JP2007036732A - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a double-face manuscript reader capable of reporting a mistake in a placed face on both sides of a manuscript and a mistake in setting for one-side/double-side reading operation modes in detail, and fully broadcasting a setting mistake and countermeasure on one-side reading mode for a double-side manuscript. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises a surface reading means 210, a backside reading means 408, an input means 79 for selecting and specifying one-side reading or double-side reading, a surface blank paper detection means 263f, a backside blank paper detection means 263r, and a control means 270. The apparatus reads both of a surface image and a backside image for a manuscript by the surface reading means 210 and the backside reading means 408, even if one-side reading is specified. Then, if the surface blank paper detection means 263f does not detect the surface as a blank paper and the backside blank paper detection means 263r does not detect the backside as a blank paper, the control means 270 reports a message (not shown) indicative of an one-side reading mode setting mistake for a double-side manuscript. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a blank sheet detection function. For example, the present invention can be used in a scanner apparatus, a digital copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, or a digital multifunction machine having these functions.

JP-A-11-136442 JP 2000-156762 A JP 2000-287024 A JP-A-9-74463.

  A flat head system that reads an image while placing an original on the reading glass and moving the light source and line sensor at a constant speed in a device that reads an image using an optical line sensor, such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or a scanner. And a sheet feed method in which the light source and the line sensor are fixed and the image is read while moving the document at a constant speed. In addition to the imaging device that reads the front image, the sheet feed method includes an imaging device that reads the back side document and reads the back side image in parallel with the reading of the front side image (for example, Patent Document 1). As a method for determining whether or not the correct side of the document is read using the image processing function, a method called “blank paper detection” is generally used, and for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3 have been proposed. For single-sided originals, there is only one side on which text information and image information are printed, and general documents are printed on white paper, so the back side of the printed side is likely to be entirely blank. . Using these characteristics, when reading a document, the ratio of the white area included in the scanned document image is calculated, and if it exceeds a certain rate, it is determined that the back side of the document is being read. is there.

  In the case of the flat head method, since the light source and the line sensor can be visually observed as they move under the platen glass, it can be easily determined that the surface to be read should be placed in the direction in contact with the platen glass when placing the document. . On the other hand, in the case of the sheet feed method, it is different depending on the device how the document placed on the document table is transported and reaches the front of the light source and line sensor, so determine the correct orientation when placing the document. Is difficult. As a result, it is easy to make an operation mistake that the wrong side is installed and the back side of the surface to be read is read.

  In order to cope with this, the facsimile apparatus described in Patent Document 4 reads the images on both the front and back sides and determines the original surface by detecting a blank page. Prompt for specification (Fig. 2). When specifying double-sided document transmission, prompts confirmation of document specification when one side is blank (Fig. 3). When specifying single-sided document transmission, the back side is not blank regardless of whether the front side is blank. Confirmation of the original is requested (FIG. 4), and when the single-sided original transmission is designated, the front side is blank and the back side is not blank.

  According to the present invention, in a document reading apparatus capable of reading both sides of a document at the same time, it is possible to provide a more detailed notification of an error in the back / front side of the document or an error in setting a single-sided / double-sided reading operation mode. In particular, the second object is to enhance notification of a single-sided reading mode setting error and countermeasures for double-sided originals.

(1) Surface reading means (210) for reading an image on the surface of a document and generating image data representing the image;
Back side reading means (408) for reading an image on the back side of the document and generating image data representing the image;
Input means (79) for selectively specifying single-sided reading and double-sided reading;
Surface blank sheet detecting means (263f) for detecting whether the image data generated by the surface reading means (210) represents a blank sheet;
Back side blank sheet detecting means (263r) for detecting whether the image data generated by the back side reading means (210) represents a blank page; and
Even when the single-sided scanning is designated, the front side and back side images are read by the front side reading unit (210) and the back side reading unit (408), and the front side blank sheet detecting unit (263f) is read for the read front side image data. ) Is not detected as a blank page, and the back side blank sheet detecting means (263r) does not detect a blank page for the back side image data, a message indicating a single-sided reading mode setting error for a double-sided document (79c in FIG. 10). Control means (270) for notifying;
An image reading apparatus comprising:

  In addition, in order to make an understanding easy, the code | symbol of an equivalent or corresponding | compatible element of the Example shown in drawing and mentioned later or an equivalent, or a corresponding matter was attached to the parenthesis as an example for reference. The same applies to the following.

  According to this, if you want to scan both sides of a document and accidentally start the operation in the single-sided document reading operation mode, do you have a valid image on both sides by detecting blank pages on both the front and back sides of the document? Since it is notified that the double-sided original has been read by the single-sided reading operation, the user can recognize an error in specifying the reading operation mode.

  (2) In the image reading apparatus, in response to a message that the single-sided reading mode setting of the double-sided document is incorrect, means for allowing the user to input one of a plurality of options including continuation and cancellation (79c in FIG. 10); The image reading apparatus according to (1), further comprising: According to this, when the user recognizes an error in the reading mode, the user can easily cope with the error.

  (3) In the control means (270), the front blank sheet detection means (263f) detects a blank sheet for the read front image data, and the back blank sheet detection means (263r) determines a blank sheet for the rear image data. If not detected, a message (79c in FIG. 11 (a)) indicating that a single-sided original is set incorrectly on both sides is notified; the image reading apparatus according to (1) or (2) above. According to this, when a single-sided original is read and the reading operation is started with the wrong side / front side of the original placed and the reading operation is started, an error in the back side / front side of the original is detected and notified to the user. Therefore, the user can easily recognize the mistake.

  (4) The image reading apparatus further includes means (79c in FIG. 11A) for allowing the user to input one of a plurality of options including use and cancellation of the back image in response to the message. The image reading apparatus according to (3) above. According to this, the user can easily cope with the error when recognizing the error of the document surface setting.

  (5) When both sides of the front side blank sheet detecting unit (263f) and the back side blank sheet detecting unit (263r) detect a blank page when duplex scanning is designated, the control unit detects both sides of the single-sided document. A message (79c in FIGS. 12B and 12D) indicating a reading mode setting error is notified; The image reading apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4) above. According to this, when it is desired to read only one side of the original and the operation is erroneously started in the double-side original reading operation mode, the user can recognize an error in specifying the reading operation mode.

(6) The image reading device according to any one of (1) to (5) above;
A printer (100) for forming an image represented by the image data on paper; and
Image data processing means (262) for converting the image data generated by the image reading device into image data suitable for the printer;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 5 shows an outline of the functions of the scanner image processing 263 and the printer image processing 264. The scanner image processing 263 includes front surface image processing 263f that processes RGB image data output from the CCD 207 of the color original scanner 210 and back surface image processing 263r that processes RGB image data output from the imaging device 408 of the ADF 230. The RGB image data output from the CCD 207 is subjected to scanner gamma correction 1f by the surface image processing 263f, and the density of the edge enhancement processing is smoothly changed in the edge region of the image according to the image region detection result of the image region separation 4f. A filter process 3f for applying a smoothing process is added to the halftone area. The RGB image data after these processes are written in the page memory 3f. Based on the data before writing, the ACS (Auto Color Select) 5f determines whether the reading surface (one page) is a blank page or a monochrome image. When it is determined that the image is a color image and the image data of the entire reading surface (one page) is stored in the page memory 3f, it is determined whether the image is a blank sheet, a monochrome image, or a color image. And according to the determination result and the reading mode instructed by the user before reading the document,
(A) If the AE process is not performed and the ACS does not determine that the page is blank, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as it is.
(B) When there is AE processing and the ACS determines that the image is a monochrome image, only the G image data in the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as monochrome image data.
(C) When there is an AE process and the ACS determines that the image is a color image, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is given to the ACS 5f, and each process of hue division, color pixel determination, and color plate determination is performed. After that, the image data is converted into ymck image data, and the background is removed by image data processing in the background removal 7f.
(D) When the ACS is determined to be blank, a warning is displayed on the operation board 90 to allow the user to specify the next operation. The next operation that can be selected is displayed on the operation key (square frame) on the pop-up display (notification message) 79c of FIGS. The processing function of the back surface image processing 263r is the same as the processing function of the front surface image processing 263f.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Among the function keys 79a are print color designation keys “full color”, “black (BK)”, “blue (C)”, “red (M)” and “yellow (Y)”, and an image automatic processing mode designation key. “Auto color selection” ACS, “background removal” AE and “blank paper discard” Wpp, reading surface (reading mode) designation keys “front”, “both sides” and “back”, and printing surface (printing mode) designation key “ There are “front side”, “double side” and “back side”.

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

  7 to 9 show an outline of copy control of the CPU 261 responding to the copy command. Reference is first made to FIG. If the input state data indicates that the “full color” key is off and the “background removal” key AE is on, the CPU 261 turns on the A / D conversion AE of the AFE 212 (steps 1 to 1). 4). That is, A / D conversion for digitally converting an analog image signal for document reading into image data is set to an AE mode in which the background level of the document is a reference voltage (all white).

  In the following, the word “step” is omitted in parentheses, and step No. Write numbers only.

  Next, the CPU 261 sets ACS 5f and 5r of the front and back image processing 263f and 263r to blank paper detection and color / monochrome detection (that is, chromatic / achromatic detection) (5), and the input state data is “double-sided”. Regardless of whether or not it is read, the front side and the back side of the original are read by the CCD 207 and the imaging device 408 (6).

  Next, when the input document reading is in the “front side” reading mode, the CPU 261 refers to the blank sheet detection result of ACS 5f and ACS 5r, and when the front side is not blank and the back side is blank, the designated reading mode is set. Since the document surface placement matches, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as it is if the AE processing is not specified (8 to 10-13). If there is AE processing and the ACS 5f determines that the image is a monochrome image, only the G image data in the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is output as monochrome image data (8 to 13). When there is AE processing and the ACS determines that the image is a color image, the RGB image data stored in the page memory 3f is given to the ACS 5f, and the ymck image is processed through the hue division, color pixel determination, and color plate determination processes. The data is converted into data, and the background is removed by image data processing in the background removal 7f and output (8-11-16 to 19-13). In this case, if there is a color designation, it is converted into designated color data and output (18, 19).

  When the original reading in the input state is the “front side” reading mode, but the blank detection results of the ACS 5f and ACS 5r are not blank, that is, the single side (front side) reading mode is specified, but the original is double-sided. If the document is an original, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79 (8, 9, 20). This warning message screen 79c includes a “Continue” key and a “Cancel” key in addition to a message for notifying a single-sided reading mode setting error for a double-sided document. Both are input keys by user touch. When the user touches the “continue” key, the process proceeds to the above-described image data output (10 to 13, 16 to 19) that refers to the presence / absence of the AE processing designation (21-10). That is, only the surface image reading data is output (21-10 to 13). When the user touches the “Cancel” key, the process returns to the display and input reading of the condition setting screen at the beginning of document reading (22-1). In this case, the read image data is discarded and not output.

  When outputting image data, the above-described surface-read image data output by the surface image processing 263f is stored in the local memory 276 via the image processing I / F 265 and the document storage control 273, and the local memory 276 overflows. Sometimes it is stored in the HDD 271 (13).

  When the image reading of one original is completed, if there is a next original, the next original is read in the same manner as described above (14-6).

  When the reading of all the originals is completed, the image data stored in the local memory 276 and HDD 271 is read out, and if it is RGB image data, it is output to the color correction of the printer image processing 264 and the set number of sheets is printed. Or, if it is k image data, it is output to the main scanning variable magnification 13 of the printer image processing 264 to print a set number of sheets (15). In this printing, when front side printing is designated, the image data of each page stored in the local memory 276 or the HDD 271 is read in the storage order, and the toner image of the image represented by the image data on the photosensitive drum 101 for each page. Are transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and transferred from the first transfer belt 107 to the surface (upper surface) of the paper fed from the paper feed tray 121 or 122. When double-sided printing is designated, a toner image of an image represented by the image data of the succeeding page of the two front and rear pages is formed on the photosensitive drum 101, transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and the first transfer belt 107. The toner image of the image represented by the image data of the preceding page of the two pages is formed on the photosensitive drum 101 and transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and transferred to the first transfer belt 113. The toner images 107 and the second transfer belt are simultaneously transferred to the front and back surfaces of the paper. When back side printing is designated, a toner image of the image represented by the image data is formed on the photosensitive drum 101, transferred to the first transfer belt 107, and transferred from the first transfer belt 107 to the back side (lower side) of the paper. .

  The description will be returned immediately after the “front and back side reading” (6). The original reading in the input state is the “front side” reading mode, but when the blank sheet detection result of the ACS 5f and ACS 5r is a blank page on the front side and the back side is not blank page, that is, the single side (front side) reading mode is designated. When the reading designated surface is blank and the back surface is an image, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 11A is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79 (8-23-24). The warning message screen 79c includes a “use” key, a “skip” key, and a “cancel” key, in addition to a message notifying that a single-sided document has a front / back setting error. When the user touches the “use” key, the image data to be output is switched from the front side to the back side (25, 26), and the above-described image data output (10-13, 16-19) is referred to whether or not AE processing is specified. (26-10). That is, back side image reading data is output. When the user touches the “skip” key, the process proceeds to reading the next original (27-14), and the current read image is not output. When the user touches the “Cancel” key, the current read image is not output, and the display returns to the display and input reading of the condition setting screen at the beginning of document reading (28-1).

  Although the original reading in the input state is the “front side” reading mode, when the blank sheet detection result of the ACS 5f and the ACS 5r is blank on the front side and the back side is also blank, that is, the single side (front side) reading mode is designated. When both the front and back sides are blank, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 11B is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 79 (8-23-29 in FIG. 8). This warning message screen 79c includes “blank paper insertion”, “skip” and “cancel” keys in addition to a message notifying the manuscript error. When the user touches the “Blank Insert” key, surface image data (blank data) is output (30-13). When the “skip” key is touched, the process proceeds to reading the next original (31-14), and the current read image is not output. When the user touches the “Cancel” key, the current read image is not output, and the display returns to the display and input reading of the condition setting screen at the beginning of document reading (32-1).

  The processing when the input document reading is in the “back side” reading mode, that is, one side (back side) is steps 33 to 35 and 36 to 48 shown in FIG. -9, 20-32), the above description is replaced with the front surface as the back surface and the back surface as the front surface. In this case, when both the front and back surfaces are not blank, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 11C is displayed. When the back surface is blank and the front surface is not blank, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 11D is displayed. When both the back and front sides are blank, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 12 (a) is displayed.

  In the case of double-sided scanning, referring to FIG. 9, the blank detection results of ACS 5f and ACS 5r are referred to. Since the document surface placement matches, the front and back image data are output (49, 50-10).

  If the duplex scanning mode is specified, but the front side is blank and the back side is not blank, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 12B is displayed (49-51-52). This warning message screen 79c includes a “Continue” key and a “Cancel” key in addition to a message for notifying a double-side reading mode setting error for a single-sided document. Both are input keys by user touch. When the user touches the “Continue” key, the process proceeds to the above-described image data output (10-13, 16-19) that refers to the presence / absence of AE processing designation (53-10). That is, the image reading data of the front and back surfaces are output (53-10 to 13). When the user touches the “Cancel” key, the display returns to the display and input reading of the condition setting screen at the beginning of document reading (54-1). In this case, the read image data is discarded and not output.

  Although the duplex scanning mode is designated, when both the front and back sides are blank, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 12C is displayed (49-51-55). The warning message screen 79c includes “blank paper insertion”, “skip”, and “cancel” keys in addition to a message notifying the manuscript error. When the user touches the “Blank Insert” key, the front and back image data (blank data) is output (56-13). When the “skip” key is touched, the process proceeds to reading the next original (57-14), and the current read image is not output. When the user touches the “Cancel” key, the current read image is not output, and the display returns to the display and input reading of the condition setting screen at the beginning of document reading (58-1).

  Although the duplex scanning mode is specified, when the front side is not blank and the back side is blank, a warning message screen 79c shown in FIG. 12D is displayed (49-50-59). This warning message screen 79c includes a “Continue” key and a “Cancel” key in addition to a message for notifying a double-side reading mode setting error for a single-sided document. When the user touches the “Continue” key, the process proceeds to the above-described image data output (10-13, 16-19) which refers to the presence / absence of AE processing designation (60-10). That is, image reading data for the front and back surfaces are output (60-10 to 13). When the user touches the “Cancel” key, the display returns to the display of the condition setting screen at the beginning of document reading and the input reading (61-1). In this case, the read image data is discarded and not output.

  The above is the description of the image processing control when the “copy” mode is designated. In the case of transferring to a PC, storing in the HDD 271 or reading a document for registration or facsimile transmission, the above-described document reading and storage in the local memory 276 and HDD 271 are executed in the same manner. However, “print stored data” in step 15 is not executed. Instead, transmission to the PC, storage or registration in the HDD 271, or facsimile transmission is performed.

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

Explanation of symbols

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

Claims (6)

Surface reading means for reading the image of the surface of the document and generating image data representing the image;
Back side reading means for reading an image on the back side of the document and generating image data representing the image;
Input means for selectively specifying single-sided scanning and double-sided scanning;
Surface blank sheet detecting means for detecting whether the image data generated by the surface reading means represents a blank sheet;
Backside blank sheet detecting means for detecting whether the image data generated by the backside reading means represents blank paper; and
Even when the single-sided scanning is designated, the front side and back side reading means read the front and back images of the document, and the front side blank sheet detecting unit does not detect that the read front side image data is blank and the back side. Control means for notifying a message indicating a single-sided reading mode setting error for a double-sided document when the back-side blank sheet detecting means does not detect blank for image data;
An image reading apparatus comprising:   2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: means for allowing a user to input one of a plurality of options including continuation and cancellation in response to a message indicating a single-sided reading mode setting error of the double-sided document. Image reading device.   The control means sets the front and back sides of a single-sided document when the front blank sheet detection means detects blank paper for the read front image data and the back blank paper detection means does not detect blank paper for the back image data. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a message indicating a mistake is notified.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising means for a user to input one of a plurality of options including use and cancellation of a back image in response to the message.   When the two-sided scanning is designated and the one of the front side blank sheet detecting unit and the back side blank page detecting unit detects a blank page, the control unit reports a message indicating that the single-sided original is in a duplex scanning mode setting error. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 5;
A printer that forms an image represented by the image data on paper; and
Image data processing means for converting image data generated by the image reading device into image data suitable for the printer;
An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images