JP2011193248A - Image processing device and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing device and an image processing method for setting an input condition on input image data on the basis of an image output function. <P>SOLUTION: An image processing device having an image output means and an image input means has: a condition obtaining means for obtaining an output condition of the image output means for outputting the image; a condition setting means for setting an input condition of the input image data on the basis of the output condition; and an image input means for obtaining the input image data by the input condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a multifunction peripheral performs image processing according to the size of an output image for each size of input image data, and outputs such as printing. By the way, in the processing of a scanner that reads an image and acquires image data, pre-scanning is performed in order to determine the size of a document, whether it is color or monochrome. However, this pre-scan takes time.

  Thus, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2833905 (Patent Document 1) discloses an invention of an image reading apparatus that omits pre-scanning related to a set item when a user sets a reading size or presence / absence of a color image. It is disclosed.

  However, in the invention of the image reading apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, image reading in a copying machine in which image reading and print output are realized by a single apparatus is not considered. In a copying machine, the conditions for print output may be fixed. In such a case, if the pre-scan determination is performed according to the conditions set by the operator regardless of the print output conditions, the reading conditions may not match the print output conditions.

  The present invention has been invented in order to solve these problems in view of the above points, and an image processing apparatus for setting input conditions of input image data based on an image output function, and The object is to provide an image processing method.

  In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present invention employs the following configuration. The image processing apparatus of the present invention includes a condition acquisition unit that acquires an output condition of an image output unit that outputs an image, a condition setting unit that sets an input condition of input image data to be input based on the output condition, According to the input condition, an image input unit that acquires input image data may be included.

  Accordingly, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus that sets input conditions for input image data based on the image output function.

  In order to solve the above problem, the present invention may be an image processing method in the image processing apparatus.

  According to the image processing apparatus and the image processing method of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method for setting an input condition of input image data based on an image output function.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining setting (part 1) of the input condition corresponding to the output condition. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the setting (part 2) of the input condition corresponding to the output condition. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the setting (part 3) of the input condition corresponding to the output condition. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the process (part 1) for setting the input condition. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the process (part 2) for setting the input condition. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer that realizes the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 in FIG. 1 includes a control unit 10, an image output unit 20, an image input unit 30, a size acquisition unit 31, a color information acquisition unit 32, and an operation unit 80.

  The operation unit 80 inputs an instruction to the image forming apparatus 1 by the operator, and displays information related to the image forming apparatus 1 to the operator. The operation unit 80 includes an input unit 81 and a display unit 82.

  The input unit 81 inputs an instruction to the image forming apparatus 1, conditions set for the job, and the like by the operator. The input means 81 is, for example, a numeric keypad. The display unit 82 displays information regarding the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and the job executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The display means 82 also displays a screen that prompts the operator to input instructions, conditions, and the like. The operation unit 80 may be a touch panel, for example.

  The control unit 10 controls each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 includes a condition acquisition unit 11, a condition setting unit 12, and a screen generation unit 13. The condition acquisition unit 11 acquires an output condition when the image output unit 20 outputs an image. The output condition is, for example, the size of the medium on which an image is formed. The output condition may also be, for example, the size of the output image. The output condition may also be information on whether an image is output in color or monochrome. This information is called “color information”. The color information may be information on the number of colors of toner forming the image.

  The condition setting unit 12 sets an input condition based on the output condition acquired by the condition acquisition unit 11. The input condition is a condition when the image input unit 30 acquires image data. The input condition is, for example, the size of the image or medium corresponding to the image data. This size is called the input image size. The input condition may also be color information.

  For example, when the medium size included in the output condition is only one medium size, the condition setting unit 12 sets the medium size as the input image size. For example, when the medium size included in the output condition is a plurality of medium sizes, the condition setting unit 12 sets the input image size of the input condition to “automatic size detection”.

  For example, when the color information included in the output condition is “color”, the condition setting unit 12 sets the color information of the input condition to “color” and the color information included in the output condition is “monochrome”. In this case, the color information of the input condition is “monochrome”. When the color information included in the output condition is “color”, the color information of the input condition may be “automatic color detection”. This is because, for example, when the image output means is a plotter, the forming means for forming a color image usually forms a monochrome image.

  The screen generation unit 13 generates a screen to be displayed on the operation unit 80. For example, the screen generation unit 13 generates a screen that prompts the user to input conditions set when the image input unit 30 reads an image on a document. The screen generation unit 13 may also generate a screen that prompts the user to input conditions set when the image output unit 20 outputs an image.

  The image output means 20 performs an output process on the image data and outputs an image. For example, in the case of a plotter, the image output means 20 performs processing for print output, and forms and outputs the image data on a medium. The output conditions when the image output unit 20 performs print output are, for example, the size of the medium on which the image is formed, the number of toner colors when forming the image, and the like. The output condition may further include information such as the number of copies to be output and the enlargement / reduction of the image. The image output means 20 includes, for example, a plotter device and a control unit that controls the plotter device. The image output means 20 may be a facsimile, a means for outputting image data by network communication, or a means for storing image data in a storage means such as a hard disk device.

  The image input means 30 acquires input image data to be input. For example, in the case of a scanner, the image input unit 30 optically reads an image formed on a document and generates image data. The image input means 30 further performs predetermined image processing on the optically read signal. This image processing is, for example, color correction. The image input unit 30 includes, for example, a scanner device and a control unit that controls the scanner device.

  The image input unit 30 may be any unit that sets the size of input image data to be input according to input conditions and acquires the input image data.

  The size acquisition unit 31 acquires an image size when the image input unit 30 acquires input image data. The image size is the size of the medium on which the image is formed or the size of the image itself. When the image input unit 30 is a scanner, the size acquisition unit 31 acquires a document size when reading an image on the document.

  The color information acquisition unit 32 acquires color information when the image input unit 30 acquires input image data. When the image input unit 30 is a scanner, the color information acquisition unit 32 acquires color information when reading an image on a document.

  In the following FIGS. 2 to 6, an example in which the input of an image is reading by a scanner and the output of an image is a print output will be described.

  2 to 4 are diagrams for explaining the setting of the input condition corresponding to the output condition. The correspondence between each part in FIGS. 2 to 4 and each means in FIG. 1 is as follows. The operation unit 800 corresponds to the operation unit 80. The image input unit 310 and the image input device 320 correspond to the image input unit 30. The image output unit 200, the image output unit 210, and the image output unit 220 correspond to the image output unit 20.

  In FIG. 2, automatic size detection is set from the operation unit 800 to the image input unit 310. On the other hand, the paper size to be output is designated from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 200. Here, A4 size is designated. Thereby, the size information is notified from the image output unit 200 to the image input unit 310. This size information includes a value of “A4 size”.

  The image input unit 310 sets input conditions based on the input from the operation unit 800 and the input from the image output unit 200. Here, “A4 size” corresponding to the output condition from the image output unit 200 is set.

  The image input unit 310 instructs the image input device 320 to read in A4 size. As a result, the image input device 320 reads A4 size originals.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating processing for setting input conditions when an operator designates a plurality of paper sizes. In FIG. 3, automatic size detection is set from the operation unit 800 to the image input unit 310. On the other hand, the output paper size is designated from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 210. Here, A4 size is designated. Thereby, the size information including the value of “A4 size” is notified from the image output unit 210 to the image input unit 310.

  Further, the paper size to be output is designated from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 220. Here, the A3 size is designated. As a result, the size information including the value of “A3 size” is notified from the image output unit 220 to the image input unit 310.

  The image input unit 310 sets input conditions for the image input device 320 based on the input from the operation unit 800, the input from the image output unit 210, and the input from the image output unit 220. Here, “automatic size reading” is designated in order to correspond to different size information from the two image output units. The image input device 320 reads an image on a document by automatic size reading. In the case of automatic size reading, for example, size information acquired by the size acquisition unit 31 shown in FIG. 1 is used.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating processing for setting input conditions when an operator designates a plurality of paper sizes. In FIG. 4, “no size restriction” is included in one of the plurality of paper sizes. In FIG. 4, automatic size detection is set from the operation unit 800 to the image input unit 310. On the other hand, the output paper size is designated from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 210. Here, A4 size is designated. Thereby, the size information including the value of “A4 size” is notified from the image output unit 210 to the image input unit 310.

  Also, the output paper size is designated from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 220. Here, “no size designation” is designated. As a result, the image output unit 220 notifies the image input unit 310 of size information including a value of “no size restriction”.

  The image input unit 310 sets input conditions for the image input device 320 based on the input from the operation unit 800, the input from the image output unit 210, and the input from the image output unit 220. Here, “automatic size reading” is designated in order to correspond to different size information from the two image output units. The image input device 320 reads an image on a document by automatic size reading. In the case of automatic size reading, for example, size information acquired by the size acquisition unit 31 shown in FIG. 1 is used.

  5 and 6 are flowcharts for explaining processing for setting input conditions in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the image output unit 210 outputs one paper size.

  In step S <b> 11 of FIG. 5, an automatic size setting instruction is input from the operation unit 800 to the image input unit 310. This instruction is based on an input from the operator. Proceeding to step S12 following step S11, the operation unit 800 outputs an instruction for designating a paper tray on which an image to be formed is output to the image output unit 210. Here, the A4 tray is designated. This instruction is based on an input from the operator.

  Progressing to step S13 following step S12, the image output unit 210 notifies the image input unit 310 of size information included in the output condition. Here, the value of A4 size is notified.

  Progressing to step S14 following step S13, a notification for starting a copying job is output from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 210. Progressing to step S15 following step S14, a notification for starting a copying job is output from the operation unit 800 to the image input unit 310.

  Progressing to step S16 following step S15, the image input unit 310 sets the size information included in the input condition. The image input unit 310 determines the size information of the input condition based on the instruction from the operation unit 800 in step S11 and the size information from the image output unit 210 in step S13. Here, it is set to perform reading by “A4 size” input from the image output unit 210.

  Progressing to step S17 following step S16, the image input unit 310 outputs a notification to the image input device 320 that the document is read in A4 size. In response to this notification, the image input device 320 reads an image on the document.

  When the paper size for print output in the image output unit 210 is determined by the processing in FIG. 5, the image input device 320 can read a predetermined document size without performing pre-scanning or the like. . Thereby, the reading process can be speeded up.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example in which the image output unit 210 and the image output unit 220 output different paper sizes.

  In step S <b> 21 of FIG. 6, an automatic size setting instruction is input from the operation unit 800 to the image input unit 310. This instruction is based on an input from the operator. Proceeding to step S22 following step S21, the operation unit 800 outputs an instruction for designating a paper tray on which an image to be formed is output to the image output unit 210. Here, the A4 tray is designated. This instruction is based on an input from the operator.

  Progressing to step S23 following step S22, the image output unit 210 notifies the image input unit 310 of size information included in the output condition. Here, the value of A4 size is notified.

  Subsequent to step S22 or asynchronously with step S22, the process proceeds to step S24, and the operation unit 800 outputs an instruction for designating a paper tray on which an image to be formed is to be output. Here, the A3 tray is designated. This instruction is based on an input from the operator.

  Progressing to step S25 following step S24, the image output unit 220 notifies the image input unit 310 of size information included in the output condition. Here, the value of A3 size is notified.

  After the processing from step S22 to step S25, the process proceeds to step S26 and step S27. In step S 26, a notification for starting a copying job is output from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 210. In step S27, a notification for starting a copying job is output from the operation unit 800 to the image output unit 220.

  After the processing of step S26 and step S27, the process proceeds to step S28, and a notification for starting a copying job is output from the operation unit 800 to the image input unit 310.

  Progressing to step S29 following step S28, the image input unit 310 sets size information included in the input condition. Based on the instruction from the operation unit 800 in step S21, the size information from the image output unit 210 in step S23, and the size information from the image output unit 220 in step S25, the image input unit 310 inputs size information on input conditions. Judging. Here, since the size information input from the image output unit 210 and the image output unit 220 is different, it is set to perform reading by “automatic size reading”.

  Progressing to step S30 following step S29, the image input unit 310 outputs a notification to the image input device 320 that the original is read by automatic size reading. In response to this notification, the image input device 320 reads an image on the document.

  With the processing in FIG. 6, since the paper size to be output by the image output unit is a plurality of sizes, the size acquisition unit 31 detects the document size. Accordingly, the processing of FIG. 5 and the processing of FIG. 6 correspond to both the case where the paper size to be printed out is determined in advance and the case where it is not determined by the same configuration of the image input unit 310. be able to.

  In the processing illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the processing related to the size information among the information included in the output condition and the input condition has been described. Similarly, regarding the process related to color information, when it is determined in advance whether to output “color image” or “monochrome image”, an input condition corresponding to the output condition can be set.

(MFP realized by computer etc.)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer that realizes the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 7 includes a main processing unit 400, an input device 410, a display device 420, a scanner 430, a plotter 440, a NIC 460, a drive device 480, a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as “HDD”) 490, an input I / F 419, and a display. It has an I / F 429, a scanner I / F 439, a plotter I / F 449, a drive I / F 489, and an HDD I / F 499.

  The main processing unit 400 implements each function by executing a computer program. The main processing unit 400 includes, for example, a CPU 401, a ROM 408, and a RAM 409. The CPU 401 controls each device included in the computer by executing a computer program. The ROM 408 stores, for example, computer programs and parameters, and these are provided to the CPU 401. The RAM 409 is provided as a work memory when the CPU 401 executes a computer program, for example.

  The input device 410 is configured as an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse, for example, and inputs instructions to the computer. The display device 420 displays the status of the computer. The scanner 430 optically reads an image and generates image data. The plotter 440 forms an image on a medium and outputs it.

  The NIC 460 realizes an interface function when connecting a computer and the outside via a network and controls the interface. The drive device 480 inserts a recording medium, reads information recorded on the recording medium, and records information on the recording medium. The HDD 490 is a storage unit that stores a large amount of data.

  The input I / F 419 includes a display I / F 429, a scanner I / F 439, a plotter I / F 449, a drive I / F 489, and an HDD I / F 499, respectively, an input device 410, a display device 420, a scanner 430, a plotter 440, This is an interface when the drive device 480 and the HDD 490 are connected to the main processing unit 400 via a bus.

  Although the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the best mode. Modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is useful for speeding up the reading process, and is particularly suitable for a copying machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control part 11 Condition acquisition means 12 Condition setting means 13 Screen generation means 20 Image output means 30 Image input means 31 Size acquisition means 32 Color information acquisition means 80 Operation part 81 Input means 82 Display means 200, 210, 220 Image output unit 310 Image input unit 320 Image input device 400 Main processing unit 410 Input device 419 Input I / F
420 Display 429 Display I / F
430 Scanner 439 Scanner I / F
440 Plotter 449 Plotter I / F
480 Drive device 489 Drive I / F
490 Hard Disk Device 800 Operation Unit

Japanese Patent No. 2833905

Claims (6)

Condition acquisition means for acquiring an output condition of an image output means for outputting an image;
Condition setting means for setting an input condition of input image data to be input based on the output condition;
Image input means for acquiring input image data according to the input conditions;
An image processing apparatus comprising: Obtaining means for obtaining the value of an item included in the input condition from the input image data;
Of the output conditions, when one item has a single value, the condition setting means sets the single value for an item corresponding to the one item included in the input condition. ,
When one item of the output conditions does not have a single value, the condition setting unit acquires the item corresponding to the one item included in the input condition by the acquisition unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a value is set. The input condition includes image size information of input image data acquired by the image input means,
The output condition includes information relating to the size of the image output by the image output means,
In the output condition, when the size of the image to be set is not a single size, there is a size acquisition means for acquiring the size of the image,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition setting unit uses the size of the image acquired by the size acquisition unit as information on the size of the image included in the input condition. When the image output by the image output means is the formation of an image on a medium,
4. The output condition according to claim 1, wherein the output condition is at least one of a size of a medium on which an image is formed and a number of toner colors at the time of forming an image. Image processing device. The input condition includes color information, which is information on whether the image input unit acquires the image as a color image or a monochrome image,
A color information acquisition unit that determines whether the input image data includes a color image when the number of toners for forming an image is not set in the output condition;
5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the condition setting unit sets the color information of the input condition based on the determination of the color information acquisition unit. A condition acquisition step of acquiring an output condition of an image output means for outputting an image;
A condition setting step for setting an input condition of input image data to be input based on the output condition;
An image input step for acquiring input image data according to the input conditions;
An image processing method comprising:

Images