JP2007206624A - Image processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of shortening a time required for a user to start an input operation, and also, capable of preventing such a failure that a processing using an original size is performed based on an incorrect original size. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus includes: an input part 6; and a scanner 1 with a carriage 14. The apparatus also includes a control part 3 that controls the input part 6 to validate the input of instruction information instructing to perform the processing using an original size when the carriage 14 lies in an initial position when a power source is turned on, on the other hand, in the case the carriage 14 does not lie in the initial position, to invalidate the input of the instruction information instructing to perform the processing using the original size, and to validate the input of the instruction information after returning the carriage 14 to the initial position. Consequently, when the carriage 14 lies in the initial position, the input operation starting time is shortened. When the carriage 14 does not lie in the initial position, after returning the carriage 14 to the initial position, the input of the instruction information is received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and in particular, an image for detecting the size of a document set on a document setting table by moving a carriage and performing the above processing based on information instructing processing using the document size. The present invention relates to a processing apparatus.

  For example, in an apparatus such as a stencil printing apparatus provided with a scanner for reading an image, as shown in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-178083 (Patent Document 1), when the apparatus is turned on, first, After initialization of the control unit, various optional connections are confirmed, and each unit that constitutes the stencil printing device such as the scanner and plate making unit is initialized. Since the input can be performed by the input unit that performs the operation, the time from when the power is turned on until the user performs operations such as plate making and printing, that is, the time until the input operation can be started (hereinafter referred to as “input”). There is a problem that it takes a long time for "operation start time").

In view of this, a method has been devised in which the input operation start time is shortened by initializing each unit after power-on and simultaneously enabling input by the input unit.
JP 2005-178083 A

  Here, when processing using the document size is performed, it is necessary to detect the document size. However, when detecting the size of the document set on the scanner, there is a method of using a carriage provided in the scanner. . The document size is detected by moving the carriage from a predetermined initial position. When information instructing processing using the document size is input to the input unit, the document size detected based on the instructed information is used to execute processing using the document size.

  However, if the instruction information is input to the control unit when the carriage is not in the initial position when the apparatus is turned on due to a power down or the like at the time of abnormality, the original will be moved even if the carriage moves after that. In some cases, the size cannot be accurately detected, and thereafter, processing using the document size may be executed based on the document size that is not accurate. In order to prevent such a situation, it can be considered that instruction information for instructing processing using the document size is not input to the control unit when the carriage is not in the initial position when the power is turned on.

  As described above, conventionally, when the carriage is not in the initial position, the instruction information is not input to the control unit, thereby preventing a situation in which processing using the document size is executed based on an incorrect document size. The development of an image processing apparatus that can be used has been desired.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and shortens the input operation start time by the user and performs processing using the document size based on an incorrect document size. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus capable of preventing the occurrence of a problem.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus including a scanner that detects a document size of a document set on a document setting table by moving a carriage from an initial position in the vicinity of the document setting table. The carriage position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage, the input means for inputting instruction information for instructing processing using the document size, and the scanner based on the instruction information input by the input means. Control means for performing document size detection processing and executing processing for using the document size based on the detected document size, and the control means is configured to detect the carriage position when the image processing apparatus is powered on. It is determined whether the position of the carriage detected by the detecting means is at the initial position, and the carriage position is determined as the initial position. In some cases, prior to execution of initialization processing of each unit constituting the image processing apparatus, input by the input unit is validated. When the carriage position is not in the initial position, initialization of each unit is performed. Execution of processing is performed with priority, and input by the input means is invalidated until it is determined that the carriage position is at the initial position.

  In the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when it is determined that the scanner carriage is in the initial position when the power is turned on, input of instruction information for instructing processing using the document size becomes valid, and Since the initialization is started, it is possible to shorten the input operation start time from when the power is turned on until the operation can be started, and the user does not wait for a long time.

  When it is determined that the carriage is not in the initial position, initialization of each unit is started, and until it is determined that the scanner carriage is in the initial position, that is, an accurate document size can be detected. Until the input of the instruction information for instructing the process using the document size is invalidated, it is possible to prevent the process using the document size from being executed based on the incorrect document size.

  Further, the invalidation of the input of the instruction information as described above (for example, invalidation of the input operation by the user) does not give the user a misunderstanding whether the input information is valid or invalid, and the instruction information There is no confusion regarding the input operation.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a stencil printing apparatus 11 having an image processing apparatus function according to an embodiment of the present invention. The stencil printing device 11 includes a scanner 1, an image processing unit 2, a control unit (CPU) 3 that performs overall control of the stencil printing device 11, a RAM 4 as a work area used for processing by the control unit 3, and a stencil printing device. A ROM 5 for storing a control program for the printing apparatus 11 is provided. In the present invention, the control unit 3, the RAM 4, and the ROM 5 are collectively referred to as a control system.

  Further, the stencil printing apparatus 11 includes an input unit 6 for inputting various instructions based on a user input operation, a display unit (not shown) for displaying various information in the stencil printing apparatus 11, and a plate making unit 7. , A paper feed unit 8, a paper discharge unit 9, and a printing unit 10.

  2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the scanner 1. FIG. 2A shows the case where the carriage 14 is in the initial position, and FIG. 2B shows the case where the carriage 14 does not exist in the initial position. Is shown. As shown in the figure, the scanner 1 includes an optical system (not shown) for reading the document 12, a butting plate 17, a carriage 14, and carriage position detection means (not shown), and is placed on the document setting table 13. The image data of the original 12 thus read is read. Further, a document size sensor 15 that automatically reads the document size placed on the document setting table 13 is provided. Further, the carriage position detecting means can detect whether or not the carriage 14 is in the initial position when the power of the stencil printing apparatus 11 is turned on.

  The carriage 14 is configured to be able to move the document size of the document 12 set on the document setting table 13 from an initial position in the vicinity of the document setting table 13. An example of the specific configuration of the scanner 1 is as follows. In the scanner 1, an abutting plate 17 for abutting the end of the document 12 on the document setting table 13 is disposed. The initial position (home position position) of the carriage 14 is provided, for example, below the document setting table 13 (for example, a light transmitting one) and below the abutting plate 17 (for example, FIG. 2 (a) position). In the scanner 1, the carriage 14 can move under the document setting table 13. Further, in the scanner 1, a plurality of document size sensors 15 that emit light and receive reflected light are arranged along the moving direction of the carriage 14 below a region where the carriage 14 can move. .

  The operation for detecting the document size by moving the carriage 14 is as follows. After the document is set on the document setting table 13, instruction information for instructing processing using the document size, such as automatic tray selection processing and automatic magnification selection processing, is input by the input unit 6 by user operation. Then, the control unit 3 causes the scanner 1 to perform document size detection processing. The document size detected by this detection process is used to execute a process using the document size by the control unit 3. Note that the control unit 3 causes the scanner 1 to periodically perform document size detection processing. However, as a result of the detection processing performed based on the instruction information, the detected document size becomes the document size. Used to execute the processing to be used. When the instruction information is input, the control unit 3 operates the document size sensor 15 to emit light at this input time. When the light emitted from the document size sensor 15 is reflected and received by the document 12, the document size sensor 15 transmits an ON signal indicating that there is a document to the control unit 3. On the other hand, when the light emitted from the document size sensor 15 is not received, the document size sensor 15 transmits an OFF signal indicating that there is no document. Then, the control unit 3 causes the carriage 14 to perform a moving operation, and the carriage 14 moves in the vertical and horizontal directions of the document, thereby transmitting the combination information of the document size sensor 15 that is transmitting the ON signal and the OFF signal. The combination information of the original document size sensor 15 is detected and sent to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 determines the size of the document based on the transmitted combination information.

  Here, for example, when the instruction information for instructing the process of using the document size is input by the input unit 6 by the operation of the user, the carriage 14 is not in the initial position as shown in FIG. When it is in a position that does not face the document 12, light from the document size sensor 15 that does not face the document 12 is reflected by the carriage 14, received by the document size sensor 15, and an off signal should be transmitted. However, there is a case where the ON signal is transmitted and the document size determined by the subsequent movement of the carriage 14 is incorrect. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the carriage 14 is not present at the initial position, even if instruction information for instructing processing using the document size is input to the input unit 6 by an operation by the user, the control unit 3 does not input the instruction information. Is disabled.

  The carriage position detection means includes carriage position detection sensors arranged at a plurality of positions in an area where the carriage 14 can move, including the initial position, and the carriage position detection sensor that detects that the carriage 14 is present. A detection signal is sent to the control unit 3. Thus, the control unit 3 can recognize the position of the carriage from the position of the carriage position detection sensor that has sent the detection signal.

  The image processing unit 2 performs various image processing such as binarization processing on the image data read by the scanner 1 to generate plate making data for making a stencil sheet.

  The control unit 3 controls each unit of the stencil printing apparatus 11 based on a control program stored in the ROM 5. Further, when the power of the stencil printing apparatus 11 is turned on, the initialization process of each unit such as the scanner 1 and the plate making unit 7 constituting the stencil printing apparatus 11, the option connection confirmation process, and the scanner are performed according to the procedure described later. An input valid / invalid control process by the input unit 6 corresponding to the carriage position of 1 is performed. Further, based on the document size detected by the scanner 1, the control unit 3 executes processing using the document size such as automatic tray selection and automatic magnification change.

  The input unit 6 includes an operation panel (not shown) that can be input by the user, and inputs various kinds of information by the input operation by the user.

  The plate making unit 7 performs a process for making a stencil sheet based on the plate making data image-processed by the image processing unit 2. The printing unit 10 includes a printing drum (not shown). The stencil sheet made by the plate making unit 7 is attached to the printing drum, and printing is performed on the printing paper fed from the paper feeding unit 8.

  The paper supply unit 8 supplies printing paper to the printing unit 10, and the paper discharge unit 9 discharges the printing paper printed by the printing unit 10.

  Next, the processing operation of the stencil printing apparatus 11 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  When the power is turned on, in step S1, the control unit 3 initializes the control system, such as clearing the RAM.

  In step S2, the control unit 3 confirms option connection. For example, various options such as a sorter (not shown) and a collator (not shown) connected to the stencil printing apparatus 11 are confirmed.

  In step S3, the control unit 3 determines whether or not the position of the carriage 14 of the scanner 1 is in the initial position. This is based on the signal detected by the carriage position detecting means of the scanner 1 and the control unit 3 determines whether or not the carriage 14 is in the initial position. If the carriage 14 is in the initial position, the process proceeds to step S4. If the carriage 14 is not in the initial position, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S4, the control unit 3 validates the input by the input unit 6 (specifically, operation of the operation panel is validated), and in step S5, initialization of each unit constituting the stencil printing apparatus 11 is performed. I do. Therefore, when it is determined that the position of the carriage 14 of the scanner 1 is in the initial position, the input operation start time from when the input unit 6 becomes valid and when the input by the input unit 6 becomes valid after the power is turned on. Is shortened.

  On the other hand, in step S <b> 6, the control unit 3 performs processing for invalidating input of instruction information for instructing processing using the document size by the input unit 6. That is, even when the user inputs from the input unit 6, this input is not sent to the control unit 3.

  In step S <b> 7, the control unit 3 initializes each unit constituting the stencil printing apparatus 11. As a result, the scanner 1 performs initialization from the operation of returning the carriage 14 to the initial position, and in step S8, the control unit 3 monitors the detection signal detected by the carriage detection means, and the carriage 14 returns to the initial position ( In step S9, the control unit 3 validates the input by the input unit 6. That is, the control unit 3 validates the input of the input unit 6 after confirming that the carriage 14 is in the initial position.

  In this way, the image processing apparatus (stencil printing apparatus 11) according to the present embodiment determines whether or not the carriage position of the scanner 1 is in the initial position when the power is turned on, and when the carriage 14 is in the initial position. Since the initialization of each unit is executed after the input by the input unit 6 is validated, the input operation start time can be shortened. As a result, when the power of the apparatus is normally turned off and then turned on, the user does not wait for a long time after turning on the power. Input can be made.

  Further, for example, when the carriage 14 is not in the initial position as in the case where the power is turned on after the power is turned off when the apparatus is abnormal, first, the units including the scanner 1 are initialized, and the carriage of the scanner 1 is initialized. After confirming that 14 is in the initial position, the input by the input unit 6 is validated. Accordingly, when the scanner 1 cannot accurately detect the document size, the input by the input unit 6 (input means) is invalidated.

  That is, when it is determined that the carriage is not in the initial position, initialization of each unit is started, and until it is determined that the carriage of the scanner is in the initial position, that is, an accurate document size can be detected. Until then, input of instruction information for instructing processing using the document size such as automatic tray selection and automatic magnification change is invalidated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a process using the document size from being executed based on an inaccurate document size.

  Furthermore, the invalidation of the input of the instruction information as described above (for example, the invalidation of the input operation by the user) does not give the user a misunderstanding whether the input information is valid or invalid, and the instruction information It is possible to avoid giving the user confusion regarding the input operation.

  Further, as a modification of the present embodiment, when the input by the input unit 6 is invalidated in step S6, information indicating invalidity of the input operation of the instruction information for instructing the processing using the document size is displayed on the display panel. On the other hand, when the input by the input unit 6 is validated in steps S4 and S9, the instruction information input operation for instructing the process using the document size is valid. It is also possible to display on the display section to the effect. By adopting such a configuration, the user does not have to perform a wasteful input operation for the instruction information.

  Further, as a modification of the above-described modification, when the input unit 6 invalidates the input in step S6, the scanner 1 detects the position of the carriage 14 and the path from the carriage position to the home position, The distance to return to the position position and the speed of the carriage 14 are sent to the control unit 3. Then, during the invalidation of the input of the instruction information by the input unit 6, the control unit 3 calculates the time taken from the input invalidation state to the input validation state based on the transmitted information, A display for counting down the time until the input validation state is entered may be displayed on the display unit together with the invalidation of the input operation of the instruction information instructing the processing using the document size. By adopting such a configuration, the user can know when the invalidation of the input operation of the instruction information is valid, and therefore does not give an extra worry about how long it is invalid.

  The image processing apparatus of the present invention has been described based on the illustrated embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the configuration of each unit is replaced with an arbitrary configuration having the same function. Can do.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the stencil printing apparatus provided with the image processing function is described as an example of the image processing apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the document size detection function of the scanner is described. The present invention can be applied to various image processing apparatuses that use.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a stencil printing apparatus as an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining the configuration and operation of the scanner of the stencil printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, in which FIG. 1A shows a case where the carriage is in the initial position, and FIG. . 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of initialization processing when the stencil printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is turned on.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Scanner 2 Image processing part 3 Control part (CPU)
4 RAM
5 ROM
6 Input unit 7 Plate making unit 8 Paper feed unit 9 Paper discharge unit 10 Printing unit 11 Stencil printing device 12 Document 13 Document set stand 14 Carriage 15 Document size sensor 17 Abutting plate

Claims (1)

An image processing apparatus including a scanner that detects a document size of a document set on a document setting table by moving a carriage from an initial position in the vicinity of the document setting table,
Carriage position detecting means for detecting the position of the carriage;
Input means for inputting instruction information for instructing processing using the document size;
Control means for causing the scanner to perform document size detection processing based on the instruction information input by the input unit, and executing processing using the document size based on the detected document size;
The control means includes
When the power of the image processing apparatus is turned on, it is determined whether or not the carriage position detected by the carriage position detecting means is in the initial position. If the carriage position is in the initial position, the image processing apparatus Prior to execution of the initialization process of each unit constituting the unit, the input by the input means is validated, and when the carriage position is not in the initial position, the initialization process of each unit is prioritized. An image processing apparatus that invalidates input by the input means until it is determined that the carriage position is at the initial position.

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