JP2008271135A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of quickly recording image data without rereading a document and without rerecording the image data. <P>SOLUTION: A multifunction device 1 equipped with a read unit 13 which reads the document to acquire the image data, first and second mount units 23a and 23b where recording media M are mounted detachably, and a recording unit 21 which sequentially records the image data acquired by the read unit 13 to the recording media M includes a capacity detecting means for detecting the capacity of a recording medium M, a capacity judgement means of judging the free capacity is larger than prescribed capacity on the basis of the detection result of the recording medium M, an interruption means for interrupting the acquisition and the recording of the image data when the capacity judgement means judges that the free capacity os less than the prescribed capacity during the acquisition and recording of the image data, and a restarting means for restarting the acquisition and the recording of image data when the capacity judgement means judges that the free capacity is larger than the prescribed capacity during the interruption of the acquisition and the recording of the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a function of recording image data obtained by reading a document on a portable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

A multifunction machine having a USB memory scanner function has been put into practical use. The multifunction device includes a USB port, and can sequentially record image data obtained by reading a document with a scanner in a USB storage attached to the USB port.
This type of multi-function peripheral is configured to completely stop reading a document and recording image data when there is no free space in the USB storage in the middle of reading the document.

According to the multi-function apparatus configured as described above, the scanner image data can be easily stored in the portable USB storage, and the image data can be easily taken into a personal computer not connected to the network.
Further, since the read image data is sequentially recorded, high-quality image data that cannot be stored in the temporary storage memory provided in the multifunction peripheral can be directly stored in the USB storage.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile apparatus configured to record received facsimile data on an IC memory card, and to record the facsimile data in a temporary data storage RAM when the IC memory card runs out of free space. Has been proposed. When there is no more free space in both the IC memory card and the RAM, an error code corresponding to running out of paper is sent to the facsimile machine on the transmission side.

Patent Document 2 proposes a digital camera in which a plurality of portable memory cards can be mounted, and image data obtained by imaging can be divided and recorded on each memory card. The digital camera detects and compares the data amount of image data obtained by imaging and the free capacity of each memory card, and appropriately divides and records the image data in each memory card according to the comparison result.
JP-A-8-228273 JP 2001-251495 A

  However, the conventional multi-function peripheral has a problem that it is necessary to read the original from the beginning again when the free space of the USB storage is exhausted during the image reading.

  Further, the facsimile apparatus according to Patent Document 1 is configured to transmit an error code and stop facsimile reception when there is no free space in the IC memory card. Therefore, the above-described problem cannot be solved. In order to record the facsimile data, it is necessary to discard the facsimile data being read, to secure a free space, and to retransmit the facsimile data from the beginning.

  The configuration of the digital camera according to Patent Document 2 is useful when recording acquired image data on a plurality of recording media, but when recording image data sequentially while reading with a scanner, the total capacity of the image data is specified. The above problem cannot be solved because it is not possible. Although it may be possible to store large-capacity image data in a temporary storage memory and detect and compare the capacities, it is necessary to provide a large-capacity temporary storage memory. There arises a problem that it takes a considerable time to acquire and record data.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and when the free space of the recording medium becomes less than a predetermined capacity during acquisition and recording of image data, the recording of the image data is interrupted and a free space of a predetermined capacity or more is interrupted. To provide an image reading apparatus capable of quickly recording image data without re-reading the document and recording the image data by configuring to resume the recording of the image data as soon as the capacity is secured. It is in.

  Another object of the present invention is to read an image that can record image data without error in a desired recording destination by accepting resumption of recording of image data and then resuming recording of image data. To provide an apparatus.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of mounting portions for mounting recording media, and interrupt recording of image data when the free space of one recording medium becomes less than a predetermined capacity during acquisition and recording of image data. When the other recording medium has a free space equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity, the recording of the image data to the other recording medium is resumed, so that the document reading and the image data recording are not performed again. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of quickly recording image data on a plurality of recording media.

  Another object of the present invention is to record image data on a desired recording medium and recording destination without error by configuring to resume image data recording upon accepting resumption of image data recording. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus that can be used.

  Another object of the present invention is to record image data recorded before and after recording interruption separately, and record combined data for reproducing image data of a document by combining the image data. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of recording image data so that image data of one original can be easily restored.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that can reliably record combined data by always leaving a free space equal to or greater than the amount of combined data for restoring image data of a document. It is to provide.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus for acquiring an image data by reading a document, a mounting unit on which a recording medium is detachably mounted, and the acquisition unit on the recording medium mounted on the mounting unit. In an image reading apparatus comprising a recording means for recording the acquired image data, a capacity detecting means for detecting the capacity of the recording medium attached to the attaching portion, and a free capacity based on a detection result of the capacity detecting means. Capacitance determination means for determining whether or not the capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity, and when image data is acquired and recorded, recording or acquisition of image data is interrupted when the capacity determination means determines that the capacity is less than the predetermined capacity And a start unit that starts recording or acquiring image data when the capacity determining unit determines that the capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity when recording or acquiring image data is interrupted. Characterized in that it comprises a.

In the first invention, the recording medium is detachably attached to the attachment portion. The recording unit records the image data acquired by reading the document by the acquiring unit on a recording medium mounted on the mounting unit. The capacity detecting means detects the capacity in order to determine whether or not the recording medium that is the recording destination of the image data has sufficient free capacity. When image data is acquired and recorded, the capacity determination unit determines whether or not the free capacity of the recording medium is equal to or larger than a predetermined capacity based on the detection result of the capacity detection unit. When it is determined that the free capacity of the recording medium is less than the predetermined capacity, the interrupting unit interrupts the recording of the image data, thereby preventing the image data from being leaked. When the recording unit determines that the free space of the recording medium is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity after the interruption of the recording of the image data, for example, when another recording medium having a free capacity is mounted on the mounting unit, the recording medium When unnecessary data is deleted, recording of image data is started.
Therefore, it is possible to record the image data read and acquired on the recording medium without omission.
Although the case where the recording of the image data is interrupted and started has been described, when the acquisition of the image data is temporarily suspended and it is determined that the free space of the recording medium is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity, the acquisition and recording of the image data is performed. May be configured to start. Since the acquisition of the image data is temporarily interrupted, there is no need to provide a memory for temporarily storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means during the recording interruption. In addition, the capacity of the memory can be made smaller.

  An image reading apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an accepting means for accepting the start of image data recording when the capacity judging means determines that the capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity when recording or acquiring image data is interrupted, The start means is configured to start recording or obtaining image data when the accepting means accepts the start of recording.

In the second invention, the accepting means accepts the start of recording before starting the recording of the image data even if it is determined that the free capacity is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity. The start unit starts recording or acquiring image data when the receiving unit receives the start of recording.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image data from being erroneously recorded at a recording destination that the user does not desire.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus, the acquisition unit acquires image data by reading a document, a plurality of mounting units on which a recording medium is mounted, and the acquisition unit acquires the recording medium mounted on the mounting unit. In the image reading apparatus comprising the recording means for recording the image data, the capacity detection means for detecting the capacity of the recording medium attached to the attachment portion, and the image data is recorded based on the detection result of the capacity detection means. A first capacity determining means for determining whether or not the free capacity of one of the recording media is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity; and when the image data is acquired and recorded, the first capacity determining means is less than the predetermined capacity If it is determined that the image data recording or acquisition is interrupted, and if the image data recording or acquisition is interrupted by the interruption means, the other means based on the detection result of the capacity detection means Second capacity determining means for determining whether or not the free capacity of the recording medium is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity; and when the second capacity determining means determines that the free capacity is equal to or greater than the predetermined capacity, Start means for starting recording or acquisition.

In the third invention, the recording medium is detachably attached to the plurality of attachment portions. The recording unit records the image data acquired by reading the document by the acquiring unit on a recording medium mounted on the mounting unit. The capacity detecting means detects the capacity in order to determine whether or not the recording medium that is the recording destination of the image data has sufficient free capacity. When acquiring and recording image data, the first capacity determining means determines whether or not the free capacity of one recording medium during image data recording is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity based on the detection result of the capacity detecting means. To do. When it is determined that the free capacity of one recording medium is less than the predetermined capacity, the interrupting means interrupts the recording of the image data, thereby preventing the image data from being leaked. The second capacity detection unit determines whether or not the free capacity of the other recording medium is equal to or larger than a predetermined capacity when the recording of the image data is interrupted. When it is determined that the free capacity of the other recording medium is equal to or greater than the predetermined capacity, for example, when another recording medium is mounted in another mounting unit, the start unit starts recording image data.
Therefore, it is possible to record the image data read and acquired on a plurality of recording media without omission.
Although the case where the recording of the image data is interrupted and started has been described, when the acquisition of the image data is temporarily suspended and it is determined that the free space of the recording medium is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity, the acquisition and recording of the image data is performed. May be configured to start. Since the acquisition of the image data is temporarily interrupted, there is no need to provide a memory for temporarily storing the image data acquired by the acquisition means during the recording interruption. In addition, the capacity of the memory can be made smaller.

  An image reading apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is an image reading apparatus comprising: a receiving unit configured to receive image data recording start when the second capacity determining unit determines that the capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity when recording or acquiring image data is interrupted; The start means is configured to start recording or obtaining image data when the accepting means accepts the start of recording.

In the fourth invention, the accepting means accepts the start of recording before starting the recording of the image data even if it is determined that the free capacity is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity. The start unit starts recording or acquiring image data when the receiving unit receives the start of recording.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the image data from being erroneously recorded at a recording destination that the user does not desire. For example, when a recording medium that has been forgotten to be removed by another person is mounted on another mounting unit, image data is recorded on a recording medium that the user does not want. According to the present invention, such a situation can be avoided.

  The image reading apparatus according to the fifth invention is configured to separately record the image data recorded on the recording medium before the recording interruption of the image data and the image data recorded on the recording medium after the recording interruption, The image processing apparatus includes a unit that records combined data for reproducing image data of a document on a recording medium by combining the image data.

In the fifth invention, each image data recorded before and after the recording interruption is recorded as an individual file on one or a plurality of recording media. The image reading apparatus records the combined data for combining the image data and restoring the image data of the document on the recording medium.
Therefore, the image data of the original can be easily restored using the image data and the combined data divided into a plurality of parts.

  An image reading apparatus according to a sixth aspect is characterized in that the predetermined capacity is equal to or greater than the data amount of the combined data.

In the sixth invention, since the predetermined capacity is equal to or greater than the capacity of the combined data, it is possible to always ensure a free capacity for recording the combined data on the recording medium.
Accordingly, the combined data for restoring the image data of the original can be reliably recorded on the recording medium.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the recording medium runs out of space during image reading, it is not necessary to read the original and record the image data again, and quickly record the image data. Can do.

  According to the second invention, when there is an interruption in the recording of the image data, the remaining image data can be recorded in the desired recording destination without error.

  According to the third invention, even when the recording medium runs out of space during image reading, there is no need to read the original and record the image data again from the beginning, and the image data is stored on a plurality of recording media. It can be recorded quickly.

  According to the fourth invention, when there is an interruption in the recording of the image data, the remaining image data can be recorded on the desired recording medium and recording destination without error.

  According to the fifth aspect, by recording the combined data for restoring the image data of one original, each image data can be recorded so that the image data of one original can be easily restored.

  According to the sixth aspect, it is possible to reliably record the combined data for restoring the image data of one original.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a multifunction machine 1 (image reading apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 11 having a CPU, a reading unit 13 that reads a document and acquires image data of the document, an image memory 16 that temporarily stores the acquired image data, and an image stored in the image memory 16. A printer unit 15 for forming an image on a sheet based on the data, that is, printing is provided. The control unit 11 is configured to realize a copy function by controlling the acquisition and formation of image data via the bus 23.

  A ROM 18 and a RAM 20 are connected to the bus 23. The ROM 18 is composed of a flash memory, and stores various control programs necessary for the operation of the multifunction device 1. The control unit 11 implements various functions such as a copy function and a USB scanner function of the multifunction machine 1 by reading the control program stored in the ROM 18 into the RAM 20 and executing it.

  The reading unit 13 includes an optical element such as a light source that irradiates light on a document and a line CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) that converts reflected light reflected from the document into an electrical signal. Based on this, the image data of the document is acquired. Then, the reading unit 13 gives the acquired image data to the image memory 16.

  The printer unit 15 is an electrophotographic printer device that includes a photosensitive drum, a fixing device, and the like, and includes a flash ROM (not shown) that stores a program for image formation processing. According to the program stored in the flash ROM, An image related to the image data is formed on a sheet.

  The multi-function device 1 also includes a recording device mounted on the first mounting unit 23a and the second mounting unit 23b on which the portable recording media M and M are detachably mounted, and on the first and second mounting units 23a and 23b. A recording unit 21 that controls recording of image data on the media M and M is provided.

  The recording media M and M are, for example, portable USB flash memories, and the first and second mounting portions 23a and 23b are each provided with a type A USB port conforming to the USB standard.

  The recording unit 21 is a circuit that controls recording of image data on the recording media M and M mounted on the first and second mounting units 23a and 23b, for example, a USB host controller that conforms to the USB mass storage class. The recording unit 21 directly records image data acquired by the reading unit 13 by reading a document on the recording media M and M mounted on the first mounting unit 23a or the second mounting unit 23b, thereby enabling a USB scanner function. Is realized.

  Further, the multi-function device 1 has an NCU (Network Control Unit) 12 and a modem 14 for transmitting and receiving image data by facsimile communication, and the image data to be transmitted and received is encoded by a predetermined encoding method, for example, MH, MR, MMR, etc. The control unit 11 realizes a facsimile function by controlling transmission / reception of image data, reading of a document, and image formation.

  The modem 14 is connected to the bus 23 and has a function of demodulating analog image data input from a public switched telephone network (PSTN) into digital image data. The modem 14 also has a function of modulating the image data given from the image memory 16 through the bus 23 into an analog signal under the control of the control unit 11.

  The NCU 12 is hardware that performs operations of closing and opening the line 3 with the public telephone line network, and connects the modem 14 and the PSTN according to the control of the control unit 11.

  The encoding / decoding unit 22 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 13 under the control of the control unit 11, and provides the encoded image data to the modem 14. The encoding / decoding unit 22 decodes image data received by facsimile communication and stores the image data in the image memory 16.

  An operation unit 19 and a display unit 17 for operating the multifunction machine 1 are connected to the bus 23. The display unit 17 includes a liquid crystal display that displays an operation state of the multifunction device 1 and soft keys for operating the multifunction device 1.

The operation unit 19 includes a resistive film type or electrostatic capacity type touch panel 19a disposed to face the display unit 17, receives an operation of a soft key displayed on the display unit 17, and the control unit 11 operates the touch panel 19a. It is comprised so that a state can be detected.
The operation unit 19 includes a push button type key, for example, a numeric keypad 19b for setting the number of copies of an image to be printed, a start button 19c, and the like.

  2 to 4 are flowcharts showing a processing procedure of the control unit 11 related to acquisition and recording of image data, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation of the multifunction device 1. First, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the USB scanner function has been selected by detecting the operation of the operation unit 19 (step S11). When it is determined that the USB scanner function is not selected (step S11: NO), the control unit 11 finishes the processing related to acquisition and recording of image data.

  When it is determined that the USB scanner function is selected (step S11: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether there is a recording medium M mounted on the first mounting unit 23a or the second mounting unit 23b (step S11). S12). When it is determined that there is no recording medium M attached to the first attachment part 23a or the second attachment part 23b (step S12: NO), the control unit 11 displays an error display indicating that the recording medium M is not attached. (Step S14), the processing relating to the income and recording of the image data is completed.

  When it is determined that there is the recording medium M attached to the first attachment part 23a or the second attachment part 23b (step S12: YES), the control unit 11 is attached to the first attachment part 23a or the second attachment part 23b. The file is opened to record image data on the other recording medium M (step S13). That is, the control unit 11 controls the recording unit 21 to open a file in the recording medium M.

Then, the control unit 11 causes the reading unit 13 to start reading the document D and acquiring image data (step S15). Next, as shown in FIG. 5A, the control unit 11 sequentially records the image data acquired by controlling the recording unit 21 on the recording medium M (step S16).
The sequential recording of the acquired image data means that the original D is read and acquired, that is, the image data temporarily stored in the RAM 20 or the like is sequentially recorded on the recording medium M. For example, when the image data of the upper part of the document D is acquired, the image data of the upper part of the document D is recorded on the recording medium M without waiting for completion of the acquisition of the image data of the middle part and the lower part. Similarly, when the acquisition of the image data of the middle part is completed, the image data of the middle part of the document D is recorded on the recording medium M without waiting for the completion of the acquisition of the image data of the lower part. By sequentially recording the acquired image data, it is not necessary to prepare a large-capacity storage unit capable of recording all the image data of the entire document D. In addition, since the recording of the image data is started before the recording of the image data to the storage unit is completed, the acquired image data can be quickly recorded on the recording medium M. However, since the capacity of the image data finally recorded on the recording medium M is unknown during sequential recording, processing such as management of the free capacity of the recording medium M and divided recording of image data as described later is required. Become.

  FIG. 5A schematically shows the multifunction machine 1 on which the document D is placed on the document reading table. Triangular marks protruding upward from the block of the multifunction machine 1 are light and reflected light irradiated on the document D, and indicate a process in which the reading unit 13 reads the document D while scanning to acquire image data. On the right side of the multifunction machine 1, recording media M and M mounted on the first and second mounting portions 23a and 23b are schematically shown. A recording area of the recording medium M is indicated by a rectangle. A white rectangle indicates an empty area, and a hatched rectangle indicates an area where image data is recorded.

  When the process of step S16 is completed, the control unit 11 detects the capacity of the recording medium M that is the recording destination of the image data as shown in FIG. 2 (step S17). Specifically, the file management information indicating the free capacity of the recording medium M is read from the recording medium M, and the capacity of the recording medium M is detected by referring to the file management information.

  And the control part 11 determines whether the free capacity of the recording medium M is more than predetermined capacity (step S18). The predetermined capacity is set to be equal to or larger than the capacity of the batch file in order to secure a free capacity for recording a batch file (combined data) described later.

  When it is determined that the free capacity of the recording medium M is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity (step S18: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the reading of the document D and the recording of the image data are finished (step S19). When it is determined that the reading of the document D and the recording of the image data are not finished (step S19: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S16. When it is determined that the reading of the document D and the recording of the image data have been completed (step S19: YES), post-processing described later is executed.

  When it is determined in step S18 that the free capacity of the recording medium M is less than the predetermined capacity (step S18: NO), the control unit 11 reads the document D in the reading unit 13 as shown in FIG. Acquisition of image data and recording of image data by the recording unit 21 are interrupted (step S20). FIG. 5B shows a state in which the free capacity of one recording medium M is less than a predetermined capacity, that is, there is almost no free capacity, and processing relating to reading of an original and recording of image data is interrupted. .

  Then, the control unit 11 closes the file in which the image data is recorded (Step S21). Through the processing in step S21, one file in which image data for restoring a part of the document D is recorded is generated.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 17 to display that the free capacity of the recording medium M is insufficient (step S22), and is mounted on the first mounting unit 23a and the second mounting unit 23b. The capacity of the recorded recording media M and M is detected (step S23). It should be noted that the display in step S22 may be any content that prompts the user to increase the remaining capacity in the recording medium M, deleting unnecessary data in the recording medium M that is the current recording destination, and other recording media M. It may be configured to urge the user to wear.
At this time, the operation unit 19 may accept erasure of data, and the data in the recording medium M may be erased according to the acceptance result. When configured in this way, it is possible to resume reading the original without replacing the recording medium M.

  Next, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the free capacity of one recording medium M mounted on the first mounting unit 23a is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity (step S24). When it is determined that the free capacity of one recording medium M is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity (step S24: YES), the control unit 11 accepts resumption of recording of image data by detecting the operation state of the operation unit 19, and records It is determined whether or not resumption is accepted (step S25). When the resumption of recording is not accepted (step S25: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S22.

  When the resumption of recording is accepted (step S25: YES), the control unit 11 opens the file of one recording medium M attached to the first attachment unit 23a (step S26).

  When it is determined in step S24 that the free capacity of one recording medium M mounted on the first mounting unit 23a is less than the predetermined capacity (step S24: NO), the control unit 11 is mounted on the second mounting unit 23b. It is then determined whether the free capacity of the other recording medium M is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity (step S27).

  When it is determined that the free capacity of the other recording medium M is less than the predetermined capacity (step S27: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S22. When it is determined that the free capacity of the other recording medium M is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity (step S27: YES), the control unit 11 receives the resumption of recording of the image data by detecting the operation state of the operation unit 19, and records it. It is determined whether or not resumption has been accepted (step S28). When the recording resumption is not accepted (step S28: NO), the control unit 11 returns the process to step S22.

  When the resumption of recording is accepted (step S28: YES), the control unit 11 opens the file of the other recording medium M mounted on the second mounting unit 23b (step S29).

When the process of step S26 or step S29 is completed, the control unit 11 temporarily stores the division state of the image data in the RAM 20 (step S30), and returns the process to step S15. For example, the file name of the image data recorded before the recording interruption as the division information, the file name of the image data recorded after the resumption of recording, and the order thereof are temporarily stored.
When the process of step S15 is started, for example, when the free capacity of the other recording medium M is equal to or larger than the predetermined capacity and the file of the recording medium M is opened and the reading of the document is started, FIG. ), The multifunction device 1 resumes reading the document from the interrupted location and acquires image data. The acquired image data is sequentially recorded on the other recording medium M.
With this process, even when the recording of the image data is interrupted, it is not necessary to read the document again from the beginning, and the image data can be recorded quickly.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S19 that the reading of the document D and the recording of the image data have been completed (step S19: YES), the file in which the image data is recorded is closed (step S31) as shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether the image data is divided and recorded by referring to the division state temporarily stored in the RAM 20 (step S32).

If it is determined that the image data is divided and recorded (step S32: YES), the control unit 11 combines the divided and recorded image data as shown in FIG. A batch file for restoring the image data of the document D is recorded on the recording medium M (step S33).
A batch file for connecting a plurality of image data is a known computer program. For example, a batch file computer program is written in an interpreter language and includes the following contents. First, a combined file for writing the combined image data is opened. Then, the image data file recorded before the interruption is opened for data reading. Next, the image data is written into the combined file, and the image data file is closed. Next, the image data file recorded after the interruption is opened for data reading. Then, the image data of the file is added to the combined file, and the image data file and the combined file are closed. The above-described processing procedure is an example, and the content and format of the computer program are not limited as long as the computer program can combine the divided and recorded image data. In addition, an example of combining two image data has been described, but when image data is recorded divided into three or more, a batch file that records a computer program that combines three or more image data in the same procedure is used. Create it.
Further, a batch file including a processing procedure for erasing each piece of image data divided and recorded after combining may be created. Since unnecessary image data is erased, user convenience can be improved.

  When the process of step S33 is finished, or when it is determined that the image data is not divided and recorded (step S32: NO), the control unit 11 finishes the process related to the acquisition and recording of the image data.

  As shown in FIG. 5D, a usage method when image data is divided and recorded on two recording media M and M will be described. When it is desired to capture the image data of the original into the personal computer, the image data recorded on each of the recording media M and M and the batch file are copied or moved to the personal computer. Then, the computer program of the batch file is executed. When the batch file program is executed, the two image data are combined by the above-described processing by the computer, and the image data of the original is restored.

In the MFP 1 configured as described above, image data can be quickly recorded on one or a plurality of portable recording media M without re-reading the original and recording the image data.
FIG. 5 illustrates the case where the image data is divided and recorded on the recording medium M attached to the first attachment portion 23a and the recording medium M attached to the second attachment portion 23b. When there is no more free space in the recording medium M mounted on the mounting unit 23a, another recording medium M can be mounted on the first mounting unit 23a to separately record the image data.

  In addition, it is configured to accept the resumption of reading and recording before resuming the reading and recording. When the resumption is accepted, the recording of the image data is resumed. Image data can be recorded without any problem.

  Further, when the image data is divided and recorded, at least the batch file is recorded together with the image data on the recording medium M. Therefore, the image data of the original is reproduced by combining the image data using the batch file. be able to.

  Furthermore, since it is configured to leave a free space for recording the batch file when determining whether or not to interrupt the recording of the image data, when the image data recording is finished, A batch file for reproduction can be recorded reliably.

  Furthermore, when the recording medium M runs out of free space, not only recording but also reading of a document is interrupted, so that a large-capacity memory for a buffer becomes unnecessary.

  In the embodiment, an example in which two mounting units are mounted and image data is recorded on a plurality of recording media has been described. However, three or more mounting units are provided and image data is recorded on three or more recording media. May be divided and recorded.

  Further, a single mounting unit may be provided, and the image data may be divided and recorded on a recording medium that is replaced and mounted on the mounting unit.

  Further, when the recording medium runs out of space, both the reading of the original and the recording of the image data are interrupted. However, the reading of the original is continued and only the recording of the image data is interrupted. It may be configured.

  Furthermore, although a USB flash memory is exemplified as a recording medium, a memory card, a memory stick, an SD card, a MiniSD card, a flexible disk, a MO (magnet Optical disk) disk, a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), a DVD-R ( For other recording media that can record image data electronically, magnetically, and optically, such as Digital Versatile Disc-Recordable (BD), Blu-ray Disc (BD), HD-DVD (High Definition-DVD), and portable hard disk You may comprise so that image data may be recorded. However, recording media such as paper and sheets whose free capacity cannot be detected are excluded.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a multifunction peripheral (image reading apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part concerning acquisition and recording of image data. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part concerning acquisition and recording of image data. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the control part concerning acquisition and recording of image data. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation of the multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

1 MFP 3 Line 11 Controller 12 NCU
13 Reading unit 14 Modem 15 Printer unit 16 Image memory 17 Display unit 18 ROM
19 Operation unit 20 RAM
21 Recording Unit 22 Encoding / Decoding Unit 23a First Mounting Unit 23b Second Mounting Unit D Document M Recording Medium

Claims (6)

An acquisition unit that reads a document and acquires image data, a mounting unit on which a recording medium is detachably mounted, and a recording unit that records the image data acquired by the acquisition unit on a recording medium mounted on the mounting unit In an image reading apparatus comprising:
Capacity detecting means for detecting the capacity of the recording medium mounted on the mounting section;
Capacity determination means for determining whether or not the free capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity based on the detection result of the capacity detection means;
When acquiring and recording image data, when the capacity determination means determines that the capacity is less than a predetermined capacity, interruption means for interrupting recording or acquisition of image data;
An image reading apparatus comprising: start means for starting recording or acquisition of image data when recording or acquisition of image data is interrupted and when the capacity determination means determines that the capacity is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity . When recording or acquisition of image data is interrupted, the image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a recording start of image data when the capacity determining unit determines that the capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity.
The starting means is
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the accepting unit accepts the start of recording, image data recording or acquisition is started. An acquisition unit that reads an original to acquire image data, a plurality of mounting units on which a recording medium is mounted, and a recording unit that records the image data acquired by the acquiring unit on a recording medium mounted on the mounting unit. In the image reading apparatus provided,
Capacity detecting means for detecting the capacity of the recording medium mounted on the mounting section;
First capacity determination means for determining whether or not the free capacity of one recording medium on which image data is recorded is greater than or equal to a predetermined capacity based on the detection result of the capacity detection means;
When acquiring and recording image data, when the first capacity determination means determines that the capacity is less than a predetermined capacity, interrupt means for interrupting recording or acquisition of the image data;
Second capacity determination means for determining whether or not the free capacity of another recording medium is equal to or larger than a predetermined capacity based on the detection result of the capacity detection means when the recording or acquisition of image data is interrupted by the interruption means. When,
An image reading apparatus comprising: a start unit configured to start recording or obtaining image data on another recording medium when the second capacity determining unit determines that the capacity exceeds a predetermined capacity. When the recording or acquisition of the image data is interrupted, the image forming apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a recording start of the image data when the second capacity determining unit determines that the capacity is equal to or greater than a predetermined capacity.
The starting means is
The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the accepting unit accepts the start of recording, the image data recording or acquisition is started. The image data recorded on the recording medium before the recording interruption of the image data and the image data recorded on the recording medium after the recording interruption are recorded separately,
The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for recording on the recording medium combined data for reproducing the image data of the original by combining the image data. apparatus.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined capacity is equal to or greater than a data amount of the combined data.

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