JP2009010758A - Draft reading apparatus, image forming apparatus, facsimile apparatus, and electronic mail apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a draft reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a facsimile apparatus and an electronic mail apparatus which do not output a draft even though there is a draft paper with no page number attached and/or a blank paper in the draft. <P>SOLUTION: The draft reading apparatus is provided with a page number detecting means 11 to detect from the read draft 90 whether the page number is included or not. The draft 90 whose page number is not detected by the page number detecting means 11 is skip-processed, on the other hand, only an electronic data of the draft 90 whose page number is detected is output. An output of an unnecessary draft 90 such as the draft with no page number attached is prevented thereby. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus that converts a document into electronic data for each read page, and an image forming apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, and an electronic mail apparatus including such a document reading apparatus.

  Some copiers automatically capture and copy originals. In such a copying machine, the originals placed on the original tray are taken into the original reading apparatus one by one, read by the original reading apparatus composed of an image sensor such as a CCD, and then image formation is performed. The copy is completed by forming an image on the sheet based on the electronic data of the read original.

  Such a technique for automatically reading a document is also used in a device that converts a document into electronic data, such as a facsimile device, an electronic mail device, a facsimile function, and a digital multifunction peripheral.

  By the way, since the document reading device used in these devices reads documents one by one in order, if the document sheets are not arranged in order, they are converted into electronic data in that order. For this reason, the copying machine has a problem that the originals are copied in an unordered state. In addition, in the facsimile apparatus and the electronic mail apparatus, there is a problem in that the document is transmitted to the other party in a state where the order of the documents is not aligned.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a technique has been proposed in which, when reading a document, the page number attached to each document is recognized, the sheets are arranged in order, and then output (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

  Specifically, a copier according to Patent Document 1 (hereinafter also referred to as an image forming apparatus) includes a document reading device that sequentially reads a document, and a page that recognizes a page number from electronic data formed for each page by reading. Number detecting means and document aligning means for aligning electronic data in the order of page numbers are provided, and printing is performed on paper based on the rearranged electronic data. As a result, even if the originals are not arranged in order, copies of the originals are output in the state of being arranged in the page order.

In addition, this image forming apparatus has a function of correcting an original in the opposite direction included in the original to a normal direction and outputting all the originals in the same direction. Specifically, by recognizing whether the page number is located at the top or bottom of the sheet, it is determined whether the recognized sheet is in the opposite direction with respect to the other sheets. However, if it is in the opposite direction, the electronic data is inverted and corrected to the electronic data in the normal direction. By such a method, even originals having opposite directions mixed therein are all output in the same direction.
JP-A-2005-109726

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, although the page numbers of the originals can be rearranged in order and output, the originals that are not assigned page numbers (for example, white paper) are mixed. Appropriate processing could not be performed.

  For example, if blank pages are mixed, the page number is not recognized and processed as a reading error, or such a document is not processed at all and the page number is assigned as it is. I was reading an undocumented document.

  If there is a mixture of blank papers, the copy process will be interrupted due to a read error, so the operator will need to cancel the read error each time. There was a need to do. Further, in a document reading apparatus that reads as it is even when white paper is mixed, a white paper is copied as it is, and a copy of the original is finished with unnecessary originals mixed. In this case, since the reading of the original is not interrupted, the operator does not notice the state even though such an original is finished, and the deficiency is revealed until the copy of the original is confirmed. There was a problem of not doing.

  Such a problem is the same even when the original to be copied is mixed with the single-sided original in the double-sided original. That is, when copying in the duplex printing mode, if there are mixed single-sided originals, the page number cannot be recognized when the reverse side of the single-sided original is read by the original reader. Reading error occurs, or no processing is performed on the original, and the back side of the one-sided original is read as it is. Therefore, every time a reading error occurs, the operator has to cancel the reading error. Alternatively, a copy with a single-sided original mixed therein was finished.

  The facsimile apparatus and the electronic mail apparatus provided with the document reading apparatus having the same structure as described above have the same problems as described above. That is, when a document with no page number is mixed in the document, the document is transmitted to the other party while an unnecessary document without a page number is mixed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even when a manuscript with no page number and / or a manuscript without description information is mixed in the manuscript, A document reading device that does not interrupt processing and outputs these documents due to a mixture of documents that do not have page numbers and / or documents that do not have description information, documents that do not have page numbers, and / or Or, an image forming apparatus that does not interrupt processing due to a mixture of originals with no description information and does not form a copy of these originals, an original without page numbers and / or description information is described. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus and an electronic mail apparatus in which processing is not interrupted due to a mixture of undocumented documents and these documents are not transmitted to the other party.

  A document reading apparatus according to the present invention is a page for detecting whether or not a page number is included in a read document in a document reading apparatus having a document reading unit that sequentially reads a document and converts it into electronic data for each page. Number detection means is provided, and the document whose page number is not detected by the page number detection means is skipped and only the electronic data of the document whose page number is detected is output.

  According to such a configuration, even if the originals without page numbers are mixed in the original, the page numbers are detected for each page by the page number detecting means, and the original in which the page numbers are detected. Therefore, the electronic data of the document without the page number is not output, and the output of unnecessary electronic data can be prevented.

  Another document reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a description information recognizing unit for recognizing description information from a read document in a document reading device including a document reading unit that sequentially reads a document and converts it into electronic data for each page. The document whose description information is not recognized by the description information recognition means is skipped, and only the electronic data of the document whose description information is recognized is output.

  According to such a configuration, even when originals having no description information are mixed in the original, the description information is recognized for each page by the description information recognition unit, and the electronic information of the original in which the description information is recognized is recognized. Since only the data is output, the electronic data of the document having no description information is not output, and the output of unnecessary electronic data can be prevented.

  Still another document reading apparatus according to the present invention recognizes a page number and / or description information from a read document in a document reading device including a document reading unit that sequentially reads a document and converts it into electronic data for each page. A page number description information recognition means is provided, and the page number and / or description information is not recognized by the page number description information recognition means, and only the electronic data of the document with the page number and description information recognized is output. It is characterized by.

  According to such a configuration, even if a manuscript having no page number and / or a manuscript having no description information is mixed in the manuscript, the page number and / or the page number and / or the page number by the page number description information recognition unit. Since the description information is recognized and only the electronic data of the document with the page number and the description information recognized is output, the electronic data of the document without the page number and / or the document without the description information is output. Therefore, unnecessary electronic data can be prevented from being output.

  Still another document reading device according to the present invention is a document reading device provided with a document reading unit that sequentially reads a document and converts it into electronic data for each page, and whether or not the read document is normally read. Determination means for determining whether or not an original that has not been determined to be normally read by the determination means is skipped and only electronic data of the original that has been determined to be normally read Is output.

  According to such a configuration, when reading a document, the document may not be read normally because the document is not taken into the document reading device and cannot be read, or a part of the document cannot be read. However, the determination means determines whether or not the read original is normally read, and only the electronic data of the original determined to have been normally read is output. Therefore, the electronic data of the original that has not been read normally is not output, and the output of unnecessary electronic data can be prevented.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the document reading devices described above and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet or other sheet based on electronic data output from the document reading device. And

  According to such a configuration, since any one of the above document reading devices is used, even if a document without a page number and / or a document without description information are mixed in the document, Or, when reading a document, even if the document cannot be read normally, such as when the document is not read into the document reader and cannot be read, or a part of the document cannot be read, an unnecessary document That is, the electronic data of a manuscript without a page number, a manuscript with no description information, or a manuscript that has not been read normally is not output, and only the electronic data of the necessary manuscript is output, based on the output electronic data. Since an image is formed, it is possible to prevent these unnecessary original images from being formed on a sheet or other sheets.

  A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the document reading devices described above, and a facsimile transmission unit that forms and transmits facsimile transmission data based on electronic data output from the document reading device. And

  According to such a configuration, since any one of the above document reading devices is used, even if a document without a page number and / or a document without description information are mixed in the document, Or, when reading a document, even if the document cannot be read normally, such as when the document is not read into the document reader and cannot be read, or a part of the document cannot be read, an unnecessary document That is, the electronic data of a manuscript without a page number, a manuscript with no description information, or a manuscript that has not been read normally is not output, and only the electronic data of the necessary manuscript is output, based on the output electronic data. Since the facsimile transmission data is formed, it is possible to prevent the unnecessary facsimile transmission data of the original from being transmitted.

  An electronic mail apparatus according to the present invention includes any one of the above-described original reading apparatuses, and an electronic mail transmitting unit that forms and transmits electronic mail data based on electronic data output from the original reading apparatus. Features.

  According to such a configuration, since any one of the above document reading devices is used, even if a document without a page number and / or a document without description information are mixed in the document, Or, when reading a document, even if the document cannot be read normally, such as when the document is not read into the document reader and cannot be read, or a part of the document cannot be read, an unnecessary document That is, the electronic data of a manuscript without a page number, a manuscript with no description information, or a manuscript that has not been read normally is not output, and only the electronic data of the necessary manuscript is output, based on the output electronic data. Since the e-mail data is formed, it is possible to prevent the e-mail data of these unnecessary originals from being transmitted.

  According to the document reading apparatus of the present invention, the page number detecting means for detecting whether or not a page number is included in the read document is provided, and a document whose page number is not detected by the page number detecting means is skipped. Since only the electronic data of the document whose number is detected is output, the electronic data of the document with no page number is output even if there are documents that do not have page numbers. Therefore, unnecessary document output can be prevented.

  According to another document reading apparatus according to the present invention, the document information includes a description information recognition unit that recognizes the description information from the read document, and the description information is recognized by skipping the document whose description information is not recognized by the description information recognition unit. Since only the electronic data of the manuscript is output, even if there are manuscripts with no description information in the manuscript, the electronic data of the manuscript without the descriptive information will not be output, and the manuscript with no description Can be prevented.

  According to still another document reading apparatus according to the present invention, the page number description information recognition means for recognizing the page number and / or description information from the read document is provided, and the page number and / or description is provided by the page number description information recognition means. Since the document whose information is not recognized is skipped and only the electronic data of the document whose page number and description information is recognized is output, the document with no page number and / or the document without description information is mixed in the document. Even in this case, electronic data of a document without a page number and / or a document without description information is not output, and output of an unnecessary document can be prevented.

  According to still another document reading apparatus according to the present invention, it is provided with determination means for determining whether or not the read document is normally read, and the document is normally read by the determination means. Documents that are not determined to be skipped are output with only the electronic data of the document that has been determined to be normally read skipped, so that when reading the document, the document is not captured by the document reader and is not read. Even if the original cannot be read normally, such as when a part of the original cannot be read, the electronic data of the original that was not read correctly will not be output. Output can be prevented.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, any one of the document reading devices described above and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet or other sheet based on the electronic data output from the document reading device are provided. Therefore, even when a document with no page number and / or a document with no other information is mixed in the document, the document is not read into the document reading device and can be read. Even if the original cannot be read normally, such as when it is not performed or when a part of the original cannot be read, the electronic data of these unnecessary originals is not output, and only the electronic data of the necessary originals is output. Since an image is formed based on the output electronic data, it is possible to prevent these unnecessary original images from being formed on paper or other sheets. .

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes any one of the above document reading devices and a facsimile transmission unit that forms and transmits facsimile transmission data based on the electronic data output from the document reading device. Therefore, even when a document with no page number and / or a document with no other information is mixed in the document, the document is not read into the document reading device and read. Even if the original cannot be read normally, such as when the original is not read, or when a part of the original cannot be read, the electronic data of these unnecessary originals is not output, and only the electronic data of the necessary originals is output. Since the facsimile transmission data is formed based on the output electronic data, the unnecessary facsimile transmission data of the original is It can be prevented that the signal.

  According to the electronic mail apparatus of the present invention, the electronic mail apparatus includes any one of the above-described original reading apparatuses and an electronic mail transmission unit that forms and transmits electronic mail data based on the electronic data output from the original reading apparatus. Therefore, even when a document with no page number and / or a document with no other information is mixed in the document, the document is not taken into the document reading device when the document is read. Even if the original cannot be read normally, such as when it is not scanned or when a part of the original cannot be read, the electronic data of these unnecessary originals is not output and only the electronic data of the necessary originals is output. Is generated, and the e-mail data is formed based on the output electronic data. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the unnecessary e-mail data from being sent. It is possible.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention will be described by applying the present invention to an image forming apparatus (so-called digital multifunction peripheral) having a copying function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and an electronic mail function.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral and a connection state with peripheral devices.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 forms an image on a sheet such as paper based on a document reading unit (document reading means) 2 that reads a document 90 as image data (electronic data) page by page. Image forming unit 3, device control unit 4 that controls each function and the entire apparatus provided in the digital multifunction device 1, a management unit 5 that manages information necessary for operating the function provided in the digital multifunction device 1, and the digital multifunction device 1, an operation unit 6 that receives input from an operator who operates 1, a FAX modem 7 that transmits and receives information such as image data to and from an external facsimile machine 52 via a telephone line network 60, and information such as image data that is transmitted via a LAN (Local Area Network). ) To communicate with an external terminal device 51 via the network 40 or with the facsimile device 52 or the terminal device 51 via the Internet 50. A communication unit 8, a hard disk 9 for storing information managed by the management unit 5 and information such as read image data, an erasing unit 10 for erasing image data in the hard disk 9, and a page attached to each page of the original 90. The page number detecting means 11 for recognizing the number, the description information recognizing means 12 for recognizing whether or not there is description information on the original 90, and determining whether or not the read original 90 has image data formed due to a reading error. A no-paper determination means (determination means) 18 is provided.

  That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 of the present embodiment is a multi-function peripheral having a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and an e-mail function, and further a function for recognizing the page number of the original 90, and , A function of recognizing the description information of the document 90 is provided.

  Similarly to the conventional copying machine, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment has a first paper feed tray 13 for supplying printing paper at the lower part of the main body. In this case, a sheet placed on the first supply tray is taken out by a roller and conveyed to the printing unit 31. In addition, a second paper feed tray 14 on which a sheet having a size different from that of the first paper feed tray 13 is placed is disposed below the first paper feed tray 13. Further, a detachable manual paper feed tray 15 for supplying other paper is provided. In the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment, an example in which three paper feed trays, ie, a first paper feed tray 13, a second paper feed tray 14, and a manual paper feed tray 15, are provided. There may be at least one paper tray.

  Hereinafter, each unit of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

  The document reading unit 2 is an image data input unit that reads the document 90 as image data page by page, and includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) 21 as a unit for reading the document 90 and a document detection sensor 22 for detecting the document 90. It has. The document detection sensor 22 is disposed on the document table 16 on which the document 90 is placed, an automatic document feeder (ADF), and the like, and detects whether or not the document 90 exists. The original reading unit 2 takes in the originals 90 placed on the automatic original feeder by rollers one by one, reads the originals 90 as image data by the CCD 21, and then discharges the read originals 90 to the next new one. An original 90 is captured. Data read as image data is stored in the memory 33 of the image forming unit 3.

  The operation unit 6 includes an input unit 61 composed of various mechanical keys, a touch panel, and the like, and a display unit 62 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and operates each function of the digital multi-function peripheral 1. This is the part for input and setting of each function. Further, in order to manage users who use the digital multi-function peripheral 1, an authentication information input device that inputs user recognition information may be arranged in the input unit 61. As an input method of authentication information of each user in the authentication information input device, for example, methods such as direct input of a user code, ID card information reading input, user biometric information reading input (for example, fingerprint reading input), etc. Is used.

  Furthermore, an interrupt key may be arranged on the operation unit 6. For example, an interrupt key for performing an interrupting operation is arranged on the operation unit 6 to interrupt the reading operation of the original 90 during copying and interrupt another operation (for example, FAX transmission).

  The image forming unit 3 is an output unit that processes image data read by the CCD into a predetermined output format and prints it on a sheet. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 supplies a memory 33 that stores image data, a printing unit 31 that includes an LSU (Laser Scanning Unit) that writes image data on a photoconductor with a laser, and the like to supply paper. A first paper feed tray 13, a second paper feed tray 14 for supplying different types of paper, and a manual paper feed tray 15 for supplying other types of paper.

  In the image forming unit 3, the image data stored in the memory 33 is temporarily stored in the hard disk 9.

  At the time of outputting to the hard disk 9, the page number detecting means 11 described later performs page number recognition processing of image data. Then, the image data recognized as having a page number is output to the hard disk 9 as electronic data for output. On the other hand, image data recognized as having no page number is skipped for output processing to the hard disk 9 and is not stored in the hard disk 9 as electronic data for output. Thereby, electronic data for output that does not include image data having no page number is formed.

  That is, even in the case where the originals 90 with no page number are mixed, the page number is detected for each page by the page number detecting means 11, and the image of the original 90 from which the page number is detected is detected. Since only data (electronic data) is output, output of electronic data of the document 90 with no page number is prevented.

  At the same timing, a description information recognizing means (described later) 12 described later performs a recognition process as to whether or not the image data includes description information. Then, the image data recognized as having description information such as characters is output to the hard disk 9 as electronic data for output. On the other hand, image data recognized as having no description information is skipped from being output to the hard disk 9 and is not stored in the hard disk 9 as electronic data for output. Thereby, electronic data for output that does not include image data having no description information is formed.

  That is, even when the original 90 includes a blank sheet or other original 90 having no description information, the description information recognition unit 12 recognizes the description information for each page, and the original 90 with the description information recognized. Since only the image data (electronic data) is output, output of the electronic data of the document 90 having no blank sheet or other description information is prevented.

  Further, at the same timing, a non-paper determining means (described later) 18 described later determines whether the image data is normally formed by reading the original 90 or formed by a reading error. Done. Then, the image data determined to be normally formed by reading the document 90 is output to the hard disk 9 as electronic data for output. On the other hand, image data determined to have been formed due to a reading error is skipped from being output to the hard disk 9 and is not stored in the hard disk 9 as electronic data for output. Thus, electronic data for output that does not include image data formed due to a reading error is formed.

  That is, when the original 90 is read, the original 90 may not be read normally because the original 90 is not taken into the original reading unit 2 and is not read, or a part of the original 90 cannot be read. In addition, it is determined whether or not the original 90 has been normally read by the no-paper determination means 18, and only the image data (electronic data) of the original 90 determined to have been normally read is output. Thus, output of electronic data of the original 90 that has not been read normally is prevented.

  When printing based on the image data, the electronic data for output temporarily stored in the hard disk 9 is retransmitted to the memory 33 and further transferred from the memory 33 to the printing unit 31 for printing by the LSU. .

  With the above-described configuration, the image forming unit 3 reads unnecessary data, that is, a document 90 without a page number, a document 90 with no other information, and a normal reading from image data of the read document 90. Except for the original 90 which has not been made, only necessary originals are copied.

  Note that when the image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk 9, it may be encrypted and stored. In this case, when the image data is transferred from the hard disk 9 to the printing unit 31, it is decoded.

  The hard disk 9 is a storage means for temporarily storing image data and storing electronic data for output formed from the image data. By providing the hard disk 9 having a large storage capacity as a storage means, a large amount of image data or electronic data for output can be accumulated and sequentially processed. Accordingly, even when a large number of originals are read at a time or when an instruction command such as copying is simultaneously performed from a plurality of terminal devices 51 via the network 40, information such as image data is temporarily stored. Since these instructions are stored in the hard disk 9, these instruction commands can be processed efficiently. Instead of the hard disk 9, a semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) may be used as a storage medium.

  The device control unit 4 controls the operation of each function such as a copying function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and an e-mail function provided in the digital multifunction device 1 and manages input information from the operation unit 6. This part is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM, and the like. Based on the input information from the operation unit 6, each function is operated, the operation state of each function is managed, and information on the operation state of each function is displayed on the display unit 62. With such a function, it is possible to accurately notify the information to be notified to the person who uses the digital multifunction device 1.

  Further, the device control unit 4 is provided with a function for forming facsimile transmission data based on electronic data for output of the read original. Further, a function is provided for forming e-mail data based on electronic data for output of the read original. With these functions, it is possible to immediately perform facsimile transmission or e-mail transmission of the original 90 read by the original reading unit 2 without using the terminal device 51.

  The management unit 5 is information regarding each function of the digital multifunction peripheral 1, for example, information for operation control of each function, information for adjustment between the functions, information for overall operation control of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. It is a part that manages information related to control. Further, the management unit 5 manages not only information for operation control of each function but also information used in each function. For example, in the electronic mail function and facsimile function, information such as a mail address and a FAX number is managed by the management unit 5.

  The FAX modem 7 transmits and receives information such as image data to and from the external facsimile apparatus 52 via the telephone line network 60.

  The communication unit 8 communicates information such as image data with a terminal device 51 connected to the network via a network 40 such as a LAN or the Internet 50.

  The erasing unit 10 erases information such as image data or electronic data for output temporarily stored in the hard disk 9 when a predetermined hold time has elapsed. For example, when the image data temporarily stored in the hard disk 9 to perform copying, printing, FAX transmission, e-mail transmission, or electronic data for output has passed a predetermined hold time, the erasing unit 10 It is configured to be erased. As a result, the free capacity of the hard disk 9 is not lost, and new information can always be stored in the hard disk 9.

  The page number detection means 11 reads page numbers from image data. Specifically, a character recognition process is performed at a specific position registered in advance, for example, a portion corresponding to the upper region of the original 90 in the image data, and the page number is detected.

  The description information recognition means 12 recognizes whether or not the blank data has no description information from the image data. Specifically, recognition processing of characters, line diagrams, patterns, etc. is performed in a specific range registered in advance, for example, a portion corresponding to a region extending from the upper part to the lower part of the original 90 in the image data. When description information such as a figure and a pattern is not recognized, it is recognized as blank paper data. Note that whether or not the image data is blank data is not determined by character recognition processing such as characters, but is based on the presence or absence of some information within a specific range registered in advance, or the amount of information exceeds a predetermined value. It may be determined whether or not the data is blank paper data.

  Note that the functions of the page number detection unit 11 and the description information recognition unit 12 may be integrated into one unit (page number description information recognition unit), and these recognition processes may be performed simultaneously. In this way, the recognition process can be made efficient.

  The no-paper determination means (determination means) 18 determines whether or not the image data is image data (hereinafter also referred to as “no-paper data”) formed when there is an error in reading the original 90. is there. For example, when a document capture error is detected by a paper sensor arranged in the conveyance path of the document 90, it is determined that the image data formed at that timing is no-paper data.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 having the above configuration is connected to an external telephone line network 60 or a network as follows.

  The digital multi-function peripheral 1 is connected to a telephone line network 60 via a FAX modem 7 and is capable of FAX communication with an external facsimile apparatus 52 connected to the telephone line network 60. In addition, it is connected to a network 40 such as a LAN or the Internet 50 via the communication unit 8, and transmits / receives information to / from terminal devices 51, 51... And Internet facsimile machines 53, 53. Is possible. With this connection, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 transmits the image data read by the document reading unit 2 by FAX or e-mail, receives the image data from the external facsimile device 52 by FAX, Image data and other information can be transmitted and received between the terminal device 51 and the Internet facsimile machine 53.

  Next, the operation of each function provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described.

<Copy mode>
The copy mode is a mode when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment functions as a copy machine. When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 operates as a copying machine, the originals 90 placed on the original table 16 are taken one by one, set at a predetermined reading position, and read by the CCD 21 of the original reading unit 2. The read image data of the document 90 is temporarily stored on the memory 33 and further transferred to and stored in the hard disk 9. Next, the image data is processed based on the processing mode (setting conditions such as the printing state) instructed from the operation unit 6, and sequentially sent from the hard disk 9 to the memory 33 at an appropriate timing to be printed. Here, the transfer from the hard disk 9 to the memory 33 is performed in accordance with the timing of writing the previously sent image data to the printing unit 31. Then, predetermined image data is transferred from the memory 33 to the printing unit 31 at the timing when printing of the previously sent image data is completed. The paper printed by the printing unit 31 is discharged from the paper discharge unit as a copy of the original 90.

  When the document 90 is composed of a plurality of sheets, the reading and storing operations are repeated for each page, the image data is processed based on the output processing mode, and sequentially sent to the memory 33 at an appropriate timing for printing processing. The This operation is repeated for the number of output sheets.

<Printer mode>
The printer mode is a mode when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment functions as a printer. When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 operates as a printer, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 receives image data transmitted from the terminal device 51 connected to the network 40 from the communication unit 8. The received image data is temporarily stored in the memory 33 and further transferred to and stored in the hard disk 9. When printing is performed, the image data is sent again from the hard disk 9 to the memory 33 and further transferred to the printing unit 31 in accordance with the writing timing of the printing unit 31 to be printed on paper. .

<Scanner mode>
The scanner mode is a mode when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment functions as a scanner. When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 operates as a scanner, the documents 90 placed on the document table 16 are taken one by one, set at a predetermined reading position, and read by the CCD 21. Then, the read image data of the document 90 is configured to be transmitted from the communication unit 8 to the predetermined terminal device 51 via the network 40.

  Specifically, the read image data of the original 90 is temporarily stored as image data in the memory 33 and further transferred to the hard disk 9 and stored therein. Then, it is sent again from the hard disk 9 to the memory 33, and after establishing communication with the destination specified via the operation unit 6, it is sent from the communication unit 8 to the designated destination.

  When reading a double-side printed original 90, the original 90 is moved to a predetermined position by a roller, the surface of the original 90 is read by the CCD 21, and then the original 90 is reversed and again a predetermined predetermined value by the roller. The back surface of the original 90 is read by the CCD 21 after being moved to the position. The read image data of the document 90 is further stored in the hard disk 9 and transmitted from the communication unit 8 to the predetermined terminal device 51 via the network 40.

<FAX mode>
The FAX mode is a mode when the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment functions as a facsimile. When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 operates as a facsimile, the originals 90 placed on the original table 16 are taken one by one, set at a predetermined reading position, and read by the CCD 21. The read image data of the document 90 is transmitted from the FAX modem 7 to the external facsimile apparatus 52 via the network 40 or the Internet 50.

  In addition, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can be made to function as a facsimile in response to an instruction from a terminal device 51 connected to the network 40. Specifically, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 receives the image data transmitted from the terminal device 51 connected to the network 40 from the communication unit 8, and stores the received image data in the memory 33 for each page. Sent and stored in the hard disk 9. When performing FAX transmission, the image data is again transferred from the hard disk 9 to the memory 33 and transmitted from the FAX modem 7 to the external facsimile apparatus 52 via the network 40 and the Internet 50.

<E-mail mode>
The e-mail mode is a mode when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment functions as an e-mail. When the digital multifunction peripheral 1 is operated as an e-mail, the originals 90 placed on the original table 16 are taken one by one, set at a predetermined reading position, and read by the CCD 21. The read image data of the document 90 is transmitted from the communication unit 8 to the external terminal device 51 via the network 40 and the Internet 50. According to this configuration, the image data read by the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can be transmitted as an e-mail to the external terminal device 51 immediately without using the terminal device 51 as it is. Therefore, it is possible to omit the work of creating an e-mail after storing the image data in the terminal device 51.

<Converting manuscripts to electronic files>
Next, a process until the original 90 is read as image data by the original reading unit 2 and the image data is stored in the hard disk 9 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is an electronic file conversion condition setting table displayed on the display unit of the operation unit. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of converting a document into an electronic file.

  When copying the original 90, scanning the original 90, performing FAX transmission of the original 90, or performing e-mail transmission of the original 90, first, the electronic file conversion conditions of the original 90 are set in advance. . The electronic file conversion condition is a condition when the original 90 read by the original reading unit 2 is stored as electronic data for output.

  An electronic file conversion condition setting screen is shown on the display panel of the operation unit 6. This setting is performed via a setting table showing electronic file conversion conditions as shown in FIG. The electronic file conversion condition setting table includes buttons for selecting whether or not to “exclude pages without page numbers” and “exclude blank pages”. The setting can be changed by.

  Note that the contents shown in FIG. 2 are “except pages without page numbers” being ON and “excluding blank pages” being OFF. This indicates that the image data corresponding to the original 90 is not stored for the original 90 that is not numbered, and the image data corresponding to the original 90 is stored as it is for the original 90 that is a blank sheet. In other words, if copying is performed under this condition, pages without a page number in the document are not copied, and blank pages are copied.

  When the electronic file conversion condition is set and reading of the original 90 is started, the following operation is performed. The following operation is an operation for reading both sides of the document 90. The selection of reading both sides or one side of the document 90 is set on the display panel of the operation unit 6.

  When reading of the document 90 is started, the surface flag is set to ON (step 1: S1), and the surface of the document 90 is read (step 2: S2). The front flag indicates one surface of the document 90, and indicates whether the surface to be read is the front surface or the back surface by turning on and off. In this example, the ON state of the surface flag indicates that the surface of the document 90 is read by the document reading unit 2.

  Next, whether or not the read original 90 is normally read is determined by the no-paper determining means 18 (step 2-1: S2-1).

  When it is determined that the read document 90 is normally read (YES in step 2-1), the description information recognition unit 12 recognizes whether or not there is description information in the document 90. Then, it is determined whether or not the sheet is blank (no description information) (step 3: S3).

  If it is determined that the document 90 is blank, it is confirmed whether or not the setting of “exclude blank page” is ON (step: S4).

  If it is confirmed that the setting of “exclude blank page” is not ON (in the case of NO in step 4), or if it is determined in step 3 that the page is not blank, the page number is described in the document 90. It is confirmed by the page number detection means 11 (step 5: S5).

  If it is confirmed that the page number is not described in the document 90, it is confirmed whether or not the setting of “excluding pages without a page number” is ON (step 6: S6).

  If the setting of “excluding pages with no page number description” is not ON (in the case of NO in step 6), or if it is confirmed in step 5 that the page number is described in the manuscript 90, The page is converted to an electronic file (step 7: S7). The electronic file processing is to store the read original 90 (image data) in the hard disk 9 as output electronic data.

  After the electronic file conversion, it is confirmed whether or not the surface flag is ON (step 8: S8).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the read original 90 is not normally read (NO in step 2-1), the read original 90 is blank and “exclude blank page” is set. Is confirmed to be ON (in the case of YES in step 4), or the setting of “excluding pages with no page number description” on the read document 90 is ON. In this case (in the case of YES at step 6), the image data of these originals 90 is not converted into an electronic file (that is, storage on the hard disk 9 is skipped). Thereafter, it is confirmed whether or not the surface flag is ON (step 8: S8).

  If the front flag is ON, the front flag is changed to OFF (step 9: S9), and reading of the back side of the document 90 is started (step 10: S10).

  If the front flag is not ON, it is detected whether there is a document 90 of the next item (step 11: S11). If there is a document 90 of the next item, the front flag is turned ON (step 1: S1). If there is no original 90 of the next item, the reading operation of the original 90 is completed.

  According to the electronic file conversion processing as described above, even when the original 90 without the page number and / or the blank original 90 is mixed in the original 90, the page number detecting means 11 or the written information recognizing means. 12, the page number and the description information are recognized for each page, and the original 90 having no page number and the original 90 having no description information are stored or not stored in the hard disk 9 according to preset electronic file conversion conditions. As a result, the original 90 is converted into an electronic file with unnecessary data removed.

  Even if the original 90 may not be read normally, it is determined whether or not the original 90 has been read normally by the no-paper determination unit 18 and it is determined that the original 90 has been read normally. Since the image data of the original 90 that has been read is stored in the hard disk 9 and the image data of the original 90 that has not been read normally is not stored, the original 90 is converted into an electronic file with the image data formed due to the reading error removed. Is done.

  Therefore, when the digital multi-function peripheral 1 operates in the copy mode, electronic data for output is transferred from the hard disk 9 to the printing unit in the printing process, and the user sets the electronic data for output. Since unnecessary data is not included, these unnecessary documents 90 are not copied.

  When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 operates in the FAX mode, facsimile transmission data is formed based on the output electronic data stored in the hard disk 9 in the transmission process. Does not include unnecessary data set by the user, so that these unnecessary documents 90 are not transmitted by FAX.

  When the digital multi-function peripheral 1 operates in the e-mail mode, e-mail data is formed based on the output electronic data stored in the hard disk 9 in the transmission process. Does not include unnecessary data set by the user, so that an e-mail attached with these unnecessary documents 90 is not transmitted.

  The present invention is not only applied to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 but may be applied to a document reading device (document reading unit) for reading a document.

  The main part of this document reading apparatus is composed of a document reading unit 2, a memory 33 of the image forming apparatus, a hard disk 9, a device control unit 4, a management unit 5, and a display unit 62, which are constituent elements of the digital multifunction peripheral 1. The above-described operation flow is applied in processing from reading to storage of the document 90. Even in this case, the same effects as those of the above-described digital multi-function peripheral can be obtained.

  Further, a facsimile apparatus or an electronic mail apparatus may be configured using this document reading apparatus. For example, the facsimile apparatus includes the document reading device and a facsimile transmission unit that forms facsimile transmission data based on output electronic data output from the document reading device and transmits the facsimile transmission data to a destination. In addition, the electronic mail apparatus includes the original reading apparatus and an electronic mail transmission unit that forms electronic mail data based on output electronic data output from the original reading apparatus and transmits the electronic mail data to a destination. Even in these cases, the same effects as the above-described digital multi-function peripheral can be obtained.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral and a connection state with peripheral devices. It is a setting table of the electronic file conversion conditions displayed on the display part of an operation part. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process of converting a document into an electronic file.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 2 Original reading part 3 Image formation part 4 Apparatus control part 5 Management part 6 Operation part 7 FAX modem 8 Communication part 9 Hard disk 10 Erasing means 11 Page number detection means 12 Information recognition means 18 No paper determination means (determination means)
90 manuscript

Claims (7)

In an original reading apparatus provided with an original reading means for sequentially reading originals and converting them into electronic data for each page,
Comprising page number detecting means for detecting whether or not the read document includes a page number;
An original reading apparatus characterized in that an original whose page number is not detected by the page number detecting means is skipped and only electronic data of the original whose page number is detected is output. In an original reading apparatus provided with an original reading means for sequentially reading originals and converting them into electronic data for each page,
A description information recognition means for recognizing the description information from the read original;
An original reading apparatus characterized in that an original whose recognizing information is recognized is skipped and only electronic data of the original whose recognizing information is recognized is output. In an original reading apparatus provided with an original reading means for sequentially reading originals and converting them into electronic data for each page,
Comprising page number description information recognition means for recognizing page number and / or description information from the read original;
An original reading apparatus, wherein an original whose page number and / or description information is not recognized by the page number description information recognition unit is skipped and only electronic data of the original whose page number and description information is recognized is output. In an original reading apparatus provided with an original reading means for sequentially reading originals and converting them into electronic data for each page,
A determination means for determining whether or not the read document is normally read;
A document that is determined not to be normally read by the determination means and that only the electronic data of the document that has been determined to be read correctly is output. Reader.   5. A document reading device according to claim 1, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet or other sheet based on electronic data output from the document reading device. An image forming apparatus.   5. A document reading apparatus according to claim 1, and a facsimile transmission unit that forms and transmits facsimile transmission data based on electronic data output from the document reading apparatus. Feature facsimile machine.   5. An original reading apparatus according to claim 1, and an e-mail transmitting unit that forms and transmits e-mail data based on electronic data output from the original reading apparatus. E-mail device featuring.

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