JP2021016123A - Image forming apparatus, and control method and program of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can read both sides of multiple documents without causing a memory error, and a control method and a program of the same.SOLUTION: When a remaining memory of an image memory 304 reaches a predetermined amount while reading a surface, the back side is read, the image memory 304 is cleared, and printing is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that reads an image from one side of a document and forms the read image on a medium, a control method and a program of the image forming apparatus.

Generally, in an image forming apparatus that reads a document and forms an image on a medium based on the image data obtained by reading the document, the read image data is stored in a memory and the saved image data is read from the memory. As a result, printing is performed on the medium. Further, in an image forming apparatus equipped with a reading unit that reads an image from one side of the original material, the surface of a plurality of original materials is read, and then the user manually reverses the original material and sets it in the reading unit to read the original material again. The back side of the image is being read.

However, if the amount of image data to be read is large, the memory becomes full and a memory full error occurs. In that case, it was necessary to cancel the job, reduce the amount of image data to be read, and read the data again.

Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus capable of printing a read original without causing a memory error even when the memory becomes full while reading the original.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-22201

However, the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 does not consider the control in the form of reading both sides of a plurality of documents.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method and a program of an image forming apparatus capable of reading both sides of a plurality of original documents without causing a memory error.

Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus including a reading means for reading an image of one side of a document and a memory for storing image data of the image read by the reading means. When the means continuously reads an image from one side of a plurality of documents, the means notifies that the image of the other side of the read plurality of documents is read based on the remaining capacity of the memory. It is characterized by having means.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus, a control method and a program of an image forming apparatus capable of reading both sides of a plurality of original documents without causing a memory error.

It is an external perspective view which showed the automatic paper feed reading apparatus included in an image processing apparatus. It is sectional drawing which showed a part of the automatic paper feed reading apparatus. It is a block diagram which showed the structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the data flow at the time of reading and printing. It is a flowchart which shows the manual double-sided reading printing process. It is a figure which showed the UI screen which is displayed in each step of the flowchart of FIG. It is an image diagram which showed the manual double-sided reading printing process with the passage of time. It is a flowchart which shows the manual double-sided reading printing process. It is an image diagram which showed the manual double-sided reading printing process with the passage of time. It is a flowchart which shows the manual double-sided reading printing process.

(First Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an automatic paper feed / reading device 90 included in an image processing device to which the present embodiment can be applied, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of the automatic paper feed / reading device 90. is there. The automatic paper feed / reading device 90 can read an image of a document, and includes a document reading / conveying unit 100, an automatic paper feed pressure plate unit 101, a document loading tray 208, and a document ejection tray 209. The automatic paper feed pressure plate unit 101 is provided with a U-turn path 201 which is a substantially U-shaped document transport path inside, and the U-turn path 201 includes a separation roller 202, a separation pad 203, and a document presence / absence for detecting the presence / absence of a document S. A sensor 204 is provided. Further, the U-turn path 201 is equipped with a first transport roller pair, a second transport roller pair, a document edge sensor 207 and the like for detecting the front end portion and the rear end portion of the document S, which are used when transporting the document S. .. In the U turn pass 201, the document S is conveyed along the arrow α.

The document reading / conveying unit 100 is provided with a document loading tray 208 so as to be connected to the upstream end side of the U-turn path 201, and a document ejection tray 209 shared with the automatic paper feed pressure plate section 101 on the downstream end side of the U-turn path 201. Is provided. Here, a document holding portion 209a for holding the rear end portion of the document S to be ejected is formed at the document reading and transporting section 100 side end portion of the document ejection tray 209. Further, on the upstream end side of the U-turn path 201, a document stopper 210 for regulating the tip position of the document S loaded on the document loading tray 208 and a document presence / absence sensor 204 for detecting the presence / absence of the document S are provided. There is. Further, on the upstream end side of the U-turn path 201, a pickup roller 211 that abuts and picks up the uppermost document of the document S mounted on the document loading tray 208 is provided.

The separation roller 202 and the separation pad 203 are provided in a state of being pressed against each other in order to separate the document S picked up by the pickup roller 211 into one sheet. Further, on the downstream end side of the U-turn path 201, a document ejection roller pair 212 for ejecting the document S to the document ejection tray 209 is provided.

The automatic paper feed / reading device 90 in the present embodiment reads the conveyed document S while conveying the document S mounted on the document loading tray 208, and the document S placed on the glass 213 is closely contacted with the image sensor 214. It supports both fixed document scanning and scanning while moving. The close contact type image sensor 214 arranged via the document reading and transporting unit 100 and the glass 213 irradiates the image information surface of the document S with light from the LED array as a light source, and self-defocks the reflected light reflected by the image information surface. Image information is read by forming an image on a sensor element with a lens (registered trademark). The close contact type image sensor 214 can be moved as described above, and is provided so as to be movable in the ± y direction. When scanning a fixed document, the close contact image sensor 214 reads the document S placed on the glass 213 while moving in the y direction, and when scanning a conveyed document, the document transported at the position shown in FIG. 2 is read. It is composed.

The document reading and transporting unit 100 is configured so that when the operator places and sets the document S on the document loading tray 208, the image side of the document S is set on the upper side. Further, when the document S is set, the tip position of the document S is regulated by the document restricting surface of the document stopper 210, and the presence / absence sensor 204 detects that the document S is present. Then, when the operator instructs the operation unit (not shown) to start reading, the drive unit (not shown) rotates, and the document stopper 210 is pushed down by the pickup arm 215. After that, the document S is sent to the inside of the U-turn path 201 by the pickup roller 211 through the inclined surface of the document stopper 210.

At this time, in the document reading and transporting unit 100, the uppermost document S on the document loading tray 208 is separated and conveyed one by one by the separation roller 202 and the separation pad 203. Further, the separated document S is transported along the U turn path 201 by the first transport roller pair 205, and the document S is further transported to the reading unit of the close contact type image sensor 214 by the second transport roller pair 206. When the document edge sensor 207 detects the tip end portion of the document S, the document scanning and transporting unit 100 starts reading the image by the close contact type image sensor 214 when a predetermined amount of the document S is transported from that position.

The manuscript S at the time of reading the image is pressed against the reading white base plate 216. The document S read by the close contact type image sensor 214 is scooped up by the transparent scoop sheet 217 and heads toward the document ejection roller pair 212. Then, when the rear end portion of the document S is detected by the document edge sensor 207, the image reading by the close contact type image sensor 214 ends when a predetermined amount is conveyed from that position. After that, the document S is conveyed and ejected toward the document ejection tray 209 by the document ejection roller pair 212.

After that, when the rear end portion of the ejected document S passes through the document ejection roller pair 212, the ejected document S freely falls, moves on the main surface of the inclined document ejection tray 209, and the rear end portion reaches the document holding surface 209a. It is held and contained. In this way, the document reading / conveying unit 100 repeats the above-described reading operation until the document presence / absence sensor 204 detects that there is no document.

In this way, in the document reading and transporting unit 100, the document S is separated and transported from the uppermost one of the document loading tray 208, and the front and back sides are reversed by the U-turn pass. As a result, the document S at the top of the document loading tray 208 is accommodated at the bottom of the document ejection tray 209 with the front and back reversed. That is, when reading both sides of the document S, the bundle of documents ejected and loaded on the document ejection tray 209 may be placed on the document loading tray 208 in the same orientation.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image processing device (hereinafter, also referred to as an image forming device) 300 including an automatic paper feed / reading device 90 and a printer 316 in the present embodiment. The CPU 301 is a system control unit and controls the entire image processing device 300. The ROM 302 stores a control program of the CPU 301, an operating system (OS) program, and the like. Further, the ROM 302 stores a program for compressing and decompressing MH, MR, MMR, and JPEG for encoding and decoding a binary image, and a JPEG compression and decompression process for a color image. The RAM 303 is composed of SRAM and the like, and stores program control variables and the like. In addition, set values registered by the operator, device management data, and various work buffers are also stored in the RAM 303.

The image memory 304 is composed of DRAM or the like and stores image data. In the present embodiment, each control program stored in the ROM 302 is subjected to software control such as scheduling and task switching under the control of the OS stored in the ROM 302. The operation unit 305 is composed of various keys, LEDs, LCDs, etc., and performs various input operations by the operator, display of the operating status of the image processing device, and the like.

The reading control unit 306 optically reads the original by the CS image sensor (contact type image sensor) of the automatic paper feed reading device 90 in the reading unit 307, performs A / D conversion, and converts it into digital image data. Further, the scanning image processing control unit 312 corrects the digital image data generated by the scanning control unit 306 based on the characteristics of the CS image sensor and outputs high-definition image data. By the processing in the scanning image processing control unit 312, it is possible to obtain image data corrected for variations in the scanning signal due to the state of the CS image sensor, the usage environment of the device, and the like. The JPEG processing unit 313 performs JPEG compression and decompression of the color image. The recorded image processing control unit 314 generates image data by inputting the luminance signal (RGB, YCC, etc.) of the scanned image read by the reading unit 307 and the reading control unit 306.

The recording control unit 315 acquires printer status information in a color printer 316 such as an inkjet printer, performs recording control, and outputs the print data generated by the recorded image processing control unit 314 to the color printer. The communication control unit 311 is composed of a MODEM (modulation / demodulation device), an NCU (network control device), and the like. The communication control unit 311 in the present embodiment is connected to an analog communication line (PSTN) and performs line control such as communication control by the T30 protocol and incoming / outgoing calls to the communication line. The computer interface (hereinafter referred to as I / F unit) 317 is an interface for connecting to an externally connected information processing terminal. Further, application software for remotely operating the image processing device 300 is installed in the information processing terminal 320. The reading of the original and the printing of the image based on the image data obtained by reading the original are collectively referred to as a copy process. A process of reading only one side of a document and printing an image based on image data obtained by scanning one side of the document on only one side of a recording medium is called single-sided copying. Then, the process of scanning both sides of the original and printing each image based on the image data obtained by scanning both sides of the original on both sides of the recording medium is called double-sided copying.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data flow at the time of reading and printing using an auto document feeder (hereinafter, also referred to as ADF). Hereinafter, the data flow at the time of reading and printing using the ADF in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

When the reading of the document S is started, the reading control unit 306 controls the sheet reading control unit 308 to convey the document S one by one by the ADF, and further controls the scanning unit 307 to optically read the document S. Read. Then, the read image data is A / D converted and the digital image data is stored in the read image buffer 401. Here, the scanned image buffer 401 is an area reserved in the RAM 303 as a work area for generating image data spooled in the image memory 304.

Next, the scanned image processing control unit 312 reads digital image data from the scanned image buffer 401, performs various image processing, and stores the scanned image processed image data in the scanned image processed image buffer 405. Here, the scanned image processed image buffer 405 is an area reserved in the RAM 303 as a work area for generating image data spooled in the image memory 304.

Here, the scanned image processing control unit 312 is composed of, for example, the following image processing unit. The read gamma correction processing unit 402 that corrects the read image data to the standard color characteristics input to the recorded image processing unit based on the gamma characteristics of the scanner, and the edge enhancement processing unit 403 that performs edge enhancement of the scanned image. Then, the scaling processing unit 404 enlarges / reduces the scanned image. The reading gamma correction processing unit 402 may further have a function of performing shading processing. In addition, the capacity of one page of the original can be switched by the setting at the time of scanning.

Next, the image compression unit 406 reads the scanned image processed image data from the scanned image processed image buffer 405, compresses it by the JPEG method using the JPEG compression unit 407, and stores it in the image memory 304. The image memory 304 can spool a plurality of JPEG image data within the capacity limit. How the capacity of the image memory 304 is determined is arbitrary.

The above processing is performed on all the documents S mounted on the ADF of the automatic paper feed / reading device 90. Further, the automatic paper feed / reading device 90 in the present embodiment can read only one side of the document S by transporting the document S by the ADF. Therefore, when scanning both sides of the document S, the above-mentioned scanning process is performed on both the front surface (one surface) and the back surface (the other surface) of the document S, respectively. That is, after reading the front surface, the user turns the document bundle of the document S ejected to the document ejection tray 209 upside down and mounts it on the document loading tray 208 again. Then, the back surface is read by the automatic paper feed / reading device 90. In this way, by the scanning process of reading both the front surface and the back surface of the document S, the scanned image data of all the documents S on both sides can be spooled in the image memory 304.

Next, the data flow of the recording operation of recording the scanned image spooled in the image memory 304 will be described.

The image decompression unit 409 reads the read image data compressed by the JPEG method from the image memory 304, decompresses it using the JPEG decompression unit 408, and stores it in the decompressed image buffer 410. Here, the decompressed image buffer 410 is an area reserved in the RAM 303 as a work area for generating print data. The image stretching unit 409 also has an image rotation function. Depending on the print settings set by the user, there are cases where the image is rotated and placed on the output paper for printing. In such a case, the image stretching unit 409 appropriately controls the reading of image data from the image memory and the JPEG stretching unit, and further changes the order of the image data after stretching. In this way, the image-rotated expanded image data suitable for printing is generated. A known technique may be applied to the image rotation process executed by the image stretching unit 409.

Next, the recorded image processing control unit 314 reads the decompressed image data from the decompressed image buffer 410, performs various image processing to generate print data, and stores it in the print data buffer 414. Here, the print data buffer 414 is an area reserved in the RAM 303 as a work area for the recording operation by the printer 316.

The recorded image processing control unit 314 converts, for example, the luminance signal (RGB, YCC, etc.) of the scanned image into the ink color density signal (CMYK) for the image data read from the decompressed image buffer 410. The conversion unit 411 is provided. Further, the recorded image processing control unit 314 includes a recording gamma correction processing unit 412 that performs gamma correction for recording based on the gamma characteristics of the printer 316 with respect to the ink color density signal generated by the color conversion unit 411. Further, the recorded image processing control unit 314 includes a halftone processing unit 413 that performs half toning using the gamma-corrected density signal generated by the recording gamma correction processing unit 412. The recording control unit 315 reads print data from the print data buffer 414 and prints using the color printer 316.

With the above data flow, manual double-sided reading printing using the ADF in the present embodiment is realized. In this embodiment, JPEG is used as the image data format spooled in the image memory 304, but other data formats may be used.

In such manual double-sided reading printing, when the number of documents S to be read is large, the amount of image data to be read is also large, and the image data may not fit in the image memory. In such a case, conventionally, the image memory becomes full and an error (hereinafter referred to as a memory full error) occurs, and the reading operation is interrupted. Then, when resuming the interrupted reading operation, it is necessary for the user to adjust and reduce the number of documents to be read in order to prevent an error from occurring again, and then perform a separate document reading operation.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the remaining memory amount (remaining capacity) of the image memory 304 reaches a predetermined amount while reading the front surface of the document S, the user is instructed to execute the operation of shifting to the reading of the back surface (user). Display (notify) the screen for (prompting). Specifically, the operation of shifting to reading the back surface is an operation of rearranging the document S in the document reading and transporting unit 100 so that the back surface of the document S can be read. Further, the notification method is not limited to the screen display, and may be, for example, a voice notification. Then (after notifying the user), when the user sets the front side-read document bundle upside down in the document placement tray 208 for back-side reading, the back side is read and the image memory 304 is used. Clear and print. After that, if there is a document that has not yet been read in the document mounting tray 208, the front surface and the back surface of the document are similarly read and printed. These series of processes are performed by the same job. As a result, both sides can be read and printed without causing a memory full error. The method will be described in detail below.

Here, when printing a double-sided document with the image processing device equipped with the single-sided scanning device of the present embodiment, the user manually resets the document S after surface scanning into the document loading tray 208. In the present embodiment, such a series of processes is defined as manual double-sided reading printing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a manual double-sided reading printing process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a UI screen displayed at each step of the flowchart of FIG. Hereinafter, the manual double-sided reading printing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The main body not described in each process of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is the CPU 301 of the image processing device 300.

When the manual double-sided reading / printing process is started, the I / F unit 317 displays the screen 703 for setting the document S on S501, shifts to S502, and determines whether or not the reading start button 703a is pressed. The determination is repeated until the read start button 703a is pressed, and when it is detected that the read start button 703a is pressed, the surface read number N is initialized in S503. After that, in S504, it is determined whether or not there is a free space of a predetermined amount or more in the remaining memory. Here, the predetermined amount is an amount obtained by adding the amount of image data for one page of the original to half of the total capacity of the memory. The image data of the surface is stored in the memory, and there is a free space in which the amount of image data for one page of the original is added to half of the total capacity of the memory. Even if the image on the back side is stored, there will be one more page of space.

Here, the amount of image data for one page of the original can be calculated in advance from, for example, the number of vertical pixels, the number of horizontal pixels, the resolution, and the compression method of the image. Further, the average value or the maximum value of the image data amount of the plurality of documents S read so far may be used as the image data amount for one page of the document. Further, the amount of image data for one page of the original may be dynamically updated while reading. By setting the predetermined amount in this way, it is possible to read the back surface of the document S whose front surface has been read to the remaining memory (predetermined amount).

When it is determined in S504 that there is more than a predetermined amount of free space in the remaining memory, the process proceeds to S505, one surface of the original document S is read from the original placement tray 208, and 1 is added to the number of surface-read sheets N in S506. .. While the document S is being read, the screen 704 is displayed by the I / F unit 317. After that, S507 determines whether or not the surface of all the original documents S has been read. If the surface of all the documents S is not completely read, the process returns to S504, and the processes from S504 to S507 are repeated until it is determined in S504 that there is no space of a predetermined amount or more. When the surface of all the original documents S has been read, the process proceeds to S508. Even if there is no free space in the remaining memory amount in S504 or more, the process proceeds to S508.

In S508, in order for the I / F unit 317 to read the back surface of the front side-read document, the screen 705 for setting the front-side read document in the document mounting tray 208 is displayed, the screen shifts to S509, and the reading start button 705a is pressed. Determine if it has been done. The determination is repeated until the reading start button 705a is pressed, and when it is detected that the reading start button 705a is pressed, S510 reads the back surface of the same number of documents S as the number of pages read on the front surface N. While reading the original, the screen 704 is displayed by the I / F unit 317. After that, the read document S is printed in S511, and the printed read data in the memory is deleted in S512. During printing of the original S, the screen 707 is displayed by the I / F unit 317. Then, in S513, the I / F unit 317 displays a screen 708 for guiding the read original to be taken out from the original paper ejection tray 209.

After that, in S514, it is determined whether or not the document S remains in the document mounting tray 208, and if it remains, the process returns to S503, and from S503 to S514 until it is determined in S514 that there is no document in the document loading tray 208. Repeat the process up to. If no document S remains in the document loading tray 208, the manual double-sided scanning printing process is terminated.

The screen 700 is displayed by the I / F unit 317 during standby, and when the setting button 700a of the screen 700 is pressed, the screen transitions to the print setting screen of the screen 701. When the monochrome button 700b or the color button 700c on the screen 700 is pressed, the manual double-sided reading printing process is started. When the monochrome button is pressed, monochrome printing is performed, and when the color button is pressed, color printing is performed. When the buttons 701a to 701d are pressed on the screen 701, the screen transitions to the screen for performing each setting. The screen 702 is a screen for setting the reading in the print settings. When single-sided scanning is set, only the surface of the original S is scanned and printed at the time of printing. When double-sided scanning is set, both the front surface and the back surface of the document S are scanned and printed.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing the manual double-sided reading printing process with the passage of time, showing a document to be read, an image memory 304 for reading image data, and a portion where a user operation intervenes.

Case 1 shows a manual double-sided reading and printing process when the image data on all sides of the n originals fits in the image memory 304. In this case, since the image data on both sides of the document S is stored in the image memory 304, the process can be completed without causing a memory full error.

Case 2 shows a manual double-sided reading printing process when a memory full error occurs without applying the present invention. In case 2, a memory full error occurs while reading the front surface of all the original documents S and reading the back surface. When a memory full error occurs, the job is canceled and the error ends. Here, when the manual double-sided reading printing process is started again, the user reduces the amount of the document S and repeats the manual double-sided reading printing in a plurality of times (here, twice) so as not to cause a memory full error. There must be. When it is divided into two times as shown in the figure, a total of six user operations are required including the time when a memory full error occurs. Furthermore, when the manual double-sided reading printing process is restarted after a memory full error occurs, the number of originals to be reduced is left to the user's discretion. It is possible that a full error will occur and printing will be redone.

Case 3 shows a manual double-sided reading printing process to which the present invention is applied. In case 3, while continuously reading the front surface of the document, reading of the back surface is started when the remaining amount of memory reaches a predetermined amount. After that, the original S with both front and back sides read is printed to clear the memory. As a result, printing can be completed for the original S that has been read on the front and back surfaces without causing a memory full error. After that, if the document S remains in the document mounting tray 208, the front and back surfaces of the remaining document S are read and printed, so that all the document S can be manually operated continuously without causing a memory full error. The double-sided read printing process can be completed. Further, the number of user operations in case 3 can be suppressed to 3 times as opposed to 6 times of user operations in case 2.

In the present embodiment, the method of displaying the guidance to the user by using the information processing terminal 320 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the information may be displayed by the display means provided in the image processing device 300.

Further, in the present embodiment, an example of printing a scanned document has been described, but it can also be applied to saving an image file of a scanned document and transmitting a fax. In FIG. 5, the printing of S511 and S512 can be realized by replacing the printing with file saving or fax transmission.

In this way, when the remaining amount of the image memory 304 reaches a predetermined amount while reading the front surface, the back surface is read, the image memory 304 is cleared, and printing is performed. After that, if there is a document that has not yet been read in the document mounting tray 208, the front surface and the back surface of the document are similarly read and printed. These series of processes are performed by the same job. As a result, control of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus capable of completing the process from reading the original to printing without causing an error even if the memory becomes full when the single-sided scanning unit reads and prints both sides of the original. Methods and programs can be implemented.

For example, suppose that a user gives an instruction to read both sides of a document while 10 sheets of paper are placed on the automatic paper feed / reading device 90. Then, for example, it is assumed that the capacity of the memory for storing the image data obtained by reading is the capacity capable of holding the image data for 12 pages. In the conventional form, the surface of the document is continuously read until the remaining capacity of the memory is exhausted. Therefore, in the conventional form, after the scanning of the surfaces of 10 originals is completed, only the capacity capable of holding the image data for 2 pages remains in the memory. Therefore, scanning of the back side of the original can only be performed on two originals. As a result, even though the front side of 10 originals and the back side of 2 originals are read, only 2 double-sided copies that can read both the front side and the back side can be executed. However, in the present embodiment, when the front surface of the six original sheets is read, the control for scanning the back surface is executed, and the back surface of the six original sheets is read. As a result, it is possible to read the front surface of the six original sheets and the back surface of the six original sheets, and perform double-sided copying for six sheets. That is, it is possible to quickly complete the copying process of a plurality of originals without wasting the scanned image data.

In the above description, when the remaining memory (remaining capacity) of the image memory 304 reaches a predetermined amount while reading the front surface of the document S, a form of displaying (notifying) a guide to the user to shift to reading the back surface has been described. Is not limited to this form. For example, the image processing device 300 may be equipped with hardware (not shown) for turning over the scanned document and having the flipped document read by the close contact image sensor 214. Then, when the remaining memory (remaining capacity) of the image memory 304 reaches a predetermined amount while reading the front surface of the document S, the image processing device 300 automatically shifts to reading the back surface by using the hardware. You may do it.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, a characteristic configuration will be described below.

In the present embodiment, a manual double-sided scanning printing process in a case where a scanned image of two pages of a document (a predetermined number of pages of a document) is assigned to one side of one document and printed will be described. Since the device configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a manual double-sided reading printing process according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the manual double-sided reading printing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The main body not described in each process of the flowchart of FIG. 8 is the CPU 301 of the image processing device 300.

The manual double-sided reading printing process of the present embodiment is different from the manual double-sided reading printing process described with reference to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment from S904 to S907 (corresponding to S504 to S507 in FIG. 5). Since the other processes are the same, the description thereof will be omitted.

In S904, it is determined whether or not there is a free space of a predetermined amount or more in the remaining memory. Here, the predetermined amount is an amount obtained by adding the capacity for two pages of the original to half of the entire memory. The amount of image data for one page of a manuscript can be calculated in advance from, for example, the number of vertical and horizontal pixels of the image, the resolution, and the compression method. Further, the average value or the maximum value of the image data amount of the document S read so far may be doubled as the image data amount for one page of the document to obtain two pages of the document. Further, the amount of image data for one page of the original may be dynamically updated while reading. Note that this determination is not executed by referring to the remaining memory amount itself, but may be executed by referring to the data capacity held in the memory. Specifically, for example, by determining whether or not the amount of data held in the memory is less than or equal to a specific amount, it is substantially determined whether or not there is more than a predetermined amount of free space in the remaining memory. May be done.

When it is determined in S904 that there is more than a predetermined amount of free space in the remaining memory, the process proceeds to S905, two surfaces of the original S are read from the document placing tray 208, and 2 is added to the number of surface-read N in S906. .. While the document S is being read, the screen 704 is displayed by the I / F unit 317. After that, S907 determines whether or not the surface of all the original documents S has been read. If the surface of all the documents S is not completely read, the process returns to S904 and the processes from S904 to S907 are repeated until it is determined in S904 that there is no free space in the remaining memory amount. When the surface of all the original documents S has been read, the process proceeds to S908. Even if there is no free space in the remaining memory amount in S904, the process proceeds to S908.

By changing the number of counts in steps 904, 905, and 906 to 4, 6 ... P, it is possible to correspond to a different number allocation method on one page. That is, the predetermined amount of the remaining memory when allocating the P page to one page is the amount obtained by adding the capacity of the original P page to half of the entire memory.

FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing the manual double-sided reading printing process in the second embodiment with the passage of time, and shows the original S to be read, the memory for reading the image data, and the part where the user operation intervenes. .. It is the same as FIG. 7 of the first embodiment except that the scanned image for two pages of the original is allocated to one side of one original and printed at the time of printing.

In this way, even in the manual double-sided reading printing process in which the scanned image for two pages of the original is allocated to one side of one original and printed, if the remaining memory of the image memory 304 reaches a predetermined amount while reading the front side. , The back side is read, the image memory 304 is cleared, and printing is performed. As a result, control of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus capable of completing the process from reading the original to printing without causing an error even if the memory becomes full when the single-sided scanning unit reads and prints both sides of the original. Methods and programs can be implemented.

(Third Embodiment)
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Since the basic configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, a characteristic configuration will be described below.

In the first embodiment, the remaining amount of the memory is determined by using the average value or the maximum value of the image data amount of the document S read so far as the image data amount for one page of the document. If the amount of image data for one page of the manuscript is within the range assumed here, no problem will occur, but if the amount of image data of the actually read manuscript is larger than expected, the back side is read. It is possible that the memory will fill up in the middle. If the memory becomes full, a memory full error will occur and processing will be interrupted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the remaining amount of the memory is confirmed even during the backside reading, and when the remaining amount of the memory reaches a predetermined amount, the printing of the original S for the completed reading is started. The method will be described below.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a manual double-sided reading printing process according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the manual double-sided reading printing process of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The main body not described in each process of the flowchart of FIG. 10 is the CPU 301 of the image processing device 300.

Here, the processing of the portion different from the manual double-sided reading printing processing described with reference to FIG. 5 of the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same processing will be omitted.

When it is determined in S1102 whether or not the read start button 703a is pressed and it is detected that the read start button 703a is pressed, the front surface read number N and the back surface read number M are initialized in S1103. After that, S1104 to S1109 are the same processes as S504 to S509 in FIG.

When it is detected in S1109 that the read start button 705a is pressed, it is determined in S1110 whether or not there is a free space of a predetermined amount or more in the remaining memory. Here, the predetermined amount is a capacity corresponding to image data for one page of a manuscript. The capacity calculation method can be calculated in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When it is determined that there is more than a predetermined amount of free space in the remaining memory, S1111 reads one backside document from the document loading tray 208, and S1112 adds 1 to the backside read number M. After that, it is determined in S1113 whether or not all the pages of the back surface document have been read. If there is an unscanned backside document, the process returns to S1110. After that, the processes of S1110 to S1113 are repeated until it is determined in S1110 that there is no free space in the remaining memory amount.

When it is determined in S1110 that there is no free space in the remaining memory amount of the predetermined amount or more, M sheets of read originals are printed on the front side and the back side in S1114. Then, after printing is performed, the printed read data is deleted in S1115. After deleting the data, the number of read originals is updated by subtracting the number of printed originals from the number of read originals in S1116 (N = NM), and then the process returns to S1110. When all pages of the backside original have been read in S1113, N sheets of read originals are printed on the front and back sides in S1117.

In this way, when the remaining amount of memory of the image memory 304 reaches a predetermined amount while reading the front side, the back side is read, and when the remaining amount of memory of the image memory 304 reaches the amount of one original while reading the back side, Printing is performed and the image memory 304 is cleared. As a result, control of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus capable of completing the process from reading the original to printing without causing an error even if the memory becomes full when the single-sided scanning unit reads and prints both sides of the original. Methods and programs can be implemented.
(Other embodiments)
The present invention supplies a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device reads and executes the program. It can also be realized by the processing to be performed. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

90 Automatic paper feed / reader 100 Document reading / transporting unit 208 Document loading tray 209 Document ejection tray 300 Image processing device 304 Image memory 316 Printer

Claims (17)

A reading means that reads one side of the document,
A memory for storing image data obtained by reading by the reading means, and
It is an image forming apparatus equipped with
When the scanning means continuously reads the first surface of a plurality of documents, the reading means reads a second surface different from the first surface of the plurality of documents read based on the remaining capacity of the memory. An image forming apparatus comprising an execution means for executing the control of. The image according to claim 1, wherein the executing means executes a control for reading the second surface of the plurality of documents read when the remaining capacity of the memory reaches the first predetermined amount. Forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first predetermined amount is an amount obtained by adding the amount of image data for one page of a document to half the capacity of the memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the amount of image data for one page of the original is an average value or a maximum value of the amount of image data for one page of a plurality of originals. Further provided with an output means for outputting based on the image data stored in the memory.
A first aspect of the present invention, wherein the output means outputs when the remaining capacity of the memory reaches a second predetermined amount by reading the second surface of the plurality of documents. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second predetermined amount is the amount of image data for one page of the manuscript. After the execution of the control by the execution means, when the reading means reads the second surface of the plurality of documents, the output means outputs based on the image data stored in the memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the image data stored in the memory is deleted after the output by the output means is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein after deleting the image data stored in the memory, it is determined whether or not the original document has not been read. When the scanned image for a predetermined number of pages of a document is allocated to one side of one document and output, the first predetermined amount is an amount obtained by adding the amount of image data for a predetermined number of pages of the document to half the capacity of the memory. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the amount of image data for one page of the original is switched according to the reading setting of the original. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the document reading setting is at least one setting of a number of vertical pixels, a number of horizontal pixels, a resolution, and a compression method. The control executed by the executing means is a notification process for urging the user to execute an operation for scanning the second surface of the plurality of scanned documents, or hardware included in the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the process is for executing an operation for scanning the second surface of the plurality of documents that have been read. The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the notification process is a process of notifying via a display means of an externally connected information processing device. The output means is one of a printing means for forming an image of image data, an image file saving means for storing image data as a file, and a FAX transmitting means for transmitting image data by FAX. Item 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 5 to 9. A program for operating a computer as each means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15. A reading means that reads one side of the document,
A memory for storing image data obtained by reading by the reading means, and
It is a control method of an image forming apparatus equipped with
When the scanning means continuously reads the first surface of a plurality of documents, the reading means reads a second surface different from the first surface of the plurality of documents read based on the remaining capacity of the memory. A control method characterized by having an execution process for executing the control of.

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