JP2006222941A - Image forming apparatus, image formation system, image formation method and program for making computer execute the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly and efficiently perform a print setting work. <P>SOLUTION: Prior to acceptance of print setting, attributes expressing attributes of an original are extracted by analyzing image data obtained by reading the original 22 by an image reader 11 by an image analyzer 15. A related function retrieval unit 16 retrieves functions related to the attributes based on a related function correspondence table stored in a related function DB 161, narrows down print setting menu items to be displayed on a display unit 181 of an operation display panel 18 to display them by the retrieved related functions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  According to the present invention, image data obtained by reading a document or image data input from the outside is analyzed in advance, attributes of the document are extracted, and only setting items related to the attributes are selectively displayed to determine print settings. In addition, the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method to perform image data processing and finishing processing based on the set print setting items.

  Conventionally, image formation such as a scanner that reads a document image, a copier that prints a document image read by the scanner, a printer or facsimile machine that prints image data input from the outside, or a multifunction device that combines these functions Devices are commonly used.

  In this type of image forming apparatus, settings relating to the state of the original such as the type and density of the original, settings relating to various image processing such as the enlargement / reduction ratio, single side / double side, or margin size, sorting, stapling, or punching It is necessary to make settings related to various functions such as settings related to finishing processing such as drilling. For this reason, the user has to find out a desired function from a very large number of menu items related to print settings, and to perform accurate setting input.

  The reason for this is that since the device does not know the information about the document contents in advance, the menu items contain options related to functions that do not need to be set according to the document. As a result, the operability related to the setting was impaired.

  Therefore, an original is placed on the contact glass, and the pre-scan is executed at the same time as the original cover is closed, and a color image and a monochrome image are discriminated based on the read image, and a character portion and a photo portion are discriminated. Thus, there has been an image forming apparatus that can automatically perform image processing according to a document image and improve operability (see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, image information read by scanning a document is converted into recorded information, and an electrostatic latent image formed by projecting light onto a photoconductor based on the recorded information is developed with toner and transferred to a transfer material. When fixing the image, the amount of toner transferred to the transfer material is estimated based on the recording information, and the image forming is designed to improve the image quality by automatically optimizing the fixing conditions based on the toner amount. There was a device (see Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, it is possible to switch between a first mode for performing settings for normal image formation and a second mode for performing settings for image formation with less energy and resource saving, or a designated resource amount. By displaying a number of setting candidates that can be imaged with, selecting a setting candidate from the displayed candidates and forming an image, the energy saving / resource saving mode functions are displayed in an easy-to-understand manner, and the setting operation can be performed easily. There was a forming apparatus (see Patent Document 3).

  Further, the user arbitrarily sets the document reading conditions, and the contents are set as one group and stored in correspondence with the reading condition buttons displayed on the image forming apparatus. The pre-registered contents are called by specifying this reading condition button, and the setting of the document reading conditions can be easily performed by automatically updating a plurality of setting items to registered setting values. There was an image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 4).

JP-A-8-279844 JP-A-6-90334 JP 2002-182529 A JP 2001-285534 A

  However, in such a background art, when a user performs print settings, it is necessary to search for a desired function from a large number of menu items and perform accurate setting input. In addition, there is a problem that work efficiency is deteriorated.

  This tendency is especially noticeable for printers that have abundant functions from frequently used to those that are not used frequently, such as recent image forming devices, or for multifunction devices that combine them. The effort required for setting is becoming a serious problem.

  In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-260, the type of image can be determined based on an image read by pre-scanning a document, and image processing can be automatically separated based on the determined image. Since the setting items displayed on the screen are not directly reflected, there is a problem that the efficiency of the print setting work cannot be achieved.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, image information read by scanning a document is converted into recording information, the amount of toner transferred to the transfer material is estimated based on the recording information, and fixing conditions are determined based on the toner amount. There is a problem that the print setting work cannot be made efficient because it is automatically optimized and the read image information is used for internal processing but is not reflected in the print setting items.

  In Patent Document 3, it is possible to switch between a setting mode for normal image formation and a setting mode for energy-saving and resource-saving image formation, and setting candidates capable of image formation with a specified resource amount are set. A plurality of images are displayed, and setting candidates are selected from them to form an image. The setting mode function determined in advance is simply displayed in an easy-to-understand manner, and the number of setting items required is reduced according to the document image. There is a problem that the setting operation is not simplified.

  In Patent Document 4, the user arbitrarily sets document reading conditions, and the contents are stored as one group corresponding to the reading condition buttons. And if you specify a read condition button, you can call up the corresponding registration contents and automatically update multiple setting items to the registered setting values. However, the user must specify the read condition button. There is no difference from normal setting work, and even if the reading conditions can be easily set, there is a problem that the setting work itself cannot be said to be efficient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to present a simplified menu necessary for setting from among a large number of menu items, and an image forming apparatus that can perform setting work appropriately and efficiently An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, an image forming method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image analysis unit that analyzes image data of an acquired document and extracts attributes of the document, and receives an input print setting. A setting unit; and a printing unit that prints the acquired document image data on a sheet based on the print setting received by the setting unit. The setting unit acquires the print setting prior to receiving the print setting. Image data is analyzed by the image analysis means to extract document attributes, and the print settings are determined based on the attributes.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading unit that reads a document set at a predetermined reading position, an image processing unit that performs image processing on image data of the read document, and the document reading unit. Image analysis means for analyzing the image data of the original document and extracting the attributes of the original; printing means for printing the image data image-processed by the image processing means on paper; and various finishing processes for the printed printing paper Finishing processing means for performing image processing, and setting means for receiving print settings related to image processing of image data and finishing processing for printing paper after image formation, and the setting means further includes receiving the print settings prior to receiving the print settings. The original is read by the original reading means, the image data read by the image analysis means is analyzed to extract the attributes of the original, and based on the attributes. Characterized in that the determination of print setting Te.

  The invention according to claim 3 further includes image storage means for holding the image data at least temporarily.

  The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the attribute extracted by the image analysis means is an attribute relating to the feature of the image of the document.

  The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the attribute extracted by the image analysis means is an attribute relating to a layout of a document.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing related function correspondence information in which a list of setting functions related to individual document attributes is registered, and document attributes analyzed and extracted by the image analysis means. And a related function search means for searching for a related function based on the related function correspondence information, wherein the setting means is related to the attribute derived from the document searched by the related function search means. Only the setting function options are displayed in a selectable manner on the display unit.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the setting means can select related setting function options derived from document attributes in a display area different from a default menu item for performing print settings of the display unit. It is characterized by displaying.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 8, the setting means can select a related setting function option derived from the document attribute as a pop-up menu overlaid on a predetermined menu item for performing print setting on the display unit. It is characterized by displaying.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided storage means for storing related function correspondence information in which a list of setting functions related to individual document attributes is registered, and document attributes analyzed and extracted by the image analysis means. And a related function search means for searching for a related function based on the related function correspondence information, wherein the setting means is related to the attribute derived from the document searched by the related function search means. Only the setting function options are highlighted on the display unit.

  The invention according to claim 10 further includes operation display means capable of inputting the print settings and displaying various screens, and the setting means selects the related setting function options derived from the attributes of the document. It is displayed on a display unit, and print settings by specifying a desired option are received from the operation display unit.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the document reading unit sets a document at a predetermined reading position while sequentially transporting a plurality of pages of documents set on a document tray, and continuously one or both sides of the document. Further, the apparatus further comprises an automatic document feeder that can automatically read a plurality of documents, and can continuously read and analyze a plurality of documents.

  The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the attribute extracted by the image analysis means is an attribute relating to automatic conveyance of a document.

  The invention according to claim 13 is characterized in that the image analysis means obtains at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value for a quantitative attribute among the attributes.

  The invention according to claim 14 sequentially reads a plurality of originals using an original reading means provided with the automatic original conveying means, and the image analysis means regards quantitative attributes among the extracted original attributes. Is characterized in that at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value is obtained, and these values are sequentially updated as the original is read and the image data is analyzed.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of originals are sequentially read using an original reading means provided with the automatic original conveying means, and the image analysis means is a print start button while extracting the attributes. When is pressed, the document attribute analysis processing is interrupted at that time.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 16, the setting unit analyzes the acquired image data by the image analysis unit prior to accepting the print setting, extracts an attribute of the document, and based on the attribute, It is characterized by reducing the number of print setting items.

  According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document reading device that reads a document set at a predetermined reading position, an image processing device that performs image processing on image data of the read document, and the document reading device. An image analysis device that analyzes image data of a manuscript and extracts attributes of the manuscript, a printing device that prints image data image-processed by the image processing device on paper, and various finishing processes for the printed printing paper And a setting device that receives image data image processing and print settings relating to finishing processing for print paper after image formation, and at least a part between the devices is connected via a network, The setting device further reads a document by the document reading device prior to accepting various print settings, and the image analysis device By analyzing the image data taken viewed extract attributes of the document, and determines the print settings based on the attribute.

  According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, an image analysis step for analyzing the acquired document image data to extract document attributes, a setting step for receiving input print settings, and the acquired document image data are: A printing step for printing on a sheet based on the print setting received in the setting step, wherein the setting step analyzes the acquired image data in the image analysis step prior to accepting the print setting. The attribute is extracted, and the print setting is determined based on the attribute.

  According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, an original reading step for reading an original set at a predetermined reading position, an image processing step for performing image processing on image data of the read original, and an original reading step. An image analysis step for analyzing image data of the original document and extracting attributes of the original document; a printing step for printing the image data image-processed in the image processing step on paper; and various finishing processes for the printed printing paper And a setting step for receiving print settings relating to image data image processing and finishing processing for print paper after image formation, and the setting step further includes accepting the print settings, The original is read by the original reading step, and the image data read by the image analyzing step is read. It analyzes the data and extracts the attribute of the document, characterized in that the determination of the print settings based on the attribute.

  The invention according to claim 20 is characterized in that the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute relating to the feature of the image of the document.

  The invention according to claim 21 is characterized in that the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute relating to a layout of a document.

  According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a list of setting functions related to individual document attributes stored in the storage means is registered using the document attributes analyzed and extracted in the image analysis step. A related function search step of searching for a related function based on the function correspondence information, wherein the setting step includes only options of the related setting function derived from the attributes of the document searched in the related function search step. It is characterized by being displayed on the display section so as to be selectable.

  In the invention according to claim 23, in the setting step, the related setting function options derived from the document attributes can be selected in a display area different from a default menu item for performing the print setting of the display unit. It is characterized by displaying.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the setting step, options of related setting functions derived from document attributes can be selected on the display unit as a pop-up menu overlaid on a predetermined menu item for performing print settings. It is characterized by displaying.

  Further, the invention according to claim 25 relates to a registration of a list of setting functions related to the attributes of individual documents stored in the storage means by using the attributes of the documents extracted by analysis in the image analysis step. A related function search step of searching for a related function based on the function correspondence information is further included, and the setting step displays only options of the related setting function derived from the attributes of the document searched in the related function search step. It is characterized by being highlighted on the part.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the setting step, related setting function options derived from the document attributes are displayed on the operation display means, and print settings based on designation of desired options are received from the operation display means. It is characterized by that.

  In the invention according to claim 27, in the document reading step, the document is set at a predetermined reading position while sequentially conveying a plurality of pages of the document set on the document tray, and one or both sides of the document are continuously provided. It further includes an automatic document conveyance step that can be automatically read, and is capable of continuously reading and analyzing a plurality of documents.

  The invention according to claim 28 is characterized in that the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute relating to automatic document conveyance.

  The invention according to claim 29 is characterized in that the image analysis step obtains at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value for the quantitative attribute among the attributes.

  In the invention according to claim 30, a plurality of documents are sequentially read using a document reading step in the automatic document transporting step, and the image analysis step includes the following: It is characterized in that at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value is obtained, and these values are sequentially updated as the original is read and the image data is analyzed.

  In the invention according to claim 31, in the automatic document conveying step, a plurality of documents are sequentially read using a document reading step, and in the image analysis step, a print start button is pressed while the attribute is extracted. If it is, the document attribute analysis processing is interrupted at that time.

  Further, in the invention according to claim 32, in the setting step, prior to accepting the print setting, the acquired image data is analyzed in the image analysis step, and an attribute of the document is extracted. It is characterized by reducing the number of print setting items.

  The invention according to claim 33 is a program that causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 18 to 32.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, prior to accepting print settings, the acquired image data is analyzed by the image analysis means to extract document attributes, and the print settings are determined based on the attributes. Since the image data acquired based on the set print setting is printed on the paper by the printing unit, the print setting can be easily and appropriately performed according to the acquired image data.

  According to the invention of claim 2, prior to accepting the print setting, the original is read by the original reading means, the image data read by the image analysis means is analyzed, and the attributes of the original are extracted. The print setting is determined based on the attribute, the image data acquired based on the set print setting is subjected to image processing, printed on the paper by the printing unit, and the finishing processing is performed on the printed paper. Therefore, there is an effect that the print setting can be easily and appropriately performed according to the image data of the original to be read.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the image storage unit that holds the image data at least temporarily is further provided, the acquired image data and the image data of the document set at the reading position are temporarily stored. It is stored in the image storage means, and is read and analyzed by the image analysis means, so that the attributes of the original can be extracted and the image processing can be easily and freely performed on the image data. Play.

  According to the invention of claim 4, since the attribute extracted by the image analysis means is an attribute relating to the characteristics of the original image, the print setting menu relating to the original image can be displayed narrowed down to necessary items. Thus, the print setting by the user can be performed easily and appropriately.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the attribute extracted by the image analysis means is an attribute relating to the document layout, the print setting menu relating to the document layout can be displayed narrowed down to necessary items. There is an effect that the print setting by the user can be performed easily and appropriately.

  According to the invention of claim 6, a related function is searched based on the related function correspondence information using the original attribute analyzed and extracted by the image analysis means, and the related function search means is searched. Since only the relevant setting function options derived from the attributes of the selected original are displayed on the display section, it is possible to create a print setting menu that narrows down the relevant functions according to the original image, and print settings. There is an effect that it is possible to support so that it can be easily performed.

  According to the invention of claim 7, the setting means selects a related setting function option derived from the document attribute in a display area different from the default menu item for performing the print setting of the display unit. Since the display is possible, the simple menu narrowed down to the items related to the document and the default menu can be viewed at the same time, and both menus can be used properly according to the skill level of the user. In particular, for the skilled person, there is an effect that the existence of the simple menu is not disturbed.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the setting means selects the related setting function options derived from the document attributes on the display unit as a pop-up menu overlaid on a predetermined menu item for performing print settings. Since a simple menu pops up and can be selected from the narrowed down options when selecting the default menu, it is possible for a beginner to easily and appropriately perform print settings.

  According to the invention of claim 9, a related function is searched based on the related function correspondence information using an attribute of the original extracted by analysis by the image analysis means, and the attribute of the searched original is searched. Since only the relevant setting function options derived from are highlighted on the display section, you can create a print setting menu that narrows down the related functions according to the image of the original without changing the default menu. There is an effect that it can be supported so that it can be easily performed.

  According to the invention of claim 10, the setting means displays the relevant setting function options derived from the document attributes on the operation display means, and print setting by designating a desired option from the operation display means. Therefore, the setting operation can be easily performed while directly viewing the screen.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pages of documents set on the document tray can be sequentially conveyed and set at a predetermined reading position so that one or both sides of the document can be automatically read continuously. In addition, the automatic document transport means is further provided, so that reading and analysis of a plurality of documents can be performed continuously, so that document characteristic values obtained from a plurality of pages can be utilized, and more appropriate print setting support can be achieved. There is an effect that rapid processing becomes possible.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, since the attribute extracted by the image analysis means is an attribute relating to the automatic conveyance of the original, the print setting menu relating to the automatic conveyance of the original can be displayed narrowed down to necessary items. Thus, the print setting by the user can be performed easily and appropriately.

  According to the invention of claim 13, the image analysis means represents the characteristics of the document in order to obtain at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value for the quantitative attributes among the attributes. Using various characteristic values, there is an effect that necessary functions can be appropriately narrowed down.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of documents are sequentially read using a document reading unit having an automatic document conveying unit, and the image analysis unit is configured to determine a quantitative attribute among the extracted document attributes. Therefore, at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value is obtained, and these values are sequentially updated as the reading of the original and the analysis of the image data progress, so that the original reading means with an automatic original conveyance function By using the characteristic values over a plurality of pages obtained in this case, it is possible to more appropriately narrow down necessary functions.

  According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of documents are sequentially read using a document reading unit having an automatic document conveying unit, and the image analysis unit starts printing while extracting the attributes. When the button is pressed, the document attribute analysis process is interrupted at that time, so that it is possible to prevent a reduction in image processing capability required during printing.

  According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, prior to accepting the print setting, the setting means analyzes the acquired image data by the image analysis means to extract an attribute of the document, and based on the attribute Since the number of items of the print setting is narrowed down and reduced, the print setting can be easily and appropriately performed according to the acquired image data, and the print setting can be supported.

  According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, prior to accepting the print setting, the original set at the reading position of the original reading device is read, and the image data of the read original is analyzed by the image analysis device. The attribute is extracted, and the print setting is determined using the setting device based on the extracted attribute. In the image processing apparatus, image processing is performed on the image data based on the set print setting content, and printing is performed on the paper by the printing apparatus, and finishing processing is performed on the printed paper. At least a part of these devices is connected via a network, and image data and attributes can be exchanged. Therefore, there is an effect that the print setting by the setting device can be easily and appropriately performed according to the read image data of the document.

  According to the invention of claim 18, prior to accepting print settings, the acquired image data is analyzed in the image analysis step to extract document attributes, and the print settings are determined based on the attributes. Since the image data acquired based on the set print setting is printed on the paper in the printing step, the print setting can be easily and appropriately performed according to the acquired image data.

  According to the nineteenth aspect of the invention, prior to accepting print settings, the original is read by the original reading step, the image data read by the image analysis step is analyzed, and the attributes of the original are extracted. The print settings are determined based on the attributes, the image data obtained based on the set print settings is subjected to image processing, printed on the paper in the printing step, and finished on the printed paper in the finishing processing step. Since the process is performed, the print setting operation can be easily and appropriately performed according to the image data of the original to be read.

  According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, since the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute relating to the characteristics of the original image, the print setting menu relating to the original image can be displayed narrowed down to necessary items. Thus, the print setting by the user can be performed easily and appropriately.

  According to the invention of claim 21, since the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute related to the characteristics of the image of the document, the print setting menu related to the layout of the document can be displayed narrowed down to necessary items. Thus, the print setting by the user can be performed easily and appropriately.

  According to the invention of claim 22, a list of setting functions related to the attributes of the individual originals stored in the storage means is registered using the attributes of the originals analyzed and extracted in the image analysis step. Based on the related function correspondence information, the related function is searched, and only the related setting function options derived from the searched document attributes are displayed on the display unit so that the selection can be made. The narrowed print setting menu can be created, and it is possible to assist the user in making print settings easily.

  According to the invention of claim 23, the setting step selects a related setting function option derived from the document attribute in a display area different from a default menu item for performing print setting of the display unit. Since the display is possible, the simple menu narrowed down to the items related to the document and the default menu can be viewed at the same time, and both menus can be used properly according to the skill level of the user. In particular, for the skilled person, there is an effect that the existence of the simple menu does not get in the way.

  According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, in the setting step, the selection of the related setting function derived from the document attribute is selected on the display unit as a pop-up menu overlaid on a predetermined menu item for performing print setting. Since the simple menu pops up and can be selected from the narrowed down options when selecting the default menu, even a beginner can easily and appropriately perform print settings.

  According to the invention of claim 25, a list of setting functions related to individual document attributes stored in the storage means is registered using the document attributes analyzed and extracted in the image analysis step. Based on the related function correspondence information, the related functions are searched, and only the relevant setting function options derived from the searched document attributes are highlighted on the display section. Accordingly, it is possible to create a print setting menu narrowed down to related functions, and it is possible to assist so that the print setting can be easily performed.

  According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, in the setting step, the related setting function options derived from the document attributes are displayed on the operation display means, and the print setting is made by specifying the desired options from the operation display means. Since it accepts, the setting operation can be easily performed while directly viewing the screen.

  According to the invention of claim 27, the document reading step sets a document at a predetermined reading position while sequentially transporting a plurality of pages of documents set on the document tray, and continues one side or both sides of the document. In addition, an automatic document transport step that can be automatically read is further included so that multiple documents can be read and analyzed continuously, making it possible to utilize document characteristic values obtained from multiple pages and more appropriately. Print setting support and quick processing are possible.

  According to the twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute relating to the automatic conveyance of the original. Therefore, the print setting menu relating to the automatic conveyance of the original can be displayed narrowed down to necessary items. Thus, the print setting by the user can be performed easily and appropriately.

  According to the invention of claim 29, in the image analysis step, for the quantitative attribute among the attributes, at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value is obtained. Using various characteristic values, there is an effect that necessary functions can be appropriately narrowed down.

  According to the invention of claim 30, a plurality of originals are sequentially read using the original reading step in the automatic original conveying step, and the image analysis step is configured to determine quantitative attributes among the extracted original attributes. Since at least one of the average value, maximum value, and minimum value is obtained, and that value is sequentially updated as the reading of the document and the analysis of the image data progress, the characteristic value of the document across multiple pages can be easily obtained. The necessary functions can be narrowed down more appropriately.

  According to the invention of claim 31, a plurality of originals are sequentially read using the original reading step in the automatic original conveying step, and the image analysis step includes a print start button while extracting the attributes. When the button is pressed, the analysis processing of the attribute of the document is interrupted at that time, so that it is possible to prevent a reduction in image processing capability required at the time of printing.

  According to the invention of claim 32, prior to accepting the print setting, the setting step analyzes the acquired image data by the image analysis means to extract the attribute of the document, and based on the attribute Since the number of items of the print setting is narrowed down and reduced, the print setting can be easily and appropriately performed according to the acquired image data, and the print setting can be supported.

  Further, according to the invention of claim 33, there is an effect that the computer can execute the method described in any one of claims 18 to 32.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image processing system, an image forming method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. A feature of the present invention is that a document is read (pre-scanned) prior to a user print setting operation in the image forming apparatus. This analyzes the image data of the read original, extracts the original attribute, and searches for a function related to the attribute. The searched related functions are used to narrow down the menu items necessary for the print settings for image formation of the document, and the narrowed menu items are displayed on the operation panel as a user interface, thereby supporting the print settings. Is to do. Here, the image forming apparatus is implemented using a multifunction peripheral (MFP) having functions such as a scanner, a copier, and a printer.

  An image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a document reading unit 11 serving as a document reading unit, a scanner 111 and a scanner controller 112 constituting the document reading unit 11, and an ADF (auto document feeder) 113 serving as an automatic document transport unit. , An image storage unit 12 as an image storage unit, an image processing unit 13 as an image processing unit, a printing unit 14 as a printing unit, a printer 141 and a printer controller 142 constituting the printing unit 14, and a finishing process as a finishing processing unit Unit 143, image analysis unit 15 as an image analysis unit, related function search unit 16 as a related function search unit, a related function DB 161 in which a related function correspondence table referred to by the related function search unit 16 is stored, and a user is an image forming apparatus The operation panel 18 for inputting the print settings and the like, and the operation panel 1 A control unit 17 (setting unit) that accepts print settings input from the operation panel 18 by an event, a display unit 181 and an input unit 182 that constitute the operation panel 18, and a system that controls the entire apparatus The control unit 19 and the communication control unit 20 are configured. The image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the network 21 via the communication control unit 20. Then, the image forming apparatus 10 reads the image of the document 22 and performs image processing, and then outputs it as a printed matter 23.

  The document reading unit 11 reads an image of the document 21 set at a predetermined reading position by the scanner 111 and converts it into digital image data. The scanner controller 112 performs operation control thereof. The document reading unit 11 is equipped with an ADF 113 that can automatically and continuously read a plurality of pages of documents while sequentially feeding them one by one to the reading position. The ADF 113 also has a reversing function capable of automatically reading both sides by reversing a double-sided document printed on both sides as well as a single-sided document printed on one side of a sheet.

  The image storage unit 12 is a buffer memory that temporarily stores image data read by the document reading unit 11 and image data input from the outside.

  The image processing unit 13 performs γ correction, MTF correction, and the like on the multi-value data read by the scanner 111 and temporarily stored in the image storage unit 12, and then performs gradation processing such as slice processing and dither processing. Image processing (enlargement / reduction, density / color adjustment, etc.) and layout processing processing (double-sided printing / single-sided) corresponding to various printing functions set by the user using the operation panel 18 Printing, collective printing, margin size adjustment, etc.).

  Here, based on the image data processed by the image processing unit 13, the printing unit 14 is generated by, for example, deflecting and scanning a light beam and developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoreceptor using toner. The printer 141 includes an electrophotographic technique that transfers a toner image onto transfer paper and performs fixing processing, and a printer controller 142 that controls the printer. The printing unit 14 includes a sorting process for sorting the printed material 23 in the number of copies or in units of pages based on user print settings, a stapling process in which a plurality of printed materials 23 are aligned and stapled, or a plurality A finishing processing unit 143 for performing finishing processing such as punching processing for punching holes for binding sheets of printed matter 23 into a binder or file is further installed.

  The image analysis unit 15 performs OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing that performs optical character recognition on the image data stored in the image storage unit 12 and extracts various attributes of the document image. Is. Specifically, the document image attribute extraction is performed by calculating a numerical value of the document characteristic value corresponding to each attribute. Here, the document attribute indicates properties relating to the image relationship, layout relationship, and ADF (automatic document transport) relationship of the document. For example, image-related document attributes include image type (character, photo, illustration, or a mixture thereof), color used (color information used in the document, monochrome / color distinction), document density, pixel density (Area ratio of the pixel portion in the entire document), character size used, and the like, and the characteristic values of these document attributes are data digitized corresponding to each attribute. Further, the layout-related document attributes include document direction (positional information on the top / bottom / left / right of the document), document size, top / bottom / left / right margin dimensions, layout information (whether it is a columnar document), and the like. The characteristic value is data digitized corresponding to each attribute. Furthermore, the ADF-related document attributes include the number of pages of the document, the document surface (double-sided document / single-sided document distinction), etc., and the characteristic values of these document attributes are numerical data corresponding to each attribute. It is. Of these characteristic values, as for quantitative values, statistical values such as an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value can also be calculated and used. In the present embodiment, a method for calculating a characteristic value corresponding to an attribute is adopted as a specific method for extracting the attribute of the document. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the attribute of the document is extracted. As long as it can be used, information other than the characteristic value, for example, characteristic information by a character string or a combination of a character string and a numerical value can be used. In the following embodiment, it is synonymous with extracting an attribute of a document and calculating a characteristic value of the document attribute.

  When various document characteristic values (document attributes) calculated by the image analysis unit 15 are input, the related function search unit 16 is a menu for print settings necessary for copying the document (printing image data). In order to narrow down the items, functions related to various characteristic values (document attributes) are searched. The related function search unit 16 is connected to a related function DB 161 that stores a related function correspondence table in which functions related to individual document characteristic values (document attributes) are associated. For this reason, the related function search unit 16 uses the related function DB 161 to search for a related function corresponding to the input document characteristic value (document attribute), so that the operation panel control unit 17 passes through the operation panel 18. When displaying the print setting menu of the original, it is possible to narrow down to menu items corresponding to the original.

  The operation panel 18 is a user interface when the user operates the image forming apparatus 10, and includes a display unit 181 for displaying operation information and the like, an input unit 182 for performing operation and setting input, and the like. When print settings are performed using the operation panel 18, the function to be executed by the image forming apparatus 10 is displayed as a menu item on the setting screen on the display unit 181 and the user arbitrarily selects the menu item from the menu item. Is set. Here, as the input unit 182 for selecting the menu item, a touch panel that is attached to the surface of the display unit 181 and can be directly touched to input the display contents is used. However, a keyboard provided separately is used. Of course, you can enter them. Specific examples of print settings include, for example, setting of reading conditions in the document reading unit 11 (including ADF transport conditions) according to the state of the document, setting in the image processing unit 13 that processes the read image data, and printing Setting of printing conditions in the unit 14 or setting of a finishing processing unit 143 that performs finishing processing such as sorting, stapling, and punching holes on the printed matter after printing can be performed.

  The system control unit 19 is connected to each component unit and controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. The system control unit 19 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and the CPU executes various processes using a work area of the RAM based on a basic program stored in the ROM.

  The communication control unit 20 is connected to a network 21 such as a LAN (local area network) or the Internet, and exchanges image data, control data, and the like with other devices connected to the network according to a communication protocol. is there.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment is configured as described above. Next, the operation will be described. When copying the document 22 shown in FIG. 1, the user performs print settings to perform desired image processing and finishing processing. First, the original 22 to be copied is placed on the original table (reading position) of the original reading unit 11 and read by the scanner 111, and the image data is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 12. The image analysis unit 15 analyzes the image data in the image storage unit 12 and extracts characteristic values representing the attributes of the document. The related function search unit 16 searches for a function corresponding to each characteristic value while referring to the related function correspondence table stored in the related function DB 161 based on the extracted characteristic value.

  The operation panel control unit 17 receives print settings input from the operation panel 18 by an event or the like. In addition, when displaying the print setting menu on the display unit 181 of the operation panel 18, the operation panel control unit 17 narrows down only the menu items related to the document from the default menu that covers all items. The menu items are determined, and only the determined menu items are displayed on the display unit 18. This allows the user to set only by looking at the narrowed-down menu items related to the document, so there is no need to consider unrelated options or to select unrelated options by mistake. It is possible to assist so that the setting can be performed easily and appropriately in a short time. In this way, when the print setting is performed from the input unit 182 of the operation panel, the image data is processed by the image processing unit 13 based on the setting content, and the printing unit 14 performs the printing process. In addition, when settings relating to finishing processing such as staples and punch holes are made, the printed material 23 is bundled, staple processing and punch hole punching processing are performed in the finishing processing unit 143, and the paper is discharged to the tray.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, prior to user print settings, the attributes of a document are extracted from the image data of the read document, and a function related to the attributes is searched for and a menu for print settings is obtained. By narrowing down the items, it is possible to assist the user in making the print setting more easily and appropriately.

  The meaning of supporting print settings, which is an effect of the present invention, is the meaning of determining menu items for print settings. For example, setting is facilitated by narrowing down the menu items for print settings and reducing the number of menu items. And so on. However, this is not necessarily limited to this, and depending on the menu item, if there are no other choices to be selected according to the extracted characteristic value (document attributes), the choices are automatically determined, and as a result, they are automatically set. May be equated with Whether or not to display the automatically determined menu items can be considered separately, but even if the options are automatically determined, the print settings are supported in the sense that the options at the time of print settings are reduced Can do. The same applies to the following embodiments.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, all processes are performed in the image forming apparatus 10, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. The feature of the second embodiment is that an image forming apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 1, a scanner having a document reading function, a printer having a printing function, and the like are connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network. The present invention can be understood as an image forming system in which print settings and print processing are performed at different locations based on the processed image data and characteristic values (document attributes).

  FIG. 2 is a network configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to the second embodiment. The image forming system shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 via a network 21 such as the Internet, and a document reading device such as a scanner that can read an image such as a document. 114, a printing apparatus 144 having a printing function, an image processing apparatus 131 for processing image data read by a scanner for printing, and the like are connected. As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 can execute the processing of the present invention alone, but image data of a document read by another document reading apparatus 114 is transmitted via the network 21 to the image forming apparatus 10. (See FIG. 1), the image data is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 12, the attribute of the document is extracted by the image analysis unit 15 (the attribute characteristic value is calculated), and the attribute (characteristic value) is related. By searching the function with the related function search unit 16 and passing the search result to the operation panel control unit 17, the menu items displayed on the operation panel 18 can be narrowed down according to the image data of the document.

  Also, the print setting information and the image data set by the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. 2 are sent to the image processing apparatus 131 via the network 21, where the image data is processed, and the processed data is transmitted to the network 21. Alternatively, the print data may be sent to the printing apparatus 144 to perform print processing or finish processing.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the processing function of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment can be shared between apparatuses connected via a network. As in the first embodiment, it is possible to assist the user with the print setting by narrowing down the print setting menu items according to the image data of the document.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a related function correspondence table of the related function DB showing an example of setting items associated with the document characteristic value (document attribute) extracted by the image analysis unit. As shown in FIG. 3, image-related attributes include, for example, used color, type, density, character size, and the like, and the characteristic value is a numerical value of these attributes. The color used is information on the color used in the document. Menus related to color adjustment and editing are presented only for color documents, and these menus are not presented for monochrome documents. The type means the type of content of the document, and an appropriate contrast is set as a default value in each case of a text-only document / photo-only document / character and photo mixed document. The density is the (average) density of the content of the document, and a value that is finished to an appropriate density is set as a default value. The character size is the (average) character size used in the document, and if this is less than a certain value, the menu related to reduced printing and aggregate printing is not presented.

  The layout-related attributes shown in FIG. 3 include, for example, document size, document direction, columnar format, margin size, and the characteristic values are numerical values of these attributes. The original size is the paper size of the original, and this value and the paper size derived from the enlargement / reduction ratio set at that time are set as default values. The original direction is the direction of the original content, and an appropriate original setting direction is set as the default value accordingly (this information is used for margin adjustment and when specifying staples, punch holes, top, bottom, left, Used for interpretation on the right and interpretation of the opening direction of double-sided originals). The column format is layout information relating to a column of documents, and “saddle stitching” is added to a staple position candidate only when the document is suitable for stapling the center like a two-column document. The margin size is the size of the margin provided at the top, bottom, left, and right of the document. When the margin is inappropriate, a menu related to margin adjustment is presented. In particular, when the upper / left margin is too small, a menu related to the stapling process or punching process at that location is not presented.

  Further, the ADF-related attributes shown in FIG. 3 include, for example, the document surface and the number of pages, and the characteristic values are numerical values of these attributes. The manuscript side is a value indicating whether the content is printed on only one side or both sides are printed. If the manuscript is a one-sided manuscript, the setting menu for “duplex manuscript” is not presented. In the case of a double-sided original, “double-sided original” is set as a default value. The number of pages is the number of documents, and in the case of a document with only one page, menus such as “staple”, “sort”, and “stack” are not presented.

  In the third embodiment, the original is read one by one using the original reading unit 11 having no ADF function, and various characteristic values and statistical information are obtained by the image analysis unit 15 based on the read image data. The related function corresponding to the calculated characteristic value is searched by the related function search unit 16 while referring to the related function correspondence table of the related function DB 161 illustrated in FIG. Only the menu item is presented on the display unit 181 of the operation panel 18 to perform print settings, and the operation panel control unit 17 accepts the print settings. Hereinafter, the operation of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3, 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2, and 9.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image having a slightly lighter image density, and FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating an example of a simple menu for print settings narrowed down based on the document in FIG. FIG. 5A is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image configured in a two-column set with an appropriate image density, and FIG. 5B is a print that is narrowed down based on the document of FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a simple menu for setting, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the third embodiment.

  First, after setting the first original at the reading position of the scanner 111 of the original reading unit 11 (step S100), which one of the copy start button and the read start button (not shown) arranged on the operation panel 18 is pressed is pressed. Is monitored by the system control unit 19 (step S101).

  Here, when the user performs various print settings using the operation panel and receives the print settings input from the operation panel 18 by the operation panel control unit 17, the copy start button is pressed on the operation panel 18. Since this is the same as the operation of a conventional multifunction peripheral or copying machine, the description of the operation is omitted here.

  If the reading start button is pressed in step S101, the printing process is not performed immediately, and only the document reading process is executed (step S102). The original image data read here is temporarily stored in the image storage unit 12 (step S103), and then the image analysis unit 15 performs OCR processing on the image data to calculate various characteristic values of the original. (Step S104). The image analysis unit 15 calculates document characteristic values using various techniques in order to perform OCR processing. For example, by dividing the image region, the vertical and horizontal margin dimensions and the characteristic values related to the layout are calculated. Further, by specifying the character direction, the characteristic value related to the document direction is calculated. Further, the character size characteristic value is calculated by dividing the character. Further, by analyzing the pixel pixel, it is possible to calculate a characteristic value such as a used color, a document density, or a pixel density. Of these characteristic values, statistical values such as average values, maximum values, and minimum values are calculated for quantitatively measurable values such as top and bottom, left and right margin dimensions, character size, document density, and pixel density. , Can narrow down the necessary functions appropriately. As shown in FIG. 3, the types of characteristic values to be calculated can be broadly classified into three categories: image relationship, layout relationship, and ADF relationship, and the contents of each category are further subdivided.

  The related function search unit 16 collates the document characteristic value calculated by the image analysis unit 15 with the related function correspondence table of the related function DB 161 shown in FIG. A search can be performed (step S105).

  Here, a specific operation example of the related function search unit 16 will be described. Recent image forming apparatuses have a large number of functions. When the characteristics of a document to be processed can be specified as in the present invention, (1) a function capable of automating settings and (2 ) A function that needs to be set, and (3) a function that should not be set (a function that does not need to be set or a function that has an inappropriate setting).

  For example, as an example of a function that can automate the setting of (1) above, if the original direction can be specified, the user need not specify the original direction. If the original side can be specified, the user can determine whether the original is a single-sided document or a double-sided original. This eliminates the need to specify the value, making it possible to automate the setting.

  Next, the function that requires the setting of (2) is a case where the document density is greatly deviated from the standard value, and density adjustment by the user is necessary. Therefore, the function needs to be extracted. .

  Next, as a function that should not be set in the above (3), when the original is a monochrome original, a function relating to color setting is unnecessary. In addition, when the original is a full-page original that is not stacked, the setting of the saddle stitching function (the function that closes the center portion with staples and folds it into a booklet like a weekly magazine) is inappropriate. . Further, when the character size is extremely small, a reduced printing function for further reducing the character size is inappropriate. Further, in the case of a document having an extremely small margin portion, the staple processing and punch punching processing cannot be performed on the margin portion, and therefore the functions of the staple processing and punch punching processing are inappropriate. For this reason, these functions are not extracted as related functions.

  In the related function correspondence table shown in FIG. 3, for each characteristic item that is an attribute of a document, the characteristic value (the range in the case of a quantitative value) and the condition are related. The related function search unit 16 copies the original by comparing the characteristic values of the attributes of the various types of originals obtained by the image analysis unit 15 against the related function correspondence table. It is possible to narrow down the functions that are necessary for the operation, and to greatly limit the functions that require explicit setting by the user. The search result by the related function search unit 16 is displayed on the operation panel 18 as a menu item related to the document, or when the menu is already displayed, the display is updated (step S106).

  When the user sets the next document at the reading position (step S107), the process returns to step S101 and the above operation is repeated until the copy start button is pressed.

  If the copy start button is pressed in step S101, the function set by the user up to this point is reflected in the image printing unit 14 (step S108), and the reading has already been completed and stored in the image storage unit 12. The image data of the document being printed is printed under the setting conditions (step S109). This printing process is repeated until all the image data in the image storage unit 12 is printed (step S110).

  After the printing of the image data stored in the image storage unit 12 is completed, the operation is the same as that of a normal multifunction machine or copying machine, and the presence / absence of the next original is determined (step S111). If there is a next original, set it at the reading position (step S112), wait for the copy start button to be pressed (step S113), read the original (step S114), and read the image data. Is printed according to the setting conditions (step S115). This process is repeated until there are no more documents (step S111).

  In the third embodiment, when the area of the display unit 181 of the operation panel is limited and the normal default menu and the simple menu of related functions cannot be displayed at the same time, menu switching (not shown) is performed. It is only necessary to prepare buttons and switch between them alternately. For example, in the case of the manuscript shown in FIG. 4-1, since the density of the manuscript is slightly low, options relating to the density are displayed in the simple menu shown in FIG. 4-2, and the “slightly dark” button is recommended. Has been. This is because a value (recommended value) determined to be most suitable from the characteristic value is selected as the default state, but it is of course possible to simply display the options.

  Further, as can be seen from the document in FIG. 4-1, since the left margin is extremely small (there is an upper margin, there are items related to staples and punch holes as related functions), FIG. In the simple menu shown, the “two left” buttons are omitted from the options of the staple position and the punch hole position. Further, since the original in FIG. 4A is a full-face original, the “saddle stitching” button is omitted from the staple position options.

  In the case of the original shown in FIG. 5A, since the density of the original is appropriate, items relating to the density are omitted from the simple menu shown in FIG. Furthermore, since the document in FIG. 5A is a text-only document, “higher” is recommended as an option for contrast. Note that the manuscript in FIG. 4-1 contains both text and photographs, so it is necessary to adjust the contrast as a related function, and there is a contrast item in the simplified menu in FIG. However, illustration is abbreviate | omitted.

  Further, since the document in FIG. 5A has two columns and has sufficient upper and left margins, buttons for all options are presented in the setting items regarding the staple position and the punch hole position.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the target document is read prior to accepting the print setting, the characteristic value indicating the attribute of the original is extracted, and the related function corresponding to the characteristic value is searched. As a result, the narrowed search results are reflected in the setting menu displayed on the operation panel, so that the user only needs to set the narrowed menu items related to the original displayed on the operation panel. It can be set efficiently and easily. In addition, since setting items not related to the target document are not displayed, erroneous setting can be reliably prevented.

[Fourth embodiment]
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B or FIG. 5B, only the related function options corresponding to the document characteristic values are displayed on the operation panel. In the fourth embodiment, An example of display when a normal default menu and a simple menu of related functions are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 181 of the operation panel 18 will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a screen example in which a simple menu of related functions is displayed as a pop-up on a normal default menu displayed on the operation panel. FIG. 7 shows a normal default menu and related functions on the display unit of the operation panel. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen example in which the simple menu is displayed in a separate area, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen example in which selections of related functions are highlighted with respect to a normal default menu displayed on the display unit of the operation panel. It is.

  First, as shown in FIG. 6, a normal default menu 183 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 18, normal print settings are performed using the default menu 183, and operation is performed by the operation panel control unit 17. It is also possible to accept print settings input from the panel 18. This is suitable when an expert performs print settings using the default menu 183. However, since there are users who are not familiar with print settings, the simple menu 184 is automatically popped up when selecting a function related to the original in the default menu 183, or the simple menu from the beginning. When the user wants to set using the button, a simple menu display button (not shown) is pressed to display a pop-up of a simple menu 184 as shown in FIG.

  In the case of FIG. 7, the display unit of the operation panel 18 is divided into an area for displaying the default menu 183 and an area for displaying the simple menu 184 and is displayed simultaneously. As described above, if the default menu 183 and the simple menu 184 can be displayed at the same time, the expert can ignore the simple menu 184 presented on the right side and perform detailed print settings using the default menu 183. . For beginners, the default menu 183 presented on the left side can be ignored and only the simple menu 184 can be used to make print settings easily and appropriately. As described above, in the case of FIG. 7, it is not necessary to switch the menu display or the like, and it can be freely set at any time regardless of the skill level of the user.

  In the case of FIG. 8, the default menu 183 is displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 18, and a simple menu of related functions is not separately displayed. That is, since the items of the default menu 183 include all the related functions corresponding to the simple menu, they are not displayed in another area, but can be easily recognized at first glance as the related functions in the default menu 183. The corresponding selection buttons 185, 186, and 187 are highlighted so that they can be displayed. As a result, users with short print setting experience can easily and appropriately set only by looking at the highlighted options. In the case of an expert, the default menu can be ignored by ignoring the highlighted options. It is possible to set print settings in detail. Examples of the highlighting method include blinking the selection button, changing the character color and background color, and inverting the character color / background color, but are not necessarily limited to this. Any display method can be used as long as it can be distinguished from the selection button.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the default menu and the simple menu are simultaneously displayed on the display unit of the operation panel 18 so that the user can arbitrarily use both menus. It is possible to provide a setting environment suitable for all users from short users to skilled users.

[Fifth embodiment]
The image forming apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is characterized in that a plurality of documents can be automatically read using a document reading unit 11 having an ADF function. As shown in FIG. An ADF 113 is attached to the document reading unit 11 of the apparatus 10.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the fifth embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. First, a plurality of originals are collectively set on the scanner 111 of the original reading unit 11 shown in FIG. 1 (step S200), and system control is performed to determine whether a reading start button (not shown) arranged on the operation panel 18 is pressed. The unit 19 monitors (step S201).

  Here, when the user performs various print settings using the operation panel 18 and receives the print settings input from the operation panel 18 by the operation panel control unit 17, the copy start button is pressed on the operation panel 18. Since this is the same as the operation of a conventional multifunction peripheral or copying machine, the description of the operation is omitted here.

  When the reading start button is pressed in step S201, printing processing is not performed, and only continuous reading of the original is performed (step S202). Each time one page of the original is read, the read image data is sequentially stored in the image storage unit 12 (step S203), and the image analysis unit 15 executes OCR processing on the image data to thereby obtain various characteristic values relating to the original. Is calculated (step S204). The image analysis unit 15 calculates document characteristic values using various techniques in order to perform OCR processing. For example, by dividing the image area, the characteristic values related to the vertical and horizontal margin dimensions and layout are calculated, the character direction is specified, the characteristic value related to the document direction is calculated, and the character size is calculated by dividing the character. The characteristic value such as the color used, the document density, or the pixel density is calculated by calculating the characteristic value of the pixel and analyzing the pixel pixel. Among the characteristic values calculated in this way, statistical information such as an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value is provided for values that can be measured quantitatively, such as vertical and horizontal margin dimensions, character size, document density, and pixel density. Also, these values are sequentially updated as the page reading progresses. In particular, when a plurality of originals are read using the ADF 113 as in the fifth embodiment, the necessary functions for performing print settings for the plurality of originals are appropriately calculated by calculating statistical information. You can narrow down.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the types of characteristic values to be calculated can be broadly classified into three categories: image relationships, layout relationships, and ADF relationships, and the contents of each category are further subdivided. Since the setting items related to the type of the characteristic value have been described in the third embodiment with reference to FIG. 3, redundant description is omitted here.

  The related function search unit 16 collates with the related function correspondence table of the related function DB 161 shown in FIG. 3 based on the document characteristic value calculated by the image analysis unit 15, and finds the related function necessary for copying the document 22. Search is performed (step S205). A specific operation example in the related function search unit 16 is the same as that described in the third embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In this way, the search result by the related function search unit 16 is displayed on the operation panel 18 as a menu item related to the document, or when the menu is already displayed, the display is updated (step S206).

  The next original is automatically set at the reading position by the ADF 113 (step S207), and the process returns to step S202 to repeat the original reading operation and subsequent steps.

  In step S208, the system control unit 19 monitors whether or not the copy start button is pressed during the operation in the document information reading stage in steps S200 to S207. Continue stage processing.

  If it is determined in step S208 that the copy start button has been pressed, the document information reading stage process is immediately interrupted (step S209), and the function set by the user based on the display on the operation panel up to this point is reflected in the printing unit. (Step S210), the image data stored in the image storage unit 12 is printed under the setting conditions (Step S211). This printing process is repeated until all the image data in the image storage unit 12 is printed (step S212).

  After all the printing of the image data stored in the image storage unit 12 is completed, the operation is the same as that of a normal multifunction machine or copying machine, and the presence / absence of the next original is determined (step S213). If there is a next original, the ADF 113 automatically sets the next original at the reading position (step S214), performs the original reading process (step S215), and prints the read image data under the above set conditions. (Step S216). This process is repeated until there are no more documents (step S213).

  As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the ADF 113 is mounted on the document reading unit 11, and automatic reading is performed while sequentially setting a plurality of documents at the reading position, and the characteristics representing the attributes of the document are displayed. Each value is extracted and related functions corresponding to the characteristic value are searched, enabling more appropriate settings and quick processing. By utilizing characteristic values obtained from multiple documents, the necessary functions can be obtained. It can narrow down more appropriately.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the analysis process is immediately interrupted when the copy start button is pressed during the process of analyzing the document characteristic value while sequentially reading a plurality of documents. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent the processing capability of image processing during printing from being deteriorated by the analysis processing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus in the first to fifth embodiments described above includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like in the system control unit 19, and the operation panel 18 includes a display device and the like. An apparatus including a display unit 181 and an input unit 182 using a touch panel and the like, and further including an external storage unit such as an HDD or a CD drive (not shown) is becoming popular.

  The program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment having such a hardware configuration may be configured to be provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like. These files may be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

  Furthermore, the program executed in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed by being downloaded via the network 21 such as the Internet.

  The program executed in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is generated by being loaded onto a main storage device such as an HDD when a CPU (processor) reads the program from a recording medium such as a ROM and executes it. It has become.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus, the image forming system, the image forming method, and the program for causing the computer to execute the method according to the present invention read the document that has been read or sent from the outside before executing the print setting of the document. Image formation such as copiers, facsimiles, printers, and multifunction devices that analyze image data, extract characteristic values representing document attributes, and narrow down setting items by searching for functions related to characteristic values The present invention is suitable for an apparatus, an image forming system, an image forming apparatus method, and a program for causing a computer to execute the method.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. It is a network block diagram explaining schematic structure of the image forming system concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the related function corresponding table of related function DB which shows the example of the setting item linked | related with the original document characteristic value extracted in the image analysis part. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image having a slightly low image density. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a simple menu for print settings narrowed down based on the original in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image configured in a two-column set with an appropriate image density. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a simple menu for print settings narrowed down based on the original of FIG. 5-1. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which popup-displayed the simple menu of the related function with respect to the normal default menu displayed on the operation panel. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which displayed the normal default menu and the simple menu of the related function on the display part of the operation panel in another area. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen which highlighted the choice of the related function with respect to the normal default menu displayed on the display part of the operation panel. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the operation | movement of 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Document reading part 111 Scanner 112 Scanner controller 113 ADF
114 Document Reading Device 12 Image Storage Unit 13 Image Processing Unit 131 Image Processing Device 14 Printing Unit 141 Printer 142 Printer Controller 143 Finishing Processing Unit 144 Printing Device 15 Image Analysis Unit 16 Related Function Search Unit 161 Related Function DB
17 Operation Panel Control Unit 18 Operation Panel 181 Display Unit 182 Input Unit 183 Default Menu 184 Simple Menu 185, 186, 187 Selection Button 19 System Control Unit 20 Communication Control Unit 21 Network 22 Document 23 Printed Material

Claims (33)

Image analysis means for analyzing the acquired document image data and extracting document attributes;
A setting means for receiving the input print settings;
Printing means for printing the acquired document image data on paper based on the print settings received by the setting means;
Prior to accepting the print setting, the setting unit analyzes the acquired image data by the image analysis unit to extract an attribute of the document, and determines the print setting based on the attribute. Image forming apparatus. Document reading means for reading a document set at a predetermined reading position;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data of the read original;
Image analysis means for analyzing image data of a document read by the document reading means and extracting attributes of the document;
Printing means for printing image data image-processed by the image processing means on paper;
Finishing processing means for performing various finishing processes on the printed printing paper;
Setting means for receiving print settings relating to image data image processing and finishing processing for print paper after image formation;
Prior to accepting the print settings, the setting means further reads the original by the original reading means, analyzes the image data read by the image analysis means, extracts the attributes of the original, and based on the attributes An image forming apparatus that determines a print setting.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image storage unit that holds the image data at least temporarily.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute extracted by the image analysis unit is an attribute related to a feature of an image of a document.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the attribute extracted by the image analysis unit is an attribute relating to a document layout. Storage means for storing related function correspondence information in which a list of setting functions related to attributes of individual documents is registered;
Using a document attribute analyzed and extracted by the image analysis means, further comprising a related function search means for searching for a related function based on the related function correspondence information,
6. The display unit according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit displays, on the display unit, only the options of the related setting function derived from the attribute of the document searched by the related function search unit. The image forming apparatus described in 1.   The setting means displays selectable setting function options derived from document attributes so as to be selectable in a display area different from a default menu item for performing print settings of the display unit. 6. The image forming apparatus according to 6.   The setting means displays selectable options of a related setting function derived from an attribute of a document so as to be selectable on the display unit as a pop-up menu overlaid on a default menu item for performing print settings. 6. The image forming apparatus according to 6. Storage means for storing related function correspondence information in which a list of setting functions related to attributes of individual documents is registered;
Using a document attribute analyzed and extracted by the image analysis means, further comprising a related function search means for searching for a related function based on the related function correspondence information,
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit highlights only the options of the related setting function derived from the attribute of the document searched by the related function search unit on the display unit. The image forming apparatus described in 1. Further comprising operation display means capable of inputting the print settings and displaying various screens;
The setting unit displays options of a related setting function derived from an attribute of a document on the operation display unit, and receives a print setting by designating a desired option from the operation display unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 9. The document reading means sets a document at a predetermined reading position while sequentially transporting a plurality of pages of documents set on a document tray, and automatically scans one or both sides of the document automatically. Further comprising means,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein reading and analysis of a plurality of documents can be performed continuously.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the attribute extracted by the image analysis unit is an attribute related to automatic document conveyance.   The image analysis unit obtains at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value for a quantitative attribute among the attributes, according to any one of claims 1 to 12. Image forming apparatus. A plurality of originals are sequentially read using an original reading means provided with the automatic original conveying means,
The image analysis means obtains at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value for quantitative attributes among the extracted document attributes, and these values are used for reading the document and analyzing the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus sequentially updates as the process proceeds. A plurality of originals are sequentially read using an original reading means provided with the automatic original conveying means,
12. The image according to claim 11, wherein when the print start button is pressed during extraction of the attribute, the image analysis means interrupts the document attribute analysis processing at that time. Forming equipment.   Prior to accepting the print settings, the setting means analyzes the acquired image data by the image analysis means to extract document attributes, and narrows down and reduces the number of items of the print settings based on the attributes. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An original reading device for reading an original set at a predetermined reading position;
An image processing apparatus that performs image processing on image data of the read original;
An image analysis device that analyzes image data of a document read by the document reading device and extracts attributes of the document;
A printing device for printing image data image-processed by the image processing device on paper;
A finishing device that performs various finishing processes on the printed printing paper;
A setting device that receives print settings relating to image processing of image data and finishing processing for printing paper after image formation,
At least a part of the devices is connected via a network, and the setting device further reads the document by the document reading device and receives the image data read by the image analysis device before receiving various print settings. An image forming system that extracts an attribute of a document and determines a print setting based on the attribute. An image analysis step of analyzing the acquired document image data and extracting the document attributes;
A setting step for accepting the input print settings;
A printing step of printing the acquired image data of the document on a sheet based on the print setting received in the setting step;
In the setting step, prior to accepting the print setting, the acquired image data is analyzed in the image analysis step to extract a document attribute, and the print setting is determined based on the attribute. Image forming method. An original reading step for reading an original set at a predetermined reading position;
An image processing step for performing image processing on the image data of the read original;
An image analysis step of extracting image attributes by analyzing image data of the document read in the document reading step;
A printing step of printing the image data image-processed in the image processing step on paper;
Finishing processing steps for performing various finishing processes on the printed printing paper;
A setting step for receiving print settings relating to image processing of image data and finishing processing for printing paper after image formation;
In the setting step, prior to accepting the print setting, the original is read by the original reading step, the image data read in the image analysis step is analyzed, and the attribute of the original is extracted. Based on the attribute, An image forming method characterized by determining a print setting.   20. The image forming method according to claim 18, wherein the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute related to a feature of an image of a document.   21. The image forming method according to claim 18, wherein the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute relating to a document layout. Based on the related function correspondence information in which a list of setting functions related to the attributes of the individual originals stored in the storage unit is registered using the original attributes analyzed and extracted in the image analysis step, the related functions are And a related function search step for searching,
The setting step displays only selectable setting function options derived from attributes of the original searched in the related function search step on the display unit so as to be selectable. The image forming method described in 1.   The setting step displays selectable options of a related setting function derived from an attribute of a document in a display area different from a default menu item for performing print setting of the display unit. 23. The image forming method according to 22.   The setting step displays selectable options of a related setting function derived from an attribute of a document so as to be selectable on the display unit as a pop-up menu overlaid on a default menu item for performing print settings. 23. The image forming method according to 22. Based on the related function correspondence information in which a list of setting functions related to the attributes of the individual originals stored in the storage unit is registered using the original attributes analyzed and extracted in the image analysis step, the related functions are A related function search step for searching,
The setting step highlights on the display unit only the options of the related setting function derived from the attribute of the document searched in the related function search step. The image forming method described in 1.   26. The setting step includes displaying, on an operation display unit, options of a related setting function derived from an attribute of a document, and receiving a print setting by designating a desired option from the operation display unit. The image forming method according to any one of the above. In the document reading step, automatic document conveyance is performed in which a document is set at a predetermined reading position while sequentially conveying a plurality of pages of documents set on a document tray so that one or both sides of the document can be automatically read continuously. Further comprising steps,
27. The image forming method according to claim 19, wherein a plurality of documents can be read and analyzed continuously.   28. The image forming method according to claim 27, wherein the attribute extracted by the image analysis step is an attribute relating to automatic conveyance of a document.   The said image analysis step calculates | requires at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value about the quantitative attribute among the said attributes, The one of Claims 18-28 characterized by the above-mentioned. Image forming method. In the automatic document feeding step, a plurality of documents are sequentially read using a document reading step,
In the image analysis step, at least one of an average value, a maximum value, and a minimum value is obtained for a quantitative attribute among the extracted document attributes, and these values are determined by reading the document and analyzing the image data. 28. The image forming method according to claim 27, wherein the image forming method is sequentially updated as the process proceeds. In the automatic document feeding step, a plurality of documents are sequentially read using a document reading step,
28. The image according to claim 27, wherein in the image analysis step, when a print start button is pressed during the extraction of the attribute, the document attribute analysis process is interrupted at that time. Forming method.   In the setting step, prior to accepting the print setting, the acquired image data is analyzed in the image analysis step to extract an original attribute, and the number of items of the print setting is narrowed down based on the attribute and reduced. 32. The image forming method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the image forming method is an image forming method.   A program that causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 18 to 32.

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