JP2013090213A - Image-reading device, image forming apparatus, image process program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image-reading device, an image forming apparatus, and an image process program, which shorten a period from starting document-reading to completing image-processing compared to the case of performing image-processing after detecting a document size.SOLUTION: On an image-reading device 10, when a document G is placed on a document platen 30, a document width detection part 52 detects a document width before reading the document, and a document size estimation part 76 estimates a document size on the basis of the document width. After the document G reading is started, an image process part 72 starts image-processing of the read data on the basis of the estimated document size. Parallel with the image-processing, the read data is accumulated in a storage part 78. Thereafter, a document length detection part 54 detects a document length and detects an actual document size. If the actual document size matches the estimated document size, the image process part 72 continues the image-processing in progress as is.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing program.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228867 discloses an image forming apparatus that reads image data of a document and forms an image on a recording sheet by sending the document to an image reading unit fixed at an image reading position in the sub-scanning direction. On the basis of a detection signal from the original detection means, an original detection means for detecting the passage of the original being conveyed, A document size determining means for determining a size, a paper feeding means for selecting and feeding a recording sheet of a predetermined size based on the determined document size, a memory for writing image data of a document read by the image reading means, Even if the document size is not yet determined by the document size determination means, the image is read as it is when the front edge of the document reaches the image reading position. The image data is started and written in the memory, and the feeding of the selected recording sheet is started even if the image reading of the document is not completed when the document size is determined. An image forming apparatus is characterized in that an image is formed on the recording sheet by starting reading from the image data already written in the memory.

JP 09-331418 A

  The present invention provides an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus in which the time from the start of reading a document to the end of the image processing is shortened compared to the case where image processing is performed after the size of the document is detected. And an image processing program.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first detection unit that detects a size in a crossing direction that intersects a reading direction of a document placed on a document table, and reads the document. Reading means for outputting the first image information, and executing the predetermined image processing according to the size of the document on the first image information read by the reading means to output the second image information The size of the document is estimated according to the size of the document detected by the first detection unit and the size of the document, and the image processing is performed based on the estimated size of the document. And a control means for controlling the image processing means and storing the first image information read by the reading means in a storage means.

  The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a second detection unit configured to detect a size of the document in the reading direction during reading of the document. If the size of the document according to the size of the document in the reading direction detected by the second detection unit matches the size of the document estimated by the control unit, the image processing unit is executing The predetermined image processing is continued.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the second aspect, the size of the original according to the size of the original in the reading direction detected by the second detecting means is detected by the control means. Is not equal to the size of the document estimated by the control means, the first image information stored in the storage means is read out and the image processing means is controlled to perform the predetermined image processing. .

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading apparatus according to the second or third aspect, the control unit is responsive to a size of the document reading direction detected by the second detection unit. If the size of the document does not match the size of the document estimated by the control means, the second image information that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing means is discarded.

  The image reading device according to claim 5 is the image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first detection is performed when a plurality of documents are placed on the document table. The means detects the size of the document read by the reading unit first among the plurality of documents or the size of the document having the largest size in the cross direction among the plurality of documents.

  An image forming apparatus according to a sixth aspect includes an image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to fifth aspects and an image corresponding to image information of a document read by the image reading apparatus. Forming image forming means.

  The image processing program according to claim 7 is a first detection means for detecting a size in a crossing direction that intersects a reading direction of a document placed on a document table, and reads the document and outputs first image information. A reading unit; and an image processing unit that executes predetermined image processing on the first image information read by the reading unit according to the size of the document and outputs second image information. The computer that controls the image reading apparatus estimates the size of the document according to the size of the document detected by the first detection unit in the intersecting direction, and the image based on the estimated size of the document. The image processing unit is controlled so as to perform processing, and the first image information read by the reading unit is caused to function as a control unit that is stored in a storage unit.

  According to the first, sixth, and seventh aspects of the present invention, compared to the case where image processing is performed after the size of the original is detected, the image processing is finished after the reading of the original is started. Time to do is shortened.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the predetermined image processing being executed by the image processing means is not continued, the time from the start of reading the document to the end of the image processing is shortened. Is done.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image processing is appropriately performed as compared with the case where the image processing of the first image information stored in the storage unit is not performed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, compared to a case where the second image information is not discarded, the load on the image processing can be reduced.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where the size in the crossing direction is detected for each of the plurality of documents, the time from the start of reading the document until the end of the image processing is determined. Shortened.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a front view of an example of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example of an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a specific example of a correspondence relationship between a document width and an estimated document size stored in a storage unit of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an example of a flow of image reading processing of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram (time chart) for explaining an example of the flow of each data such as read data and image data in the image reading processing operation of the image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  With reference to FIG. 1, an outline of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a front view of an example of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes an image reading device 10 and an image forming device 12. In the following description, the front view vertical direction with respect to FIG. 1 is described as an arrow Y direction, the horizontal direction as an arrow X direction, and the direction toward the back as an arrow Z direction. In addition, left and right indicate left and right when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front.

  First, the image forming apparatus 12 of the present embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 12 according to the present embodiment has a function of forming and outputting an image on the recording paper P based on the image data output from the image reading apparatus 10. The image forming apparatus 12 is provided on the sheet storage unit 80 and the sheet storage unit 80 that stores the recording paper P from the lower side to the upper side in the up-down direction (the arrow Y direction in the drawing) in FIG. An image forming unit 82 that forms an image on the recording paper P supplied from the paper storage unit 80, and a discharge unit 84 that is integrally provided on the upper left side of the image forming unit 82 and discharges the recording paper P on which the image is formed. It is equipped with.

  The paper storage unit 80 is provided with a storage unit 88A and a storage unit 88B, each of which stores recording papers P having different sizes as an example of a sheet, arranged side by side in the arrow Y direction. Each of the accommodating portion 88A and the accommodating portion 88B (hereinafter referred to as “accommodating portion” when there is no need to distinguish between them) is provided with a delivery roll 92 that sends out the accommodated recording paper P to the conveyance path 90.

  In addition, a pair of recording paper P is temporarily stopped downstream of the conveyance roller pair 93 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P, and sent to the downstream area (secondary transfer unit 126) at a predetermined timing. An alignment roll 94 is provided. The pair of alignment rolls 38 are arranged to face each other with their outer peripheral surfaces in contact with each other, sandwich the recording paper P, and rotate by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown) to convey the recording paper P. Send out downstream of path 90.

  The image forming unit 82 includes a housing 16A that is an apparatus main body. In the housing 16 </ b> A, the upper left portion of the image forming portion 82 protrudes above the upper center portion and the upper right portion in a front view of the image forming apparatus 12.

  The recording paper P is transported from the manual sheet feeding unit 95 provided on the left side of the image forming apparatus 12 to the transport path 90 on the opposite side of the image forming unit 12 across the transport path 90 of the image forming unit 82. A preliminary transport path 96 is provided. In the preliminary conveyance path 96, a recording roll P for sending the recording paper P of the manual paper feed unit 95 to the preliminary conveyance path 96, and a plurality of recording papers P provided downstream of the transmission roll 97 for conveying the recording paper P one by one. A pair of transport rolls 98 is provided, and the downstream end of the preliminary transport path 96 is connected to the transport path 90.

  Further, a fixing device 140 is provided in the image forming unit 82 on the downstream side of the secondary transfer unit 126 in the conveyance path 90. The fixing device 140 includes a fixing roll 142 that heats the developer on the recording paper P, and a pressure roll 144 that presses the recording paper P toward the fixing roll 142, and the recording paper P is the fixing roll 142. The developer is melted and solidified when passing through the nip portion that is a contact portion between the pressure roller 144 and the pressure roll 144, and the developer image is fixed on the recording paper P. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a two-component developer mainly including a toner and a carrier is employed as the developer. Hereinafter, this developer is referred to as “toner”. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, a toner image is formed on the recording paper P by combining black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) toners at the center of the image forming unit 82. An image forming unit 110 is provided as an example of the forming unit. In the image forming unit 110, the photosensitive drums 112K, 112Y, 112M, and 112C that hold the electrostatic latent image correspond to toners of each color of black (K), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C). Is provided. In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish between K, Y, M, and C, an alphabetic character of any one of K, Y, M, and C is added after the numeral, and K, Y is structurally used. , M, and C need not be described separately, description of K, Y, M, and C is omitted.

  The photoconductive drums 112K, 112Y, 112M, and 112C are arranged in this order toward the upper right side in the figure, and rotate in the counterclockwise direction in the figure and transfer the electrostatic latent image formed by light irradiation to the outer peripheral surface. Hold on. Further, around each of the photosensitive drums 112K, 112Y, 112M, and 112C, a charging roll 116, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) head 118, a developing device 120, an intermediate transfer belt 114, and a cleaning roll are sequentially arranged along the rotation direction. 124 is provided.

  As an example, the charging roll 116 has a configuration in which a plurality of layers (all not shown) including an elastic layer having electrical conductivity, an intermediate layer, and a surface resin layer are formed around a shaft portion made of stainless steel. It has become. The charging roll 116 is rotatably provided with a shaft so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the surface layer of the photosensitive drum 112 and is applied with a voltage from a voltage application unit (not shown). The outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 112 is charged by the discharge generated by the above.

  The LED head 118 irradiates (exposes) light corresponding to each toner color on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 112 charged by the charging roll 116 to form an electrostatic latent image. As a means for exposing the photosensitive drum 112, a method of scanning laser light with a polygon mirror in common for four colors K, Y, M, and C may be used.

  The intermediate transfer belt 114 is formed in an endless shape, and includes a belt conveyance roll 132 provided in the secondary transfer unit 126, a belt conveyance roll 134 provided on the lower right side of the belt conveyance roll 132, and a belt conveyance roll 132. Is wound around a drive roll 136 that is provided on the right upper side of the motor and driven by a motor (not shown), and is supported so as to move in the clockwise direction in the figure. The outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 114 is a transfer surface to which a toner image is transferred. The photosensitive drums 112K, 112Y, 112M, and 112C are arranged on the transfer surface from the drive roll 136 to the belt conveyance roll 134 of the intermediate transfer belt 114. Are in contact with each other.

  On the other hand, primary transfer rolls 122 (122K, 122Y, 122M, 122C) are provided on the opposite side of the photosensitive drums 112K, 112Y, 112M, 112C with the intermediate transfer belt 114 interposed therebetween. The primary transfer roll 122 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 114, and a voltage is applied from a voltage application unit (not shown), so that a photoconductor is generated by a potential difference from the grounded photoconductor drum 112. The toner image on the drum 112 is primarily transferred to the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 114. As a result, the toner images are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 114 while the intermediate transfer belt 114 makes one round.

  A cleaning member 139 for cleaning the toner remaining on the transfer surface of the intermediate transfer belt 114 after the secondary transfer is provided on the opposite side of the drive roll 136 with the intermediate transfer belt 114 interposed therebetween.

  The secondary transfer unit 126 includes a belt conveyance roll 132 around which the intermediate transfer belt 114 is wound, and a secondary transfer roll as an example of conveyance means provided on the opposite side of the belt conveyance roll 132 with the intermediate transfer belt 114 interposed therebetween. 138. A voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roll 138 from a voltage application unit (not shown), and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 114 is transferred onto the recording paper P by the potential difference between the belt transport roll 132 and the secondary transfer roll 138. The next transfer is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 1, toner cartridges 125K, 125Y, 125M, and 125C that contain K, Y, M, and C toners are provided on the right side of the cleaning member 139 of the image forming unit 82 in a replaceable manner. Yes. Further, on the left side of the conveyance path 90 of the image forming unit 82, a double-sided conveyance path 106 is provided on which the recording paper P is conveyed and reversed in order to form an image on both sides of the recording paper P.

  The duplex conveyance path 106 is provided on the downstream side of the fixing device 140 in the conveyance direction of the recording paper P in the conveyance path 90, and is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance roll pair 107, and the rotation direction can be switched. One end is connected between the pair of conveying rolls 108 and the other end is connected to the upstream side of the alignment roll 94. Further, the double-sided conveyance path 106 is provided with a plurality of conveyance rolls 109 for conveying the recording paper P fed from the conveyance roll pair 108 toward the alignment roll 94. As a result, at the time of double-sided image formation, the recording paper P on which the toner image is fixed on the front side by the fixing device 140 enters the double-sided conveyance path 106 by the reverse rotation of the conveyance roll pair 108 and a path switching member (not shown). By entering the alignment roll 94 again, the front and back of the recording paper P are reversed.

  A lower discharge roll 101 that discharges the recording paper P to a lower table 100 provided above the image forming unit 82 is provided on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 107 in the discharge unit 84. Further, an upper discharge roll 103 that discharges the recording paper P to the upper table 102 provided above the lower table 100 is provided in the conveyance path 90 on the downstream side of the conveyance roller pair 107 in the discharge unit 84.

  Next, the image reading apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of reading a document G, converting it into image data, and outputting the image data to the image forming apparatus 12 described above. The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes an automatic document feeder 20 and an image reading processing unit 22 that reads an image formed on the surface of the document G.

  The automatic document feeder 20 of the present embodiment includes a document table 30 on which at least one document G is placed, a document transport path 32 that transports the document G, and a discharge that discharges the document G after the image is read. A table 34 and a contact image sensor (CIS) 35 are included.

  The document conveyance path 32 is formed in a U-shape, and around the document conveyance path 32, a sheet delivery roll 36, a delivery roll 38, a pre-positioning roll 40, a positioning roll 42, a platen roll 44, an out roll 46, And a discharge roll 48 is provided. The paper feed roll 36 descends when the original G is fed and picks up the original G placed on the original table 30. The delivery roll 38 supplies only the document G at the top of the document G sent from the paper delivery roll 36 to the inside. The pre-positioning roll 40 temporarily stops the document G sent from the sending roll 38 and corrects the skew feeding. The alignment roll 42 temporarily stops the document G sent from the pre-alignment roll 40 and adjusts the reading timing. The platen roll 44 causes the original G passing through the original conveying path 32 to face a CVT (Constant Velocity Transport) original glass 54. The out roll 46 and the discharge roll 48 discharge the read original G to the discharge table 34.

  In the automatic document feeder 20 according to the present embodiment, a document width detection unit 52 is provided on the document table 30. The document width detection unit 52 has a function of reading the width of the document G placed on the document table 30 (direction intersecting with the direction in which the document is read, also referred to as main scanning direction; arrow Z direction in FIG. 1). (Details will be described later). Further, the automatic document feeder 20 is provided with a document length detector 54 along the document transport path 32. The document length detection unit 54 has a function of reading the length of the document G that has been read (the direction in which the document is read, also referred to as the sub-scanning direction; the arrow X direction in FIG. 1) (details will be described later).

  The contact-type image sensor 35 is disposed between the out roll 46 and the discharge roll 48 and reads an image formed on the back surface of the document G from above. A white reference plate 50 is disposed below the contact image sensor 35 so as to face the contact image sensor 35 with the document conveyance path 32 interposed therebetween. The white reference plate 50 has a reflective surface facing upward that is white, which serves as a reference for image reading. The light emitted from the light source unit (not shown) of the contact image sensor 35 is used as the reference reflected light for white. Reflected toward the mold image sensor 35.

  The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of flowing and reading the surface of the document G sent from the document table 30 by the automatic document feeder 20 and a function of reading the surface of the document G placed on the platen glass 60. And a function of reading each of both surfaces (front surface and back surface) of the document G sent by the automatic document feeder 20.

  A platen glass 60 on which a document G for reading an image is placed, a white reference plate 62, and the automatic document feeder 20 are disposed on the surface of the apparatus frame 66 of the image reading processing unit 22 according to the present embodiment facing the automatic document feeder 12. In order to read the original G being conveyed, a CVT glass 64 serving as an opening for irradiating the original G with light is provided.

  The image reading processing unit 22 according to the present embodiment has an image reading unit 70 that outputs an image signal (reading data) that is image information obtained by reading a document G in an apparatus frame 66 that is a casing, and is determined in advance as reading data. An image processing unit 72 that performs the image processing and outputs image information (image data), an output interface 74 that outputs the image data to the image forming apparatus 12, and the like. In the following, image information that is raw data as it is read from the document G output from the image reading unit 70 is subjected to predetermined image processing on the read data and read data output from the image processing unit 72. Image information is referred to as image data.

  Hereinafter, the image reading apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 2 shows a functional block diagram of an example of the image reading apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. The image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a document width detection unit 52, a document length detection unit 54, an image reading unit 70, an image processing unit 72, an output interface 74, a control unit 75, a document size estimation unit 76, and a document size detection. A unit 77 and a storage unit 78 are provided. The document width detection unit 52, the document length detection unit 54, the image reading unit 70, the image processing unit 72, the output interface 74, the control unit 75, the document size estimation unit 76, the document size detection unit 77, and the storage unit 78 are mutually connected. 79 is connected to exchange information.

  The control unit 75 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 150, a ROM (Read-Only Memory) 152, a RAM (Rabdom Access Memory) 154, a hard disk, and the like, and has a function of controlling the entire image reading apparatus 10. is there. The CPU 150 executes a program 153 for image reading processing, which will be described in detail later. The ROM 152 stores a program 153, parameters, and the like, and the RAM 154 is used as a work area when the CPU 152 executes the program 153. The processing program for the image reading process is recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM (not shown) or a USB, installed in the ROM 152 or the like in the control unit 75, and read by the CPU 150. May be executed.

  The document width detection unit 52 has a function of detecting the width of the document G as described above. In the present embodiment, the document width detection unit 52 detects the width of the document G placed on the document table 30 before the reading of the document G starts (when reading is instructed by the user) or at the start of reading. . The method for detecting the document width is not particularly limited. For example, when the document table 30 is provided with a guide for positioning the document G and moving according to the width of the document, the document is moved according to the movement position of the guide. The width may be detected. Further, for example, a plurality of photosensors are provided in the document width direction of the document table 30 and light emitted from the light emitting unit of the photosensor is received by the light receiving unit, so that any one of the plurality of photosensors receives light. The document width may be detected in accordance with whether the document has been done.

  The document length detection unit 54 has a function of detecting the length of the document G as described above. In the present embodiment, the document length detection unit 54 determines the length of the document G after the document G starts to be read, specifically, after the document G is fed and drawn into the automatic document feeder 20. Detect the length. The method for detecting the document length is not particularly limited. For example, the leading edge and the trailing edge of the document G are detected to detect the passage time of the document G, and the document length is detected based on the passage time. May be.

  Based on the document width detected by the document width detection unit 52, the document size estimation unit 76 determines the document based on the correspondence between the document width stored in the storage unit 78 such as a hard disk and the estimated document size (see FIG. 3). It has a function of estimating the size of the original G placed on the table 30. In the present embodiment, “original size” refers to the size of original paper such as A4, B5.

  When the document length detection unit 77 detects the document length after the document width detection unit 52 detects the document width, the document size detection unit 77 according to the present embodiment reads the document based on the detected document width and document length. Detect the actual size of G.

  The storage unit 78 is a so-called hard disk or the like, and previously stores the correspondence between the document width and the estimated document size shown in FIG. The correspondence relationship is preferably a correspondence relationship between the document size of the document G frequently used and the width of the document G in the image reading apparatus 10. For example, when the reading frequency of the A4 size document G is high, if it is detected by the size document width detection unit 52 corresponding to the A4 size paper width (document width), it is estimated that the A4 size is the A4 size. It is preferable to define a correspondence relationship.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 78 temporarily stores the read data read by the image reading unit 70.

  The image reading unit 70 has a function of reading the original G and outputting read data as described above, and includes an optical unit (not shown) for reading the original. The optical unit includes a full-rate carriage having a light source and a mirror, a half-rate carriage having a plurality of mirrors, a lens, a photoelectric conversion element (CCD), and the like. The photoelectric conversion element photoelectrically converts an optical image formed on the light receiving surface, and generates and outputs read data that is an analog electric signal.

  The image processing unit 72 converts read data that is an analog electric signal output from the image reading unit 70 into a digital electric signal, and image data obtained by performing predetermined image processing on the digital read data. Has a function to generate and output. The image processing performed by the image processing unit 72 is a process in which parameters, processing methods, and the like in image processing are determined in advance according to the document size of the document G. For example, correction processing using shading data, etc. , Enlargement / reduction processing and the like.

  The output interface 74 is an interface having a function of outputting the image data output from the image processing unit 72 to the image forming apparatus 12.

  Next, an image reading processing operation executed by the control unit 75 of the image reading apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail. The image reading process is performed by the CPU 150 executing the program 153. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an example of the flow of the image reading process of the present embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example of the flow of each data such as read data and image data in the image reading processing operation of the present embodiment.

  In step S200, it is determined whether or not the document G is placed (set) on the document table 30. The method for determining whether or not the document G is placed on the document table 30 is not particularly limited. For example, it is detected by a sensor or the like that the document G has hit the back of the document table 30, or on the document table 30. If the guide plate 30 is provided with a guide that moves according to the width of the document, the movement of the guide may be detected. Further, it may be a case where the user gives an instruction indicating that the document G is placed on the document table 30 by a user interface (not shown) or the like. If the document G is not placed on the document table 30, it is denied and enters a standby state. On the other hand, if it is determined that the document G is placed on the document table 30, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S202, the width of the document G placed on the document table 30 is detected by the document width detection unit 52. In the next step S <b> 204, the document size estimation unit 76 estimates the document size of the document G placed on the document table 30 based on the document width detected by the document width detection unit 52.

  In the next step S206, it is determined whether or not reading of the original G is started. If reading has not been started, the determination is negative and a standby state is entered. On the other hand, for example, when the user gives an instruction to start reading a document through a user interface (not shown), the process proceeds to step S208. In step S208, the automatic document feeder 20 transports the document G into the image reading device 10, and the image reading unit 70 reads the document G.

  In the next step S210, the image processing unit 72 performs image processing corresponding to the estimated document size on the read data, and causes the storage unit 78 to accumulate read data (see FIG. 5). In this embodiment, as described above, the image processing of the read data based on the estimated document size and the accumulation of the read data in the storage unit 78 are performed in parallel.

  In the next step S212, the document length detection unit 54 determines whether or not the document length is detected. If it has not been detected yet, it is denied and enters a standby state. On the other hand, if it is detected, the determination is affirmative and the process proceeds to step S214.

  In step S214, the document size detection unit 77 detects the actual document size of the document G based on the document width and the document length. In the next step S216, the detected actual document size is the estimated document size. Determine whether they match. If they match, the process proceeds to step S218, and the image processing being executed by the image processing unit 72 is continued as it is, and it is determined whether or not to end the image processing in the next step S220. When image processing of one document G is not completed, or when a plurality of documents G are placed on the document table 30 and a document G that has not yet undergone image processing is placed on the document table 30 Is returned to step S218, and the image processing is continued. In the present embodiment, when image processing is performed on a plurality of documents G, image processing is performed based on the initially estimated document size. On the other hand, when the image processing is completed, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S228. If it is determined that they match, the accumulation of the read data in the storage unit 78 may be continued as it is, or the accumulation may be stopped and the accumulated read data may be discarded. .

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S216 that the detected actual document size does not match the estimated document size, the determination is negative and the process proceeds to step S222. In step S222, the read data accumulated in the storage unit 78 is read. In the next step S224, the image processing being executed by the image processing unit 72 is stopped, the image data that has been subjected to the current image processing is discarded, and the newly read read data is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 72. In the next step S226, as in step S220 described above, it is determined whether or not to end the image processing. If negative, the process returns to step S224 to perform image processing. On the other hand, when the image processing is completed, the determination is affirmed and the process proceeds to step S228.

  In step S228, the image data is output to the image forming apparatus 12 by the output interface 74. By outputting the image data, the image forming apparatus 12 forms an image corresponding to the image data on the recording paper P.

  As described above, in the image reading apparatus 10 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the document G is placed on the document table 30, the document width is detected by the document width detection unit 52 before reading of the document G is started. Based on the detected document width, the document size estimation unit 76 estimates the size of the document G (for example, A4). When the automatic document feeder 20 operates and reading of the document G is started by the image reading unit 70 of the image reading processing unit 22 and read data is output, the image processing unit 72 is based on the estimated document size. Image processing of the read data is started. In parallel with the image processing, the read data is accumulated in the storage unit 78. Thereafter, when the document length detection unit 54 detects the document length of the document G, the document size detection unit 77 detects the actual document size of the document G based on the document width and the document length. If the detected actual document size matches the estimated document size, the image processing being executed by the image processing unit 72 is continued as it is. On the other hand, if the detected actual document size does not match the estimated document size, the read data stored in the storage unit 78 is read, the image processing being executed by the image processing unit 72 is stopped, and the processed image is processed. The data is discarded, and image processing of newly read data is performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the document width of the document G is detected before the reading of the document G, and the read data image based on the document size estimated based on the document width before the actual document G is detected. Since the image processing by the processing unit 72 is performed in parallel with the accumulation of the read data in the storage unit 78, the reading of the document is started compared with the case where the image processing is performed after the actual size of the document G is detected. After that, the time from the end of image processing to the output of image data is shortened.

  In the present embodiment, the reading of the original is started as described above without detecting the original length before starting the reading of the original, such as the state where the original G is placed on the original table 30. The time from the end of image processing to the output of image data is shortened.

  As a result, the productivity relating to reading of the original G is not lowered, the original size detecting mechanism such as a sensor for detecting the original length on the original table 30 or the like is omitted, and the image reading apparatus 10 is downsized. Can be planned.

  In the above embodiment, the case where an image based on the image data output from the image reading apparatus 10 is formed by the image forming apparatus 12 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image reading apparatus 10 stores the image data. The image may be output to another (external) image forming apparatus, or may be output to a user computer or the like.

  When a plurality of documents G are placed on the document table 30 and the document sizes are different, the document width detection unit 52 may detect the width of the largest document G. In such a case, if the estimated document size differs from the actual document size during the image processing of a plurality of documents G, the estimated document size and the actual document size described above are at that time. The process (FIG. 4, steps S222 to S226) may not be performed if they do not match.

  The configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus 1, the image reading apparatus 10, the image forming apparatus 12, and the like described in the present embodiment are merely examples, and can be used depending on the situation without departing from the gist of the present invention. Needless to say, it will change.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Image reading apparatus 12 Image forming apparatus 52 Original width detection part 54 Original length detection part 70 Image reading part 72 Image processing part 75 Control part

Claims (7)

First detection means for detecting a size in a crossing direction that intersects a reading direction of a document placed on a document table;
Reading means for reading the original and outputting first image information;
Image processing means for executing second predetermined image processing on the first image information read by the reading means according to the size of the document and outputting second image information;
The image processing means is configured to estimate the size of the original according to the size of the original detected by the first detection means, and to perform the image processing based on the estimated size of the original. Control means for storing the first image information read by the reading means in a storage means,
An image reading apparatus comprising:   Second reading means for detecting the size of the original in the reading direction during reading of the original is provided, and the control means is an original corresponding to the size of the original in the reading direction detected by the second detecting means. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the size of the document coincides with the size of the original estimated by the control unit, the predetermined image processing being executed by the image processing unit is continued.   The control means stores in the storage means if the size of the original corresponding to the size of the original in the reading direction detected by the second detection means does not coincide with the size of the original estimated by the control means. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image processing unit is controlled to read the first image information that has been read and to perform the predetermined image processing.   When the size of the document according to the size of the document detected in the second detection unit does not match the size of the document estimated by the control unit, the control unit uses the image processing unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second image information that has undergone image processing is discarded.   In the case where there are a plurality of documents placed on the document table, the first detection unit detects the document first read by the reading unit among the plurality of documents or the intersection of the plurality of documents. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a size of the document having a large direction is detected in the intersecting direction. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Image forming means for forming an image according to image information of a document read by the image reading device;
An image forming apparatus. A first detection unit that detects a size in a crossing direction that intersects a reading direction of the document placed on the document table; a reading unit that reads the document and outputs first image information; and the reading unit that reads the document image. A computer for controlling the image reading apparatus, comprising: image processing means that executes predetermined image processing on the first image information according to the size of the document and outputs the second image information;
The image processing means is configured to estimate the size of the original according to the size of the original detected by the first detection means, and to perform the image processing based on the estimated size of the original. An image processing program for controlling and causing the first image information read by the reading means to function as a control means for storing the first image information in a storage means.

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