device that are normally provided in the device, and is a part that inputs and outputs operations on the user's device.

  The primary storage device 203 and the secondary storage device 204 are devices such as a semiconductor storage device and a magnetic recording device that are used for printing processing by the system and for temporarily or long-term storing data used by the system. .

  The network adapter 205 is a device that transmits / receives information to / from an external device connected via a network. The protocol analysis unit 206 processes the data received by the network adapter 205 according to a protocol that supports the data, and can be processed in the device. It is for converting to a format. However, since the functions of the network adapter 205 and the protocol analysis unit 206 are not the essence of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The PDL interpretation unit 207 functions to convert print target data (PDL data) into image data, and the converted image data is sent to the print engine 209 via the engine controller 208 to be printed. A description of these detailed configurations is also omitted for the same reason as described above.

  A main scan engine 211 and a main scan engine controller 210 are an apparatus for scanning a document image on a document table with an operation type scanner and converting the scanned image into electronic information, and a control device therefor. A description of these detailed configurations is also omitted for the same reason as described above.

  The sub-scan engine 215 and the sub-scan engine controller 216 are a device for scanning a document image on a document table by an area scanner and converting it into electronic information and its control device. Although it is an important element of the invention that the apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading device having such characteristics, the configuration of the reading device itself can be realized by any method or It may depend on the form. Therefore, although explanations regarding these detailed configurations are omitted, it goes without saying that the present invention is applied as long as the requirements described in the claims are satisfied.

  The billing management unit 212 is a module in charge of management for performing billing correctly according to the usage status of the user's device and the amount of consumables required for print processing.

  The main controller 213 controls the overall operation of each module described above, and executes steps for realizing the functions of the present invention.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a reading device portion of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. An original table glass 302 is installed on the upper surface of the reading device 301, and an original 303 to be read is placed. The original 303 is irradiated with light by a lamp 305, and the reflected light from the original 303 passes through mirrors 306, 308, and 309, is guided to the CCD 312 as a line sensor by the optical system 311, and an image is formed on the CCD 312.

  The mirror unit 304 including the mirror 306 and the lamp 305 is mechanically moved at a speed v by the motor 310, and the mirror unit 307 including the mirrors 308 and 309 is mechanically moved at a speed 1 / 2v by the motor 310. Thus, the entire surface of the original 303 is scanned. Reference numeral 210 denotes the main scan engine controller described in FIG. 304, 307, 310, 311 and 312 in this figure correspond to the main scan engine 211 in FIG.

  Reference numeral 315 denotes a CCD constituting an area type scanner device which is a feature of the present invention. Light is emitted from the lamp 316, and the reflected light from the original 303 is instantaneously formed on the CCD 315 through the optical system 314. Reference numeral 216 denotes the sub-scan engine controller described in FIG. 314 and 315 in this figure correspond to the sub-scan engine 215 in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a paper size database held in the secondary storage device 204 and managed by the main controller 213. The paper size database is used to identify which paper is placed on the document table from the paper size information acquired by the prescan. Details will be described later using a flowchart.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a screen displayed on the operation unit 202 when a setting related to pre-scan is selected from among the setting functions for the device performed by the user or the administrator in the operation unit 202.

  Reference numeral 501 denotes a main screen for setting related to pre-scanning. There is a check 502 for selecting whether or not to perform pre-scan. In order for the user or administrator to instruct the device to perform pre-scanning, this column may be checked. When the prescan setting is interrupted, the cancel button 504 is pressed, and when the prescan is set, the button 503 on which “next” is written is pressed in order to make further detailed settings.

  FIG. 6 is a pre-scan detail setting screen displayed when the button labeled “Next” in FIG. 5 is pressed.

  Reference numeral 601 denotes a prescan detailed setting main screen. The processing to be performed by pre-scanning can be selected inside. In this embodiment, the document size / orientation acquisition 602, color / monochrome discrimination 603, and character orientation detection 604 can be set by a user or an administrator. In the detailed prescan setting screen of FIG. 6, a cancel button 608 can be pressed to interrupt the setting, and an OK button 607 can be pressed to complete the setting. Further, when returning to the pre-scan setting screen shown in FIG. 5, if the return button 606 is pressed, the screen shown in FIG. 5 is displayed on the operation unit 202 again.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the prescan and the subsequent copy operation among the controls performed in the main controller 213.

  First, a processing request from a user is accepted (step S701). If there is a request, the process proceeds to step S702 to determine whether or not the request content is a copy start request. If the request content is not a copy start request, other processing is executed (step S703), and the processing request waiting state is returned again (step S701). ).

  If it is determined in step S702 that the user request is a copy start request, the process advances to step S704. In step S704, it is determined whether pre-scanning is set during the copying operation. As described above, the pre-scan setting is performed by the user or the administrator on the screens shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 independently of the copy operation.

  If the result of determination in step S704 is that pre-scanning has not been set, the process proceeds to step S715 to perform the copy process as it is, and returns to step S701 again upon completion of the process, waiting for a processing request from the user.

  If it is determined in step S704 that pre-scanning is to be performed, the process proceeds to step S705 to perform a pre-scan operation. The details of the prescan operation will be described in more detail with reference to another drawing.

  After performing the prescan, the process advances to step S706 to determine whether the prescan has been performed correctly. If the pre-scan process fails for some reason, it means that it cannot operate correctly as set by the user or administrator, so it is treated as an error case at this point, and the process proceeds to step S707. After performing the recovery, the process returns to the processing request waiting state (step S701).

  As a result of the determination in step S706, if the prescan process in the previous step has been performed correctly, the process proceeds to step S708.

  In step S708, it is determined whether or not document orientation / size detection by prescan has been set on the setting screen shown in FIG. 6, and if it has been set, the process proceeds to step S709 to determine the document size / orientation from the prescan image data. A detection process is performed, and the process proceeds to step S710. In step S708, if document orientation / size detection by pre-scanning is not set, the process directly proceeds to step S710.

  In step S710, it is determined whether or not the black and white / color detection of the document by prescan is set on the setting screen shown in FIG. 6, and if it is set, the process proceeds to step S711 and the black and white of the document is determined from the prescan image data. Color detection processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S712. In step S710, if document orientation / size detection by prescanning is not set, the process directly proceeds to step S712.

  In step S712, it is determined whether or not document character orientation detection by prescan has been set on the setting screen shown in FIG. 6, and if it has been set, the process proceeds to step S713 to detect character orientation of the document from the prescan image data. Processing is performed, and the process proceeds to step S714. If it is determined in step S712 that the original character orientation detection process by pre-scanning is not set, the process directly proceeds to step S714.

  As described above, since the operation mode necessary for the copy operation is acquired from the image data pre-scanned in steps S708 to S713, the result is set to the operation mode at the time of copying (step S714), and the copy operation is performed (step S714). S715). When the copy process in S715 is completed, the process returns to the process request wait state again (step S701).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining detailed steps of the pre-scan process performed in step S705 shown in FIG.

  In order to perform pre-scanning by the area scanner, that is, the sub-scan engine 215, which is a feature of the present invention, the apparatus is first initialized (step S801).

  Next, in step S802, it is determined whether or not the initialization process in step S801 has been performed correctly. If it has been performed correctly, the document table is irradiated by the lamp 316 for the secondary scanner engine described in FIG. 3 (step S803). In this state, the area-type CCD 315 constituting the sub-scan engine 215 instantaneously reads the reflected light of the document 303 placed on the document table incident on the optical system 314 (step S804). The image data read in step S804 is transferred to the temporary storage device 203 via the system bus 201.

  Following step S804, the process proceeds to step S805, where the read image data is corrected. This is because the original image placed on the original table is distorted due to the optical characteristics of the optical system 314, and the read image data stored in the temporary storage device 203 is optically read. The coordinates and density of each pixel are adjusted based on the correction information unique to the system.

  Note that the details of the correction processing performed in step S805 are far from the essence of the present invention, and thus will not be described in further detail. However, the present invention is not limited to any method as long as the items described in the claims are satisfied. Needless to say, the invention is effective.

  When the process in step S805 is completed, the process proceeds to step S809 to store the success of the prescan process. The result status stored here is used for the determination processing in step S706 in FIG.

  In step S802, if the initialization of the sub-scan engine 215 is not successful, the process proceeds to step S806 to switch the main scan engine 211, which is a feature of the present invention, to perform the pre-scan process, and the main scan engine 807 Perform initialization processing.

  If the initialization process is unsuccessful as a result of step S806, the prescan process cannot be executed, and the process advances to step S810 to store the failure of the prescan process. The result status stored here is used for the determination processing in step 706 in FIG. 7 in the same manner as described in step S809.

  As a result of step S807, the pre-scan process by the main scan engine 211 is executed (step S808). The image data read in step S807 is transferred to the temporary storage device 203 via the system bus 201. The scan process performed in the main scan engine 211 is a scan process performed by a scanning scanner, which is not the essence of the present invention, and thus detailed description of the operation and the like is omitted.

  When the process of step S808 ends, the process proceeds to step S809 to store that the prescan process has been successful. The result status stored here is used for the discrimination processing in step 706 in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining details of the document size / orientation detection processing operation in step S709 in FIG. First, in the corrected image data stored in the temporary storage device 203 as a result of the pre-scan, four corner portions of the paper are extracted (step S901), and the lengths of the four sides of the paper are calculated from the information. (Step S902).

  Next, in step S903, the paper size database described with reference to FIG. 4 is referred to, and the closest one is selected by comparing with the size of each paper in the database from the side length information obtained in step S902.

  Finally, the process proceeds to step S904, and the sheet size ID of the sheet size selected in step S903 is stored as the copy processing operation mode. The information on the paper size ID stored here is reflected in the operation mode when the copy process is executed in step S715 in FIG.

  Various methods are conceivable as a specific method of the four corner detection processing in the image data performed in step S901. Since it is not the essence of the present invention, no further detailed explanation will be given, but it goes without saying that the present invention is effective in any system as long as the items described in the claims are satisfied. For the same reason, detailed descriptions of steps S710 and S712 are also omitted.

  The present invention solves the problems of the prior art and does not perform pre-scanning with a scanning scanner, but performs pre-scanning at high speed with an area-type scanner and places a document placed on a document table by a user before the scanning scanner operates. Convenience by obtaining the size and position information of the image and improving the operability by shortening the time required for the prescan process, and performing the minimum necessary recovery process even if a problem occurs during the prescan process It has become possible to provide an environment that enhances performance.

1 is an external view of an image processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a device according to the first embodiment. Sectional drawing of the reading device part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Example 1. FIG. Figure showing an example of the paper size database The figure explaining the screen displayed on the operation unit when the setting related to pre-scan is selected The figure which shows the pre-scan detailed setting screen displayed when the button written "next" in FIG. 5 is pressed Flow chart explaining pre-scan and subsequent copy operation Flow chart for explaining detailed steps of prescan processing Flow chart for explaining the details of document size / orientation detection processing operation

Explanation of symbols

201 System Bus 202 Operation Unit 203 Primary Storage Device 204 Secondary Storage Device 205 Network Adapter 206 Protocol Analysis Unit 207 PDL Interpretation Unit 208 Engine Controller 209 Print Engine 210 Main Scan Engine Controller 211 Main Scan Engine 212 Charge Management Unit 213 Main Controller 215 Secondary Scan engine 216 Sub scan engine controller

Claims (5)

A mobile device scans the surface of the document while irradiating light, thereby sequentially reading document images and converting them into electronic image information; printing means for printing image information on paper; At least an operation unit having a panel for receiving instructions and displaying a status, a storage device used for storing program data and image data, a large-capacity storage device used for storing large-capacity data,
In addition to the above, the image information on the document table is read in a short time compared with the first reading means while irradiating light as necessary by a non-moving area type CCD or the like and converted to electronic image information. A second reading means for converting,
An image processing apparatus capable of controlling to read image information by selectively using the first reading unit and the second reading unit according to the purpose of an image reading operation.   Before starting the image information reading operation by the first reading means, it has means for performing pre-scanning using the second reading means, and image information by the first reading means according to the result of the pre-scanning The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is controllable to change an operation mode during a reading operation.   As a result of the pre-scan performed by the second reading unit, when sufficient information for determining an operation mode at the time of image information reading operation by the first reading unit cannot be obtained, the first scanning unit The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is controllable to perform pre-scanning by a reading unit.   4. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein when the second reading unit falls into an inoperable state, the first reading unit can be controlled to perform pre-scanning instead of the second reading unit. The image processing apparatus described.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the first reading unit falls into an inoperable state, the second reading unit can be controlled to perform an image reading process.

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