JP2006262210A - Image processor, image forming device, image processing method, program for making computer perform the method, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device capable of maintaining an excellent image and excellent color reproductivity without causing a dust image even though there is dust at a read part at the time of reading an image. <P>SOLUTION: In this image processor for reading an original image by a reading part 3 mounted on a carriage and performing image processing, a system controller moves the carriage with the reading part 3 mounted thereon up to a position at which no dust is detected when an image processing part 6 for processing image data read by the reading part 3 detecs sticking of dust. When the carriage 3 is moved, the reading part 3 reads an original at the position at which the carriage is moved. Even though a change of color tone in the image data to be read occurs here, the image processing part 6 corrects the change of color tone that occurs by an ACC (auto color calibration). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and a recording medium.

  When the image reading apparatus performs image reading, if dust or the like adheres to the reading portion, a streak-like unnecessary image is formed on the recording medium. As a technique for avoiding the generation of such an unnecessary image due to dust, a technique has been devised in which a filter is used to perform image processing when dust is detected and an unnecessary image due to dust is removed (Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-160886 A

  However, since the technique of Patent Document 1 detects dust by switching a filter, depending on the case, an image drawn in a document that is not dust may be removed by mistake. There was a risk of outputting.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to maintain good image and color reproducibility without generating a dust image even when dust is detected in a reading portion during image reading. An image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and a recording medium are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image processing apparatus that reads a document image by a reading unit mounted on a carriage and performs image processing. A detection means for detecting the movement, a movement means for moving the carriage to a position where the detection means detects that there is no dust, and a movement means for moving the carriage by the movement means. Correction means for correcting a change in color of image data read by the reading means at the moved position by ACC (Auto Color Calibration).

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the correction unit executes the ACC for each page.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the correction unit executes the ACC for each job.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the correction unit executes the ACC in units of a predetermined page.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the correction unit performs the ACC execution in any one of a page unit, a job unit, and a predetermined page unit. It is possible to set whether to execute the ACC, and the ACC is executed in any of the set units.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that includes an image processing device that reads a document image by a reading unit mounted on a carriage and performs image processing, and outputs the processed document image through an output unit. The image processing apparatus includes: a detecting unit that detects dust in the reading unit; and a moving unit that moves the carriage to a position where the detecting unit detects that there is no dust when the detecting unit detects dust. And a correction unit that corrects a change in color of image data read by the reading unit by the ACC when the carriage is moved by the moving unit. To do.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image processing method in an image processing apparatus for reading and processing an original image by a reading unit mounted on a carriage, and a detection step of detecting dust in the reading unit by a detecting unit; When the dust is detected in the detection step, the moving means moves the carriage to a position where the detection means detects that there is no dust, and the correction means when the carriage is moved in the moving step. And a correction step of correcting, by ACC, a change in color of the image data read by the reading unit at the moved position.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the seventh aspect, the correcting step executes the ACC in units of pages by the correcting unit.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the correction step executes the ACC for each job by the correction unit.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the correction step executes the ACC in units of a predetermined page by the correction unit. .

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the image processing method according to any one of the seventh to tenth aspects, in the correction step, the correction unit performs the ACC execution by a page unit, a job unit, and a predetermined page unit. It is possible to set whether to execute the ACC in any of the units, and the ACC is executed in any of the set units.

  The invention according to a twelfth aspect is a program that causes a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of the seventh to eleventh aspects.

  The invention according to claim 13 is a recording medium, wherein the program according to claim 12 is stored in a computer-readable manner.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when dust is detected, the color change of the image data is corrected by ACC when the carriage on which the reading unit is mounted is moved to a position free of dust. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that can

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, correction can be performed in page units by ACC.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, correction can be performed in units of jobs by ACC.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, correction can be performed in units of predetermined pages by ACC.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to set so that correction is performed in page units, job units, or predetermined page units by ACC, and correction can be performed by ACC according to the set unit.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when dust is detected, the color change of the image data is corrected by ACC when the carriage on which the reading unit is mounted is moved to a position free of dust. It is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when dust is detected, a change in color of the image data is corrected by ACC when the carriage on which the reading unit is mounted is moved to a dust-free position and reading is performed. An image processing apparatus capable of performing the method can be provided.

  According to the invention of claim 8, correction can be made in page units by ACC.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, correction can be performed in units of jobs by ACC.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, correction can be performed in units of predetermined pages by ACC.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the ACC can be set to correct the page unit, the job unit, or the predetermined page unit, and the ACC can be corrected according to the set unit.

  According to the invention concerning Claim 12, the program which makes a computer perform the image processing method as described in any one of Claims 7-11 can be provided.

  According to the invention of claim 13, it is possible to provide a recording medium storing the program of claim 12 in a computer-readable manner.

(1. Image forming apparatus according to embodiment)
Exemplary embodiments of an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image processing method, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, and a recording medium according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an image processing unit which is a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. Hereinafter, a part related to the present invention regarding a general image forming operation of the image forming apparatus will be described.

  The reflected light of the lamp 302 passes through the optical system mirror 300 and is collected by the lens 303 and imaged by the CCD 304. The formed image is processed by the image processing unit 6 and then stored in the memory of the storage unit 10.

  In the pressure plate reading, the carriage 301 is driven by the driving motor 305 to move on the original surface of the pressure plate original 320, and a scanning image at that time is formed by the CCD 304.

  In the DF reading, the DF document 321 passes through the paper feed roller 310, the guide roller 311, the DF document guide 306, and the paper discharge roller 312 in this order and is conveyed. When the DF original 321 passes through the DF original reading position 307, a scanning image at that time is formed by the CCD 304.

  The present invention corrects the color change of the reflected light that occurs when the carriage 301 is shifted to avoid dust when dust is present at the DF document reading position 307.

  Image data read by the reading optical system of the image forming apparatus is printed out by the print output unit.

  In addition, the latent image forming unit 501, the recording paper transport unit 502, the paper feed boxes 503a and b provided with a photosensitive member for forming an electrostatic latent image have the same configuration as that of a normal copying machine, and thus description thereof is omitted. To do.

(2. Image processing portion of image forming apparatus according to embodiment)
The image processing unit shown in FIG. 2 constitutes the image processing apparatus of the present invention. The image processing unit includes an operation unit 1, an operation display unit 2, a reading unit 3, a recording unit 4, a system controller 5, an image processing unit 6, a copy application 7, a printer application 8, a FAX application 9, and a storage unit 10.

  The operation unit 1 includes various operation keys for operating the image forming apparatus, a touch panel, an LED, and the like, and receives input from an operator. Settings regarding the copy mode are also made here.

  The operation display unit 2 displays an operation state and various states of the apparatus. In addition, information is displayed to the operator via the display unit, and the operator's input is accepted from the display surface.

  The reading unit 3 reads a document at various settings such as a predetermined magnification, resolution, and color. In FIG. 1, it is a part which performs pressure plate reading and sheet through reading. The recording unit 4 records the image processed by the image processing unit 6.

  The system controller 5 executes control processing of the entire image forming apparatus. The system controller 5 converts the data read from the image processing unit 6 and the reading unit 3, converts the output to the recording unit 4, and stores it in the storage unit 10. Control data input and output. The system controller 5 is a part that controls the data processing of the image data, and various data is processed according to instructions from the controller.

  The image processing unit 6 performs conversion of read data, conversion of an output image, and the like. In the present invention, the image processing unit 6 performs dust detection and color correction.

  The copy application 7, the printer application 8, and the FAX application 9 control the operation of each application function.

  The storage unit 10 stores the read image data, that is, the image data read by the reading unit 4 and passed through the image processing unit 6, the image data before recording output, and the like.

  As for the operation flow of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, the operation unit 1 accepts various settings including copy mode settings related to document reading by the operator and various settings related to printing. Is displayed, the operation start input is accepted, and the copy operation is started.

  The reading unit 3 reads a document to acquire image data, and the image processing unit 6 temporarily stores it in the storage unit 10. The system controller 5 determines the operation status of the recording unit 4 and activates the recording unit 4 at an optimal timing. The recording unit 4 receives the data in the storage unit 10 via the image processing unit 6 and prints on the recording paper. In the embodiment described below, the system controller 5 determines and controls various states.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the carriage when dust is detected. A dotted line shown in FIG. 3 is a reflected light path when the carriage 301 is shifted to avoid dust.

  Normally, the original image is read by irradiating light at position B. However, when dust is detected at the position B, a streak image appears in the image. Therefore, the carriage 301 is moved and reading is performed at the position A where there is no dust. When reading is performed at the position A, since there is no dust, an image without a streak image is obtained. However, on the other hand, since the reflected light is not an optimal reading position, a change in color occurs.

  According to the present invention, a change in color that occurs when the carriage moves is corrected by ACC (Auto Color Calibration), and the color that has changed due to the movement of the position is optimized. Here, ACC refers to automatic image adjustment, in which RGB data at a predetermined position is read in a reference ACC pattern image, and γ data is automatically corrected with reference to the read data.

(3. ACC pattern)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an ACC pattern image serving as a reference. FIG. 5 is a chart showing an example of the color correction table. Hereinafter, the usage method of a table is demonstrated for every item in a table.

[Carriage (traveling body) position]
The current carriage position is represented by the amount of movement from the reference position.

[Movement from previous ACC execution position]
Indicates the carriage position when dust is detected and ACC is executed. That is, each movement amount is expressed in page units, job units, and a predetermined number of sheets.

[Per-page ACC execution determination]
When dust is detected, if this setting is “Yes” and the carriage has moved more than the amount of movement (relative to the amount of movement from the previous ACC execution position), ACC is executed.

[Job unit ACC execution determination]
Executes ACC when dust is detected and this setting is “Yes” when the job is switched and the carriage moves more than the amount of movement (relative to the amount of movement from the previous ACC execution position). To do.

[Predetermined number of ACC execution determination]
When dust is detected and the predetermined number of sheets is reached, this setting is “Yes”, and if the carriage moves more than the amount of movement (relative to the amount of movement from the previous ACC execution position), the ACC is Execute.

(4. Image processing procedure)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an image processing procedure according to the embodiment. The operator sets a document, sets reading on the operation unit 1, confirms the setting on the operation display unit 2, and then starts reading by pressing the start key of the operation unit 1. The system controller 5 detects pressing of the start key (step S101), and if it is determined that it has been detected (Yes in step S101), the system controller 5 transmits a detection signal for requesting dust detection to the reading unit 3. The image processing unit system 6 stores the current carriage position (step S102). This is used to determine the amount of movement that has occurred after dust detection.

  The reading unit 3 scans the contact glass at the carriage position B (FIG. 3) and acquires read data. The image processing unit 6 analyzes the acquired read data (step S103). The image processing unit 6 transmits information indicating a data analysis result (presence / absence of dust) to the system controller 5.

  When the system controller 5 receives information indicating that dust is present (Yes in step S103), the system controller 5 transmits instruction information for instructing movement of the carriage position to the reading unit 3. The reading unit 3 receives instruction information for instructing movement, and moves from the current carriage position (step S104).

  When the system controller 5 receives information indicating no dust (No in step S103), the storage unit 10 stores the carriage movement amount (step S105). On the other hand, when information indicating that there is dust is received, the process returns to step S103 again to search for a position without dust.

  The carriage position stored first and the current carriage position are compared, and the presence / absence of movement (that is, presence / absence of dust detection) is determined (step S106). If there is no movement (No in step S106), the normal reading operation in step S115 is started.

  If it is determined that there is a movement (Yes in step S106), it is determined whether or not ACC execution is performed for each page (step S107). If “Yes” is set in the color correction table (Yes in step S107), ACC execution reference movement is performed. The amount is determined (step S112). If it is determined that the carriage movement amount is greater than or equal to the reference value for the previous ACC execution position (Yes in step S112), a color correction (ACC execution) process is performed. Then, a display indicating that the operation is interrupted due to the execution of ACC is displayed on the operation display unit 2, and the ACC procedure is executed by the operation unit 1 to perform color correction (step S113). Then, the ACC information is initialized, and the carriage position storage / job unit execution table / predetermined number of execution tables are initialized for the next ACC execution (step S114). Then, the original starts to move (Step S115), reading starts (Step S116), and if there is a next original (Yes in Step S117), the process returns to Step S113, and if not (No in Step S117), finish.

  On the other hand, in the job unit ACC execution determination (step S108), “Yes” is set in the color correction table (Yes in step S108), and when there is a job switch (Yes in step S109), the process proceeds to step S112 in the same manner. Transition.

  On the other hand, in the execution determination of the predetermined number of sheets ACC (step S110), “Yes” is set in the color correction table (Yes in step S110), and when the predetermined number is not abnormal (No in step S111), the process proceeds to step S115. To do. On the other hand, when it is determined that the number is greater than or equal to the predetermined number (Yes in step S111), and in the ACC execution reference movement amount determination (step S112), the carriage movement amount is greater than or equal to the reference value with respect to the previous ACC execution position. (Yes in step S112), the process proceeds to step S113 and subsequent steps.

  In the case of color correction (ACC execution), a display indicating that the operation is interrupted due to ACC execution is displayed on the operation display unit 2, and the operation unit 1 executes the ACC procedure to perform color correction (step S113).

  The ACC information is initialized, and the carriage position storage / job unit execution table / predetermined number of execution tables are initialized for the next ACC execution (step S114). Then, the original starts to move (Step S115), reading starts (Step S116), and if there is a next original (Yes in Step S117), the process returns to Step S113, and if not (No in Step S117), finish.

(5. Effect)
In this way, when dust is detected, when the carriage is moved to a dust-free position and reading is performed, a color change occurs and image quality is deteriorated. By applying, image processing for forming a high-quality image can be performed.

  Here, it is desirable to perform the color correction by determining the ACC execution related to the color change for each page. This is because correction can be performed in page units by ACC.

  Further, it is desirable to perform color correction by determining execution of ACC related to color change for each job. This is because the job can be corrected by ACC.

  In addition, it is desirable to perform color correction by determining execution of ACC related to color change in units of predetermined pages. This is because it can be corrected in units of predetermined pages by ACC.

(6. Hardware configuration etc.)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. As shown in the figure, this image forming apparatus has a configuration in which a controller 1210 and an engine unit 1260 are connected via a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. A controller 1210 is a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus, image reading, information processing, image processing, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 1260 is an image information processing engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and includes an image information processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion for acquired image data.

  The controller 1210 includes a CPU 1211, a North Bridge (NB) 1213, a system memory (MEM-P) 1212, a South Bridge (SB) 1214, a local memory (MEM-C) 1217, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 1216 and a hard disk drive 1218, and the North Bridge 1213 and the ASIC 1216 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 1215. The MEM-P 1212 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1212 a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1212 b.

  The CPU 1211 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus, has a chip set including the NB 1213, the MEM-P 1212, and the SB 1214, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 1213 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 1211 and the MEM-P 1212, SB 1214, and AGP 1215, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 1212, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 912 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, and the like, and includes a ROM 1212a and a RAM 1212b. The ROM 1212a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 1212b is a writable and readable memory used as a program and data development memory, an image drawing memory at the time of image information processing, and the like.

  The SB 1214 is a bridge for connecting the NB 1213 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 1214 is connected to the NB 1213 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 1216 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for multimedia information management application having hardware elements for managing multimedia information, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 1215, the PCI bus, the HDD 1218, and the MEM-C 1217.

  The ASIC 1216 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 1216, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 1217, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic or the like. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) 1240 and an IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Engineering Engineers 1394) interface 1250 are connected between the Access Controller and the engine unit 1260 via a PCI bus.

  The MEM-C 1217 is a local memory used as a transmission image buffer and a code buffer, and the HDD 1218 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms.

  The AGP 1215 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 1215 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 1212 with high throughput.

  The keyboard 1220 connected to the ASIC 1216 receives an operation input from the operator and transmits the operation input information received by the ASIC 1216.

  An image processing program and an image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment are files in an installable format or an executable format, and are a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a DVD (Digital Versatile). It may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as Disk).

  Further, the image processing program and the image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment are configured to be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Alternatively, it may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The image processing program and the image forming program executed by the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment have a module configuration including the above-described units (system controller, image processing unit, copy application, printer application, and the like). As a hardware, a CPU (processor) reads out and executes an image processing program and an image forming program from the ROM, and the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device. A system controller, an image processing unit, a copy application, a printer application, and the like It is generated on the main memory.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus, the image processing method, the program for causing the computer to execute the method, and the recording medium according to the present invention are useful for the image processing and the image forming technique.

1 is a diagram illustrating an outline of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image processing unit that is a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement of a carriage when dust is detected. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the ACC pattern image used as a reference | standard. It is a chart which shows an example of a color correction table. It is a flowchart explaining the image processing procedure by embodiment. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2 Operation display part 3 Reading part 4 Recording part 5 System controller 6 Image processing part 7 Copy application 8 Printer application 9 FAX application 10 Storage part

Claims (13)

An image processing apparatus that reads a document image by a reading unit mounted on a carriage and performs image processing,
Detecting means for detecting dust in the reading means;
Moving means for moving the carriage to a position where the detection means detects that there is no dust when the detection means detects dust;
When the carriage is moved by the moving means, correction means for correcting a change in color of image data read by the reading means at the moved position by ACC (Auto Color Calibration);
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit executes the ACC for each page.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit executes the ACC for each job.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correction unit executes the ACC for each predetermined page.   The correction means can set whether to execute the ACC execution in a page unit, a job unit, or a predetermined page unit, and executes the ACC in the set unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is provided. An image forming apparatus that includes an image processing device that reads a document image by a reading unit mounted on a carriage and performs image processing, and outputs the document image that has undergone the image processing through an output unit.
The image processing apparatus includes:
Detecting means for detecting dust in the reading means;
Moving means for moving the carriage to a position where the detection means detects that there is no dust when the detection means detects dust;
When the carriage is moved by the moving means, correction means for correcting a change in color of image data read by the reading means at the moved position by ACC (Auto Color Calibration);
An image forming apparatus comprising: An image processing method in an image processing apparatus for reading and processing an original image by a reading unit mounted on a carriage,
A detecting step of detecting dust in the reading unit by a detecting unit;
A moving step of moving the carriage to a position where the detecting means detects that there is no dust when the dust is detected in the detecting step;
When the carriage is moved in the movement step, a correction step of correcting, by ACC (Auto Color Calibration), a change in color of image data read by the reading unit at the moved position;
An image processing method comprising:   The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein in the correcting step, the correcting unit executes the ACC for each page.   The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the correcting step executes the ACC for each job by the correcting unit.   The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein in the correction step, the correction unit executes the ACC for each predetermined page.   In the correction step, the correction unit can set whether to execute the ACC execution in a page unit, a job unit, or a predetermined page unit, and the ACC in the set unit. The image processing method according to claim 7, wherein the image processing method is executed.   A program for causing a computer to execute the image processing method according to any one of claims 7 to 11.   A recording medium storing the program according to claim 12 in a computer-readable manner.

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