JP2008085732A - Image scanner and image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform an original read operation so as to surely detect a specified image while preventing the handleability of a user from being damaged. <P>SOLUTION: When an original is mounted on an original platen, whether a processing limiting function for detecting the specified image is valid or invalid is confirmed. When it is valid, the opening/closing of an original cover is confirmed. When the original cover is in a closed state, the image of the original is scanned. When the specified image is detected from the scanned image, processing to be executed is inhibited. When the original cover is in an open state, scanning is inhibited. When the original cover is turned to the open state during scanning, scanning is stopped. When the processing limiting function is invalid, the image of the original is scanned regardless of the opening/closing of the original cover. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document for an image processing apparatus that performs processing such as copying, facsimile communication, and data transmission.

  In the image processing apparatus, processing for inputting image data and outputting it by copying, facsimile communication, and data communication is executed. When the specific image is included in the image data, processing to be executed is limited. Thereby, illegal use of the input image data can be prevented.

  Here, the image reading device reads an image of a document placed on a document table and inputs image data. The document table is provided with an openable / closable document cover, and the document is covered with the document cover. By the way, if a document is read while the document cover is open, the document may be lifted from the document table or light during reading may be transmitted through the document. The original is not focused and the image cannot be read normally. As a result, unclear image data or image data with show-through is input. In this case, the specific image cannot be detected or the specific image is erroneously detected. A function that restricts processing by a specific image cannot be exhibited, which is a security problem. In particular, in the case of a folded document, a thin document, and a double-sided document, the above phenomenon appears remarkably.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228561 describes that the reading operation is prohibited when the document cover is in an open state. The reading operation is performed only when the document cover is closed. Therefore, the above phenomenon cannot occur.
JP-A 63-307484

  For example, when a book or magazine is placed on a document table as a document that does not include a specific image, the document cover cannot be closed. In this case, the reading operation is not performed, which is unusable for the user. That is, if it is determined whether or not the reading operation is possible only by opening / closing the document cover, a situation in which the document cannot be read occurs.

  Therefore, in view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reliably reading a specific image while considering user convenience.

  The present invention provides a document table on which a document is placed, an openable / closable document cover that covers the document table, a cover open / close detection unit that detects opening / closing of the document cover, a reading unit that reads an image of a document, and an input from the reading unit A control unit that executes a processing restriction function that restricts processing of the image data according to the presence or absence of a specific image in the image data that has been processed, and the control unit is in a closed state when the processing restriction function is valid If the document cover is open, the reading operation of the reading unit is permitted, and if the document cover is in an open state, the reading unit is prohibited from being read, and when the processing restriction function is disabled, the reading unit Allow reading operation.

  When the processing restriction function is effective, a specific image must be detected with certainty. For this reason, the document cover needs to be closed when reading the document placed on the document table. At this time, a document image reading operation is performed. When the document cover is open, no reading operation is performed.

  If the processing restriction function is disabled, an original image reading operation is performed even when the original cover is open. Therefore, even a thick original such as a book is not prohibited from being read, and does not inconvenience the user.

  When the open state of the document cover is detected during the reading operation of the reading unit, the control unit stops the reading operation. Since the processing restriction function is effective, if the document cover is opened during the reading operation, the image cannot be read accurately, and the detection accuracy of the specific image is lowered. Therefore, when it is detected that the document cover is opened, the reading operation is stopped, and erroneous detection of the specific image can be prevented.

  The cover open / close detection unit detects that the document cover is open when the reading unit reads a continuous black image. Thereby, it is possible to detect opening and closing of the document cover while reading the image of the document. If the document cover is closed, the process can proceed to the next process as it is, and the processing efficiency is improved.

  When the processing restriction function is valid, the control unit stops the reading operation of the reading unit when there is a specific image in the image data. Then, the processing by the processing unit that processes the input image data is stopped. The input image data is stored in the storage unit. When there is a specific image in the image data, the control unit invalidates the stored image data. As described above, since the specific image can be accurately detected, the processing restriction function is executed, and the processing on the image data can be surely restricted.

  According to the present invention, when it is necessary to detect a specific image, the document cover is closed so that an image of the document can be read. Therefore, the accuracy of detecting a specific image can be improved even for a document that is difficult to read, such as a folded document, a thin document, and a double-sided document. When there is no need to detect a specific image, an original image reading operation is performed regardless of whether the original cover is opened or closed. Therefore, there is no inconvenience for the user, and convenience is not impaired.

  An image processing apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus of this embodiment is shown in FIG. The image processing apparatus is a multifunction machine that executes a copy mode, a print mode, a scanner mode, and a facsimile mode. The image processing apparatus 2 reads an original and inputs image data into a cabinet 1 and processes the image data. The image forming unit 3 for printing, the storage unit 4 for storing the image data, the communication unit 5 for communicating with the external device, the operation panel 6 for input operation, and the processing unit are controlled, and the image according to the mode And a control unit 7 that executes data processing. The processing unit performs processing to output input image data, and includes the image forming unit 3, the storage unit 4, and the communication unit 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image reading unit 2 includes a scanner unit 10 that is disposed above the cabinet 1 and that reads a document image, and an automatic document transport unit 11. The automatic document transport unit 11 is provided above the scanner unit 10 and automatically transports the document to the scanner unit 10.

  A document table 12 made of platen glass is provided on the upper surface of the cabinet 1, and a document cover 13 that covers the document table 12 is provided. The automatic document feeder 11 is integrally mounted on the document cover 13. The document cover 13 can be freely opened and closed. When the document cover 13 is in a closed state, the document is conveyed by the automatic document conveyance unit 11. When the document cover 13 is open, the document can be placed on the document table 12.

  Opening / closing of the document cover 13 is detected by a cover open / close detector 14. The cover open / close detector 14 includes a micro switch and an optical sensor, and is turned on / off according to the opening / closing of the document cover 13. A document size detection sensor for detecting the size of the document placed on the document table 12 is also provided.

  When a document is set on the document set tray 15 of the automatic document feeder 11, the document detection sensor 16 detects that the document has been set. Then, on the operation panel 6, copy conditions such as the size of the sheet to be printed and the scaling ratio are input. Thereafter, reading of the image of the document is started by an input operation of the start key.

  In the automatic document feeder 11, each document on the document set tray 15 is pulled out one by one by the pickup roller 17. The document passes through between the separating plate 18 and the transport roller 19 and is sent to the document table 12. The document is transported in the sub-scanning direction on the document table 12 and discharged to the document discharge tray 20. The document discharge tray 20 is provided with a document discharge sensor to detect the presence or absence of a document on the document discharge tray 20.

  The scanner unit 10 includes a first reading unit 21 and a second reading unit 22. A reading area is formed on one side of the document table 12 and passes through the reading area when the document is conveyed on the document table 12. Below the reading area, the first scanning unit 23 of the first reading unit 21 is positioned, and the surface (lower side) of the document is read.

  When the document is transported to the document table 12 by the automatic document transport unit 11, the first scanning unit 23 is moved to the reading position and positioned, and the second scanning unit 24 is also positioned at a predetermined position. The surface of the document is irradiated from below the document table 12 by the exposure lamp of the first scanning unit 23. Reflected light from the document is guided to the imaging lens 25 by the respective reflection mirrors of the first and second scanning units 23 and 24. The reflected light of the document is condensed on the CCD 26 by the imaging lens 25. An image on the surface of the document is formed on the CCD 26. As a result, the image on the surface of the conveyed document is read.

  Further, the second reading unit 22 reads the back surface (upper side surface) of the document. The second reading unit 22 is disposed above the document table 12 and has an LED that irradiates the back side of the document, an exposure lamp array having a fluorescent lamp, a self-focal lens array that collects reflected light of the document for each pixel, and a cell. A contact image sensor (CIS) that photoelectrically converts reflected light from a document received through a fock lens array and outputs an analog image signal is provided. As a result, the image on the back side of the conveyed document is read.

  When a document is placed on the document table 12, the first reading unit 21 reads an image on the surface of the document. The first and second scanning units 23 and 24 move in the sub-scanning direction while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other. The document on the document table 12 is exposed by the first scanning unit 23, and reflected light from the document is guided to the imaging lens 25 by the first and second scanning units 23 and 24. An image of the original is formed on the CCD 26 by the imaging lens 25.

  When the image on one or both sides of the document is read in this way, the image data on one or both sides of the document is input to the control unit 7. The control unit 7 includes an image data processing unit, and the image data processing unit performs various types of image processing on the image data. This image data is output to the image forming unit 3.

  The image forming unit 3 prints a color image or a monochrome image on the sheet based on the input image data. The image forming unit 3 includes a laser scanning unit 30, four image stations 31, an intermediate transfer belt unit 32, a fixing device 33, and a conveying device 34.

  Each image station 31 forms a color image corresponding to each color of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Each image station 31 includes a photosensitive drum 35, a developing device 36, a charging device 37, a cleaning device 38, and a charge eliminating device (not shown).

  The photosensitive drum 35 is rotationally driven in one direction, the cleaning device 38 cleans the residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35, and the neutralization device neutralizes the surface of the photosensitive drum 35. The charging device 37 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 35.

  The laser scanning unit 30 modulates laser light based on image data input from an image reading unit or the like, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 in the main scanning direction with this laser light, thereby generating an electrostatic latent image. It is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35. The developing device 36 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35.

  The intermediate transfer belt unit 32 includes an intermediate transfer belt 40, an intermediate transfer roller 41, a transfer belt cleaning device 42, and a tension mechanism 43. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is disposed above each photosensitive drum 35, is wound around the driving roller 44 and the driven roller 45, and rotates in the direction of arrow B.

  The intermediate transfer roller 41 is disposed to face the photosensitive drum 35 with the intermediate transfer belt 40 interposed therebetween, and a transfer bias voltage is applied thereto. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 35 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 40 by applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner by the intermediate transfer roller 41. The toner images of the respective colors are laminated on the intermediate transfer belt 40, and a combined multi-color toner image is formed.

  The transfer roller 41 is disposed in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 40, and a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the toner is applied. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 40 is transferred onto the sheet conveyed between the transfer roller 46 and the intermediate transfer belt 40 by the transfer roller 46. The toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 40 is removed by the transfer belt cleaning device 42.

  The toner image transferred to the sheet is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 33 and fixed on the sheet, and an image is formed on the sheet. The sheet on which the image is printed in this manner is discharged to a discharge tray 50 provided at the top of the cabinet 1.

  The transport device 34 transports the sheet from the sheet cassette 51 or the manual feed tray 52 along the transport path 53. The conveyance path 53 passes between the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the transfer roller 46, passes through the fixing device 33, and reaches the discharge tray 50.

  The transport device 34 includes a pickup roller 54, a transport roller 55, a registration roller 56, and a discharge roller 57. The sheets in the sheet cassette 51 or the manual feed tray 52 are sent one by one to the transport path 53, transported through the transport path 53, and discharged to the discharge tray 50. An image is printed on the sheet during conveyance of the sheet. In addition, a switchback conveyance path 58 is provided for duplex printing. The sheet after fixing passes through the switchback conveyance path 58 by the conveyance roller 55 and is conveyed between the intermediate transfer belt 40 and the transfer roller 46. The sheet printed on both sides passes through the fixing device 33 and is discharged to the discharge tray 50.

  The operation panel 6 is provided in the scanner unit 10 and includes an operation unit 60 and a display unit 61. The operation unit 60 includes various operation keys. The display unit 61 includes a liquid crystal display and is a touch panel. Touch keys are formed in the operation screen displayed on the display unit 61, and these also function as operation keys.

  The communication unit 5 includes a communication interface, and the communication interface is connected to a network such as a LAN or a WAN. A plurality of external devices are connected to the network. The external device is another image processing device, an information processing device such as a personal computer, or a server. The network is connected to the Internet from a router through a communication line such as a telephone line or an optical fiber. The communication unit 5 can communicate with an external device through a network using a predetermined communication protocol. The image processing apparatuses can also communicate with each other. Communication within the network may be wired or wireless. An image processing system is formed by these image processing devices and external devices.

  The communication unit 5 includes a modem device. A telephone line is connected to the modem device. The image processing apparatus can perform facsimile communication. The image processing apparatus can also perform data communication by Internet facsimile through a network. Furthermore, the communication unit 5 includes a communication terminal and a communication card for wireless communication. A storage medium such as a USB memory or an IC card is connected to the communication terminal, and the communication unit 5 transmits / receives data to / from the storage medium. In addition, data is transmitted and received by wireless communication with a communication terminal such as a mobile phone or PDA through a communication card.

  The storage unit 4 includes a hard disk device. The storage unit 4 stores image data input from the image reading unit 2 or image data input from the communication unit 5. The input image data is temporarily stored in an image memory such as a DRAM, subjected to image processing and encryption processing, and then transferred from the image memory to the storage unit 4. Further, when image data is read from the storage unit 4, the image data is subjected to image processing and decoding processing and stored in an image memory. Thereafter, the image data is output to the outside by printing, data transmission, and facsimile communication according to the processing to be executed.

  The storage unit 4 includes a management table 62, and information necessary for operating the image processing apparatus such as control information, setting information, and user authentication information of the image processing apparatus is stored in the management table 62. When these pieces of information are created and changed, the information in the management table 62 is updated. The management table 62 may be provided in a non-volatile memory different from the storage unit 4.

  The control unit 7 includes a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU reads a control program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executes the control program. Each unit operates according to the control program. When image data is input, one of the print mode, copy mode, scanner mode, and facsimile mode is selected based on the processing conditions included in the input information from the operation unit 60 and the header information of the image data input from the external device. Mode is executed. In addition, the control program includes a browser and mail software, and the control unit 7 performs data communication with an external device or transmits / receives e-mails using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP protocol.

  The control unit 7 temporarily stores the input image data in the storage unit 4 when performing each mode. Further, the control unit 7 executes a filing mode in which the input image data is stored in the storage unit 4 and managed. The stored image data is re-output according to the instructed process.

  The output image data is erased from the storage unit 4 according to an instruction from the control unit 7. At the time of this erasure, the image data is invalidated so that it cannot be restored by overwriting the image data with random data. A security kit is mounted on the image processing apparatus in order to perform the invalidation process, and further the encryption process and the decryption process. By operating the security kit according to an instruction from the control unit 7, unauthorized use of image data can be prevented.

  Here, in order to prevent the confidential document from being illegally copied or transmitted by facsimile, a specific image is added to the document. The specific image is, for example, a character image such as “copy prohibited” or “confidential”, an image of a predetermined pattern, or an image combining a character and a pattern. The specific image represents restriction information corresponding to processing to be executed such as copy prohibition, print image quality deterioration, data transmission or facsimile communication prohibition, and filing prohibition.

  The control unit 7 generates image data obtained by combining the specific images, and performs printing based on the image data. As a result, a document including the specific image is formed. The specific image is difficult for humans to visually recognize. However, the specific image can be read by the image reading unit 2.

  Therefore, a determination unit 63 is provided for determining whether the input image data includes a specific image. The image data is not limited to those input from the image reading unit 2 but is input from an external device, a storage medium, or a communication terminal through the communication unit 5.

  The operation of the determination unit 63 is controlled by the control unit 7 and searches for the specific image by pattern matching between the input image data and the image data corresponding to the specific image. Image data corresponding to the specific image is registered in advance and stored in the management table 62.

  The control unit 7 restricts processing to be executed when the specific image is included in the input image data. That is, the control unit 7 instructs copy prohibition in the copy mode, and instructs transmission prohibition in the facsimile mode or the scanner mode. In the filing mode, the storage unit 4 is instructed to prohibit image data from being saved.

  As described above, the control unit 7 executes a processing restriction function that restricts processing according to the presence or absence of a specific image in the image data. The processing restriction function can be enabled or disabled. When it is valid, a specific image is detected and processing is limited. When it is invalid, the specific image is not detected. A specific user can make this enable / disable setting. The specific user is a user registered in advance. When the user inputs authentication information such as a password or biometric authentication information, the control unit 7 determines whether the user is a specific user based on the authentication information stored in the management table 62.

  Then, the specific user operates the operation keys on the operation panel 6 to set the processing restriction function. In this setting, switching between valid and invalid is performed. The set information is stored in the management table 62.

  By the way, when the document is placed on the document table 12, the document cover 13 needs to be closed in order to reliably detect the specific image. When the processing restriction function is valid, the control unit 7 allows the reading operation of the image reading unit 2 when the document cover 13 is in the closed state, and controls the image reading unit 2 when the document cover 13 is in the open state. Disable reading operation. When the processing restriction function is invalid, the control unit 7 allows the reading operation of the image reading unit 2 regardless of whether the document cover 13 is opened or closed.

  Next, an operation for reading a document placed on the document table 12 will be described with reference to FIG. The user places a document on the document table 12 and operates the operation keys to select a desired process. When the start key is operated, the control unit 7 checks whether the processing restriction function is valid or invalid. When it is confirmed that the processing restriction function is valid, the control unit 7 detects opening / closing of the document cover 13 based on a signal from the cover opening / closing detector 14. When the document cover 13 is in the closed state, the control unit 7 causes the image reading unit 2 to start a reading operation.

  When the document cover 13 is in the open state, the control unit 7 prohibits the operation of the image reading unit 2. That is, even if the start key is operated, the input is not accepted. At this time, a warning sound is emitted to urge the user to close the document cover 13. Alternatively, a message for closing the document cover 13 is displayed on the display unit 61.

  When the user closes the document cover 13 and operates the start key again, the control unit 7 confirms that the document cover 13 is in the closed state. Then, the image reading unit 2 starts a reading operation.

  The image reading unit 2 reads an image of a document and inputs image data. During this reading operation, the control unit 7 confirms that the document cover 13 is closed. When it is detected that the document cover 13 is opened, the control unit 7 stops the operation of the image reading unit 2.

  When the image of the original is read, the determination unit 63 detects whether the input image data includes a specific image. When the specific image is not included, processing for the image data is performed. That is, processing for image data such as printing, facsimile communication, data transmission, and storage in the storage unit 4 is performed in accordance with a user instruction.

  When the specific image is included, the control unit 7 prohibits processing for the image data. And since the input image data is once memorize | stored in the memory | storage part 4, the control part 7 invalidates the image data containing a specific image.

  If the processing restriction function is invalid, the control unit 7 causes the image reading unit 2 to execute a reading operation regardless of whether the document cover 13 is opened or closed. Then, processing according to the user's instruction is performed without detecting the specific image.

  As described above, when the processing restriction function is enabled, the document image reading operation is performed only when the document cover 13 is closed. That is, the document is covered by the document cover 13 and is in close contact with the document table 12, and the image reading unit 2 can accurately read the image. Thereby, the detection accuracy of the specific image is improved, and the processing can be surely limited.

  If the processing restriction function is disabled, the image reading unit 2 can perform a reading operation even when the document cover 13 is open. Therefore, it is possible to read an image of a thick original such as a book, which does not inconvenience the user.

  The processing restriction function may be switched between valid and invalid by inputting a specific key code from an operation key. Even users who are not registered can switch. However, the key code is changed periodically or can be used only once like a one-time password to maintain the effect of the processing restriction function.

  Although a cover open / close detector 14 is provided to detect the opening / closing of the document cover 13, the opening / closing of the document cover 13 can be detected based on the image data input from the image reading unit 2. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the document table 12 is larger than the document, and even if a readable maximum size document is placed, the entire surface of the document table 12 is not covered with the document. In the figure, the white portion indicates the original, and the original table 12 with the mesh portion exposed.

  When the image reading unit 2 reads an image of the document while the document cover 13 is open, a black image is obtained because there is no reflected light in a portion where there is no document. Therefore, black image data is input. When the image data of the black image is continuously input, the control unit 7 determines that the document cover 13 is open.

  In this case, the image reading unit 2 performs a reading operation by operating the start key, but the open state of the document cover 13 is immediately detected. Then, the image reading unit 2 stops operating.

  Here, as the opening / closing detection of the document cover 13, the cover opening / closing detector 14 and the two detection means for reading the image may be used in combination. Thus, when the cover open / close detector 14 is erroneously detected to be closed due to the influence of foreign matter or the like even though the document cover 13 is in the open state, the document cover 13 is read by the image reading unit 2 by reading the image. The open state of can be detected. Therefore, the reading operation is performed when the document cover 13 is closed, and the detection accuracy of the specific image is improved.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Of course, many corrections and changes can be added to the said embodiment within the scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the image reading apparatus is integrated into the image processing apparatus. However, the present invention can be applied to a single image reading apparatus. In this case, the image reading apparatus includes a storage unit that stores input image data, and a communication unit that outputs the image data.

Control block diagram of image processing apparatus of the present invention The figure which shows the schematic whole structure of an image processing apparatus Flowchart when reading a document placed on the platen The figure which shows the state when the original is placed on the original table

Explanation of symbols

2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Storage unit 5 Communication unit 6 Operation panel 7 Control unit 12 Document table 13 Document cover 14 Cover open / close detector 63 Judgment unit

Claims (7)

A document table on which a document is placed, an openable / closable document cover that covers the document table, a cover open / close detection unit that detects opening / closing of the document cover, a reading unit that reads an image of a document, and image data input from the reading unit A control unit that executes a processing restriction function that restricts the processing of image data depending on the presence or absence of a specific image in the control unit. An image reading apparatus that allows a reading operation of the reading unit and permits the reading operation of the reading unit regardless of whether the document cover is opened or closed when the processing restriction function is disabled. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit prohibits the reading operation of the reading unit when the document cover is in an open state when the processing restriction function is valid. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the open state of the document cover is detected during the reading operation of the reading unit, the control unit stops the reading operation. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover open / close detection unit detects that the document cover is in an open state when the reading unit reads a continuous black image. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit stops the reading operation when there is a specific image in the image data. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a storage unit that stores the input image data, wherein the control unit invalidates the stored image data when a specific image is included in the image data. . 7. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, and a processing unit that processes input image data. When a specific image is detected in the input image data, processing by the processing unit is stopped. An image processing apparatus.

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