JP2006311323A - Image reader, image reading method and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of reading an original and an identification code in a short period of time thereby shortening time up to a copying start. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus is provided with a storing part 19 for prestoring an ID code for permitting image formation, an original platen for mounting an original to be read thereon, a reading part 18 for reading an image by applying exposure scanning to an image on the original platen, an image memory 15 for storing image data read by the reading part 18, a recognizing part for recognizing the image data of the ID code among the image data read by the reading part, a judging part for judging whether the ID code recognized by the recognizing part coincides with the IC code stored in the storing part 19, and a processing part 12 for performing image formation of the read image data stored in the image memory when the judging part judges their coincidence. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image reading method for reading an image of a document, and an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image read by the image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there are image reading apparatuses that perform usage status management and billing management by specifying a user and counting usage frequency. There is also an image forming apparatus that cannot be used by outsiders without permission. Among these image forming apparatuses, for example, a function that allows a user to input an identification code from an operation unit and permits a reading operation or a recording operation only when the input identification code matches an identification code stored in the storage unit in advance. (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-334158). In addition, a dedicated card reader for reading a magnetic card or the like is provided, the identification code recorded on the magnetic card or the like is read, and it is determined whether or not it matches the identification code stored in advance in the card reader body or storage unit. Some devices allow printing at times.

However, an apparatus that allows a user to input an identification code is complicated because the identification code must be input every time the user instructs an operation. In addition, a device using a magnetic card or the like needs to be provided with a card reader for reading an identification code of the magnetic card or the like, which not only complicates the structure of the device but also increases the cost. For this reason, there has been proposed an apparatus for determining whether or not to permit a recording operation at low cost by causing a document card reading unit to read a specific card.
JP-A-11-334158

  However, in the conventional image reading apparatus in which a specific card is read by the original image reading means, the user first sets the card on the original table and then presses the button on the operation unit. As a result, the image reading apparatus reads the card identification code and determines whether or not to permit the reading operation. Next, when the image reading apparatus permits the reading operation, the user sets the document on the document table and presses the button on the operation unit again. As described above, in the conventional image reading apparatus, the user needs to press the button of the operation unit twice, and the procedure is complicated. For this reason, the identification code is not recognized and other ordinary models are not used. In comparison, there was a problem that the time to start was nearly doubled.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and can read an original and an identification code in a short time, and can shorten the time until the reading operation starts, an image reading method, and image formation An object is to provide an apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an original table on which an original to be read is placed, and an image that reads the image by exposing and scanning an image on the original table. It is characterized by comprising reading means and image recognition means for recognizing the image data of the identification code from the image data of the image read by the image reading means.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to claim 2 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the identification code recognized by the image recognition means is stored in the image reading apparatus. A determination means for determining whether or not the identification code matches, and when it is determined that the determination means does not match, the image reading means reads the image again and the image recognition means recognizes the identification code; Or selecting means for allowing the user to select whether to erase the image data of the read image.

  To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the identification code erasing unit erases the image data of the identification code from the image data. It is characterized by having.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the identification code is written on a card, A card image determining means for determining whether or not the image data of the image read by the image reading means is included in the image data; and the card image determining means determines that the image data of the card is the original image data. It is characterized by having card image erasing means for erasing the card image data from the image data when it is determined to be included in the image data.

  To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, and image formation of the read image data of the image reading apparatus. And image forming means for performing the above.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading method according to a sixth aspect of the invention includes an image reading step of reading the image by exposing and scanning an image on a document table, and the image reading step of reading the image. An image recognition step of recognizing the image data of the identification code from the image data of the image.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the image of the original is read, the image of the identification code is also read at the same time. Therefore, both the image of the original and the identification code can be read by a single reading operation. .

  According to the image reading apparatus of the second aspect of the invention, in the image reading apparatus of the first aspect of the invention, the identification code is recognized from the read image data, and the recognized identification code permits image formation. The user can either recognize the identification code again or erase the image data of the read image when it is determined that the determination means do not match. Can be selected.

  According to the image reading apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, the image data of the identification code can be erased in the image reading apparatus according to the first or second aspect of the invention.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the invention described in claim 4, in the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the identification code is described on the card. The code can be reduced in size. Further, when the image data of the read original includes image data of the card, the image data of the card can be erased from the image data of the original.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect, it is possible to perform image formation of the image data read by the image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which the image forming apparatus is a digital multifunction machine having functions of a copying machine, a fax machine, and a printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes a document reading device 2 that reads an image such as a document and an image forming unit 3 that prints an image read by the document reading device 2. The document reading device 2 separates the sheet-like document one by one, the document feeding device 101 that automatically feeds the sheet-like document, the document sensor 102 that detects that the document is set on the document feeding device 101, and the sheet-like document. A document feed roller 103 that feeds the document, a platen roller 104 that transports the document at the exposure scanning position of the document, a document discharge sensor 105 that detects that the document has been discharged, and a document discharge A document discharge roller 106, a document discharge tray 107 for holding the discharged document, a document table 109 on which the document is fixedly placed without being conveyed, and a contact image sensor 108 for reading an image of the document and the like are provided.

  The image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 310 that carries an electrostatic latent image, a laser scanner unit 205 including a polygon mirror 305 that forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photosensitive drum 310 with an optical signal, toner A toner hopper 303 that holds the toner, a developing sleeve 311 that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 310 using the toner of the toner hopper 303 to form a toner image, and a toner image on the photosensitive drum 310 that is the recording paper 301. A transfer roller 308 for transferring to the recording paper, a fixing roller 304 for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording paper 301, a conveyance unit 306 for conveying the recording paper, and a paper discharge roller 307 for discharging the recording paper. . Reference numeral 207 denotes a TOP sensor that detects the presence or absence of recording paper, 208 denotes a paper discharge sensor that detects that recording paper has been discharged, 302 denotes a paper feed roller that supplies the recording paper 301, and 309 denotes a photosensitive drum 310. The primary charging roller is charged like this.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a controller unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. The controller unit 11 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment performs control for image formation based on an instruction from a user or an instruction from a computer or the like. The print engine (image forming means) 20 prints image data in accordance with information sent from the controller unit 11, and includes a laser scanner unit 205, a photoreceptor 310, and the like. The controller unit 11 includes an input unit 14 for receiving instructions from the operation panel unit and the outside, a reading unit (image reading unit) 18 that reads an image such as a document and converts it into image data, and the reading unit 18 reads the image. An image processing unit 17 that performs various image processing such as whether there is image data of an identification code for the converted image data, and an image that stores image data that has been subjected to various image processing by the image processing unit 17 A memory (image storage means) 15, a storage section (code storage means) 19 that stores information of an ID card that permits printing, a status of the print engine 20, and an externally sent via the input section 14 The display part 13 which displays information etc. and the process part 12 which manages control of the controller part 11 whole are provided. Reference numeral 16 denotes an interface unit that relays data transmitted and received between the controller unit 11 and the print engine 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the print engine 20 includes a CPU (processing unit) 21, an interface 22, a memory 23, a high voltage unit 24, a fixing unit 25, a motor unit 26, a display unit 27, a paper feeding unit 28, a sensor / Although the switch 29 and the like are provided, since these are known matters, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The input unit 14 receives an instruction sent from the user via the operation panel unit when the image forming apparatus functions as a copier, and a fax sent via a telephone line when the image forming apparatus functions as a fax. It receives information, and when it functions as a printer, it receives a print command from a computer.

  The processing unit 12 converts the image data stored in the image memory 15 into a VIDEO signal, and performs a printing process that is sent to the print engine 20 via the interface unit 16. The reading unit 18 includes a contact image sensor 108.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ID card used in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, a QR code (hereinafter also referred to as an ID code) 51 that is a two-dimensional code and three position marks 52 are printed on the surface of the ID card 50 of the present embodiment. The three position marks 52 are printed so that the size and direction of the ID card 50 can be reliably recognized even when the ID card 50 is placed upside down. When image formation is performed by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, it is necessary to cause the reading unit 18 to read the ID card 50 shown in FIG. Since the QR code is a known technique, its detailed description is omitted.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the image processing unit 17 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the image processing unit 17 of the present embodiment includes a normal image processing unit A that performs normal image processing and an ID code processing unit B that performs ID code processing. The normal image processing unit A includes a shading correction unit 171, a filter processing unit 172, a γ correction unit 173, a scaling processing unit 174, and an image storage unit 175. The normal image processing unit A performs various image processing such as sequential shading correction on the image data read and converted by the reading unit 18 and stores the image data in the image memory 15 as image data by the image storage unit 175. The ID code processing unit B also includes a recognition unit (image recognition unit) 176 that recognizes the image data of the ID code from the image data read and converted by the reading unit 18, the image data of the document, and the image data of the ID card 50. Card image determination unit (card image determination unit) 177 for determining whether or not the image data overlaps, and the card image determination unit 177 determines that the image data of the document and the image data of the ID card 50 overlap. The card image erasing unit (card image erasing unit) 178 for performing processing for deleting the image data of the ID card from the image data of the document and the ID code recognized by the recognition unit 176 are stored in the storage unit 19 and printing can be permitted. And a determination unit (determination means) 179 for determining whether or not the ID code is used.

  Further, the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment includes a book reading mode in which an image on the document table 109 is scanned by exposure while the contact image sensor 108 moves, and a document feeding device in which the contact image sensor 108 is moved from a standby position. A sheet reading mode in which a sheet-like document is sent out by the document feeder 101 while being moved to the exposure scanning position (sheet reading position) 101, and the document is read by the contact image sensor 108.

  Next, a basic copying operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. When start is instructed from the input unit 14, the document sensor 102 of the document feeder 101 detects that a document is set on the document feeder 101. When the document sensor 102 cannot detect that the document is set on the document feeder 101, the book mode is automatically entered, and the contact image sensor 108 moves and scans the document placed on the document table 109, and the document table The image on 109 is read and converted into image data, which is an electrical signal, and stored in the image memory 15.

  On the other hand, when the document sensor 102 detects that a document is set on the document feeder 101, it is automatically determined as the sheet reading mode, and the contact image sensor 108 is positioned immediately below the platen roller 104 (on the document feeder). The exposure scanning position and the sheet reading position). After the movement, the document feed roller 103 separates the documents on the document feeder 101 one by one and starts feeding the documents. When the leading end position of the document reaches the sheet reading position, the document image starts to be converted into an electrical signal, exposed and scanned while the document is being flown, subjected to image processing, and stored in the image memory 15 as image data.

  The image data stored in the image memory 15 is converted into a VIDEO signal and sent to the print engine 20. In the print engine 20, the VIDEO signal is converted into an optical signal and irradiated onto the photosensitive member 310 via the polygon mirror 305. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductor 305 by this irradiation light, and when passing through the developing sleeve 311, the toner held on the toner hopper 303 adheres to the photoconductor 310 and the toner image is formed on the photoconductor 310. It is formed.

  On the other hand, the paper feed roller 302 starts feeding the recording paper 301, and the toner image formed on the photosensitive member 310 is transferred to the recording paper 301 when passing through the transfer roller 308. The recording paper on which the toner image is adhered passes through the fixing device 304, and heat and pressure are applied to fix the toner image on the recording paper. The recording paper 301 on which the toner image is fixed is discharged from the discharge roller 307 to the outside of the apparatus.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining how to place an ID card when copying in the book reading mode. When copying in the book reading mode, the ID card 50 is placed on the document table 109 as shown in FIG. 5A or 5B so that the document and the ID card 50 do not overlap.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining how to place the ID card when copying in the sheet reading mode. When copying in the sheet reading mode, the ID card 50 is placed on the document table 109 while the contact image sensor 108 moves from the standby position (home position) to the sheet reading position where the sheet-like document is read.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart when copying using an ID card in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display displayed on the display unit when the ID code cannot be recognized. . When performing a copying process with the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, first, in step S11, it is determined whether the reading mode is the book reading mode or the sheet reading mode. If the book reading mode is determined in step S11, the process proceeds to step S12, and the contact image sensor 108 starts scanning the image on the document table 109. At the same time, the ID code processing unit B performs ID code recognition processing. In step S16, the normal image processing unit A performs normal image processing such as shading correction. In step S17, it is determined whether or not the ID code 50 is recognized. When the ID code is recognized in step S17, the process immediately proceeds to step S19 even during image reading, and it is determined whether or not the read ID code is the ID code stored in the storage unit 19. . If the ID code 51 is not recognized in step S17, the process proceeds to step S18 to determine whether the reading operation is completed. For example, it is determined whether or not the maximum scanning length M shown in FIG. If the reading operation has not been completed, the process returns to step S17 to continue the ID code 51 recognition process. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S18 that the reading operation has been completed, the process proceeds to step S19 to determine whether printing is possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the ID card 50 is placed, the ID card 50 is placed on the downstream side of the original in the reading direction, so that the contact sensor 108 is scanned to the length of L1 and the identification process is completed. By the way, the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, when the ID card 50 is placed as shown in FIG. 5B, since the ID card 50 is placed during the image reading operation, the ID card 50 is identified when the contact sensor 108 scans to the position L2. The process ends. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S19 without waiting for the end of image reading to determine whether printing is possible.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S11 that the sheet reading mode is set, the process proceeds to step 13 and the contact image sensor 108 starts moving from the home position shown in FIG. 6 to the sheet reading position. At the same time, the ID code recognition process is started by the ID code processing unit B in step S14, and the ID code 51 of the ID card 50 placed on the document table 109 is recognized while the contact image sensor 108 moves to the sheet reading position. Perform processing. In step S15, the process waits until the contact image sensor 108 moves to the sheet reading position. When the contact image sensor 108 moves to the sheet reading position, the process proceeds to step S16, where the document feed roller 103 separates the documents one by one and starts feeding, and starts reading the document image.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the ID code 51 of the ID card 50 is recognized before the contact image sensor 108 moves to the sheet reading position. If it is recognized, the print determination process in step S19 is performed immediately. Migrate to If not recognized, the process proceeds to step S18 to determine whether or not all the documents on the document feeder 101 have been read. When all the originals on the original feeder 101 have been read, the process proceeds to step S19.

In step S19, a print determination process is performed. That is, in step S19,
It is determined whether or not the recognized ID code 51 is an ID code stored in the storage unit 19, and when the recognized ID code 51 is stored in the storage unit 19, the process proceeds to step S20. Thus, transmission of the image data of the document stored in the image memory 15 is permitted, and the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the print engine 20 performs image formation and ends the process.

  On the other hand, if the ID code could not be recognized or if the recognized ID code is not the ID code stored in the storage unit 19, it is determined that printing is not possible, and the process proceeds to step S22. As shown in FIG. 8, the processing unit 12 displays that the ID code 51 cannot be recognized, and at the same time selects the user whether to perform an operation for recognizing the identification code or to cancel printing. The required display is performed on the display unit 13. If rereading of the ID code is selected in step S23, the ID code recognition process is resumed in step S25. That is, the reading unit 19 reads the image on the platen 109 again, and returns to step S17 to perform the above-described ID code determination process. On the other hand, if the stop of printing is selected in step S23, the process proceeds to step S24, the original image data stored in the image memory 15 is discarded, and this process is terminated without performing printing.

  Next, a case where the image data of the original read by the contact image sensor 108 includes the image data of the ID card, that is, the case where the image data of the original and the image data of the ID card overlap each other will be described. For example, when the maximum sheet size that can be copied by the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment is A3 size paper, when an A3 size document is set on the document table 109 and copied, the document and the ID card are deleted. It must be placed one on top of the other. In such a case, the image data of the read original and the image data of the ID card overlap. When the document image data and the ID card image data overlap in this way, the ID card image data is erased from the document image data, and a copy process is performed. When copying an A3-size original, an ID card is placed on the blank portion of the original for copying, or the A3 original is read without placing the ID card in the beginning, and the apparatus shown in FIG. When the display shown in FIG. 6 is performed, the ID card is set and the information on the ID card is read, so that a normal copying process can be performed. Further, in the case of a model that performs copying without reading the size of the document, if the reduction processing is performed, the position where the ID card 50 is placed even if the ID card 50 is placed as shown in FIG. May be read as a manuscript. Also in this case, the image data of the original and the image data of the ID card overlap. In this embodiment, the process of deleting the image data of the ID card from the image data of the document is also performed in such a case.

  Next, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, processing when document image data and ID card image data overlap each other will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart when the image processing unit 17 of the present embodiment deletes the image data of the ID card from the image data of the document. First, in step S81, three position marks 52 of the ID card 50 are detected based on the read image data of the ID card 50, and placed on the document table 109 based on the detected three position marks 52. The center coordinate position P of the ID card 50 is calculated and stored. In step S82, the size M (vertical dimension and horizontal dimension) and direction N of the ID card are calculated from the three position marks 52 and stored. Here, the reason for calculating the size of the ID card will be described. The size of the ID card 50 is constant, but when reduction processing or enlargement processing is performed, the image data of the ID card 50 differs from the actual size of the ID card. For this reason, when erasing the image data of the ID card in the subsequent step S84, the size of the ID card subjected to the reduction process or the enlargement process is required.

In step S83, it is determined from the central coordinate position P, size M, and direction N of the ID card 50 calculated in step S81 whether the image data of the ID card is within the document image reading range. If the image data of the ID card is within the document image reading range, the document stored in the image memory 15 is stored in the image memory 15 based on the data of the center coordinate position P, size M, and direction N of the ID card 50 in step S84. Delete the image data of the ID card from the image data. If it is determined in step S83 that the image data on the ID card is not within the original image reading range, the process ends without performing the process in step S84. This process is performed, for example, in a step between step S19 and step S20 in the flowchart of FIG. In this embodiment, the original image reading range is (original size) x (magnification)
That is. The maximum document image reading range is the same as the size of the document table.

  According to the above-described embodiment, in the book reading mode, when reading the image of the document, the image of the ID card is also read at the same time. Therefore, the conventional apparatus that reads the document and the ID card in separate steps is used. In comparison, since a special operation for reading the ID card is not required, the operability can be improved. Accordingly, the time until the first sheet is printed is approximately half that of the conventional apparatus. In the sheet reading mode, the information on the ID card is read while the contact image sensor 108 moves from the home position to the sheet reading position. Therefore, since no special operation or processing for reading the ID card is required even in this mode, the operability can be improved and the time until the first printing is performed can be shortened. Can do.

  According to the above-described embodiment, a dedicated device for reading an ID card is not required separately from a device for reading a document. Therefore, the structure is simpler than the conventional device that requires a dedicated device, and the cost is reduced. Can be reduced. In addition, since the original image can be read and the identification code can be recognized in a continuous operation, the operability is improved and the first sheet is printed compared to a conventional apparatus that requires a dedicated apparatus. The time until it can be shortened.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible within the range of the summary. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a multi-function device having both the book reading mode and the sheet reading mode has been described. However, a multi-function device having only one of the two modes may be used. Further, the present invention may be a copying machine, a printer, or the like instead of a multifunction machine.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the home position is at the left corner of the document table 109 and the sheet reading position is at the right corner as shown in FIG. 6 is described. However, the home position is arranged on the right side of the sheet reading position. It may be what has been done. In this case, the contact image sensor is moved from the home position to the left corner and then moved to the sheet reading position, so that the contact image sensor is moved from the home position to the sheet reading position. The image can be read.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the image data of the ID card is deleted from the image data of the document when the image data of the document and the image data of the ID card are overlapped has been described. Sometimes, the copying operation may be automatically stopped, or the user may be informed that both image data are overlapped.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the ID code of the read ID card is not stored in the storage unit, the image processing unit performs the ID card reading operation again or erases the original image data. In the above description, the display for allowing the user to select whether or not to perform the selection has been described. However, the display for selection may be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, the identification code is an ID card ID code. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the identification code is printed on a copy sheet or the like. Also good. The ID code is not limited to a two-dimensional code, and may be a one-dimensional code or the like.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, a dedicated device for reading an ID card is not required in addition to a device for reading a document. Therefore, compared to a conventional device that requires a dedicated device, The structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. In addition, since it is possible to read a document image and recognize an identification code in a continuous operation, it is possible to improve operability and further reduce the time until the first sheet is printed. Can do. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a digital multi-function peripheral or an image forming system having a copying function, a fax function, a printer function, and the like.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a controller unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the ID card used by this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the image processing part 17 of this embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating how to put an ID card when copying in book reading mode. It is a figure for demonstrating how to put an ID card when copying in sheet reading mode. 5 is a flowchart when copying is performed using an ID card in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the display displayed on a display part when an ID code cannot be recognized. It is a flowchart when the image processing part 17 of this embodiment erases the image data of the ID card from the image data of the document.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Original reading apparatus 3 Image forming part 11 Controller part 12 Processing part 13 Display part 14 Input part 15 Image memory 16 Interface 17 Image processing part 18 Reading part 19 Storage part 20 Print engine 50 ID card 51 ID code 52 Position Mark 101 Document feeding unit 108 Contact image sensor 109 Document table 176 Recognizing unit 177 Card image determining unit 178 Card image erasing unit 179 Judging unit A Normal image processing unit B ID code processing unit

Claims (6)

  An original platen on which an original to be read is placed, an image reading unit for reading the image by exposing and scanning an image on the original platen, and an identification code of the image data read by the image reading unit And an image recognition means for recognizing image data. Determination means for determining whether or not the identification code recognized by the image recognition means matches the identification code stored in the image reading device;
When the determination means determines that they do not match, it causes the image reading means to read the image again and the image recognition means to recognize the identification code, or erases the image data of the read image. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that allows a user to select whether to do.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an identification code erasing unit that erases the image data of the identification code from the image data.   The identification code is written on a card placed on the platen and determines whether the image data of the image read by the image reading means includes the image data of the card. A card image erasure unit and a card image erasure unit that erases the image data of the card from the image data when the card image determination unit determines that the image data of the card is included in the image data of the document 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a unit. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image of the read image data of the image reading apparatus. An image reading step of reading the image by exposing and scanning an image on the document table; and an image recognition step of recognizing the image data of the identification code from the image data of the image read by the image reading step. An image reading method comprising:

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