JP2012119860A - Image reading device, image forming device and manuscript for adjustment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately read a parameter, added to a manuscript for adjustment, for use in image adjustment processing.SOLUTION: The manuscript for adjustment includes: an added line-shaped image, indicative of identical hue in a main scanning direction, in parallel to a sub-scanning direction; and an added parameter image, indicating the parameter for use in image adjustment processing using data, corresponding to positions in the main scanning direction indicated by a respective plurality of places in the data in which the line-shaped image is read, at a plurality of places mutually apart in the main scanning direction of a margin region. On receiving an execution instruction of the image adjustment processing, an execution controller allows the manuscript for adjustment to be read in, and allows the image adjustment processing to be executed, using the parameter indicated by any data, in which the line-shaped image is read and which is determined to be coincident with another data among each data corresponding to the positions of the plurality of places in the main scanning direction, and data in which the parameter image, added to the position in the main scanning direction of the data, is read.

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for reading an adjustment document used for image adjustment by an image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that processes image data of a document generated by an image reading device such as a scanner reading the document is used. For example, the scanner itself or image data of a document read by the scanner is processed. Copiers, facsimiles, and complex machines of these are used.

  Here, the image data of the document does not necessarily indicate the original image itself that has appeared on the document due to the reading characteristics of the image reading apparatus. If the output image data is significantly abnormal, the input γ adjustment for adjusting the image density to reproduce the predetermined image density, or the density of each color of YMCK to reproduce the predetermined color Image adjustment such as MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) / matrix adjustment is performed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1 below, a reference white reference plate with a bar code representing a chromaticity value measured in advance is pasted on a platen glass, and an output signal obtained by reading the white reference plate is A technique for adjusting the light amount of a light source and the level of an output signal at the time of reading a document so as to be substantially equal to the chromaticity value represented by the barcode is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 below reads a reference chart that includes a plurality of gradation patches and a bar code that records a density reference value corresponding to each patch, and reads the read density value and bar code of the read gradation patch. Disclosed is a technique for calculating a correction ratio for each of a plurality of gradation patches from the density reference value indicated by, and correcting the reading characteristics using a gradation table created using the calculated correction ratio. ing.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-273554 JP 2010-200284 A

  However, conventionally, when the white reference plate described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 or the reference chart described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 2 is read, it is caused by the contamination of the document table or the contamination of the white reference plate and the reference chart itself. Barcode reading may fail, and parameters used in image adjustment processing such as chromaticity values and density reference values indicated by the barcode cannot be acquired and image adjustment processing cannot be performed properly. There was a fear.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an adjustment that can appropriately read parameters used in an image adjustment process attached to an image adjustment document. The purpose is to provide manuscripts.

The invention according to claim 1 is a document table on which a document is placed;
An image reading unit that performs an image reading process of reading the document while moving in the sub-scanning direction relative to the document placed on the document table;
An image adjustment unit that performs an image adjustment process using data obtained by reading an adjustment document that is an image adjustment document by the image reading process;
An instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction to execute the image adjustment processing;
When an instruction to execute the image adjustment process is received by the instruction receiving unit, the image reading unit that reads the adjustment document is executed by the image reading unit, and the image is read using the data read by the image reading process. An execution control unit that causes the image adjustment unit to execute adjustment processing;
With
A line-shaped image showing the same color in the main scanning direction is attached to the adjustment document in parallel in the sub-scanning direction. Further, in the blank area where the line-shaped image is not attached, Corresponding to positions in the main scanning direction indicated by each of the plurality of predetermined positions among the data obtained by reading the line-shaped image by the image reading process at a plurality of predetermined positions spaced apart from each other. A parameter image indicating a parameter used when performing the image adjustment process using data is attached,
The execution control unit causes the image reading unit to execute the image reading process for reading the adjustment document, and is data obtained by reading the line-shaped image in a plurality of predetermined main scanning directions. Among the data corresponding to the position, any data determined to match with other data, and data obtained by reading the parameter image attached to the position in the main scanning direction of any data determined to match And an image reading device that causes the image adjustment unit to execute the image adjustment processing using the parameters indicated by

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an original table on which an original is placed and an image reading process for reading the original while moving in the sub-scanning direction relative to the original placed on the original table are performed. An image reading unit, an image adjusting unit that performs image adjustment processing using data obtained by reading an adjustment document that is an image adjustment document by the image reading processing, and an instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to execute the image adjustment processing When the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction to execute the image adjustment process, the image reading unit for reading the adjustment document is executed by the image reading unit, and the data read by the image reading process is used. An execution control unit that causes the image adjustment unit to execute the image adjustment process, and the execution control unit executes the image reading process of reading the adjustment document on the image reading unit. A plurality of predetermined data separated from each other in the main scanning direction in a blank area to which the line-shaped image is not attached. Among the data corresponding to the positions in the main scanning direction, any data determined to match with other data, and the parameter image attached to the position in the main scanning direction of any data determined to match The adjustment document used in the image adjustment process in the image reading apparatus that causes the image adjustment unit to execute the image adjustment process using a parameter indicated by the read data,
The line-shaped images showing the same color in the main scanning direction are attached in parallel in the sub-scanning direction, and the line-shaped images are read by the image reading process at a plurality of predetermined positions. Among the data, for adjustment, the parameter image indicating the parameter used when the image adjustment processing is performed using data corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by each of the plurality of predetermined positions is attached. It is a manuscript.

  In these inventions, even when a partial area in the main scanning direction of the line-shaped image attached to the adjustment document cannot be properly read, the data obtained by reading the line-shaped image And among the data corresponding to predetermined positions in the main scanning direction, the data that can be determined to be appropriately read by the presence of other matching data, Image adjustment processing is performed using the parameters indicated by the data obtained by reading the parameter image attached to the position corresponding to the position of the data in the main scanning direction.

  In other words, the position in the main scanning direction from which the line-shaped image is read and the position in the main scanning direction from which the parameter image is read can be appropriately read without causing dirt or scratches in order to perform image adjustment processing. The image adjustment processing can be performed appropriately.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus according to the first aspect;
A recording unit for forming an image indicated by the data on a recording medium using data obtained by reading an image forming target document by the image reading unit;
An image forming apparatus.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to form, on a recording medium, an image that has been appropriately subjected to image adjustment processing indicated by data obtained by reading an image forming target document by the image reading unit.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the storage unit stores adjustment data for forming the line-shaped image and the parameter image on a recording medium. Prepared,
The recording unit generates the adjustment original by forming the line-shaped image and the parameter image on a recording medium using the adjustment data read from the storage unit.

  According to the present invention, the effect of the invention according to claim 2 can be obtained, and a line-shaped image and a parameter image that have been appropriately subjected to image adjustment processing are formed on a recording medium to generate an adjustment document. can do.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an adjustment document that can appropriately read parameters used in an image adjustment process attached to an image adjustment document.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a multifunction peripheral as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an adjustment document. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when image adjustment processing is executed.

  Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking as an example a form in which the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus are integrated into a multifunction machine having functions such as a color copy, a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 includes an image reading device 20 and a device main body 30. The image reading apparatus 20 includes a document conveying unit 21, an image reading unit 22, and an image processing unit 23 (not shown).

  The document transport unit 21 realizes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and includes a document placing table 241, a paper feed roller 232, a transport drum 233, a paper discharge roller 234, and a paper discharge tray 235. Yes.

  The document placement table 241 is a place on which the document is placed. The documents placed on the document placement table 241 are taken one by one by the paper feed roller 232 and conveyed to the conveyance drum 233. The document that has passed through the transport drum 233 is discharged to a discharge tray 235 by a discharge roller 234.

  The image reading unit 22 optically reads an image of a document to generate image data, and outputs the image data to an image processing unit 23 (not shown). The image reading unit 22 is provided in the apparatus main body 3. The image reading unit 22 includes a contact glass 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, a first carriage 226, a second carriage 227, and an image forming unit as an example of a document table according to the present invention. A lens 228 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 229 are provided. The light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  In the image reading unit 22, a white fluorescent lamp such as a white LED is used as the light source 222, and the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, the third mirror 225, the first carriage 226, the second carriage 227, and the imaging lens are used. 228 guides the reflected light reflected from the original to the CCD 229 when light is emitted from the light source 222 toward the original.

  The CIS 231 is provided downstream of the image reading unit 22 in the document conveyance direction. The CIS 231 is provided at a position where the surface opposite to the document surface read by the image reading unit 22 can be read in the document conveyance path.

  As an original reading method of the image reading apparatus 20, a flat bed reading mode in which the image reading unit 22 reads an original placed on the contact glass 221 and an ADF reading mode in which the original is taken in by ADF and read in the middle of the conveyance. There is.

  In the flat bed reading mode, the light source 222 irradiates a document placed on the contact glass 221, and reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225. Then, the light enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229.

  The CCD 229 is a one-dimensional image sensor. When the reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction of the document is received, the received reflected light is photoelectrically converted to obtain image data for one line in the main scanning direction of the document. Output.

  When the reading of one line of the document in the main scanning direction is thus completed, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are moved in a direction (sub-scanning direction, arrow Y direction) orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The line is read.

  In the ADF reading mode, the originals placed on the original placing table 241 are taken one by one by the paper feed roller 232, and the originals are read on the reading position 230 provided in the conveyance path from the conveyance drum 233 to the paper discharge tray 235. When passing, the light source 222 irradiates the original, and the reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected by the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225 in this order and enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. Subsequently, the document is transported in the sub-scanning direction by the document transport unit 21 and the next line is read.

  As described above, the image reading unit 22 performs image reading processing for reading the original while moving in the sub-scanning direction relative to the original placed on the contact glass 221 in the flatbed reading mode or the ADF reading mode. Do. In the following description, those not particularly described will be described on the assumption that the original is read in the flatbed reading mode.

  An image processing unit 23 (not shown) performs correction processing such as shading correction, level correction, and gamma correction on image data (read data) generated by reading an original by the image reading unit 22, an image Image correction processing such as data compression or expansion processing, enlargement or reduction processing is performed. The processed image data is used when an image is formed by the recording unit 40 described later.

  The apparatus main body 30 has been transported from a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds sheets (recording media) from the paper feed cassette 461 one by one to the recording unit 40, and a paper feed cassette 461. A recording unit 40 for forming an image on a sheet and a stack tray 60 disposed on the left side are provided.

  The apparatus main body 30 further includes a manual feed tray 471, a size of paper that is not stored in any paper feed cassette from the manual feed tray 471, or a paper that has already been subjected to image formation on one side (back paper). ), An arbitrary recording medium such as an OHP sheet can be placed, and is fed into the apparatus main body 30 one by one by a paper feed roller 472.

  The recording unit 40 is acquired by the static eliminator 421 that neutralizes residual charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, the charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after static elimination, and the image reading unit 22, and is acquired by the image processing unit. An exposure device 423 that outputs a laser beam to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 based on the image data corrected in 23 and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43; Development devices 44C, 44M, 44Y, and 44K that form toner images of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) on the photosensitive drum 43, and a photosensitive member. A transfer drum 49 on which the toner images of the respective colors formed on the drum 43 are transferred and overlaid, a transfer device 41 for transferring the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to the paper, and the paper on which the toner image is transferred Heated and a fixing device 45 for fixing the toner image to the sheet.

  Note that toner is supplied to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors from a toner supply container (toner cartridge) (not shown). Further, conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the sheet that has passed through the recording unit 40 to the stack tray 60 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  An operation unit 50 is provided in front of the apparatus main body 30. The operation unit 50 includes a display unit 51 including an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like, and an operation key unit 52 for inputting an operation instruction from the operator.

  The operation key unit 52 includes a numeric keypad, a start key, a function switching key unit, and the like. The start key is a key for receiving an instruction to start each operation such as a copy operation and a scan operation from the operator. The numeric keypad is a key for receiving an instruction for designating the number of copies from the operator. The function switching key unit is a key for receiving from the operator a function switching instruction for switching between a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a copy function, an image adjustment function described later, and the like.

  The display unit 51 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and includes a touch panel unit combined with a touch panel function. The display unit 51 displays various operation screens and allows an operator to input execution commands for various functions by touching a display surface (displayed operation keys).

  Next, an example of the electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the multi-function device 1 includes the document conveying unit 21, the image reading unit 22, the recording unit 40, the operation unit 50, the image processing unit 23, the communication unit 30, and the control unit 10. ing.

  The communication unit 30 communicates various data with a predetermined external device (not shown) such as a personal computer.

  The control unit 10 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) having a function of temporarily storing data and a function as a work area, a flash memory that stores a program in advance, and a CPU that reads and executes the program from the flash memory The CPU, the RAM, and the flash memory are configured to exchange data via a data bus. The CPU executes a process corresponding to the contents of the program by appropriately executing the program stored in the flash memory.

  The control unit 10 functions as an image adjustment unit 12, an instruction reception unit 14, and an execution control unit 16.

  The image adjustment unit 12 performs image adjustment processing using data obtained by reading an adjustment document that is an image adjustment document by image reading processing. The image adjustment unit 12 does not always indicate the original image itself that has been displayed on the document due to the reading characteristics of the image reading unit 22 because the data read from the document by the image reading unit 22 is, for example, a predetermined number of sheets. Input gamma adjustment that adjusts the image density to reproduce the predetermined image density periodically, such as after reading or after a predetermined time has passed, or when there is a significant abnormality in the output data, Image adjustment processing such as MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) / matrix adjustment for adjusting the density of each color of YMCK to reproduce colors is performed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, a line-shaped image showing the same color in the main scanning direction is attached in parallel to the sub-scanning direction on the adjustment document for image adjustment. Two-dimensional barcodes D1 to D4 as parameter images according to the present invention are attached to a plurality of predetermined positions spaced apart in the main scanning direction in a blank area that is not attached.

  Here, the two-dimensional barcodes D1 to D4 are positions in the main scanning direction to which the respective two-dimensional barcodes are attached among data obtained by reading a line-shaped image for all lines in advance by a density measuring device or the like. It is configured to show data corresponding to R1 to R4.

  The configuration of the adjustment document is not limited to that shown in FIG. 3. For example, the two-dimensional barcodes D1 to D4 are attached to the positions in the different sub-scanning directions, and the two-dimensional barcodes D1 to D1 are applied. A configuration in which a line-shaped image is not formed at the position in the sub-scanning direction to which each of D4 is attached may be used.

  Further, a plurality of predetermined positions spaced apart in the main scanning direction to which the two-dimensional barcodes D1 to D4 are attached are stored in advance in the flash memory in association with the identification information of the adjustment document. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fixed value may be stored in advance in the flash memory so that different adjustment documents have the same common location.

  As an example of the image adjustment process using the adjustment document illustrated in FIG. 3, the image adjustment unit 12 includes a position in the main scanning direction in the data in which the line-shaped image of the adjustment document is read by the image reading unit 22. The data corresponding to R1 to R4 and the data corresponding to the positions R1 to R4 in the main scanning direction indicated by the data obtained by reading the two-dimensional barcodes D1 to D4 by the image reading unit 22 are compared, and the amount of deviation is compared. Thus, a process of calculating a correction value when the data read by the image reading unit 22 is corrected by the image processing unit 23 is performed.

  That is, the data corresponding to the positions R1 to R4 in the main scanning direction indicated by the two-dimensional barcodes D1 to D4 is used as a target value (parameter) when performing image adjustment processing using the adjustment document.

  Here, the parameter image according to the present invention is not intended to be limited to the above two-dimensional barcode, but for example, is attached to an adjustment document as a one-dimensional barcode, or each data is used for adjustment as a character string as it is. The expression form attached to the adjustment document may be changed as appropriate, such as being attached to the document. Needless to say, a mechanism according to the expression form of the parameter image for obtaining the data indicated by the parameter image from the parameter image data read by the image reading unit 22 is provided.

  The instruction receiving unit 14 receives an instruction to perform image adjustment processing by the image adjusting unit 12. For example, the instruction receiving unit 14 receives input of execution conditions for image adjustment processing, such as identification information of an adjustment document used for image adjustment processing, by a user pressing a function switching key provided in the operation key unit 52. .

  When the instruction receiving unit 14 receives an instruction to execute the image adjustment process, the execution control unit 16 sends an instruction to execute the image reading process for reading the adjustment document to the image reading unit 22 and then reads the image by the image reading process. An instruction to perform image adjustment processing using the received data is sent to the image adjustment unit 12.

  As described above, an example of the image reading apparatus 20 according to the present invention is configured by including the contact glass 221 as the document table, the image reading unit 22, and the control unit 10.

  Hereinafter, an operation when the image adjustment process is executed will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, when the instruction receiving unit 14 receives an instruction to execute the image adjustment process (S1), the execution control unit 16 instructs the image reading unit 22 to execute the image reading process for reading the adjustment document. Send out (S2).

  The image reading unit 22 sequentially reads the adjustment document placed on the contact glass 221 for each line in the main scanning direction according to an instruction from the execution control unit 16, and stores the read data in the RAM (S3).

  Next, when the line read in step S3 is a predetermined determination target line (S4; YES), the execution control unit 16 reads the predetermined determination target line in step S3. Then, it is determined whether or not at least two pieces of data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined locations in the main scanning direction match (S5).

  Note that the predetermined determination target line is stored in advance in the flash memory in association with the identification information of the adjustment document. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fixed value may be stored in advance in the flash memory so that different adjustment documents have the same common location.

  That is, the execution control unit 16 reads out a predetermined determination target line and a plurality of predetermined locations in the main scanning direction from the flash memory, and executes Step S4 and Step S5.

  Returning to FIG. 4, the execution control unit 16 determines that two or more data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined locations in the main scanning direction match among the data obtained by reading the predetermined lines to be determined in step S <b> 3. Then (S5; YES), the RAM determines any one of the positions in the main scanning direction of the data determined to match as a position in the main scanning direction (normally readable position) that can be normally read without causing dirt or scratches. Is temporarily stored (retracted) (S6).

  Then, the execution control unit 16 executes the processing from step S3 onward until the image reading unit 22 completes reading the line-shaped image for all the lines attached to the adjustment document (S7).

  For example, when the image adjustment process is performed using the adjustment document illustrated in FIG. 3, the execution control unit 16 determines that the line read in step S <b> 3 is the sixth line that is a predetermined determination target line. (S4; YES), it is determined whether or not two or more data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined locations L1 to L4 in the main scanning direction match among the data read in the sixth line in step S3 (S5). When it is determined that the data corresponding to the positions L1 and L3 in the main scanning direction match (S5; YES), the RAM determines any of the positions L1 and L3 in the main scanning direction of the data determined to match as a normal readable position. (S6).

  Note that two determination target lines used in step S4 are determined in advance, and in step S5, the difference value of the data obtained by reading the two determination target lines corresponding to a plurality of predetermined positions in the main scanning direction. It may be configured to determine whether or not the two match.

  Returning to FIG. 4, on the other hand, in step S <b> 5, the execution control unit 16 reads data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined locations in the main scanning direction from among the data read from the line to be determined predetermined in step S <b> 3. If it is determined that both do not match (S5; NO), it is considered that dirt and scratches have occurred in a plurality of locations in the main scanning direction of the adjustment document. For example, image adjustment processing using another adjustment document Is displayed on the display unit 51 (S11), and an instruction to end the image adjustment process is sent to the image adjustment unit 12.

  Next, when the execution control unit 16 completes reading of the line-shaped image for all lines attached to the adjustment document (S7; YES), the main readable position indicated by the normal readable position saved in the RAM in step S6. After sending an instruction to read the parameter image attached to the position in the scanning direction to the image reading unit 22 (S8), data obtained by reading a line-like image corresponding to all lines attached to the adjustment document stored in the RAM Data corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by the normal readable position, and the parameter indicated by the data obtained by reading the parameter image attached to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by the normal readable position according to the instruction; Is sent to the image adjustment unit 12 (S9). Then, the image adjustment unit 12 executes image adjustment processing in accordance with the instruction from the execution control unit 16 (S10).

  Specifically, based on an example in which image adjustment processing is performed using the adjustment document shown in FIG. 3 described above, the execution control unit 16 performs a line-like image for all lines attached to the adjustment document. Is completed (S7; YES), the two-dimensional barcode D1 (or D3) attached to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by the normal readable position L1 (or L3) saved in the RAM in step S6 is read. After the instruction is sent to the image reading unit 22 (S8), the normal readable position L1 (or L3) of the data obtained by reading the line-shaped image for all the lines attached to the adjustment document stored in the RAM. Is read in advance by a density measuring instrument or the like indicated by the data of the region R1 (or R3) corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by and the data obtained by reading the two-dimensional barcode D1 (or D3). The image adjustment unit 12 is instructed to perform image adjustment processing using data (parameters) in the region R1 (or R3) corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by the normal readable position L1 (or L3). (S9).

  Then, in accordance with an instruction from the execution control unit 16, the image adjustment unit 12 reads the line-shaped image for all the lines attached to the adjustment document stored in the RAM, and the normal readable position L 1 ( Or, the data of the region R1 (or R3) corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by L3) and the normal read in advance by a density measuring device indicated by the data obtained by reading the two-dimensional barcode D1 (or D3) The data (parameter) of the region R1 (or R3) corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by the readable position L1 (or L3) is compared, and the data read by the image reading unit 22 from the deviation amount. The image processing unit 23 performs a process of calculating a correction value when correcting the image (S10).

  For example, if the adjustment document is frequently read and the adjustment document is frequently read, line marks and scratches in the sub-scanning direction have occurred on the adjustment document. In some cases, a part of the line-shaped image in the main scanning direction (for example, areas R2 and R4 in the above specific example) cannot be read properly.

  However, even in such a case, according to the present configuration, data in which a line-shaped image is read, and each piece of data corresponding to a plurality of predetermined positions in the main scanning direction (for example, Among the data in the areas R1 to R4 in the specific example), data that can be determined as having been read appropriately due to the presence of other matching data (for example, data in the area R1 in the specific example) ) And the parameter indicated by the data read from the parameter image (for example, the two-dimensional barcode D1 in the above specific example) attached to the position corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction of the data. Is called.

  In other words, the position in the main scanning direction from which the line-shaped image is read and the position in the main scanning direction from which the parameter image is read can be appropriately read without causing dirt or scratches in order to perform image adjustment processing. The image adjustment processing can be performed appropriately.

  Further, according to this configuration, the recording unit 40 can form an image on which the image adjustment processing is appropriately performed, which is indicated by the data obtained by reading the image forming target document by the image reading unit 22, on the sheet.

  In the above-described embodiment, the multifunction apparatus is described as an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. A printer, a copier, a scanner, or an image forming apparatus such as a fax machine.

  In addition, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is provided, and data (adjustment data) for forming a line-shaped image and a parameter image is stored in a storage area such as an HDD (hard disk drive) and stored. The recording unit 40 is configured to be able to form a line-like image and a parameter image with expensive toner that can maintain image quality for a long period of time using adjustment data and output an adjustment document. An image forming apparatus including a corresponding recording unit may be used.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made. The configurations and processes shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are merely examples of the embodiment according to the present invention, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the embodiment.

1 MFP (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Control part 12 Image adjustment part 14 Instruction reception part 16 Execution control part 20 Image reading apparatus 22 Image reading part 23 Image processing part 40 Recording part 221 Contact glass (original board)
D1-D4 Two-dimensional barcode (parameter image)

Claims (4)

A document table on which the document is placed;
An image reading unit that performs an image reading process of reading the document while moving in the sub-scanning direction relative to the document placed on the document table;
An image adjustment unit that performs an image adjustment process using data obtained by reading an adjustment document that is an image adjustment document by the image reading process;
An instruction receiving unit for receiving an instruction to execute the image adjustment processing;
When an instruction to execute the image adjustment process is received by the instruction receiving unit, the image reading unit that reads the adjustment document is executed by the image reading unit, and the image is read using the data read by the image reading process. An execution control unit that causes the image adjustment unit to execute adjustment processing;
With
A line-shaped image showing the same color in the main scanning direction is attached to the adjustment document in parallel in the sub-scanning direction. Further, in the blank area where the line-shaped image is not attached, Corresponding to positions in the main scanning direction indicated by each of the plurality of predetermined positions among the data obtained by reading the line-shaped image by the image reading process at a plurality of predetermined positions spaced apart from each other. A parameter image indicating a parameter used when performing the image adjustment process using data is attached,
The execution control unit causes the image reading unit to execute the image reading process for reading the adjustment document, and is data obtained by reading the line-shaped image in a plurality of predetermined main scanning directions. Among the data corresponding to the position, any data determined to match with other data, and data obtained by reading the parameter image attached to the position in the main scanning direction of any data determined to match An image reading apparatus that causes the image adjustment unit to execute the image adjustment processing using the parameter indicated by An image reading apparatus according to claim 1;
A recording unit for forming an image indicated by the data on a recording medium using data obtained by reading an image forming target document by the image reading unit;
An image forming apparatus. A storage unit for storing adjustment data for forming the line-shaped image and the parameter image on a recording medium;
3. The image formation according to claim 2, wherein the recording unit generates the adjustment original by forming the line-shaped image and the parameter image on a recording medium using the adjustment data read from the storage unit. apparatus. An original table on which an original is placed, an image reading unit that performs an image reading process for reading the original while moving in the sub-scanning direction relative to the original placed on the original table, and the image reading process An image adjustment unit that performs image adjustment processing using data obtained by reading an adjustment document, which is an image adjustment document, an instruction reception unit that receives an instruction to execute the image adjustment processing, and the image reception unit When an instruction to execute adjustment processing is received, the image reading unit that reads the adjustment document is executed by the image reading unit, and the image adjustment processing is performed using the data read by the image reading processing. The execution control unit causes the image reading unit to execute the image reading process for reading the adjustment document, and attaches the adjustment document to the adjustment document. Is a data obtained by reading a line-shaped image, and is set at a plurality of predetermined positions in the main-scanning direction spaced apart in the main-scanning direction in a blank area where the line-shaped image is not attached. Among the corresponding data, any data determined to match the other data, and the parameter indicated by the data read from the parameter image attached to the position in the main scanning direction of any data determined to match And the adjustment document used in the image adjustment process in the image reading apparatus that causes the image adjustment unit to execute the image adjustment process using
The line-shaped images showing the same color in the main scanning direction are attached in parallel in the sub-scanning direction, and the line-shaped images are read by the image reading process at a plurality of predetermined positions. Among the data, for adjustment, the parameter image indicating the parameter used when the image adjustment processing is performed using data corresponding to the position in the main scanning direction indicated by each of the plurality of predetermined positions is attached. Manuscript.

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