JP2009077278A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily image-processing a document and outputting it. <P>SOLUTION: A digital multifunction machine 10 includes an image read means (S12) of reading the document 30 to which a control symbol associated with image processing is added, a decision means (S13) of identifying the control symbol from the document 30 read by the image read means, and image forming means (S14, S15) of forming images obtained by image-processing the document 30 based upon the control symbol identified by the decision means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that forms an image obtained by performing image processing on a read original.

  The image forming apparatus has various functions such as a printer function, a FAX function, a scanner function, and a copy function. Each function has more detailed functions such as enlarging the read original.

A technique related to an image forming apparatus having a function of performing image processing on a read original is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-289132 (Patent Document 1). According to Patent Document 1, a display screen is installed in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus can display the read original on a display screen, perform image processing on the original on the display screen, and output the original. In addition, as another method of performing image processing on a document and outputting the document, a method of outputting a document read by a scanner on a personal computer and outputting the document is also described.
JP-A-8-289132 (paragraph numbers 0046 to 0060)

  According to Patent Document 1, the image forming apparatus must have a display screen for image processing. However, in an inexpensive image forming apparatus, it may be difficult to display a read original and install a display screen large enough to perform image processing. In addition, even in a method of performing image processing on a document using a scanner and a personal computer and outputting the document, there is a risk that the operation becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily performing image processing on a document and outputting it.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention is discriminated by an image reading unit that reads a document to which a control symbol related to image processing is added, a determination unit that determines a control symbol from the document read by the image reading unit, and a determination unit. And image forming means for forming an image obtained by performing image processing on the document based on the control symbols.

  Preferably, an editing unit that edits the document to create an edited document based on the control symbol is provided, and the image forming unit forms an image of the edited document created by the editing unit.

  In one embodiment, the control symbol is a frame surrounding a partial area of the document, and the editing unit extracts the area surrounded by the frame and creates an edited document.

  In another embodiment, the control symbol includes a first frame surrounding a partial area of the document and a second frame surrounding an area different from the first frame, and the editing means includes the first and first frames. The area surrounded by the frame 2 is collected to create an edited manuscript.

  In still another embodiment, the control symbol is a frame surrounding a partial area of the document, and the editing unit fills the area surrounded by the frame to create an edited document.

  In yet another embodiment, the control symbol is a frame surrounding a partial area of the document, and the editing unit creates an edited document by painting the outside of the area surrounded by the frame.

  More preferably, the control symbol is composed of a color different from that of the document, and the discrimination means discriminates the control symbol based on the color.

  More preferably, there is provided setting means for setting the contents of the image processing to the control symbol.

  According to the present invention, the image forming apparatus can form an image obtained by performing desired image processing on a document only by reading the document to which a control symbol related to image processing is added. In this case, the user need only write the control symbols directly on the document. As a result, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that can easily perform image processing on a document and output it.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 10 when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral 10. Referring to FIG. 1, a digital multifunction peripheral 10 includes a control unit 11 that controls the entire digital multifunction peripheral 10, a DRAM 12 for writing and reading image data and the like, and an interface with a user in the digital multifunction peripheral 10. An operation unit 13, a document feeding device 14 for automatically transporting a document to a predetermined document reading position, and an image as image reading means for reading the document conveyed by the document feeding device 14 with a scanner at a predetermined reading position. FAX communication connected to the reading unit 15, the image forming unit 16 as an image forming unit that forms an image from a document read by the image reading unit 15, the hard disk 17 that stores image data and the like, and the public line 20 Unit 18 and a network IF (interface) unit 19 for connecting to the network 21.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 10 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 15. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the personal computer 22 connected to the network 21 through the network IF unit 19, thereby serving as a printer. Operate. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18, and also by the image reading unit 15. The image data of the read original is transmitted to the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18 to operate as a facsimile machine. That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 has a plurality of functions such as a copying (copying) function, a printer function, and a FAX function regarding image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in more detail.

  In FIG. 1, thick arrows indicate the flow of image data, and thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals or control data.

  The control unit 11 compresses and writes the image data of the original document supplied from the image reading unit 15 to the DRAM 12, reads the data written to the DRAM 12, decompresses and decodes the data, and outputs it by the image forming unit 16.

  The control unit 11 operates as a determination unit by determining a control symbol related to image processing from the document read by the image reading unit 15. Furthermore, based on the control symbol discriminated by the discriminating means, the original is edited to produce an edited original, thereby operating as an editing means.

  Here, the control symbol relating to image processing is a symbol for designating a region to be image processed in the document and the contents of image processing for the region, such as a frame surrounding a part of the document. It is. The control symbol is different from the text of the document, and for example, the text of the document and the control symbol can be distinguished by color. Specifically, the text and control symbols of the original are distinguished by adding red or blue control symbols, which are different from the black text of the main text of the original, to a manuscript whose text is written in black characters on white paper. can do.

  The control symbol is associated with the contents of image processing such as how to perform image processing on a region to be image processed. For example, a red frame as a control symbol extracts a region surrounded by the frame (trimming process). A green frame as a control symbol fills an area surrounded by the frame (masking process). A yellow frame as a control symbol fills the outside of the area surrounded by the frame. A blue frame (second frame) as a control symbol surrounds an area different from the red frame (first frame) and aggregates the areas surrounded by the red frame and the blue frame.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the control unit 11 when an image is formed using the copy function of the digital multifunction peripheral 10. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the document 30. Referring to FIG. 3, a document 30 has a structure in which a text is written in black characters on white paper and a frame 31 as a control symbol is added. In this embodiment, the frame 31 is red. The red frame 31 surrounds a partial area of the document 30, here “Sashisoseso”.

  A case where an image is formed using the copy function of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the document 30 is set on the document feeder 14 and a request for image formation is started (step S11 in FIG. 2, the following steps are omitted). Then, the document feeder 14 conveys the document 30 to the document reading position. The image reading unit 15 irradiates the document 30 with light from the light source, and reads each color constituting the document 30 from the reflected light data (S12).

  Next, the control unit 11 that operates as a determination unit determines a control symbol from the read document 30 (S13). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the read document 30 has a color different from black. In this embodiment, the red frame 31 is determined as a control symbol (YES in S13).

  Then, the control unit 11 operating as an editing unit edits the document 30 based on the content of the image processing associated with the red frame 31 and creates an edited document (S14). Specifically, the area surrounded by the red frame 31 is extracted. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an edited document 32 created by editing the document 30 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, edited document 32 is created by extracting an area surrounded by red frame 31 of document 30. Here, only “Sashisuseso” is described in the edited manuscript 32. Then, the edited document 32 is image-formed by the image forming unit 16 (S15).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that no control symbol is added to the read original (NO in S13), the control unit 11 forms an image of the read original as it is (S16).

  In this way, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 forms an image that has been subjected to desired image processing only by reading the document 30 to which a control symbol relating to image processing, here, a red frame 31 is added. Can do. In this case, the user only needs to write the red frame 31 directly on the document 30. As a result, it is possible to obtain the digital multi-function peripheral 10 that can easily perform image processing on the document 30 and output it.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the region surrounded by the frame 31 of the document 30 is extracted and the edited document 32 is created has been described. However, the region surrounded by the frame of the document is painted and edited. A manuscript may be created. In the document 30 shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, if the frame 31 is green, in step 13 shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 determines that the green frame 31 is a control symbol. In step 14, the control unit 11 creates an edited document by painting the area surrounded by the green frame 31. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an edited document 33 created by filling the area surrounded by the frame 31 of the document 30 shown in FIG. The edited manuscript 33 is created by painting “Sashisuseso”. Furthermore, as an example of the above modification, an edited document may be created by painting the outside of the area surrounded by the frame.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the control symbol is added to only one place on the document 30 has been described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the document 34 with control symbols added at two locations. Referring to FIG. 6, document 34 has a configuration in which a red frame 35 and a blue frame 36 are added as control symbols. The red frame 35 encloses “Kakikukeko”, and the blue frame 36 encloses “Hahifuheho”.

  Here, when the document 34 is read by the digital multi-function peripheral 10, the control unit 11 determines the red frame 35 and the blue frame 36 as control symbols in step 13 shown in FIG. In step 14, the control unit 11 creates an edited document by collecting the areas surrounded by the red frame 35 and the blue frame 36. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an edited document 37 created by integrating the areas surrounded by the frames 35 and 36 of the document 34 shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 7, an edited document 37 is created by extracting an area surrounded by red frame 35 and blue frame 36 of document 34 shown in FIG.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the edited document 37 is created by collecting two locations on the same page has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and specific areas of different pages are collected into one page. May be created. Specifically, a red frame is added to the first page, and a blue frame is added to a second page different from the first page.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the control symbol is determined based on the color has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control symbol may be determined based on another element other than the color constituting the document. For example, the determination may be made by writing a predetermined character at a specific position of the document such as a header portion.

  Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the control symbol is a frame surrounding a partial area of the document has been described. For example, in the case of a document in which text is written in black characters on white paper, The character itself may be used as a control symbol by setting the character to be edited to a color other than black. Furthermore, the control symbol may be another symbol.

  In the above-described embodiment, examples of the trimming process, the masking process, and the aggregation have been described as the contents of the image processing. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other image processing contents may be used. For example, it may be the contents of image processing that simply enlarges or reduces a specific area of a document.

  Further, the operation unit 13 may operate as a setting unit that sets the content of the image processing in the control symbol. By doing so, the contents of arbitrary image processing can be associated with the control symbol.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit when an image is formed using a copy function of a digital multifunction peripheral. It is a figure which shows an example of a manuscript. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edited document created by editing the document illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edited document created by filling a region surrounded by a document frame illustrated in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows an example of the original document to which the control symbol was added to two places. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an edited document created by collecting areas surrounded by a frame of the document illustrated in FIG. 6.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital multifunction device, 11 Control part, 12 DRAM, 13 Operation part, 14 Document feeder, 15 Image reading part, 16 Image formation part, 17 Hard disk, 18 FAX communication part, 19 Network IF part, 20 Public line, 21 Network , 22 PC, 30, 34 Manuscript, 31, 35, 36 Frame, 32, 33, 37 Editing manuscript.

Claims (8)

Image reading means for reading a document to which a control symbol relating to image processing is added;
Discriminating means for discriminating the control symbol from the original read by the image reading means;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit configured to form an image obtained by performing image processing on the original based on the control symbol determined by the determining unit. Editing means for editing the original and creating an edited original based on the control symbol;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms an image of the edited document created by the editing unit. The control symbol is a frame surrounding a partial area of the document,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the editing unit extracts the area surrounded by the frame and creates the edited document. The control symbol includes a first frame that surrounds a partial area of the document, and a second frame that surrounds an area different from the first frame,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the editing unit collects the area surrounded by the first and second frames to create the edited document. The control symbol is a frame surrounding a partial area of the document,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the editing unit fills a region surrounded by the frame and creates the edited document. The control symbol is a frame surrounding a partial area of the document,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the editing unit fills an outside of an area surrounded by the frame and creates the edited document. The control symbol is composed of a color different from that of the original,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the control symbol by color. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting unit configured to set the content of the image processing in the control symbol.

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