JP2009164807A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently and accurately estimate the size, inclination, installation region, and the like of an original in an image reader for reading the original on an original platen by conveying a read unit. <P>SOLUTION: A composite machine, namely the image reader, executes prescan operation to the tip of a readable region to generate image data, and allows the data to pass through an image filter to generate edge image data. Also, the edge image data are used to execute original estimation processing. In the original estimation processing, a group of edge points indicating the right end of the original, a group of edge points indicating the left end of the original, and a group of edge points indicating the lower end of the original are extracted (S420, S450, S460), approximate straight lines of respective groups of edge points are obtained (S437, S455, SS465), and the lower-left and lower-right corner positions of the original are estimated from the intersection point of the approximate straight lines (S480). The size of the original is estimated by estimating that a distance between lower-left and lower-right corners is the short-side length of the original and length √2 times longer than that of a short side is the long-side length of the original (S490), and the placement region of the original is estimated from these pieces of information (S497). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that generates image data representing a read image of a document placed on a document table by causing a reading unit to read the document placed on the document table.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image reading apparatus includes a reading unit below a reading glass, and conveys the reading unit under the reading glass, and causes the reading unit to perform a reading operation when the reading unit is transported, whereby the document placed on the reading glass. An image reading apparatus that generates image data representing a read image of a document is known.

  When the image reading apparatus has a copy function, the generated image data is used for, for example, a printing process. That is, the image data representing the read image is subjected to a printing process, whereby a copy image of the read original is printed on the recording paper. As such an image reading apparatus having a copy function, a digital multifunction peripheral having a printer function, a fax function, and the like in addition to a copy function is known.

  In addition, the image reading device grasps the area where the document is placed on the reading glass by pre-scanning, and at the time of the main scanning, the reading area is not the entire area under the reading glass but the area where the document is placed. In this reading area, a reading unit that conveys a reading unit and reads a document is known.

  In addition, an image reading apparatus that detects the size and inclination of a document based on a document reading result by a reading unit is known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Also, as this image reading apparatus, an apparatus that uses the detection result of the document size or inclination for the automatic setting operation of the reading area at the time of the main scan, the automatic setting operation of the scaling factor at the time of copying, or the inclination correction operation is known. Yes.

For example, based on the detected document size and recording paper size, the magnification ratio is set according to the ratio of the document size to the recording paper size, and the rotation amount is set based on the inclination of the document. For example, the rotation processing is performed to correct the inclination, the image is enlarged / reduced in accordance with the set variable magnification, and the read original image is printed on the recording paper at a magnification corresponding to the recording paper size.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-252351 JP 2007-082047 A

  However, the conventional image reading apparatus has the following problems. For example, in the method of reading the entire document and obtaining the size, inclination, placement area, etc. of the document from the entire image, it is unclear what size document is placed in what state before the scanning operation. For this reason, there has been a problem in that it takes time for the document reading operation because the reading unit must be transported over the entire readable area under the reading glass and the reading operation must be executed. That is, there has been a problem that a reading operation has to be performed unnecessarily for an area where no document exists.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for estimating a document size based on a reading result of a partial area of a document. This method, however, conveys a document to be scanned and reads the document before and after passing through the document. The document size is determined by determining the document range and the document range from the data change, and is based on the assumption that the document is transported. Even if the reading unit is conveyed to be read and used as an image reading apparatus, the above problem cannot be solved.

  That is, when this technique is applied to an image reading apparatus that transports and reads a reading unit while the original is stationary on the reading glass, an image in which no original is placed on the reading glass is read. There is a problem that it is necessary to perform a reading operation unnecessarily on an area where a document does not exist.

  The present invention has been made in view of these problems, and in an image reading apparatus that reads a document placed on a document table by conveying a reading unit, the size, inclination, and placement of the document are efficiently and accurately detected. An object is to provide a technique capable of estimating a region or the like.

  In order to achieve this object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises a document table on which a document to be read is placed and a reading unit conveyed along the document table. An image reading apparatus that generates image data representing a read image of a document placed on the document table by reading the document placed on the table, and is an area of the document table that can be read by the reading unit. Among the readable areas, a partial pre-scan unit that conveys the reading unit in a partial area and causes the reading unit to perform a reading operation in the partial area, and a reading unit obtained by the operation of the partial pre-scan unit The image data as the read result is converted into edge image data representing an edge image, and based on the edge image data, the assumption is that the document placed on the document table is square. Estimates the state of the document placed on the document table based on the angle estimation means for estimating the position coordinates on the document table corresponding to each of the two corners of the document, and the estimation result of the angle estimation means Document estimation means.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the entire readable area is pre-scanned as in the prior art, and based on the image data as a result of the reading, the state of the original (original size, original inclination, original placement area) Etc.), a part of the readable area is pre-scanned, and the state of the document is estimated based on the reading result. Therefore, according to the present invention, the prescan operation can be completed at a higher speed than the method of prescanning the entire readable area, and the state of the document can be estimated efficiently.

  However, when only a part of the readable area is pre-scanned without pre-scanning the entire readable area, the entire image of the document cannot be read by pre-scanning. For this reason, in the present invention, assuming that the document placed on the platen is a quadrilateral document, the respective position coordinates of the two corners of the document placed on the platen are estimated, and this estimation result Based on the above, the state of the document is estimated.

  In many cases, a document to be read is a standard paper having a rectangular shape and a constant aspect ratio, and there are few cases where a document outside the standard paper is to be read. Further, even when the document to be read is a document outside the standard paper, it is rare that the document to be read is greatly different from the shape of the standard paper.

  On the other hand, for a document to be read, corners may be broken during the process of placing on the document table. However, when the entire image to be read cannot be read as in the present invention, the document to be read is square. If an attempt is made to estimate the state of a document in consideration of a case where the shape is not a shape, it will be confused by broken corners, and it will not be possible to estimate the exact size or inclination of the document.

  Therefore, in the present invention, assuming that the document placed on the document table is a rectangular document, the angular position is estimated, and the state of the document is estimated based on the estimation result. In this way, if the angular position of the document is estimated under the assumption that the document placed on the platen is a rectangular document, the document placed on the platen is actually Can be derived from the estimated corner position information, even if the corner is broken, the document tilt and the length of one side of the document can be derived from the prescan area on the document table. It is possible to accurately estimate the entire image of the document including the portion placed in the area.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, in an image reading apparatus that reads a document placed on a document table by conveying a reading unit, the state of the document (size, inclination, placement region, etc. of the document) can be efficiently and accurately. ) Can be estimated.

  Specifically, the document estimation means estimates the length of one side of the document placed on the document table from the length between the position coordinates of the two corners estimated by the angle estimation means, and the document table The document placed on the platen is estimated by estimating the length of the side of the document perpendicular to this side from the estimated side length under the assumption that the document placed on the standard paper. In this state, the size of the document placed on the document table can be estimated (claim 2).

  If the document estimation unit is configured in this way, as long as the document placed on the document table is a standard sheet, the corner position and document size of the document can be accurately estimated by pre-scanning of a partial area. From these pieces of information, the tilt of the document and the document placement area can be accurately derived.

  Of course, in the present invention, when the document placed on the document table is out of the standard paper, the accuracy of the operation for estimating the state of the original document is lowered, but generally, the original to be read is a standard paper. As a result, there is little impact from erroneous estimation. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to estimate the document state (document size, inclination, placement area, etc.) more efficiently and accurately than in the past.

  Further, the angle estimation means extracts edge point groups corresponding to three sides of the document placed on the document table from the edge point groups indicated by the edge image data, and edge points corresponding to the extracted sides. Each position coordinate of two intersection points where three straight lines obtained by linearly approximating the group intersect can be estimated to be a position coordinate corresponding to the corner of the document placed on the document table ( Claim 3).

  If the corner estimation means is configured in this way, the corner position of the document can be accurately determined even when the corner of the document placed on the document table is folded, as in the case where the corner of the document is not folded. As a result, the size and inclination of the document can be estimated accurately.

  Further, in order to accurately estimate the state of the document based on the image data obtained by executing the reading operation on a part of the readable area of the document table, there are many images of the document in the part area. It is preferable that it is reflected.

  Therefore, in the above-described image reading apparatus, the document table is formed into a quadrangular shape in accordance with the shape of the document, and one specific corner among the four corners of the document table is determined as a position where the corner of the document is to be aligned. It is preferable that the partial area is determined based on the corner.

  That is, a part of the pre-scan means can read a region from the edge of the document table (first side of the document table) extending from the specific corner on the document table to a position a predetermined distance away from the inside of the document table. The part corresponding to the area may be set as the partial area, and the reading unit may be transported in the area and the reading unit may perform a reading operation.

  The angle estimation means is arranged along the first side of the document table as an edge point group corresponding to three sides of the document placed on the document table from among the edge point groups indicated by the edge image data. A group of edge points corresponding to the first side of the document to be scanned, and a side of the document to be arranged along the second side that extends from the specific corner on the document table and is perpendicular to the first side. An edge point group corresponding to two sides and an edge point group corresponding to the third side of the document parallel to the second side of the document can be extracted.

  In the image reading apparatus configured as described above, the pre-scan operation can be realized by defining the partial area so that two corners of the document can be captured, so that the angle is accurately estimated by the angle estimation means. As a result, the state of the original can be accurately estimated.

  Further, the document estimation means can be configured to estimate the placement area of the document placed on the document table as the document state, and the image reading apparatus can estimate the result of the document estimation means. Can be configured to operate as follows.

  That is, the image reading apparatus determines an area on the document table corresponding to the document placement area estimated by the document estimation unit as a reading area by the reading unit, and conveys the reading unit in the determined reading area. By causing the reading unit to perform a reading operation in the reading area, image data representing a read image of the document placed on the document table can be generated.

  According to the image reading apparatus configured as described above, it is possible to quickly shift to the main scan by an efficient pre-scan operation, and at the time of the main scan, only the reading area corresponding to the document placement area is read. Since the operation is executed, it is possible to quickly generate image data corresponding to the document placed on the document table. That is, according to the present invention, it is possible to generate image data representing the reading result of the document placed on the document table at high speed.

  Further, the document estimation means estimates the size of the document placed on the document table based on the estimation result of the angle estimation means as the document state, and linearly approximates the edge point group corresponding to each side of the document. Based on at least one inclination of the three straight lines obtained in this way, the inclination of the original placed on the original table with respect to the original table can be estimated. In addition, the image reading apparatus represents the read image of the original placed on the original table by correcting the inclination of the image data as the reading result of the reading unit based on the inclination information estimated by the original estimation means. The image data can be generated (claim 7).

  According to the image reading apparatus configured as described above, it is possible to quickly shift to the main scan by an efficient pre-scan operation, and even when the document is arranged at an inclination, the image is read during the main scan. It is possible to correct the tilt of the image data and generate straight and beautiful image data.

In addition, the document estimation means may be configured to estimate the inclination of the document from the position coordinates of the two corners estimated by the angle estimation means as the state of the document (claim 8).
In addition, the method of estimating the original state by pre-scanning only a part of the readable area is more accurate than the method of pre-scanning the entire readable area and estimating the original state. Therefore, it is more preferable that the above-described image reading apparatus is configured to be able to estimate the state of the document by pre-scanning the entire readable area as necessary.

That is, the above-described image reading apparatus includes an entire prescan unit that conveys the reading unit in the entire readable area of the document table, and causes the reading unit to perform a reading operation in the entire readable area of the document table. Sub-document estimation means for estimating the state of the document placed on the document table based on the reading result of the reading unit obtained by the operation;
It is more preferable that the apparatus includes a switching unit that operates either one of the partial prescan unit and the entire prescan unit in accordance with a command from the outside.

  According to the image reading apparatus configured as described above, the entire readable area can be pre-scanned as necessary to estimate the state of the document, and thus operates in an appropriate mode according to the user's request. Image data representing the read image of the document can be generated.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1A, the digital multifunction peripheral 1 of this embodiment includes an image reading unit 10, a reading control unit 20, a printing unit 30, a printing control unit 40, a display operation unit 50, a communication unit 60, a CPU 70, A RAM 80 and a flash memory 90 are provided, and various processes are executed by the CPU 70 based on a program recorded in the flash memory 90 to control the entire apparatus.

  Specifically, the image reading unit 10 is configured as shown in FIGS. FIGS. 1B and 1C are explanatory diagrams showing the configuration of the image reading unit 10. The image reading unit 10 is configured such that a transparent plate-shaped reading glass 11 on which a document P to be read is placed is supported by a housing 13, and the reading is performed below the reading glass 11 in the housing 13. A reading unit 15 that optically reads an image reflected on the glass 11 in the main scanning direction, a conveying mechanism 16 that conveys the reading unit 15 in the sub-scanning direction, and a motor 17 that drives the conveying mechanism 16 are provided.

  The image reading unit 10 drives the transport mechanism 16 by the rotational force of the motor 17 in accordance with a control signal input from the reading control unit 20, thereby causing the reading unit 15 to move under the reading glass 11 in the sub-scanning direction (FIG. 1 ( b) While being conveyed in the direction of the dotted arrow shown in (c), the reading unit 15 is caused to perform a reading operation during conveyance.

  The reading unit 15 is controlled by the reading control unit 20 to read an image on the reading glass 11 for each line as it moves in the sub-scanning direction, and outputs a line image signal representing the read image. (CIS). The line image signal output from the reading unit 15 is converted into digital data (line image data) by an A / D converter (not shown) and input to the reading control unit 20.

  The image reading unit 10 is provided with a lid (not shown) that can cover the reading glass 11 so as to be openable and closable similarly to a known scanner. When the reading operation by the reading unit 15 is performed, a manual operation by the user is performed. By the operation, the lid is closed so as to be placed on the document placed on the reading glass 11. The inner side of the lid facing the reading glass 11 is made of a white member so that the image of the lid does not appear in the read image of the document.

  On the other hand, the reading control unit 20 executes a reading control process in accordance with an instruction from the CPU 70, and controls the movement of the reading unit 15 in the sub-scanning direction and controls the reading operation of the reading unit 15 in the reading control process. To do.

  With this control, the reading control unit 20 causes the reading unit 15 to read an image reflected in the reading area of the reading glass 11 designated by the CPU 70 while conveying the reading unit 15 under the reading glass 11 in the sub-scanning direction. Image data representing an image shown in the reading area of the reading glass is recorded in the RAM 80. By such an operation, image data representing a read image of the document P placed in the reading area of the reading glass 11 is recorded in the RAM 80.

  The reading control unit 20 temporarily stores each line image data input from the image reading unit 10 in a built-in buffer, performs image processing such as shading correction on each line image data, and then executes each line image data. Image data is recorded in the RAM 80.

  In addition, the printing unit 30 conveys a recording sheet placed on a tray (not shown) to a recording position in accordance with a control signal input from the printing control unit 40, and is well-known such as an ink jet method or a laser printer method. In this recording method, an image corresponding to the control signal is formed on the recording paper.

  The print control unit 40 controls the printing unit 30 to form an image on recording paper. In accordance with a command from the CPU 70, an image based on the print target data designated by the CPU 70 is transmitted through the printing unit 30. Print on recording paper.

  The communication unit 60 includes a group of interfaces for communicating with an external device, and includes a USB interface, a LAN interface, a FAX modem, and the like. That is, the multi-function device 1 is configured to be capable of performing FAX communication with an external FAX device through a FAX modem provided in the communication unit 60, and configured to be capable of communicating with an external personal computer through a USB interface or a LAN interface.

  In addition, the display operation unit 50 includes a liquid crystal display (not shown) for displaying information and various operation keys, and is controlled by the CPU 70 to display information for the user on the liquid crystal display. The command from the user input through is input to the CPU 70.

  Further, the CPU 70 realizes a copy function, a FAX function, a scanner function, a printer function, and the like according to a command input through an operation key or a command input from an external personal computer or the like through the communication unit 60 by executing a program. To do.

  For example, when a copy command is input from the user through an operation key provided on the display operation unit 50, the CPU 70 executes a copy control process (see FIG. 3) to control each unit in the apparatus, and on the reading glass 11. The read image of the placed document P is printed on a recording sheet. More specifically, the size of the document P placed on the reading glass 11 is estimated based on the reading result by the reading unit 15, and the scaling ratio is set from the estimated document size and the recording paper size, and the document P The read image is enlarged or reduced to a size suitable for the recording paper size, and this is printed on the recording paper through the printing unit 30.

The contents of the copy control process will be specifically described below. Prior to that, the characteristics of the image reading unit 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the readable region R0 of the reading glass 11. As shown in FIG. In the multifunction device 1, a reading glass 11 that is a rectangular glass plate is provided so as to close the opening portion in the opening portion of the rectangular housing 13 whose one surface is opened. The periphery of the reading glass 11 is supported by a housing 13.

The reading glass 11 is provided slightly below the upper surface of the housing 13 from the upper surface of the housing 13, and an area 11 a of the reading glass 11 exposed from the housing 13 (hereinafter, referred to as “original table”). A step is formed at the boundary BD between the casing 13 and the casing 13 so that the original P can be abutted (hereinafter referred to as a portion 13a above the reading glass 11 of the casing 13 (the portion forming the step)). (Represented as “frame”.)
Further, in the image reading unit 10, due to the relationship between the line width of the reading unit 15 and the size of the document table 11 a, a rectangular region R 0 that is slightly narrower than the entire region of the rectangular document table 11 a is the reading unit 15. Is defined as a readable area R0 where the original can be read. Specifically, the readable area R0 is an area having an outer periphery at a position away from the boundary BD between the frame 13a and the reading glass 11 by a minute amount (3 mm in this embodiment), as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. ing.

  In the image reading unit 10, a mark MK is instructed in the lower left part of the frame 13a to instruct the corner of the document P to abut. In this embodiment, the corner of the document table 11a to which the mark MK is attached is defined as “lower left corner”, and the corner of the document table 11a located at a point farther in the main scanning direction than the lower left corner is defined. The “lower right corner” is defined, and the corner of the document table 11a located at a point away from the lower left corner in the sub-scanning direction is defined as the “upper left corner”.

  That is, in the multi-function device 1, the lower left corner of the document table 11a (in other words, the lower left corner inside the frame 13a) is determined as a position where the corner of the document P should be aligned. Under the assumption that the document P is placed in accordance with the mark MK, the document size is estimated and the document copy operation is realized.

  In addition, in the multifunction machine 1 of this embodiment, the lower left corner of the readable area R0 corresponding to the inner lower left corner of the frame 13a with the mark MK is the origin, the main scanning direction is the X axis, and the sub scanning direction is An XY coordinate system (see FIG. 2B) with the Y axis is introduced, and the CPU 70 executes the copy control process shown in FIG. 3 using this XY coordinate system.

  Next, a copy control process executed by the CPU 70 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a copy control process executed by the CPU 70 when a copy command is input through the operation keys.

  When the copy control process is started, the CPU 70 determines whether or not the copy command input through the operation key is a “marginless” copy command (S110), and determines that it is a “marginless” copy command (S110). Yes), the process proceeds to S120, and the first copying process shown in FIG.

  As will be described in detail later, in the first copying process, the image reading unit 10 is caused to perform a prescan operation over the entire readable area R0, and image data that is the read result of the entire readable area R0 is obtained as a prescan result. Obtained from the image reading unit 10, estimates the document size and document inclination angle based on the image data, sets the scaling factor and the inclination correction amount, and then causes the image reading unit 10 to execute the main scanning operation. The image data obtained thereby is enlarged, reduced, and rotated, and a copy image of the original is printed on the recording paper through the printing unit 30 with “no border”. When the CPU 70 ends the first copy process, the copy control process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the copy command input through the operation key is not a “marginless” copy command (No in S110), the CPU 70 determines whether or not the copy command is an “automatic scaling / tilt correction” copy command. (S130), and if the input copy command is determined to be an “automatic scaling / tilt correction” copy command (Yes in S130), the second copy process shown in FIG. 4B is executed (S140). ).

  As will be described in detail later, in the second copying process, the image reading unit 10 is caused to execute a prescan operation in a partial area of the readable area R0, and a document placed in the partial area is read as a prescan result. The resulting image data is acquired from the image reading unit 10, the document size and the document tilt angle are estimated based on the image data, the scaling factor and the tilt correction amount are set, and then the main scanning operation is performed. The image data obtained thereby is enlarged, reduced, and rotated, and a copy image of the skew-corrected original is printed on the recording paper through the printing unit 30 in a size corresponding to the recording paper size. To do. When the second copying process is completed, the CPU 70 ends the copying control process.

  If the CPU 70 determines that the copy command input through the operation key is not the “automatic scaling / tilt correction” copy command (No in S130), the CPU 70 determines whether or not the input copy command is the “normal” copy command. Is determined (S150). If it is determined that the command is a “normal” copy command (Yes in S150), the process proceeds to S160. If it is determined that the command is not a “normal” copy command (No in S150), processing corresponding to the input copy command is executed. (S155), the copy control process is terminated.

  In step S160, the CPU 70 causes the printing unit 30 to execute a paper feeding operation through the print control unit 40, and detects the size of the recording paper subjected to the paper feeding operation (S165). The size of the recording paper can be detected by a well-known method using, for example, a sensor provided in the recording paper conveyance path.

  When this processing is completed, the CPU 70 assumes that a document of the same size as the recording paper size is correctly placed on the reading glass 11 on the reading glass 11 based on the detection result in S165. The reading start position is set to the lower end (Y = 0) of the readable area R0, and the original reading end position is set to a position corresponding to the upper end of the original (S170). In this way, the reading area is set from the original reading start position to the original reading end position.

  Thereafter, the CPU 70 controls the image reading unit 10 through the reading control unit 20 to cause the image reading unit 10 to convey the reading unit 15 in the sub scanning direction from the document reading start position to the document reading end position, and during the conveyance. Causes the reading unit 15 to execute a reading operation for each line, causes the reading unit 15 to read an image shown in the reading area on the reading glass 11, and image data representing the reading result of the reading area is recorded in the RAM 80. (S180).

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 sets the image data representing the read result recorded in the RAM 80 as the print target data, and executes the print process for the print target data (S190). That is, the printing unit 30 causes the printing unit 30 to print an image based on the print target data on the fed recording paper. In this way, a copy image of the original is printed on the recording paper without enlarging / reducing or correcting the inclination. Thereafter, the copy control process ends.

Next, the first copying process executed by the CPU 70 in S120 will be described. FIG. 4A is a flowchart showing the first copying process executed by the CPU 70.
When the first copying process is started, the CPU 70 sets the document reading start position to the lower end (Y = 0) of the readable area R0, and sets the document reading end position to the upper end (Y = YMAX) of the readable area R0. By setting, the entire readable region R0 is set as a reading region, and the image reading unit 10 is caused to execute a pre-scan operation through the reading control unit 20 (S210: whole pre-scan process).

  As a pre-scan operation, the image reading unit 10 conveys the reading unit 15 in the sub-scanning direction at a speed corresponding to the pre-scan resolution from the end of the set reading area to the end of the reading area. The image is read by the reading unit 15 and, as a prescan result, low resolution image data (hereinafter referred to as “prescan image data”) is recorded in the RAM 80 through the read control unit 20.

  When the processing in S210 is completed, the CPU 70 performs edge detection processing on the pre-scan image data recorded in the RAM 80, and generates edge image data corresponding to the image data (S215). That is, the prescan image data recorded in the RAM 80 is passed through an image filter for edge detection (a well-known differential filter), and edge image data representing an edge image corresponding to the image data is generated.

  When this processing is completed, the CPU 70 analyzes the generated edge image data, and the size (vertical width and horizontal width) of the document placed on the document table 11a, the inclination angle θ of the document, and the document. The document placement area on the table 11a is estimated (S220). However, here, the angle formed by the lower side of the document with respect to the X axis is the document inclination angle θ (see FIG. 9).

  When the processing in S220 is completed, the CPU 70 causes the printing unit 30 to execute a paper feeding operation through the print control unit 40 (S230), and detects the size of the recording paper that is the target of the paper feeding operation (S230). S235). Further, based on the document size estimated in S220 and the recording paper size detected in S235, a predetermined calculation formula is used (specifically, a copy image of the document is printed to spread to the edge of the recording paper to the maximum extent). (Ii) A scaling factor is set (S240).

  In addition, the CPU 70 sets the inclination correction amount of the image data from the document inclination angle θ estimated in S220 (S250). Specifically, the tilt correction amount is set so that the copy image of the document is printed straight on the recording paper without tilting. However, when the estimated document inclination angle θ is a very small amount (in this embodiment, −0.5 degrees ≦ θ ≦ 0.5 degrees), the inclination correction amount is set to zero in consideration of errors. .

  When the processing in S250 is completed, the CPU 70 sets the document reading start position and the document reading end position based on the information of the document placement area estimated in S220, and the document reading start position and the document reading end position. The reading area determined in step S2 is made to correspond to the document placement area on the document table 11a (S260).

  Specifically, the document reading start position is set to a position corresponding to the end point of the document located on the lowermost side in the sub-scanning direction so that the reading unit 15 can read the entire document placement area. The document reading end position is set to a position corresponding to the end point of the document located on the uppermost side in the sub-scanning direction, and the reading area is made to correspond to the document placement area on the document table 11a.

  When the processing in S260 is completed, the CPU 70 controls the image reading unit 10 through the reading control unit 20 to cause the image reading unit 10 to subscan the reading unit 15 from the document reading start position to the document reading end position. An image representing a reading result of the reading area by causing the reading unit 15 to perform a reading operation for each line during the conveyance and causing the reading unit 15 to read the image of the set reading area. Data is recorded in the RAM 80 (S270).

  When this processing is completed, the CPU 70 enlarges or reduces the image data representing the read result recorded in the RAM 80 at a preset scaling factor, and rotates the image data by a preset inclination correction amount. Then, the image data representing the read result is converted into image data for printing, and the converted image data is set as print target data (S280). However, if the tilt correction amount is set to zero, the rotation process is not executed in S280.

  When the process in S280 is completed, the CPU 70 executes a printing process for the print target data (S290). That is, the printing unit 30 causes the printing unit 30 to print an image based on the print target data on the fed recording paper. Thereafter, the copy control process ends.

Next, the second copy process executed by the CPU 70 in S140 will be described. FIG. 4B is a flowchart showing the second copying process executed by the CPU 70.
When the second copying process is started, the CPU 70 sets the document reading start position at the lower end (Y = 0) of the readable area R0, and sets the document reading end position in the readable area R0 that is predetermined in the design stage. A part of the readable area R0 is set as a reading area by setting the position at a predetermined distance from the lower end (Y = YPRE), and a pre-scan for the reading area is performed in the image reading unit 10 through the reading control unit 20. The operation is executed (S310: tip pre-scan process).

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the difference between the reading area of the entire prescan process executed in the first copying process and the reading area of the leading edge prescan process executed in the second copying process. As shown in FIG. 5, in the second copying process, the pre-scanning operation is not performed on the entire readable area R0 as in the first copying process, but from the lower end of the readable area R0. The image reading unit 10 is caused to perform a pre-scan operation up to a point that is a predetermined distance away from the inside of the readable region R0 (in this embodiment, to a point that is 30 mm away from the lower end of the readable region R0).

  In this way, when the processing in S310 is completed, the CPU 70 performs edge detection processing on the prescan image data (prescan result) recorded in the RAM 80, and obtains the edge image data corresponding to this image data. Generate (S315). That is, the prescan image data recorded in the RAM 80 is passed through an image filter for edge detection (a well-known differential filter) and converted into edge image data.

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 sets the edge image data generated in S315 as inspection target data, and executes the document estimation process shown in FIG. 6 in S320. Accordingly, the edge image data is analyzed, and the size (vertical width and horizontal width) of the document placed on the document table 11a, the inclination angle θ of the document, and the document placement area on the document table 11a are determined. presume. Specifically, the edge of the document placed on the document table 11a is detected under the assumption that the document placed on the document table 11a is a standard paper having a rectangular shape and a constant aspect ratio. Based on the detection result, the lower left corner position and the lower right corner position of the document are estimated. Based on the estimation result, the size of the document placed on the document table 11a, the inclination angle θ of the document, and the placement of the document. An area is estimated (details will be described later).

When the process in S320 is completed, the CPU 70 executes the processes in S330 to S390 as in the processes in S230 to S290.
However, in S340, based on the document size estimated in S320 and the recording paper size detected in S335, the scaling factor is set to a ratio between the document size and the recording paper size according to a predetermined calculation formula (for example, the short side of the recording paper). When the magnification is set to a length corresponding to the length divided by the original document's short side length, and in subsequent processing, the copy image of the original is enlarged at a magnification corresponding to the ratio of the recording paper size to the original size (when the magnification is less than 1) Is reduced to be printed on the recording paper.

  In S350, the inclination correction amount of the image data that is the read result is set so that the copy image of the original is printed straight on the recording paper from the inclination angle θ of the original estimated in S320. The document reading start position and the document reading end position are set based on the information of the document placement area estimated in step S1, and the reading area defined by the document reading start position and the document reading end position is set on the document table 11a. It corresponds to the placement area.

  In this way, in the second copying process, the document size, the document inclination angle, and the document placement area are estimated based on the prescan result of the partial area in the readable area R0, and the result is A reading area at the time of scanning (at the time of execution of S370) is determined, a scaling factor and an inclination correction amount are determined, and a copy image of an original is printed on a recording sheet with a size corresponding to the recording sheet size.

Next, the document estimation process executed by the CPU 70 in S320 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing document estimation processing executed by CPU 70.
When this document estimation process is started, the CPU 70 sets the variable S to YPRE which is the Y coordinate of the upper end of the pre-scan area (S = YPRE), thereby changing the inspection range in the Y-axis direction from Y = 0 to Y = S = YPRE is set (S410). When this process ends, the process proceeds to S420, and a right edge detection process is executed. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the right edge detection process executed by the CPU 70.

  When the right edge detection process is started, the CPU 70 first sets the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye to the lower end Y coordinate of the readable area R0 (Ye = 0) in S610, and the main scanning direction inspection position in S615. Xe is set to the right end X coordinate of the readable region R0 (Xe = XMAX). In S615, the variable C is initialized to zero (C = 0). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (S620). Specifically, it is determined whether or not Ye> S.

  When determining that the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye does not exceed the inspection range (No in S620), the CPU 70 determines the inspection position (X, Y) = determined by the main scanning direction inspection position Xe and the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye = It is determined whether or not the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is an edge point by referring to the pixel value of the inspection target data corresponding to (Xe, Ye) (S625). FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of the edge image data, and further showing the locus of the edge point tracked by the right edge detection process. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, a point with a pixel value “1” corresponds to an edge point.

  If the CPU 70 determines that the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is not an edge point (No in S625), the CPU 70 proceeds to S640 and moves the main scanning direction inspection position Xe by one pixel in the X axis minus direction. (Xe ← Xe−1), and it is determined whether or not the updated main scanning direction inspection position Xe protrudes from the left end of the readable area R0. Specifically, it is determined whether or not Xe <0 (S643).

  If the CPU 70 determines that the main scanning direction inspection position Xe does not protrude from the left end of the readable area R0 (No in S643), the CPU 70 proceeds to S620, and the sub scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range. If it is determined whether or not (Ye> S) and the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye does not exceed the inspection range (No in S620), the process proceeds to S625, and the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye. If it is determined that the value exceeds the inspection range (Yes in S620), the process proceeds to S690.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S643 that the main scanning direction inspection position Xe protrudes from the left end of the readable region R0 (when it is determined that Xe <0), the CPU 70 proceeds to S647 and performs the main scanning direction inspection position Xe. Is set to the right end (XMAX) of the readable region R0 (Xe = XMAX), and the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye is updated to a value obtained by adding 8 to the current value Ye (Ye ← Ye + 8). That is, the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye is set to a position advanced by 8 pixels in the Y-axis direction. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S620, and the above-described processing is executed.

  If the CPU 70 determines that the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is an edge point (Yes in S625), the CPU 70 proceeds to S630, and the coordinates of the current inspection position (Xe, Ye) are set in the variable (X0, Y0). The value is set (X0 ← Xe, Y0 ← Ye). Further, the variable Y1 is updated to a coordinate value Y1 (= Y0 + 8) advanced by 8 pixels in the Y-axis direction from the coordinate Y = Y0 (S633).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether at least one of the point of coordinates (X0-1, Y1), the point of coordinates (X0, Y1), and the point of coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) is an edge point (S637). If none of the point of (X0-1, Y1), the point of coordinates (X0, Y1), and the point of coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) is an edge point (No in S637), the process proceeds to S640. The scanning direction inspection position Xe is updated to a position moved by one pixel in the X axis minus direction (Xe ← Xe−1).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that at least one of the coordinates (X0-1, Y1), the coordinates (X0, Y1), and the coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) is an edge point (Yes in S637), The process proceeds to S650, where it is determined that the point of coordinates (X0, Y0) is a continuous edge point, and this coordinate (X0, Y0) is temporarily stored as coordinate data of the continuous edge point. .

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 proceeds to S660, where the coordinates (X0-1, Y1), the coordinates (X0, Y1), and the coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) are the edge points. One of the points is selected according to a predetermined priority.

  Specifically, in the right edge detection process, higher priority is set for coordinates closer to the right end side of the readable area R0. That is, the point of the coordinate (X0 + 1, Y1) close to the right end side of the readable area R0 is set to the priority “high”, the point of the coordinate (X0, Y1) is set to the priority “medium”, and the coordinate (X0− 1, Y1) is set to the priority “small”.

  The priority is set in this way because nothing exists on the platen 11a on the right side from the right end of the document, and there should be no edge point, and an edge point close to the right end side of the readable area R0. This is because there is a higher possibility that the edge point corresponds to the right edge of the document.

  That is, in S660, according to the priority, the point of the coordinate (X0-1, Y1), the point of the coordinate (X0, Y1), and the point of the coordinate (X0 + 1, Y1) is a point that is an edge point. To select the point with the highest priority. Then, the variable X0 is updated to the X coordinate of the selected point, and the variable Y0 is updated to the Y coordinate of the selected point. Thereafter, the variable C is updated to a value obtained by adding 1 (S663).

  When this process is completed, the CPU 70 determines whether or not the value of the updated variable C is C = 8. If the CPU 70 determines that C = 8 is not satisfied (No in S667), the process proceeds to S633. The variable Y1 is updated to the Y coordinate of the point advanced by 8 pixels in the Y-axis direction from the coordinate Y = Y0 (Y1 = Y0 + 8). Thereafter, the processing after S637 is executed.

  By executing such processing, the CPU 70 checks whether the edge points are continuous in the Y-axis direction every 8 pixels in the Y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. If it is determined that C = 8 (Yes in S667), the coordinate data of a total of 8 points determined as continuous edge points in the process of S650 that has been repeated 8 times are stored in the RAM 80 as the document right edge data. (S670).

  When this process is completed, the CPU 70 proceeds to S680, determines whether or not the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (whether or not Ye> S), and performs the sub-scanning direction inspection. If it is determined that the position Ye does not exceed the inspection range (No in S680), the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye is updated to a position advanced by 64 pixels (S685), and the process proceeds to S615.

  In this way, the CPU 70 repeatedly detects eight consecutive edge points as one set. When the sub-scanning direction detection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (Yes in S620 or Yes in S680), the process proceeds to S690, and the right edge (original document) is selected from the coordinate data group stored as original right edge data in S670. The edge data representing the right edge of the document) is deleted as a low-accuracy coordinate data group, and the document right edge data is determined.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the coordinate data group stored as the document right edge data is clearly continuously located at a position greatly shifted to the document inner area with respect to the coordinate data group having continuity. The inconsistent coordinate data group is removed from the document right edge data, and the document right edge data is determined. Thereafter, the right edge detection process ends. However, since the process of S690 is a process for increasing the detection accuracy of the document edge, the right edge detection process may be configured not to execute the process of S690.

  In this way, when the right edge detection process is completed, the CPU 70 proceeds to S430, and determines whether or not the right edge detection has failed in the immediately preceding right edge detection process. Specifically, when there is no coordinate data registered as document right edge data in the immediately preceding right edge detection process, it is determined that detection of the right edge has failed, and there is coordinate data registered as document right edge data It is determined that the right edge has been successfully detected.

  However, exceptionally, when the coordinate data registered as the document right edge data is in the vicinity of the left end (Y = 0) of the readable region R0, the coordinate data of the left edge (the edge point representing the left end of the document) is It may be determined that the detection of the right edge has failed even when there is coordinate data registered as the right edge data of the document, assuming that it is erroneously registered as the right edge data of the document.

  Examples of cases where the detection of the right edge fails include a case where the document size is larger than the size of the document table 11a and the right edge of the document protrudes from the document table 11a.

  If it is determined that the detection of the right edge has failed (Yes in S430), the CPU 70 proceeds to S431, and the size (vertical width and horizontal width) of the document placed on the document table 11a is set in the document table 11a. The maximum size that can be placed (size corresponding to the readable area R0) is estimated (S431), and the inclination angle θ of the document is estimated to be zero (θ = 0) (S433). The entire R0 is estimated as the document placement area (S435). Then, when this process is finished, the document estimation process is finished.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S430 that the right edge has been successfully detected (No in S430), the CPU 70 proceeds to S437 and linearly approximates each point indicated by the document right edge data determined in the right edge detection process. An approximate straight line of the point group indicated by the original right edge data (hereinafter referred to as “right edge approximate straight line”) is calculated.

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 proceeds to S440 and determines whether or not the right edge approximate straight line is inclined more than a predetermined angle with respect to the Y axis. In this embodiment, specifically, it is determined whether or not the right edge approximate straight line is inclined more than 0.5 degrees with respect to the Y axis.

  If it is determined that the slope of the right edge approximate straight line is equal to or smaller than the predetermined angle (No in S440), the CPU 70 is placed on the document table 11a by being abutted against the inner left lower corner of the frame 13a. 6, the intersection of the right edge approximate straight line and the lower edge of the document table 11a (in other words, the inner side of the lower side of the frame 13a (hereinafter referred to as the “lower frame”)) It is estimated that the position is the lower right corner position of the document (S441).

  When this processing is completed, the CPU 70 estimates the document size by regarding the lower left corner position of the document as the position of the lower left corner of the document table 11a (in other words, the lower left corner inside the frame 13a). Specifically, the length from the lower left corner position of the original document to the lower right corner position of the original document estimated in S441 is assumed on the assumption that the original document placed on the document table 11a is a rectangular standard paper. Is estimated as the short side length (horizontal width) of the document, and √2 times the short side length is estimated as the long side length (vertical width) of the document (S443). Here, the reason why √2 times the original short side length is estimated as the long side length of the original is that the ratio of the short side length to the long side length of the standard paper is 1: √2. This is because.

  When the processing in S443 is completed, the CPU 70 proceeds to S445 and estimates that the inclination angle θ of the document placed on the document table 11a is zero (in other words, estimates that the document is not inclined). From the relationship between the lower left corner position, the estimated lower right corner position, the document size, and the inclination angle θ, the coordinates at which the upper left corner and the upper right corner of the document are located are derived. As a result, a quadrangular side formed by connecting these four corners is estimated to be the outer edge of the document, and the area surrounded by the outer edge is estimated to be the document placement area (S447).

  That is, the lower left corner of the document is abutted against the lower left corner inside the frame 13a, and in this state, the long side of the document of the estimated size is arranged parallel to the Y axis, and the short side of the document is arranged parallel to the X axis. In this case, the area where the reading glass 11 is covered with the original is estimated to be the original placement area (S447). Then, when this process is finished, the document estimation process is finished.

  On the other hand, when determining that the right edge approximate straight line is inclined more than a predetermined angle with respect to the Y axis (Yes in S440), the CPU 70 proceeds to S450 and executes the left edge detection process shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the left edge detection process executed by the CPU 70.

  When the left edge detection process is started, the CPU 70 sets the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye = 0 in S710, and sets the main scanning direction inspection position Xe to the left end X coordinate of the readable area R0 in S715. (Xe = 0). In S715, the variable C is initialized to zero (C = 0).

  Thereafter, the CPU 70 determines whether or not the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (that is, whether or not Ye> S) (S720), and the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range. If it is determined that it is not (No in S720), the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is an edge point with reference to the pixel value of the inspection target data corresponding to the inspection position (X, Y) = (Xe, Ye). Whether or not (S725).

  If it is determined that the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is not an edge point (No in S725), the process proceeds to S740, and the main scanning direction inspection position Xe is updated to a point moved by one pixel in the X axis plus direction ( Xe ← Xe + 1), it is determined whether or not the updated main scanning direction inspection position Xe protrudes from the right end of the readable region R0. Specifically, it is determined whether Xe> XMAX (S743). If it is determined that the main scanning direction inspection position Xe does not protrude from the right end of the readable area R0 (No in S743), the process proceeds to S720.

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S743 that the main scanning direction inspection position Xe protrudes from the right end of the readable area R0 (when it is determined that Xe> XMAX), the CPU 70 proceeds to S747 and sets the main scanning direction inspection position Xe. The sub scanning direction inspection position Ye is set to a position advanced by 8 pixels in the Y-axis direction (Y ← Ye + 8) while being set to the left end of the readable region R0 (Xe = 0). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S720.

  If the CPU 70 determines that the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is an edge point (Yes in S725), the CPU 70 proceeds to S730 and sets the variable (X0, Y0) to the current inspection position (Xe, Ye). The coordinate value is set (X0 ← Xe, Y0 ← Ye), and the variable Y1 is updated to the value Y1 = Y0 + 8 (S733).

  Thereafter, it is determined whether at least one of the point of coordinates (X0-1, Y1), the point of coordinates (X0, Y1), and the point of coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) is an edge point (S737). If none of the point of (X0-1, Y1), the point of coordinates (X0, Y1), and the point of coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) is an edge point (No in S737), the process proceeds to S740.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that at least one of the point of coordinates (X0-1, Y1), the point of coordinates (X0, Y1), and the point of coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) is an edge point (Yes in S737), Moving to S750, it is determined that the point of coordinates (X0, Y0) is a continuous edge point, and the coordinates (X0, Y0) are temporarily stored as coordinate data of the continuous edge point. .

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 proceeds to S760, where the coordinates (X0-1, Y1), the coordinates (X0, Y1), and the coordinates (X0 + 1, Y1) are the edge points. One of the points is selected according to a predetermined priority.

  Specifically, in the left edge detection process, it is assumed that a higher priority is set for coordinates closer to the left end side of the readable area R0. That is, the point of the coordinates (X0-1, Y1) close to the left end side of the readable area R0 is set to the priority “large”, the point of the coordinates (X0, Y1) is set to the priority “medium”, and the coordinates ( The point of X0 + 1, Y1) is set to the priority “small”. The priority is set in this way because there is nothing on the document table 11a on the left side of the left edge of the document, and there should be no edge point, and the edge point close to the left edge side of the readable area R0. This is because there is a high possibility that the edge point is an edge point corresponding to the left end of the document.

  Therefore, in S760, according to the priority, the point of the coordinate (X0-1, Y1), the point of the coordinate (X0, Y1), and the point of the coordinate (X0 + 1, Y1) are points that are edge points. To select the point with the highest priority. Then, the variable X0 is updated to the X coordinate of the selected point, and the variable Y0 is updated to the Y coordinate of the selected point. Thereafter, the variable C is updated to a value obtained by adding 1 (S763).

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 determines whether or not the value of the updated variable C is C = 8. If the CPU 70 determines that C = 8 is not satisfied (No in S767), the process proceeds to S733. The variable Y1 is updated to Y1 = Y0 + 8. Thereafter, the processing after S737 is executed.

  With such a processing procedure, the CPU 70 checks whether or not the edge points are continuous in the Y-axis direction every eight pixels in the Y-axis direction, as in the right edge detection process (see FIG. 8). If it is determined that C = 8 (Yes in S767), the coordinate data of a total of eight points determined as continuous edge points in S750 are stored in the RAM 80 as document left edge data (S770).

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 proceeds to S780, determines whether or not the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (whether or not Ye> S), and performs the sub-scanning direction inspection. If it is determined that the position Ye does not exceed the inspection range (No in S780), the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye is updated to a point advanced by 64 pixels (S785), and the process proceeds to S715.

  In this way, the CPU 70 repeatedly detects eight consecutive edge points. When the sub-scanning direction detection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (Yes in S720 or Yes in S780), the process proceeds to S790, and the left edge (original document) is selected from the coordinate data group stored as the original left edge data in S770. The edge data representing the left edge of the document) is deleted as a low-accuracy coordinate data group, and the document left edge data is determined.

  Specifically, in the same manner as the processing in S690, the coordinate data group stored as the document left edge data is clearly continuously located at a position greatly deviated to the inner area of the document with respect to the coordinate data group having continuity. The inconsistent coordinate data group is removed from the document left edge data, and the document left edge data is determined. Thereafter, the left edge detection process ends. However, the left edge detection process may be configured not to execute the process of S790.

  In addition, when the left edge detection process is completed in this way, the CPU 70 proceeds to S455, linearly approximates each point indicated by the document left edge data determined by the left edge detection process, and the document left edge data is obtained. An approximate straight line (hereinafter referred to as “left edge approximate straight line”) of the point group shown is calculated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S460.

  However, if there is no coordinate data registered as document left edge data in the immediately preceding left edge detection process, it is determined that detection of the left edge has failed, and the process proceeds to S460 without calculating the left edge approximate straight line. It shall be. In addition, when all or part of the coordinate data registered as the document left edge data is also registered in the document right edge data, the coordinate data of the right edge (the edge point representing the right edge of the document) is incorrect. Even if there is coordinate data registered as document left edge data, it is determined that detection of the left edge has failed, and without calculating the left edge approximate straight line, You may make it transfer to S460.

In S460, the CPU 70 executes the lower edge detection process shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the lower edge detection process executed by the CPU 70.
When the lower edge detection process is started, the CPU 70 sets the main scanning direction inspection position Xe to the left end X coordinate of the readable area R0 (Xe = 0) in S810, and the sub scanning direction inspection position Ye in S815. Is set to the lower end Y coordinate of the readable area R0 (Ye = 0). In S815, the variable C is initialized to zero (C = 0).

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 determines whether or not the main scanning direction inspection position Xe exceeds the right end of the readable area R0 (that is, whether Xe> XMAX) (S820). If it is determined that the scanning direction inspection position Xe does not exceed the right end of the readable region R0 (No in S820), the pixel value of the inspection target data corresponding to the inspection position (X, Y) = (Xe, Ye) is referred to. Then, it is determined whether or not the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is an edge point (S825).

  If it is determined that the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is not an edge point (No in S825), the process proceeds to S840, and the sub-scanning inspection position Ye is updated to a position moved by one pixel in the Y-axis plus direction. (Ye ← Ye + 1), it is determined whether or not the updated sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (whether or not Ye> S) (S843).

If it is determined that the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye does not exceed the inspection range (No in S843), the process proceeds to S820.
On the other hand, when it is determined in S843 that the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye exceeds the inspection range (when it is determined that Ye> S), the CPU 70 proceeds to S847, and the sub-scanning direction inspection position Ye is set in the readable area. While setting at the lower end of R0 (Ye = 0), the main scanning direction inspection position Xe is set to a position advanced by 8 pixels in the X-axis direction (Xe ← Xe + 8). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S820.

  In addition, when the CPU 70 determines in S825 that the inspection position (Xe, Ye) is an edge point (Yes in S825), the CPU 70 proceeds to S830 and sets the current inspection position (Xe, Y0) in the variable (X0, Y0). The coordinate value of (Ye) is set (X0 ← Xe, Y0 ← Ye). Also, the variable X1 is updated to the value X1 = X0 + 8 (S833).

  Thereafter, the CPU 70 determines whether or not at least one of the coordinates (X1, Y0-1), the coordinates (X1, Y0), and the coordinates (X1, Y0 + 1) is an edge point (S837). ), If any of the point of coordinates (X1, Y0-1), the point of coordinates (X1, Y0), and the point of coordinates (X1, Y0 + 1) is not an edge point (No in S837), the process proceeds to S840. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined that at least one of the coordinates (X1, Y0-1), the coordinates (X1, Y0), and the coordinates (X1, Y0 + 1) is an edge point (Yes in S837), the CPU 70 Moving to S850, it is determined that the point of coordinates (X0, Y0) is a continuous edge point, and this coordinate (X0, Y0) is temporarily stored as coordinate data of a continuous edge point. .

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 proceeds to S860, where the coordinates (X1, Y0-1), the coordinates (X1, Y0), and the coordinates (X1, Y0 + 1) are the edge points. One of the points is selected according to a predetermined priority.

  Specifically, in the lower edge detection process, a higher priority is set for coordinates closer to the lower end side of the readable area R0. That is, the point of the coordinates (X1, Y0-1) close to the lower end side of the readable area R0 is set to the priority “large”, the point of the coordinates (X1, Y0) is set to the priority “medium”, and the coordinates ( The point of (X1, Y0 + 1) is set to the priority “small”. The priority is set in this way because there is nothing on the document table 11a below the lower end of the original, there should be no edge point, and the edge close to the lower end of the readable area R0. This is because the point is more likely to be the edge point corresponding to the lower end of the document.

  Therefore, in S860, according to this priority, the point that is the edge point among the point of the coordinate (X1, Y0-1), the point of the coordinate (X1, Y0), and the point of the coordinate (X1, Y0 + 1) is preferred. Select the point with the highest degree. Then, the variable X0 is updated to the X coordinate of the selected point, and the variable Y0 is updated to the Y coordinate of the selected point. Thereafter, the variable C is updated to a value obtained by adding 1 (S863).

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 determines whether or not the value of the updated variable C is C = 8 (S867). If it is determined that C = 8 is not satisfied (No in S867), the process proceeds to S833. Then, the variable X1 is updated to X1 = X0 + 8. Thereafter, the processing after S837 is executed.

  By executing such processing, the CPU 70 checks whether the edge points are continuous in the X-axis direction every 8 pixels in the X-axis direction. If it is determined that C = 8 (Yes in S867), the coordinate data of a total of eight points determined as continuous edge points in S850 are stored in the RAM 80 as document lower edge data (S870).

  When this process is finished, the CPU 70 proceeds to S880 to determine whether the main scanning direction inspection position Xe exceeds the right end of the readable area R0 (whether Xe> XMAX). If it is determined that the scanning direction inspection position Xe does not exceed the right end of the readable region R0 (No in S880), the main scanning direction inspection position Xe is updated to a point advanced by 64 pixels (S885), and the process proceeds to S815.

  In this way, the CPU 70 repeatedly detects eight consecutive edge points. When the main scanning direction detection position Xe exceeds the right end of the readable area R0 (Yes in S820 or Yes in S880), the process proceeds to S890, and the coordinate data group stored as the document lower edge data in S870 is The coordinate data group with low accuracy is deleted as an edge (edge point representing the lower end of the document), and the document lower edge data is determined.

  Specifically, like the processing in S690, the coordinate data group stored as the document lower edge data is clearly continuously located at a position that is greatly shifted to the inner area of the document with respect to the coordinate data group having continuity. The inferior coordinate data group is removed from the document lower edge data to determine the document lower edge data. Thereafter, the lower edge detection process ends. However, the lower edge detection process may be configured not to execute the process of S890.

  In addition, when the lower edge detection process is completed in this way, the CPU 70 proceeds to S465, linearly approximates each point indicated by the document lower edge data determined by the lower edge detection process, and the document lower edge data is obtained. An approximate straight line (hereinafter referred to as a “lower edge approximate straight line”) of the indicated point group is calculated. Thereafter, the process proceeds to S470. However, if there is no coordinate data registered as the document lower edge data in the immediately preceding lower edge detection process, it is determined that the lower edge detection has failed, and the process proceeds to S470 without calculating the lower edge approximate straight line. It shall be.

  In S470, the CPU 70 determines whether or not the slope A of the right edge approximate straight line Y = A · X + B is negative (A <0). If it is determined that the slope A of the right edge approximate line is negative (Yes in S470), the first angle position estimation process shown in FIG. 12 is executed (S480), and the slope A of the right edge approximate line is not negative. (No in S470), the second angular position estimation process shown in FIG. 15 is executed (S485).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a first angular position estimation process executed by the CPU 70. When the first angular position estimation process is started in S480, the CPU 70 determines whether or not all of the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge are normally detected in S420, S450, and S460 (S910).

  Specifically, in S910, if any one of the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge fails to be detected, it is determined as No. Further, even when the detection is successful for all of the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge, if the right edge approximate straight line and the lower edge approximate straight line that should be in an orthogonal relationship are not in an orthogonal relationship, the right edge, It is determined that all of the left edge and the lower edge are not normally detected.

  Similarly, when the right edge approximate straight line and the left edge approximate straight line that should be in parallel relation are not in parallel relation, it is determined that all of the right edge, left edge, and lower edge are not normally detected. In cases other than the above, it is determined Yes in S910.

  When the process of S910 is executed by such a determination method and it is determined in S910 that all of the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge are normally detected (Yes in S910), the CPU 70 determines the lower left side of the document. The corner position is estimated to be the intersection of the left edge approximate line and the lower edge approximate line, and its coordinate value is calculated (S920). Further, the lower right corner position of the document is determined as the right edge approximate line and the lower edge approximation. It is estimated that the intersection is with the straight line, and the coordinate value is calculated (S930). Thereafter, the first angular position estimation process ends. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an estimation method of the document lower left corner position Ka and the document lower right corner position Kb when it is determined Yes in S910. In the figure, white circles represent edge points, and black circles represent the corner positions Ka and Kb.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S910 that all of the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge are not normally detected (No in S910), the CPU 70 proceeds to S940 and all of the right edge and the left edge are normal. It is determined whether or not it has been detected.

  Specifically, in S940, if the detection of the right edge or the left edge fails, it is determined No. Even if the right edge and the left edge are successfully detected, if the right edge approximate straight line and the left edge approximate straight line that should be in parallel relation are not in parallel relation, all of the right edge and left edge are Judge that it is not detected normally. In cases other than the above, it is determined Yes in S940.

  When the processing of S940 is executed by such a determination method, and it is determined that all of the right edge and the left edge are normally detected in S940 (Yes in S940), the CPU 70 proceeds to S950, The lower left corner position of the document is estimated to be the intersection of the left edge approximate straight line and the lower edge of the document table 11a (that is, the lower frame inner side), its coordinate value is calculated, and the lower right corner position of the document is A straight line that is perpendicular to the right edge approximate straight line and passes through the estimated lower left corner position is estimated to be an intersection of the right edge approximate straight line, and its coordinate value is calculated (S960).

  FIG. 14A is an explanatory diagram showing a method for estimating the document lower left corner position Ka and the document lower right corner position Kb when it is determined Yes in S940. In S960, the lower left corner position of the document is estimated to be the intersection of the left edge approximate straight line and the lower edge of the document table 11a (that is, the lower frame inner side) when the document is inclined to the left side. This is because there is a high possibility that the lower left corner of the document hits a step at the boundary between the lower edge of the document table 11a and the inside of the lower frame. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the lower edge cannot be detected normally, the lower left corner of the document hits the step at the boundary between the lower edge of the document table 11a and the inner side of the lower frame. The lower left corner position of the document is estimated.

In addition, when the process in S960 is finished in this way, the CPU 70 ends the first angular position estimation process.
On the other hand, if it is determined in S940 that all of the right edge and the left edge are not normally detected (No in S940), the CPU 70 proceeds to S970, and among the edge point groups indicated by the document right edge data, A point on the right edge approximate straight line corresponding to the edge point closest to the lower right on the document table 11a is estimated as the lower right corner position of the document, and the coordinate value is calculated. In S970, an intersection point, which is an edge point indicated by the document right edge data and is orthogonal to the right edge approximate line that extends from the edge point to the right edge approximate line, intersects the right edge approximate line on the right edge approximate line. The intersection of the rightmost edge points may be handled as “a point on the right edge approximate straight line corresponding to the edge point closest to the lower right”.

  When the processing in S970 is completed, the CPU 70 determines the position of the lower left corner of the document as a straight line that passes through the estimated lower right corner position and is perpendicular to the right edge approximate straight line, and the edge of the document table 11a (the frame inner side). ) And the coordinate value is calculated. Thereafter, the first angular position estimation process ends.

  FIG. 14B is an explanatory view showing a method for estimating the document lower left corner position Ka and the document lower right corner position Kb when it is determined No in S940. In S970 and S980, the lower left corner position and the lower right corner position of the document are estimated using the document right edge data. The document abutment position is set to the inner lower left corner of the frame 13a, and the edge of the document table 11a. Because there is an unreadable area in the vicinity, the right edge can be detected most correctly among the right edge, left edge, and lower edge. Document right edge data, document left edge data, document lower edge data This is because the most reliable data with the highest reliability is the document right edge data. In this embodiment, for this reason, the document right edge data is most trusted, and the document size and the document inclination angle θ are estimated based on the document right edge data and the right edge approximate straight line.

  Subsequently, the second angular position estimation process executed by the CPU 70 in S485 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the second corner position estimation process executed by the CPU 70. When the second corner position estimation process is started, the CPU 70 first determines whether all of the right edge and the lower edge are normally detected in S420 and S460 (S1010).

  Specifically, in S1010, if the detection of the right edge or the lower edge has failed, it is determined No. In addition, even when the right edge and the lower edge are all successfully detected, if the right edge approximate straight line and the lower edge approximate straight line that should be in an orthogonal relationship are not in an orthogonal relationship, all of the right edge and the lower edge are detected. Is determined not to be detected normally. In cases other than the above, “Yes” is determined in S1010.

  In the second corner position estimation process, the lower left corner position and the lower right corner position of the document are estimated without using the detection result of the left edge. The reason for estimating the corner position of the document by such a method is as follows. When the document is inclined to the right side, it is highly possible that the right edge of the document is sufficiently long in the pre-scan area as shown in FIG. 16A, and the accuracy of the document right edge data is very high. This is because there is a high possibility that the document left edge is not sufficiently long in the pre-scan area, and the accuracy of the document left edge data is lower than the document right edge data and the document lower edge data.

  When the processing of S1010 is executed by such a determination method, and it is determined in S1010 that all of the right edge and the lower edge are detected normally (Yes in S1010), the CPU 70 determines the position of the lower left corner of the document. The lower edge approximate straight line is estimated to be the intersection of the left edge of the document table 11a (the left frame inner side), and its coordinate value is calculated (S1020). Further, the lower right corner position of the original is determined as the right edge approximate straight line. And the coordinate value is calculated (S1030). Thereafter, the second angular position estimation process ends. FIG. 16A is an explanatory diagram showing a method of estimating the document lower left corner position Ka and the document lower right corner position Kb when it is determined Yes in S1010.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1010 that all of the right edge and the lower edge have not been detected normally (No in S1010), the CPU 70 proceeds to S1040 and sets the lower right corner position of the document as the right edge approximate straight line. It is estimated that this is the intersection with the lower edge of the document table 11a (inside the lower frame), the coordinate value is calculated, and the lower left corner position of the document is a straight line passing through the estimated lower right corner position and approximated to the right edge. It is estimated that this is the intersection of a straight line perpendicular to the straight line and the edge of the document table 11a (inside the frame), and its coordinate value is calculated (S1050). Thereafter, the second angular position estimation process ends.

  FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram showing a method for estimating the document lower left corner position Ka and the document lower right corner position Kb when it is determined No in S1010. When the document is inclined to the right side, the lower right corner of the document is likely to hit a step at the boundary BD between the lower edge of the document table 11a and the inside of the lower frame. When the lower edge cannot be detected normally, it is assumed that the lower right corner of the document hits a step at the boundary BD between the lower edge of the document table 11a and the inner side of the lower frame. Estimate the lower right corner position.

  When the first or second angular position estimation process (S480, S485) is completed in this way, the CPU 70 proceeds to S490 and estimates the document size based on the angular position information estimated in S480 or S485. To do. That is, on the assumption that the document placed on the document table 11a is a rectangular standard sheet, the length from the estimated lower left corner position of the document to the lower right corner position of the document is set to the short document length. The side length (horizontal width) is estimated, and √2 times the short side length is estimated as the long side length (vertical width) of the document.

  When this process is finished, the inclination angle θ of the document is estimated based on the right edge approximate straight line. That is, the angle formed by the right edge approximate straight line with respect to the Y axis is estimated as the document inclination angle θ (S493).

  Thereafter, the CPU 70 proceeds to S497, and estimates the document placement area based on the estimated angular position, document size, and document tilt angle θ. Specifically, by deriving the upper left corner position of the document and the upper right corner position of the document from the estimated lower left corner position, lower right corner position, document tilt angle θ, and document size information, the outer edge of the document is derived. And the area surrounded by the outer edge of the document is estimated to be the document placement area. When this process ends, the document estimation process ends, and the processes after S330 are executed.

  That is, based on the information on the estimated document size and the document inclination angle θ, the scaling factor and the inclination correction amount are set (S340, S350), and the document reading start position and the document are determined based on the estimated document placement area information. By setting the reading end position, a reading area corresponding to the document placement area is set (S360), and within this reading area, the reading unit is transported so that the image displayed in the reading area is read by the reading unit. Then, the image data recorded in the RAM 80 as the read result is subjected to enlargement / reduction and rotation processing in accordance with a preset scaling factor and inclination correction amount to generate image data for printing (S380). By executing the printing process for the data to be printed as the data to be printed (S390), a copy image of the document is printed on the recording paper. Thereafter, the second copy process and the copy control process are finished, and the process corresponding to the copy command input from the outside is completed.

  The configuration of the multifunction device 1 of the present embodiment has been described above. According to the multifunction device 1, when an “automatic scaling / tilt correction” copy command is input, a part of the readable area R0 is pre-scanned. Then, based on the reading result, the state of the original (original size, original inclination, original placement area) is estimated.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when an “automatic scaling / tilt correction” copy command is input, prescanning is faster than the method of prescanning the entire readable area R0, such as “marginless” copying. The operation can be completed, and the state of the original can be estimated efficiently.

  In this embodiment, when a “marginless” copy command is input, the entire readable area R0 is pre-scanned, and based on the result, the state of the document is estimated. This is because, for the purpose of the copy command, it is preferable to estimate the state of the document as accurately as possible in order to appropriately realize “marginless” copying rather than high-speed processing.

  That is, in this embodiment, the operation mode is switched according to the user's request, and when the accurate state estimation is necessary, the entire pre-scan process is executed to estimate the state of the original. The leading edge pre-scan process is executed to estimate the state of the original so that the accuracy and speed of the process are harmonized. Therefore, according to the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the convenience for the user can be enhanced as compared with the conventional case.

  Further, in this embodiment, when estimating the state of the document in the document estimation process, it is assumed that the document P placed on the document table 11a is a standard sheet, and the document placed on the document table 11a. The state was estimated. Therefore, when the standard sheet is placed on the document table 11a, the document size, the document inclination, and the document placement area are accurately estimated even when a part of the readable area R0 is pre-scanned. Based on this estimation result, an appropriate copy image can be printed on a recording sheet by appropriately setting a reading area, a variable magnification, and an inclination correction amount.

  In particular, in the present embodiment, the prescan image data obtained by the tip prescan process is converted into edge image data, and edge points corresponding to the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge are converted from the edge image data. Extracted and estimated the angular position of the document from these approximate lines.

  Specifically, in the present embodiment, the right edge approximate straight line is inclined and the document is considered not accurately placed, and the accuracy of the right edge approximate straight line, the left edge approximate straight line, and the lower edge approximate straight line is determined. Is considered high, the intersection of the right edge approximate line and the lower edge approximate line is estimated as the lower right corner position, and the intersection of the left edge approximate line and the lower edge approximate line is estimated as the lower left corner position.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the entire image of the document does not appear in the pre-scan image data, and the document is not placed correctly, the corner of the document is broken, the corner of the document is Even when the corner of the document does not appear in the prescan result, such as when the image is outside the readable area, the document corner (size, etc.) is estimated by appropriately estimating the corner position of the document. Can do.

  In this embodiment, since the end portion of the document table 11a is outside the readable area, when the lower left corner of the document P is accurately abutted against the inner lower left corner of the frame 13a, the left edge and the lower edge of the document An edge cannot be detected. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the document has a very small amount of inclination, the size of the document is estimated using only the right edge approximate line, but even if the document has a certain amount of inclination, the left In some cases, the edge and the lower edge cannot be accurately detected.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the mark MK instructs the abutment of the document, it is considered that the document placement state is greatly deviated from the correct document placement state even if the document is tilted. When the original is inclined to the left side, the lower left corner of the original is likely to have hit the step of the boundary BD between the original table 11a and the frame 13a, and when the original is inclined to the right, There is a high possibility that the lower right corner of the document hits the step.

  For this reason, in this embodiment, when the original is tilted and the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge cannot be accurately detected, the right edge detection result is treated as the most correct. When the document is tilted to the left, the lower left corner of the document is in contact with the step at the boundary between the document table 11a and the frame 13a. When the document is tilted to the right, the lower right corner of the document is The lower left corner position and the lower right corner position of the document are estimated assuming that they are in contact with the step.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even when the right edge, the left edge, and the lower edge cannot be accurately detected, it is possible to estimate the document size, inclination, and document placement area almost correctly.

  The partial pre-scanning means of the present invention is realized by the processing of S310 executed by the CPU 70 and the processing of the reading control unit 20, and the angle estimation means is the processing of S315 executed by the CPU 70 and the document estimation processing (S320). This is realized by the processing of S410 to S485. In addition, the document estimation means is realized by the processing of S490 to S497, and the reading area determination means is realized by the processing of S360 executed by the CPU 70.

  Further, the whole pre-scanning means of the present invention is realized by the processing of S210 executed by the CPU 70 and the processing of the reading control unit 20, the sub-document estimating means is realized by the processing of S215 and S220, and the switching means is S110, This is realized by the process of S130.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can take various forms. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the example in which the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral 1 including the contact image sensor as a reading unit has been described. However, the present invention is limited to an image reading apparatus including the contact image sensor as a reading unit. Needless to say, it is not something.

  In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the document inclination angle θ is obtained from the right edge approximate straight line (S493). In S493, the lower left corner of the document estimated by the first or second angle position estimation process is calculated. Based on the position coordinates of the lower right corner, the angle formed by the line connecting the lower left corner and the lower right corner with the X axis may be obtained as the document inclination angle θ.

2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral 1. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which showed readable area | region R0 of the reading glass. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a copy control process executed by a CPU. 6 is a flowchart (a) representing a first copy process executed by the CPU 70 and a flowchart (b) representing a second copy process. It is explanatory drawing showing the reading area of the whole prescan process, and the reading area of the front-end | tip part prescan process. 6 is a flowchart showing document estimation processing executed by CPU. It is a flowchart showing the right edge detection process which CPU70 performs. It is explanatory drawing which showed the structure of edge image data. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a method for determining original right edge data. It is a flowchart showing the left edge detection process which CPU70 performs. It is a flowchart showing the lower edge detection process which CPU70 performs. It is a flowchart showing the 1st angle position estimation process which CPU70 performs. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for estimating a document lower left corner position and a document lower right corner position. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for estimating a document lower left corner position and a document lower right corner position. It is a flowchart showing the 2nd angle position estimation process which CPU70 performs. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a method for estimating a document lower left corner position and a document lower right corner position.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Digital compound machine, 10 ... Image reading part, 11 ... Reading glass, 11a ... Original plate, 13 ... Housing | casing, 13a ... Frame, 15 ... Reading unit, 16 ... Conveyance mechanism, 17 ... Motor, 20 ... Reading control part , 30 ... printing section, 40 ... print control section, 50 ... display operation section, 60 ... communication section, 70 ... CPU, 80 ... RAM, 90 ... flash memory, MK ... mark, P ... original, R0 ... readable area

Claims (9)

A document table on which a document to be read is placed;
A reading unit conveyed along the document table;
With
An image reading apparatus for generating image data representing a read image of a document placed on the document table by causing the reading unit to read the document placed on the document table,
Partial pre-scanning means for transporting the reading unit in a partial area of the readable area that is an area of the original platen that can be read by the reading unit, and causing the reading unit to perform a reading operation in the partial area. When,
The image data, which is the reading result of the reading unit obtained by the operation of the partial pre-scanning means, is converted into edge image data representing an edge image, and placed on the document table based on the edge image data. Under the assumption that the document has a quadrangular shape, angle estimation means for estimating position coordinates on the document table corresponding to each of two corners of the four corners of the document;
Document estimation means for estimating the state of the document placed on the document table based on the estimation result of the angle estimation means;
An image reading apparatus comprising:   The document estimation unit estimates the length of one side of the document placed on the document table from the length between the position coordinates of the two corners estimated by the angle estimation unit, and places the document on the document table. Under the assumption that the placed document is a standard sheet, the document placed on the document table is estimated from the estimated length of the side by estimating the length of the side of the document perpendicular to the side. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is configured to estimate a size of a document placed on the document table.   The corner estimation means extracts edge point groups corresponding to the three sides of the document placed on the document table from the edge point groups indicated by the edge image data, and the edges corresponding to the extracted sides Each position coordinate of two intersecting points where three straight lines obtained by linearly approximating the point group are estimated to be position coordinates corresponding to the corners of the document placed on the document table. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is an image reading apparatus. The document table has a quadrangular shape, and one specific corner among the four corners is defined as a position where the corners of the document should be aligned,
The partial pre-scanning means is a region from an edge of the document table constituting one side of the document table extending from the specific corner of the document table to a position separated by a predetermined distance on the inside of the document table. The part corresponding to the readable area is defined as the partial area, and the reading unit is transported in the area and the reading unit is configured to perform a reading operation. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3. The document table has a quadrangular shape, and one specific corner among the four corners is defined as a position where the corners of the document should be aligned,
The partial pre-scanning means is a region from the edge of the document table constituting the first side of the document table extending from the specific corner of the document table to a position separated by a predetermined distance inside the document table. The portion corresponding to the readable area is defined as the partial area, the reading unit is transported in the area, and the reading unit is configured to perform a reading operation.
The corner estimation unit is configured to follow the first side of the document table as an edge point group corresponding to three sides of the document placed on the document table from among the edge point groups indicated by the edge image data. The edge point group corresponding to the first side of the original to be arranged, and the side extending from the specific corner on the original table and arranged along the second side perpendicular to the first side The edge point group corresponding to the second side of the original and the edge point group corresponding to the third side of the original parallel to the second side of the original are extracted. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4. The document estimation means is configured to estimate a placement area of the document placed on the document table on the document table as the state of the document.
Furthermore, the image reading apparatus
A reading area determining means for determining an area on the document table corresponding to the document placement area estimated by the document estimating means as a reading area by the reading unit; In the reading area, image data representing a read image of a document placed on the document table is generated by conveying the reading unit and causing the reading unit to perform a reading operation. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. The document estimation unit estimates the size of the document placed on the document table based on the estimation result of the angle estimation unit as the state of the document, and sets edge point groups corresponding to each side of the document. Based on at least one inclination of three straight lines obtained by linear approximation, the inclination of the original placed on the original table with respect to the original table is estimated,
The image reading apparatus represents the read image of the original placed on the original table by correcting the inclination of the image data as the reading result of the reading unit based on the inclination information estimated by the original estimation means. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image data is generated.   The document estimation unit is configured to estimate the inclination of the document from the position coordinates of two corners estimated by the angle estimation unit as the state of the document. Item 7. The image reading apparatus according to any one of Items 6 to 6. Whole pre-scanning means for transporting the reading unit in the entire readable area of the document table and causing the reading unit to perform a reading operation in the entire readable area of the document table;
Sub-document estimation means for estimating the state of the document placed on the document table based on the reading result of the reading unit obtained by the operation of the overall pre-scanning means;
Switching means for operating one of the partial pre-scan means and the whole pre-scan means in accordance with an external command;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images