JP2006191228A - Image scanner and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid read image processing not intended by a user, to increase a degree of freedom by a user coping with the occurrence of abnormity of reading white paper, and to improve the efficiency of document read processing on the occurrence of mixing of white paper to original sheets. <P>SOLUTION: An image scanner includes: an imaging means for reading an image on a document to produce an image signal; an A/D conversion means for digitally converting the image signal into image data; and white paper detection means 5f, 5r for detecting whether or not sides of the document read by the imaging means indicate white paper, wherein the image scanner is provided with control means 261 and 90 for temporarily stopping image reading at the time when the white paper detection means detect the white paper and generate a warning for awaiting a user's instruction. The image scanner restarts the image reading in response to a continuance instruction by the user received during the temporary stop, and terminates the image reading in response to a processing end instruction by the user received during the temporary stop. When a white paper discard instruction key is closed and the image scanner detects white paper, the image scanner discards read image data without making a temporary stop and proceeds to reading of a succeeding document. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a blank sheet detection function, and can be implemented in, for example, a document scanner, a copying machine, or a facsimile machine.

  Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus displays a warning by detecting a blank page, stops transmission, and the like, but is not implemented in a copying machine. In recent years, there has been an increase in requests for reducing useless copying due to increased interest in energy saving. In order to respond to these demands, when a blank sheet is detected, transfer to the transfer sheet is not performed, and an image that is not blank is overwritten.

JP-A-5-72854 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-189043 JP-A-7-240814 JP 2000-201254 A JP 2004-135217 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-84423.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a double-sided copying apparatus that includes a pair of image sensors that detect the presence or absence of images on the front and back sides of a document and does not copy the surface of the document that is detected as having no image. Cited Document 2 describes a facsimile machine that reads images on the front and back sides of a document and stores them in an image information memory and detects all white pages, and deletes read data of pages detected as all white from the image information memory. Has been. Cited Document 3 describes a double-sided reading image forming apparatus that records an image of another document on a surface detected as white paper. Cited Document 4 describes an image forming apparatus that includes a blank page determination area setting unit for setting a blank page determination area and obtains a blank page determination result in a short time.

  In Cited Document 5, when the black-and-white reading mode is set and automatic reading density conversion is designated, the A / D conversion reference voltage is changed to follow the background of the document, and the background density level is set to the base value. In the ACS (Auto Color Select) mode, AE (Auto Exposure) is performed with (no image: white) image data. In the ACS (Auto Color Select) mode, the density is detected in the process of digital processing to detect a document as a color image and generate CMY image forming data. An image forming apparatus that performs conversion processing is described. Cited Document 6 describes an image forming apparatus that performs background removal based on image data obtained by digitally converting an image signal obtained by image reading.

  If the blank paper is automatically detected and the blank paper read data is automatically discarded or replaced with other image data, the user may not notice the blank paper mixing and may copy in an unintended image order. Further, when a plurality of copies (continuous copies) are set, it is conceivable that a large amount of unintended copies are generated.

  The first object of the present invention is to avoid read image processing that is not intended by the user, and a second object is to increase the degree of freedom of user handling at the time of blank page reading. The third object is to improve the above.

(1) Imaging means (211,207 / 230,408) for reading an image on a document to generate an image signal, A / D conversion means (212) for digitally converting the image signal into image data, and a document surface read by the imaging means In the image reading apparatus provided with a blank sheet detecting means (5f, 5r) for detecting whether the sheet is a blank sheet,
An image reading apparatus comprising: control means (261, 90) for generating an alarm that temporarily stops image reading and waits for a user's instruction when the blank paper detecting means detects a blank paper. In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of the corresponding element or the corresponding matter of the Example shown in drawing and mentioned later in parentheses was added as reference for reference. The same applies to the following.

  When a blank page is detected, an alarm is generated to temporarily stop image reading and wait for the user's instruction. Therefore, when a blank page error occurs, the user can select whether to continue or stop depending on the content. The operability of the device is improved and the downtime is shortened.

  (2) The image reading apparatus according to (1), wherein the control unit resumes image reading in response to a user's continuation instruction during the temporary stop.

  (3) The image reading apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein the control unit ends image reading in response to a user's end instruction during the temporary stop.

  (4) The image reading apparatus further includes an input means (Wpp) for designating processing at the time of blank page detection before starting the document reading, and the control means is designated by the input means (Wpp). In this case, when the blank sheet detecting means detects a blank sheet, the processing designated by the input means (Wpp) is executed without temporarily stopping image reading. The image reading apparatus according to any one of the above.

(5) The imaging means (211,207 / 230,408) is a first imaging means (211,207) that reads a front image of a document to generate a front image signal, and a second that reads a back image of the document and generates a back image signal. Including imaging means (230,408);
The A / D conversion means (212) digitally converts the front surface image signal and the back surface image signal into front surface image data and back surface image data, respectively;
The blank sheet detecting means (5f, 5r) is a front blank sheet detecting means (5f) for detecting whether the front surface of the document is blank based on the front surface image data, and whether the back surface of the document is blank based on the back surface image data. Including a back blank paper detecting means (5r) for detecting
The input means (Wpp) designates discarding of image data for blank page reading;
The control means outputs the front image data when the front blank paper detection means (5f) does not detect as blank paper, and outputs the front blank paper detection means without outputting the front image data when detected as blank paper. According to the blank paper detection result of (5r), if no blank paper is detected, the back side image data is output;
The image reading apparatus according to (4) above.

  (6) The image reading device (210, 261, 262, 90) according to any one of the above (1) to (5); and a printer for printing an image represented by the image data output from the image reading device on a sheet ( 100).

  (7) The image forming apparatus according to (6), wherein the printer (100) is a double-sided printer capable of forming an image on a front surface and a back surface of a sheet.

  (8) The printer (100) includes an image forming means (101-112) for forming a visible image representing an image represented by the image data, and a visible image carrying means for transferring the visible image formed by the image forming means ( 113) and means for transferring the visible image formed by the image forming means after the transfer to one side of the paper and the visible image transferred to the visible image carrying means to the other side of the paper ( 117. The image forming apparatus according to (7), which is a printer capable of duplex printing including 117).

  Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows the external appearance of a full-color digital multi-function copier MF1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The full-color copying machine MF1 is roughly constituted by units of an automatic document feeder (ADF) 230, an operation board 90, a color scanner 210, and a color printer 100. The operation board 90 and the color scanner 210 with the ADF 230 are units that can be separated from the printer 100. The color scanner 210 includes a control board having a power device driver, a sensor input, and a controller, and a CPU 261 (FIG. 4) Directly or indirectly communicate with 4) and read the document image under timing control.

  A controller board 270 (FIG. 4) to which the printer 100 is connected is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) to which a personal computer PC is connected. A telephone line PN (facsimile communication line) is connected to the facsimile control unit FCU287 (FIG. 4). ) Connected to the exchange PBX. The printed paper of the color printer 100 is discharged to the paper discharge stack 126 (FIG. 2).

  FIG. 2 shows the mechanism of the color printer 100 of the multifunction copying machine MF1. The color printer 100 of this embodiment is a laser printer. This laser printer 100 includes four toner image forming units a to d for forming images of each color of magenta (M), cyan (C), yellow (Y), and black (black: K). The transfer belts 107 are arranged in this order along the moving direction of the transfer belt 107 (from left to right in the figure). That is, it is a four-drum type full-color image forming apparatus.

  A neutralizing device 105, a cleaning device 104, a charging device 102, and a developing device 103 are arranged on the outer periphery of the photosensitive member 101 that is rotatably supported and rotates in the direction of the arrow. A space for storing optical information emitted from the exposure device 106 is secured between the charging device 102 and the developing device 103. There are four (a, b, c, d) photoconductors 101, but the image forming component configuration provided around each is the same. The color of the color material (toner) handled by the developing device 3 is different. The photoconductors 101 (four) are photoconductors in which an organic semiconductor layer that is a photoconductive material is provided on the surface of an aluminum cylinder having a diameter of about 30 to 100 mm. A part thereof is in contact with the first transfer belt 107. A belt-like photoreceptor can also be employed.

  The first transfer belt 107 is supported and stretched between the rotating rollers 108, 109, and 110 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow. On the back side (inside the loop), the first transfer unit 111 is attached to the photoreceptor 101. It is deployed in the vicinity. A cleaning device 112 for the first transfer belt is disposed outside the belt loop. Unnecessary toner remaining on the surface after the transfer from the first transfer belt 107 is wiped off.

  The exposure device 106 irradiates the uniformly charged surface of the photoconductor as a latent image with optical information corresponding to full-color image formation by a known laser system. An exposure apparatus comprising an LED array and an image forming means can also be employed. The first transfer belt 107 is a belt based on a resin film or rubber having a base thickness of 50 μm to 600 μm, and has a resistance value that allows toner to be transferred from the photoreceptor 101.

  In FIG. 2, a second transfer belt 113 is provided on the right side of the first transfer belt 107. The second transfer belt 113 is supported and stretched between the rotating rollers 114, 115 and 116 so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow, and the second transfer means 117 is provided on the back side (inside the loop). A cleaning device 118 for the second transfer belt, a charger 119, and the like are disposed outside the belt loop. After the toner is transferred to the paper, the cleaning device 118 wipes off the remaining unnecessary toner.

  The first transfer belt 107 and the second transfer belt 113 are in contact with each other by the second transfer unit 117, the roller 116, and the roller 108 that supports the first transfer belt 107, thereby forming a predetermined transfer nip. The second transfer belt 113 is a belt having a base of a resin film or rubber having a base thickness of 50 μm to 600 μm, and a belt having a resistance value capable of transferring toner from the first transfer belt 107.

  Paper 120 as a recording medium is stored in paper feed cassettes 121 and 122 in the lower part of the figure, and the uppermost paper is conveyed one by one by paper feed rollers 131 or 132 to a registration roller 133 through a plurality of paper guides. Is done. Above the second transfer belt 113, a fixing device 123, a paper discharge guide 124, a paper discharge roller 125, and a paper discharge stack 126 are arranged.

  A storage portion 127 that can store replenishment toner is provided above the first transfer belt 107 and below the paper discharge stack 126. The toner has four colors, magenta, cyan, yellow, and black, and is in the form of a cartridge 128. The corresponding color developing device 103 is appropriately replenished by a powder pump or the like.

  The frame 129, which is a part of the main body, has a structure that can be rotated and opened around the opening / closing support shaft 130. Therefore, the conveyance path of the recording medium is greatly opened to facilitate the processing of the jammed recording medium (paper). ing.

  Here, the operation of each unit during duplex printing will be described. First, image formation is performed by the photosensitive member 101. That is, by the operation of the exposure device 106, light from an LD light source (not shown) passes through an optical component (not shown), and among the photoconductors 101 uniformly charged by the charging device 102, the photoconductor of the image forming unit a. Then, a latent image corresponding to the writing information (information corresponding to the color) is formed. The latent image on the photoconductor 101 is developed by the developing device 103, and a visible image with toner is formed and held on the surface of the photoconductor 101. This toner image is transferred to the surface of the first transfer belt 107 that moves in synchronization with the photosensitive member 101 by the first transfer unit 111. The remaining toner on the surface of the photoconductor 101 is cleaned by the cleaning device 104 and is discharged by the charge removing device 105 to prepare for the next image forming cycle.

  The first transfer belt 107 carries the toner image transferred on the surface and moves in the direction of the arrow. A latent image corresponding to another color is written on the photoconductor 101 of the image forming unit b, and developed with a toner of the corresponding color to become a visible image. This image is overlaid on the visible image of the previous color already on the first transfer belt 107, and finally four colors are overlaid. In some cases, only monochrome black is formed.

  At this time, the second transfer belt 113 is moved in the direction of the arrow in synchronism, and the image formed on the surface of the first transfer belt 107 is transferred onto the surface of the second transfer belt 113 by the action of the second transfer means 117. The The first and second transfer belts 107 and 113 are moved while the images are formed on the respective photosensitive members 101 of the four image forming units a to d in the so-called tandem format, and the image forming is advanced. Can be shortened.

  When the first transfer belt 107 moves to a predetermined position, a toner image to be created on another surface of the paper is formed again by the photoconductor 101 in the process as described above, and paper feeding is started. When the paper feed roller 131 or 132 rotates counterclockwise, the uppermost paper 120 in the paper feed cassette 121 or 122 is pulled out and conveyed to the registration roller 133.

  The toner image on the surface of the first transfer belt 107 is transferred by the second transfer unit 117 to one side of the sheet fed between the first transfer belt 107 and the second transfer belt 113 via the registration roller 133. Further, the recording medium is conveyed upward, and the toner image on the surface of the second transfer belt 113 is transferred to the other surface of the sheet by the charger 119. At the time of transfer, the sheet is conveyed at a timing so that the position of the image is normal.

  In this embodiment, the polarity of the toner imaged on the photoreceptor 101 is negative. By applying a positive charge to the first transfer unit 111, the toner imaged on the photoreceptor 101 is transferred to the first transfer belt 107. By applying a positive charge to the second transfer unit 117, the toner transferred to the first transfer belt 107 is transferred to the second transfer belt 113. By feeding the paper between the first and second transfer belts 107 and 113 and applying a positive charge to the second transfer means 117, the toner transferred to the first transfer belt 107 is transferred to one side of the paper, The toner transferred to the second transfer belt 113 is given a positive polarity charge from the transfer charger 119, so that the negative polarity toner on the surface of the second transfer belt 113 is sucked and transferred to the other surface of the sheet. The

  The paper on which the toner images are transferred on both sides in the above steps is sent to the fixing device 123, and the toner images (both sides) on the paper are melted and fixed at one time. Are discharged to the paper discharge stack 126.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the paper discharge units 124 to 126 are configured, a surface (page) to be transferred to the paper later in the double-sided image, that is, a surface directly transferred from the first transfer belt 7 to the paper is the lower surface. Since the image is placed on the discharge stack 126, the second page image is created first and the toner image is held on the second transfer belt 113 in order to align the pages. The image is directly transferred from the first transfer belt 107 to the sheet.

  The image directly transferred from the first transfer belt 107 to the paper is a normal image on the surface of the photoconductor, and the toner image transferred from the second transfer belt 113 to the paper is a reverse image (mirror image) on the surface of the photoconductor. It is exposed as follows. Such image forming order for page alignment and image processing for switching between normal and reverse images (mirror images) are also performed by image data read / write control to the memory MEM by IMAC.

  After the transfer from the second transfer belt 113 to the paper, a cleaning device 118 including a brush roller, a collection roller, a blade, and the like removes unnecessary toner and paper dust remaining on the second transfer belt 113.

  In FIG. 2, the brush roller of the cleaning device 118 is away from the surface of the second transfer belt 113. The structure can swing around the fulcrum 118a and can contact and separate from the surface of the second transfer belt 113. Before the transfer onto the paper, the second transfer belt 113 is released when carrying the toner image, and when the cleaning is necessary, the second transfer belt 113 is swung in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. The removed unnecessary toner is collected in the toner storage unit 134.

  The image forming process in the duplex printing mode in which the “duplex transfer mode” is set has been described above. In the case of duplex printing, printing is always performed by this image forming process. In the case of single-sided printing, there are two types of “single-sided transfer mode by the second transfer belt 113” and “single-sided transfer mode by the first transfer belt 107”, and the single-sided transfer mode using the former second transfer belt 113 is set. In this case, a visible image formed by superimposing four colors (or single color black) on the first transfer belt 107 is transferred to the second transfer belt 113 and transferred to one side of the sheet. There is no image transfer on the other side of the paper. In this case, there is a print screen on the upper surface of the printed paper discharged to the paper discharge stack 126.

  When the single-side transfer mode using the latter first transfer belt 107 is set, a visible image formed on the first transfer belt 107 in a four-color overlap (or single color black) is transferred to the second transfer belt 113. Without being transferred to one side of the paper. There is no image transfer on the other side of the paper. In this case, there is a print screen on the lower surface of the printed paper discharged to the paper discharge stack 126.

  FIG. 3 shows a document image reading mechanism of the scanner 210 of the multifunction copying machine MF1 and the ADF 230 attached thereto. The document placed on the contact glass 231 of the scanner 210 is illuminated by the illumination lamp 232, and the reflected light (image light) of the document is reflected by the first mirror 233 in parallel with the sub-scanning direction y. The illumination lamp 232 and the first mirror 233 are mounted on a first carriage (not shown) that is driven at a constant speed in the sub-scanning direction y. Second and third mirrors 234 and 235 are mounted on a second carriage (not shown) that is driven in the same direction as the first carriage, and the image light reflected by the first mirror 233. Is reflected downward (z) by the second mirror 234, reflected by the third mirror 235 in the sub-scanning direction y, converged by the lens 236, irradiated to the CCD 207, and converted into an electrical signal.

  The first and second carriages are driven forward (original scanning) and backward (return) in the y direction using the traveling body motor 238 as a drive source. As described above, the scanner 210 is a flatbed type original scanner that scans the original on the contact glass 231 with the lamp 232 and the mirror 233 and projects the original image on the CCD 207. A glass 240 serving as a sheet-through reading window is located at a reading visual field position of the first mirror 233 when one carriage is stopped at a home position (standby position) HP, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) is disposed above the glass 240. ) 230 is mounted, and the transport drum (platen) 244 of the ADF 230 faces the glass 240.

  The documents stacked on the document tray 241 of the ADF 230 are fed between the conveyance drum 244 and the pressing roller 245 by the pickup roller 242 and the registration roller pair 243, and are in close contact with the conveyance drum 244 and pass over the reading glass 240. Then, the paper is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 248 serving as a pressure plate below the document tray 241 by the paper discharge rollers 246 and 247.

  When the image on the surface of the document passes through the reading glass 240 serving as a document reading window, the image is irradiated by the illumination lamp 232 that is moving immediately below the image, and the reflected light on the surface of the document is optical below the first mirror 233. The CCD 207 is irradiated through the system and subjected to photoelectric conversion. That is, it is converted into RGB color image signals. The surface of the transport drum 244 is a white back plate facing the reading glass 240 and is white so as to be a white reference plane.

  Further, the image on the back side of the document is read and photoelectrically converted by an image pickup apparatus 408 including a light source and an image pickup device. That is, it is converted into RGB color image signals. There is a white back plate 409 facing the imaging device 408, and the document passes between the imaging device 408 and the white back plate 409.

  Between the reading glass 240 and the scale 251 for positioning the starting edge of the document, there are a reference white plate 239 and a base point sensor 249 for detecting the first carriage. Although the reference white plate 239 reads a document having a uniform density due to variations in individual emission intensities of the illumination lamps 232, variations in the main scanning direction, sensitivity variations among the pixels of the CCD 207, and the like, It is prepared to correct the phenomenon in which read data varies (shading correction).

  The base body 248 of the ADF 230 is hinge-coupled (hinge-connected) to the base body of the scanner 210 on the back side (back side of FIG. 3 paper), and has a handle 250m on the front side of the base body 248 (front side of FIG. 3 paper surface). By raising the base 248, the ADF 230 can be raised (opened). On the back side of the base body 248 of the ADF 230, there is a switch that detects opening and closing of the ADF 230. A pressure plate 250p of the ADF 230 facing the contact glass 231 is attached to the bottom surface of the ADF 230. When the ADF 230 is closed, the lower surface of the pressure plate 250p is in close contact with the upper surface of the contact glass 231 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the image processing system of the multifunction copying machine MF1 shown in FIG. The multi-function copier MF1 includes an engine 260 that performs document image reading and color printing, a controller board 270, and an operation board 90. The engine 260 includes a CPU 261 that controls image reading and printing processes, the color scanner 210 described above, the printer 100 described above, and an image input / output processing 262 configured by an ASIC (Application Specific IC).

  The sensor board unit SBU of the scanner 210 has a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU writes the program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes it, thereby controlling the entire scanner 210. Further, it is connected to a CPU 261 for process control via a communication line, and performs an operation instructed by transmission / reception of commands and data. The CPU in the scanner 210 detects the document detection sensor, HP sensor, pressure plate open / close sensor, cooling fan, etc. and controls ON / OFF. In the scanner 210, a scanner motor driver is driven by a PWM output from the CPU to generate an excitation pulse sequence and drive a pulse motor for scanning a document.

  The original image is illuminated by the light output of the halogen lamp 232 energized by the lamp regulator, and the reflected light of the original, that is, the optical signal, passes through a plurality of mirrors and lenses and passes through three line sensors for reading R, G and B. The image is formed on the CCD 207 including the image. The 3-line CCD 207 receives each drive clock from the AFE 212 on the sensor board unit SBU and outputs an analog image signal of each RGB pixel to the AFE 212. Similarly, the image pickup device 408 of the ADF 230 outputs an analog image signal of each pixel of each RGB to the AFE 212 by being given each drive clock by the AFE 212 on the sensor board unit SBU.

  The AFE 212 includes a first set including an analog processing circuit, an A / D converter, and a shading correction circuit that digitally converts the output image signal (RGB) of the CCD 207 into each color (R, G, B) image data and performs shading correction. And a second set of image data conversion circuits that similarly convert the output image signal (RGB) of the imaging device 408 into color image data and perform shading correction. Any of the image data conversion circuits can perform AE (Auto Exposure) in the A / D conversion of the G image signal in which the image density is most easily grasped. AE is a method in which the A / D conversion reference voltage is changed to follow the background of the document, and the background density level is used as image data with a base value (no image: white). Is set to AE.

  The controller board 270 includes a CPU 272, a document storage control 273 configured by an ASIC, a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 122, a local memory (MEM-C) 276, and a system memory (MEM-P) 279. North Bridge (hereinafter referred to as NB) 278, South Bridge (hereinafter referred to as SB) 285, NIC 280 (Network Interface Card), USB device 281, IEEE 1394 device 282, Centronics device 283 and others. The operation board 90 is connected to the document accumulation control 273 of the controller board 270. A facsimile control unit (FCU) 287 is also connected to the document accumulation control 273 by a PCI bus.

  The CPU 272 can transmit and receive document information with a personal computer PC connected to the LAN via the NIC 280 or another personal computer PC via the Internet. In addition, communication with a personal computer, a printer, a digital camera, or the like can be performed using the USB 281, IEEE 1394 282, and Centronics 283.

  The SB 285, the NIC 280, the USB device 281, the IEEE 1394 device 282, the Centronics device 283, and the MLB 284 are connected to the NB 278 via a PCI bus. As described above, the MLB 284 is a board that is connected to the engine 260 via the PCI bus. Then, MLB 284 converts the document data input from the outside into image data (image data), and outputs the converted image data to engine 260.

  The local memory 276, the HDD 122, and the like are connected to the document storage control 273 of the controller board 270, and the CPU 272 and the document storage control 273 are connected through the NB 278 of the CPU chipset. The document accumulation control 273 and the NB 278 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port).

  The CPU 272 performs overall control of the multifunction function copying machine MF1. The NB 278 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 272, system memory 279, SB 285, and document storage control 273. The system memory 279 is a memory used as a drawing memory or the like for the multifunction function copying machine MF1. The SB 285 is a bridge for connecting the NB 278 to the PCI bus and peripheral devices. The SB 285 is connected to a card I / F 288 for reading and writing an external ROM and an SD memory card (hereinafter referred to as an SD card). The card I / F 288 is connected to an SD card read / write device (card reader), and can read data from and write data to an SD card attached to the card reader.

  The local memory 276 is a memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HDD 122 is a memory for storing image data, document data, programs, font data, forms, LUT (Look Up Table), and the like. The operation board 90 is an operation unit that receives an input operation from the user and performs display for the user.

  FIG. 4 shows the flow of image data exchanged between the scanner 210 and printer 100 and the image input / output device 262. The image input / output processing 262 corrects the reading distortion of the R, G, B image data generated by the CCD 207 of the color original scanner 210 and the imaging device 408 of the ADF 230 and corrects the corrected R, G, B image data as necessary. C, M, Y, K recording color data of the printer 100 of the scanner image processing 263, R, G, B image data or C, M, Y, K recording color data of the printer 100 Printer image processing 264 for converting to C, M, Y, K print data suitable for the image expression characteristics of the writing units 210 to 213, and document read image data RGB or CMYK are output to the document storage control 273, and document storage control There is an image processing interface (I / F) 265 that provides image data RGB or CMYK output by the H.273 to the printer image processing 264.

FIG. 5 shows an outline of the functions of the scanner image processing 263 and the printer image processing 264. The scanner image processing 263 includes front surface image processing 263f that processes RGB image data output from the CCD 207 of the color original scanner 210 and back surface image processing 263r that processes RGB image data output from the imaging device 408 of the ADF 230. The RGB image data output from the CCD 207 is subjected to the scanner γ correction 1f by the surface image processing 263f, and according to the image area detection result of the image area separation 4f, the edge enhancement processing smoothly changes the density in the edge area of the image. A filter process 3f for applying a smoothing process is added to the halftone area. The RGB image data after these processes are written in the page memory 3f. Based on the data before writing, the ACS (Auto Color Select) 5f determines whether the reading surface (one page) is blank or a monochrome image. When it is determined that the image is a color image and the image data of the entire reading surface (one page) is stored in the page memory 3f, it is determined whether the image is a blank sheet, a monochrome image, or a color image. And according to the determination result and the reading mode instructed by the user before reading the document,
(A) If the AE process is not performed and the ACS does not determine that the page is blank, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as it is.
(B) If there is AE processing and the ACS determines that the image is a monochrome image, only the G image data in the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as monochrome image data.
(C) When there is an AE process and the ACS determines that the image is a color image, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is given to the ACS 5f, and each process of hue division, color pixel determination, and color plate determination is performed. After that, it is converted into ymck image data, and the background is removed by image data processing in the background removal 7f and output.
(D) If the ACS is determined to be blank, a warning is displayed on the operation board 90 to allow the user to specify the next action. The next operations that can be selected are “read skip” (read data discard), “continue as it is” (above (a) or (b)), “specific color designation” (change to designated color data), and “end”. The processing function of the back surface image processing 263r is the same as the processing function of the front surface image processing 263f.

  The image data output by the front surface image processing 263f and the back surface image processing 263r is given to the printer image processing 264 via the image processing I / F 265 when the copy setting number of one copy is instructed. In process 264, the image data is converted into image data suitable for the print output of the printer 100 and is provided to the printer 100. However, when the number of copies set is 2 or more, when only reading a document or reading for facsimile transmission, the copy is temporarily stored in the local memory 276 via the image processing I / F 265 and the document storage control 273, and the capacity is stored. When this occurs, the data is once stored in the HDD 171 and then used for printing (output to the printer image processing 264), sending to an external device (PC), registering or storing in the HDD 271 or facsimile transmission according to the application (use). .

  The printer image processing 264 is given image data for printing, and is given to the color correction 11 if the image data is RGB image data. The color correction 11 converts the RGB image data into ymc (recording color) image data, extracts the black ink k from them, and outputs the remaining levels of ymc and k extracted from the black ink to the main scanning scaling unit 13. To do. After changing the magnification as necessary in the main scanning magnification 13, the printer γ correction 14 adapted to the image forming characteristics of the printer 100 is performed, and the recording / non-recording matrix distribution in pixel units in the gradation processing 15 Then, the image data is converted into image data representing the density gradation and output to the printer 100. When the image data to be given is ymck (full color) or only k (black and white), the image data is given to the main scanning variable magnification 13 without the color correction 11 being output. That is, the color correction process is not applied.

  In the case of a single copy in which one sheet is printed per document, RGB image data or k or ymck recording color data is output from the scanner image processing 263 to the image processing I / F 265, and the image processing I / F 265 performs these images. The data is output to the printer image processing 264, and the printer image processing 264 performs scaling, image processing, printer γ conversion and gradation processing as necessary, and each writing unit (laser light emission of the laser writing unit 106). Device).

  In the case of continuous copying in which a plurality of sheets are printed per original, RGB image data or k or ymck recording color data is output from the scanner image processing 263 to the image processing I / F 265, and these image data are output by the image processing I / F 265. Is output to the document storage control 273 and temporarily stored in the local memory 272 or the HDD 271, and is read for each copy and supplied from the document storage control 273 to the printer image processing 264 via the image processing I / F 265. It is done. The printer image processing 264 outputs the color correction 11 and scaling 13 as necessary, and performs printer γ conversion and gradation processing to each writing unit.

  When the document is read and registered by the scanner 210 or transmitted to the outside, the RGB image data or k or ymck recording color data output from the scanner image processing 263 is transmitted via the image processing I / F 265 and the image accumulation control 273. It is registered in the HDD 271 or is temporarily stored in the local memory 276 or the HDD 271 and then sent to the outside.

  When printing the registered image data by the printer 100 or image data received from the outside, the image data is given to the printer image processing 264 via the image accumulation control 273 and the image processing I / F 265. The printer image processing 264 performs a required image processing and outputs it to each writing unit.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the liquid crystal touch panel 79, the operation board 90 includes a numeric keypad 80a, a clear / stop key 80b, a start key 80c, an initial setting key 80d, a mode clear key 80e, and a test print key 80f. Although not shown, on the left side of the liquid crystal touch panel 79, there is an alphabet keyboard with hiragana added for inputting, setting, and abbreviated registration for URL, mail text, file name, folder name, and the like.

  The test print key 80f is a key for printing only one copy regardless of the set number of print copies and confirming the print result. By pressing the initial setting key 80d, the initial state of the machine can be arbitrarily customized. The paper size stored in the machine can be set or the state set when the copy function reset key is pressed can be arbitrarily set. When the initial setting key 80d is operated, an “initial value setting” function for setting various initial values, an “ID setting” function, a “copyright registration / setting” function, an “usage record output” function, etc. A selection button to specify is displayed. Also, select applications that are preferentially selected when there is no operation for a certain period of time, set the transition time to low power according to the International Energy Star Plan, and set the transition time to auto-off / sleep mode. It is possible to set.

  On the liquid crystal touch panel 79, various function keys and a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus are displayed. The LCD touch panel 79 has a “copy” function, a “scanner” function, a “print” function, a “facsimile” function, an “accumulate” function, an “edit” function, a “register” function, a “link” function, and other functions. A function selection key 80g for selection and execution is displayed. An input / output screen determined for the function designated by the function selection key 80g is displayed. For example, when the “copy” function is designated, as shown in FIG. 6, the function keys 79a and 79b, the number of copies and the number of copies of the image forming apparatus are displayed. A message indicating the status is displayed. When the operator touches a key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79, the key indicating the selected function is inverted in gray. When the details of the function must be specified (for example, the type of page printing), the detailed function setting screen is displayed by touching the key. Thus, since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display device, it is possible to graphically perform an optimal display at that time.

  Among the function keys 79a are print color designation keys “full color”, “black (BK)”, “blue (C)”, “red (M)” and “yellow (Y)”, and an image automatic processing mode designation key. "Automatic color selection" ACS, "Background removal" AE and "Blank paper discard" Wpp, Reading surface designation keys "Front side", "Double side" and "Back side", and Printing side designation keys "Front side", "Double side" and " There is a "back side".

-Copy processing when there are multiple copy settings-
When a plurality of copies are set on the operation board 90, one or several originals are set on the ADF 230, and the user presses the start key 80c of the operation board 90, the operation board 90 is set to the operation board 90 at that time. The stored input state (copying condition) is stored in a register, and the CPU 272 gives the CPU 261 and the document accumulation control 273 a copy command with the input state data of the register attached.

  7 and 8 show an outline of copy control of the CPU 261 responding to the copy command. Reference is first made to FIG. If the input state data indicates that the “full color” key is off and the “background removal” key AE is on, the CPU 261 turns on the A / D conversion AE of the AFE 212 (steps 1 to 1). 4). That is, A / D conversion for digitally converting an analog image signal for document reading into image data is set to an AE mode in which the background level of the document is a reference voltage (all white). In the following, the word “step” is omitted in parentheses, and step No. Write numbers only.

  Next, the CPU 261 sets ACS 5f and 5r of the front and back image processing 263f and 263r to blank paper detection and color / monochrome detection (that is, chromatic / achromatic detection) (5), and the input state data is “double-sided”. If the reading is designated, the front side and the back side of the original are read by the CCD 207 and the imaging device 408 (6-8). If “front” reading is designated, the front side of the original is read by the CCD 207 (6-7-9). If “back side” reading is specified, the back side original is read by the imaging device 408 (6-7-10).

Next, when the CPU 261 performs “double-sided” reading or “front side” reading on the entire surface of one page of the document, the CPU 261 refers to the results of blank sheet detection and color / monochrome detection of the ACS 5f.
(A1) Without the AE process, if the ACS 5f does not determine that the page is blank, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as it is (11-17-22).
(B1) When there is AE processing and the ACS 5f determines that the image is a monochrome image, only the G image data in the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as the monochrome image data (11-17 to 19-22),
(C1) When there is an AE process and the ACS determines that the image is a color image, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is given to the ACS 5f, and each process of hue division, color pixel determination, and color plate determination is performed. After that, the image data is converted into ymck image data, and the background is removed by image data processing in the background removal 7f (11-17-18-20 to 22).

  (D1) If it is determined that the ACS 5f is blank, if the input state data is “blank paper discard”, the process proceeds from Steps 11 and 12 to processing of back side read data (31 and below). That is, the surface reading data is not output. As a result, it is discarded. When the input state data is not “discard blank page”, a warning display 79c shown in FIG. 10 is popped up on the liquid crystal touch panel 79 of the operation board 90 to allow the user to designate the next operation (11-13). The next operations that can be selected are “read skip” (read data discard), “continue as it is” (above (a) or (b)), “specific color designation” (change to designated color data), and “end”. Here, if the user designates “read skip”, the process proceeds to the back side read data processing (31 and below) described later. That is, the surface reading data is not output. As a result, it is discarded. When the user designates “continue as it is”, the process proceeds to output of image data (14-15a-15b-22). When the user designates “specific color”, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is converted into image data representing the designated color and output (15a-16). The specified specific color default is white (no image). When the user designates "end", the document reading job is ended there (15b-return). When this “end” is designated, the image data read up to that point is discarded.

  Referring now to FIG. 8, the above-described surface-read image data output by the surface image processing 263f is stored in the local memory 276 via the image processing I / F 265 and the document storage control 273, and the local memory 276 overflows. When this is done, it is stored in the HDD 271 (22).

  In the case of double-sided reading, in steps 31 to 41 and 24 shown in FIG. 8, the back-side read image data in the page memory 3r of the back-side image processing 263r is processed in the same manner as the above-described front-side reading image data processing. Then, it is stored in the local memory 276 or the HDD 271 (31-41, 24).

  When image reading of one original is completed, if there is a next original, the next original is read in the same manner as described above (25-6).

  When the reading of all the originals is completed, the image data stored in the local memory 276 and HDD 271 is read out, and if it is RGB image data, it is output to the color correction of the printer image processing 264 and the set number of sheets is printed. Or, if it is k image data, it is output to the main scanning variable magnification 13 of the printer image processing 264 to print a set number of sheets (26). In this printing, when front side printing is designated, the image data of each page stored in the local memory 276 or the HDD 271 is read in the storage order, and the toner image of the image represented by the image data on the photosensitive drum 101 for each page. Are transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and transferred from the first transfer belt 107 to the surface (upper surface) of the paper fed from the paper feed tray 121 or 122. When double-sided printing is designated, a toner image of an image represented by the image data of the succeeding page of the two front and rear pages is formed on the photosensitive drum 101, transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and the first transfer belt 107. The toner image of the image represented by the image data of the preceding page of the two pages is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 and transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and transferred to the first transfer belt 113. The toner images 107 and the second transfer belt are simultaneously transferred to the front and back surfaces of the paper. When back side printing is designated, a toner image of the image represented by the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 101, transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and transferred from the first transfer belt 107 to the back side (lower side) of the paper. .

  The image data processing in FIG. 8 described above is for continuous copying in which a plurality of sheets are printed on one document. In the case of single copy in which one sheet is printed on one document, the CPU 261 executes the process shown in FIG. 9 instead of the process in FIG. That is, when the surface-read image data is output from the surface image processing 263f through steps 17 to 21 in FIG. 7, if the output image data is RGB image data, it is output to the color correction of the printer image processing 264 and one sheet is output. However, if it is ymck or k image data, it is output to the main scanning magnification 13 of the printer image processing 264 and one sheet is printed (27). If there is back side read data, when output from the back side image processing 263r through steps 37 to 41, if the output image data is RGB image data, it is output to the color correction of the printer image processing 264 and printed one sheet. However, if it is ymck or k image data, it is output to the main scanning variable magnification 13 of the printer image processing 264 and one sheet is printed (28). When front side printing is designated, the toner image of the image represented by the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 by both the image data for front side reading (front side image data) and the image data for back side reading (back side image data). Then, the image is transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and transferred from the first transfer belt 107 to the surface (upper surface) of the sheet fed from the paper feed tray 121 or 122. When duplex printing is designated, the front surface image data is temporarily stored in the local memory 276, and the toner image of the image represented by the back surface image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 101, transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and then transferred to the first transfer belt 107. After transferring from the first transfer belt 107 to the second transfer belt 113, the surface image data is read from the local memory 276, and the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 and transferred to the first transfer belt 107. The toner images on the belt 107 and the second transfer belt are simultaneously transferred to the front and back surfaces of the paper. When the back side printing is designated, both the front side image data and the back side image data form a toner image of the image represented by the image data on the photosensitive drum 101 and transfer it to the first transfer belt 107, and then the first transfer belt. The image is transferred from 107 to the back surface (lower surface) of the sheet.

  Then, the image of the next original is read (25-6). As described above, in the case of a single copy in which one sheet is printed on one original, after the image reading of one original is completed, copy printing is performed and the process proceeds to the next original reading. If double-sided printing is specified and one side of the document is blank, double-sided printing is started after reading the next page and reading the next page image. In the case where the reading of the original having no subsequent page image is completed, only one side is printed and the copy job is ended.

  The above is the description of the image processing control when the “copy” mode is designated. In the case of reading to the PC, storing in the HDD 271 or reading the document for registration or facsimile transmission, the reading of the document in steps 1 to 25 in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 and the storing in the local memory 276 and HDD 271 are executed similarly. Is done. However, “print stored data” in step 26 is not executed, but instead, transmission to the PC, storage or registration in the HDD 271, or facsimile transmission is performed.

  In this embodiment, when the background removal key AE is off, the color / monochrome detection results of ACS 5f and 5r are ignored (17 to 22 in FIG. 7, 37-24 in FIG. 8, 37 in FIG. 9). To 28). This is because it is not necessary to remove the background in full color. Also, it is determined that the background is desired to be printed (no white paper is desired), and the color / monochrome determination result reference (18 to 21, 38 to 41) is passed. When the background removal key AE is on, the color / monochrome detection result of the ACS 5f, 5r is referred to (18-21, 38-41). In the case of full color, since it is difficult to remove the background sufficiently by A / D conversion (AE), the background is temporarily removed by image data processing (20, 22/40, 24/40, 28). ).

  In this embodiment, in order to reduce the downtime of the machine and improve the operability, when a blank paper abnormality occurs, it is possible to select whether to continue or stop depending on the content. This is because the image data is discarded as a process performed when a blank document is detected, and there is no problem even if an abnormality occurring in the discarded data is ignored.

1 is an enlarged front view showing an appearance of a multifunction copying machine MF1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the color printer 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a color scanner 210 and an ADF 230 shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing system in the copying machine MF1 shown in FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an overview of image data processing functions of scanner image processing 263 and printer image processing 264 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of an operation panel surface of the operation board 90 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. 6 is a flowchart showing an outline of document surface image reading control of a CPU 261 shown in FIG. 4. 6 is a flowchart illustrating output of front-surface image data, back-surface image reading control, and output of back-surface image data when a continuous copy having a set number of sheets is designated by the CPU 261 illustrated in FIG. 4. 6 is a flowchart illustrating output of front-surface image data, back-surface image reading control, and back-surface image data output when the CPU 261 illustrated in FIG. 4 designates a set number of copies. 5 is a plan view showing a blank sheet warning screen 79c displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79 illustrated in FIG. 6 when the ACS 5f or 5r illustrated in FIG. 5 detects that the document surface is blank.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101: Photoconductor 102: Charging apparatus 103: Development apparatus 104: Cleaning apparatus 105: Static elimination apparatus 106: Exposure apparatus 107: 1st transfer belt 108-110: Roller 111: 1st transfer means 112: Cleaning apparatus 113: 2nd transfer Belts 114-16: Rotating roller 117: Second transfer means 118: Cleaning device 119: Charger 120: Paper (recording medium)
121, 122: Paper feeding cassette 123: Fixing device 124: Paper ejection guide 125: Paper ejection roller 126: Paper ejection stack 127: Replenishment toner storage 128: Cartridge 129: Frame 130: Opening and closing spindles 131, 132: Paper feeding roller 133: Registration roller 231: Document table glass 232: Illumination lamp 233: First mirror 234: Second mirror 235: Third mirror 236: Lens 207: CCD 238: Stepping motor 239: Reference white plate 240: Glass 241: Document tray 242 : Pickup roller 243: Registration roller pair 244: Conveying drum 245: Pressing roller 246 and 247: Paper discharge roller 248: Pressure plate also serving as a paper discharge tray 249: Base point sensor 251: Scale

Claims (6)

An image pickup unit that reads an image on a document and generates an image signal, an A / D conversion unit that digitally converts the image signal into image data, and a blank sheet detection unit that detects whether the document surface read by the image pickup unit is blank. In the image reading device,
An image reading apparatus comprising: control means for generating an alarm that temporarily stops image reading and waits for a user's instruction when the blank paper detecting means detects a blank paper.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit resumes image reading in response to a user's continuation instruction during the pause.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit ends image reading in response to a user's end instruction during the pause.   The image reading apparatus further includes an input unit for designating processing at the time of blank page detection before starting the reading of the document, and the control unit, when designated by the input unit, the blank page detection unit. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an image is detected as blank paper, the processing designated by the input unit is executed without temporarily stopping image reading. 5. The imaging means includes first imaging means for reading a surface image of a document to generate a surface image signal and second imaging means for reading a back image of the document and generating a back image signal;
The A / D conversion means converts the front image signal and the back image signal into front image data and back image data, respectively;
The blank sheet detecting means includes a front blank sheet detecting means for detecting whether the front surface of the document is blank based on the front image data and a back blank sheet detecting means for detecting whether the back surface of the document is blank based on the back image data. Including;
The input means designates the discarding of blank-read image data;
The control means outputs the front surface image data when the front blank paper detection means does not detect a blank paper, and outputs the front image data when the front blank paper detection means does not detect a blank paper. Outputs back side image data when it is not detected as blank paper according to the result;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 4. An image forming apparatus comprising: the image reading apparatus according to claim 1; and a printer that prints an image represented by image data output from the image reading apparatus on a sheet.

Images