JP3347379B2 - Image processing method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus having a function for preventing image formation on a predetermined image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a color image forming apparatus such as a color copying machine having high image reproducibility has been developed. In such a color image forming apparatus, an image forming measure using an ink jet technique is to scan an ink jet type recording head having a predetermined width in a sub scanning direction in a main scanning direction and to print a recording medium in a sub scanning direction. Images are formed by repeating the process of moving. The image forming apparatus having such a structure is more advantageous for forming a large-sized image forming apparatus and a light-weight and small-sized image forming apparatus than an electrophotographic apparatus.

[0003] However, as the quality of an image to be formed has been improved, there has been a problem that an image which is not preferable to be copied using the above-described image forming apparatus is copied. For this reason, it is indispensable for these image forming apparatuses to have a function of preventing image formation of the specific document from the viewpoint of social responsibility. In order to prevent image formation of a specific document, a specific document discriminating means is required. As such determination means, there are techniques already applied to cash dispensers of financial institutions and the like, and it is conceivable to apply these means to a color image forming apparatus.

[0004]

In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic system, the entire original image can be prescanned to determine the image. However,
In a color image forming apparatus having a structure in which a recording head is scanned to form an image as described above, a process of scanning a reading head having a predetermined width in a sub-scanning direction in a main scanning direction to read an image is performed. Generally, the entire image is read repeatedly. For this reason, a considerable amount of time is required for the pre-scan for determining whether or not the image is a specific document image, and the throughput of image formation is significantly impaired.

In order to solve the above-described problems, there is a method of sequentially determining whether or not a specific document image is formed while forming an image.

The width of the recording head in the image forming apparatus having the above structure is about 16 mm. Although it is theoretically possible to have a wider head, this will be at this level for the time being due to production costs.

In this case, an image is read with the width of the recording head. To accurately identify a specific document, an image having a width of about 100 mm is required. Therefore, when the specific document is determined, images for several bands (an image formed by one main scan is regarded as one band) have already been formed. For this reason, a method has been proposed in which, when it is determined that the document is a specific document, when the determination of the specific document is completed, the recording paper is rewound by a predetermined width and a portion where the specific document is recorded is painted out.

However, according to such a method, if a measure such as shutting off the power supply before the recording paper is rewound after the completion of the determination is taken, the recording of the specific original having a considerable width remains in the apparatus in some cases. Would be.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. In image formation, formation of a predetermined image for which image formation should be prohibited is minimized, and whether or not the image is a predetermined image is determined. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing method and apparatus that minimizes the influence of a determination process on the throughput of an image forming sequence.

[0010]

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement.
That is, the sequential read reading means an image in band units, before
The image read by the reading means is recorded on a recording medium in band units.
Sequentially recording means for recording, the recording operation of said recording means
In parallel, there the possibility that the specific image by the first determination means for determining whether the image read by the reading means could be a specific image, the first determination means The operation of the recording means is interrupted
And causing the reading means to read the image,
Second determining means for determining whether or not the image is a specific image ; stopping means for stopping the recording by the recording means when the second determining means determines that the image is the specific image; If it is determined that the image is not the specific image by the determining means, the first determining means determines whether the specific image is acceptable.
From the position determined to be capable of reading by the reading means.
Operation means and a restart means for restarting the recording operation of the recording means .

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object has the following arrangement . That is, sub-scan
A print head having a predetermined width in the main scanning direction.
Process for moving the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction
To record images that are sequentially input by repeating
Image processing apparatus having an inkjet recording type printer
Input image in parallel with the image recording operation.
First determining means for determining whether or not an image formed based on image information may be a specific image;
When it is determined that there is a possibility that the specific image is the specific image , the recording operation on the recording medium is interrupted,
Based on the image information that is continuously input, the image is
A second determining unit that determines whether the image is a specific image; a stopping unit that stops recording the image when the second determining unit determines that the image is the specific image ; When the determination unit determines that the image is not the specific image, a restart unit restarts recording of the image from a portion where the recording on the recording medium is interrupted .

[0012]

According to the above construction, the reading means converts the image into a band.
And the recording means is read by the reading means.
The recorded images are sequentially recorded on a recording medium in band units. this
In parallel with the recording operation of the recording means,
To determine whether the image may be a specific image.
Is determined. Then, it is determined that there is a possibility that the image is a specific image.
If the reading is performed, the operation of the recording unit is interrupted and the reading unit is stopped.
Read the image and determine if it is a specific image
I do. Here, if it is determined that the image is a specific image, it is recorded.
The recording by means is stopped and it is determined that the image is not a specific image.
If the position is determined to be a specific image,
The reading operation by the reading means and the recording operation by the recording means
Will be resumed. Further, according to another configuration, the position in the sub-scanning direction is different.
When a print head with a constant width is scanned in the main scanning direction,
Repeat the process of moving the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction
To print images that are sequentially input
In an image processing apparatus having a printer of a jet recording system
In parallel with the image recording operation,
The image formed based on it may be a specific image
Is determined. And if it is a specific image
If it is determined that the function is
Is interrupted based on the continuously input image information.
It is determined whether the image is a specific image. here,
If it is determined that the image is a specific image, recording of the image is stopped.
If it is determined that the image is not a specific image,
The recording of the image is restarted from the part where the recording was interrupted.

[0013]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital color copying machine according to a first embodiment.

The digital color copying machine 10 is roughly composed of two components. As a first broad element, an original image located above is read in color,
A color image scanner unit (hereinafter, abbreviated as “reader unit”) 12 that outputs digital color image data is provided. The reader unit 12 includes a controller unit 14 that performs various types of image processing of digital color image data and controls the entire apparatus. Further, as a second roughly classified element, there is provided a printer unit 20 which is located below the reader unit 12 and records a color digital image signal output from the controller unit 14 of the reader unit 12 on recording paper. I have.

The reader unit 12 is configured to read a document of various shapes and sizes such as a three-dimensional or sheet-shaped or large-sized sheet-shaped document placed downward on a document table (not shown) below the document pressing plate 16. Built-in mechanism for reading image information. Also, on one side of the upper surface of the reader unit 12,
An operation unit 18 connected to the controller unit 14 is provided. The operation unit 18 is for inputting various information as a copying machine, an operation finger, and the like.

Further, the controller unit 14 includes an operation unit 18
Has a function of instructing the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 to operate in accordance with information input via the. or,
When it is necessary to perform complicated processing or the like, a digitizer or the like that can be connected to the controller unit 14 is attached instead of the document pressing plate 16, thereby enabling more advanced image processing.

On the other hand, in the printer section 20 of this embodiment, a full-color ink jet printer using a recording head of an ink jet recording system as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-59936 is used.

The two major elements described above are separable from each other, and are set so that they can be set apart from each other by extending the connection cable.

Next, the above-mentioned elements will be described in detail.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the digital color copying machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the side.

(Reader Unit 12) First, referring to FIG.
The configuration of the reader unit 12 of the digital color copying machine 10 will be described.

In the reader section 12, the exposure lamp 2
2, a lens 24, and an image sensor 26 capable of reading a line image in full color (C in this embodiment).
The image of the original placed on the original platen glass 28, the image projected by the projector, or the image of the sheet-like original by the sheet feeding mechanism 30 is read by a CD sensor. Exposure lamp 22, lens 24, image sensor 2
6 is accommodated in one carriage (hereinafter referred to as a leader carriage).

FIG. 3 is a top view of the inside of the reader unit 12. Reference numeral 90 denotes the above-mentioned reader carriage, which is installed on the main scanning rail 91. The reader carriage 90 can reciprocate on the main scanning rail in the main scanning direction, and its power is supplied by a main scanning drive motor (not shown). The entire main scanning rail is installed on the sub-scanning rail 92, and the entire main scanning rail 92 including the reader carriage 90 can reciprocate on the sub-scanning rail in the sub-scanning direction. With such a mechanism, the reader 12 can read an image at an arbitrary position on the document table.

Various image processing for the image information read by the reader unit 12 is performed by the controller unit 14 in the reader unit 12, and the read and image-processed information is sent to the printer unit 20. Is recorded on the recording paper.

(Printer 20) Next, the printer 20
Will be described with reference to FIG. The recording paper is a paper feed cassette 32 for storing cut sheets of a small fixed size (in this embodiment, A4 to A3 size) and a roll paper for recording in a large size (in this embodiment, A2 to A1 size). 34 selectively. In this embodiment, manual paper feeding (paper feeding from outside the apparatus) is also possible, in which recording paper is manually fed one by one from the manual feed slot 36 along the paper feeding unit cover 38. .

Paper feed is started by a print start instruction from the controller unit 14, and the supplied recording paper is first conveyed to the position of the first paper feed roller 44 through the following path.

A case where paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 32 mounted on the printer unit 20 will be described. A paper cassette 32 is provided on the upper surface of the paper feed end of the recording paper setting surface of the paper cassette 32.
A pick-up roller 40 for taking out the cut sheets one by one is provided. Therefore, this pick
By driving the up roller 40, the uppermost recording sheet set in the sheet cassette 32 is taken out and sent to the cut sheet feed roller 42. Then, the paper is conveyed to the first paper feed roller 44 by the cut paper feed roller 42.

On the other hand, when the paper is fed from the roll paper 34, the paper is continuously fed by the roll paper feed roller 46, cut into a fixed length by the cutter 48, It is transported to the position.

Similarly, when the paper is fed manually from the manual feed slot 36, the manually fed recording paper is conveyed to the first paper feed roller 44 by the manual feed roller 50.

The pick-up roller 40, cut sheet feed roller 42, roll paper feed roller 46, first feed roller 44, and manual feed roller 50 are connected to a feed motor (not shown in the present embodiment). A servo motor is used), and the on / off control of the rotational drive can be performed at any time by an electromagnetic clutch attached to each roller.

The recording paper fed from one of the above-described paper feed paths is conveyed to the first paper feed roller 44. To remove the skew of the recording paper,
After a predetermined amount of paper loop is formed on the recording paper before the first paper supply roller 44, the first paper supply roller 44 is turned on and driven to rotate, and the recording paper is conveyed to the second paper supply roller 52. become.

A paper feed roller 64 provided above the recording head 56 and a second paper feed roller 5 provided below the recording head 56 are provided.
In order to perform an accurate paper feeding operation between the first paper feed roller 2 and the second paper feed roller 52, the recording paper is slacked by a predetermined amount to form a buffer. A buffer amount detecting sensor 5 for detecting the amount of slack of the recording paper, that is, the buffer amount, is provided in this buffer.
4 are provided. By always forming a buffer on the recording paper during the conveyance of the recording paper, the load applied to the paper feed roller 64 and the second paper supply roller 52 is reduced particularly when a large-sized recording paper is conveyed. Thus, an accurate paper feeding operation can be performed.

The operation of recording by the recording head 56 in the printer section 20 having the recording paper transport system as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. At the time of recording on the recording paper, the scanning carriage 58 on which the recording head 56 is mounted reciprocates on the carriage rail 60 by the scanning motor 62 in the front and back directions of FIG. 2 (the directions of A and B in FIG. 4). It is configured to be. Thus, the scanning carriage 58 performs scanning on the recording paper in the main scanning direction. Then, in the forward scan of the scanning carriage 58, an image is recorded on recording paper by the recording head 56. During the backward scanning, the paper feed roller 64 is used.
In addition, a feed operation in the sub-scanning direction for feeding the recording paper by a predetermined amount by the second paper feed roller 52 is performed. The paper feed roller 6
4 and the second paper feed roller 52 are driven by a scanning motor 68.

Here, the feed amount of the recording paper along the sub-scanning direction is a length corresponding to the width of the recording head 56 along the sub-scanning direction, that is, over the surface of the platen 74 facing the recording head 56. The length is set to a length corresponding to the arrangement width of the suction line (not shown) formed as described above. This suction line is for bringing the recording paper into close contact with the platen 74.

Further, in the recording paper drive control by the scanning motor 68 at the time of the backward scanning, the buffer amount is detected by the buffer amount detecting sensor 54 and the buffer amount is controlled so as to always become a predetermined buffer amount.

The recording paper on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the paper discharge tray 66, and the above-described series of printing operations is completed.

(System Configuration) Next, the processing and control of image signals by the control system in the digital color copying machine 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control system configuration in the digital color copying machine 10 of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 100 denotes a main CPU, which controls the entire apparatus. The main CPU 100 includes a printer control CPU 10 for controlling a printer operation.
2. a reader control CPU 104 that controls a reading control operation;
A main image processing unit 106 for processing an image forming operation and an operation unit 108 for performing various inputs by an operator are connected. Here, the printer control CPU 102 and the reader control CPU 104 correspond to the printer unit 20 and the reader unit 12 respectively.
And the main CPU 100 is set in a master-slave relationship.

The above-described main image processing unit 106 performs image processing such as masking, black extraction, quaternization, and γ correction.
Further, the printer control CPU 102 and the main image processing unit 1
06 is connected to the synchronous memory 110. The synchronous memory 110 absorbs time variations in the image input operation, corrects the delay due to the arrangement of the recording head 56 described above, and outputs image data to be recorded to the recording head 56.

The printer control CPU 102 is the printer unit 2
It is connected to a printer drive system 114 that controls input drive of 0.

Further, the reader control CPU 104 includes an input system image processing unit 116 for performing necessary correction processing in a reading system such as shading correction, color correction, and γ correction, and the reader 12.
Is connected to a reader unit driving system 118 that controls input driving of the reader unit.

The input image processing unit 116 includes a CCD
Is connected, and the input system image processing unit 116 is connected to the main image processing unit 106.

Here, the reader unit 12 is a main CPU 10
0, reader control CPU 104, main image processing unit 10
6, an operation unit 108, an input system image processing unit 115, a reader unit driving system 118, and an image sensor 26 having a CCD line sensor. Also, the printer unit 20
The printer includes a printer control CPU 102, a synchronous memory 110, a recording head 56, and a printer unit driving system 114.

Next, referring to FIG.
6 will be described in more detail. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of the main image processing unit 106 according to the first embodiment.

In FIG. 6, the image signal from the input system image processing section 116 is sent to the black extraction section 201. Here, C, M, Y
The black data is extracted from the minimum value of the image component. On the other hand, the image signal is also sent to the image determination unit 200. Image determination unit 2
In 00, it is determined by a method such as pattern recognition or the like whether or not the input image signal is a specific image for which image formation is to be prohibited (referred to as a specific image). Since a known technique is used for a specific method, the description thereof is omitted here.

Reference numeral 202 denotes an output masking unit for performing output masking processing on an image; 203, a gamma correction unit for performing gamma correction; and 204, a binarization processing unit for binarizing a multilevel image signal. The image signal binarized by the binarization processing unit 204 is sent to the printer processing unit 20. Each processing unit (200-2
04) are set by the main CPU via the data bus 205. Also, the image determination unit 200
The determination result of the main C is also transmitted through the data bus 205.
Sent to PU. The image signal is sent to the printer unit 20 as image data via each of the processing units (200 to 204).
The printer unit 20 forms an image based on the image data.

Next, the main CPU 10 in the present embodiment
0, printer control CPU 102, reader control CPU 10
4 shows details of the copy sequence executed in FIG.
This will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

First, when a start key (not shown) provided on the operation unit 108 is pressed, a copy sequence task program is called from a program memory (not shown), and the main CPU 100 advances the process to step S1 in FIG.

In step S1, the reader control circuit 104
Transmits the data necessary for the initial setting to the reader unit 1
2. Perform initial settings. When this initial setting is completed, the process proceeds to the next step S2, where the printer control CPU 102
, The data necessary for the initial setting is transmitted, and the initial setting of the printer unit 20 is performed.

When the above processing is completed, the main CPU 1
In step 00, the process proceeds to step S3, and an image processing parameter set is performed. Here, necessary data sets are performed for the image determination unit 200, the output masking unit 202, and the γ correction unit 203. Then, in step S4, the image determination section 200 is turned on to start image determination.

In step S5, after confirming that the reader unit and the printer unit are ready for main scanning (ready), the process proceeds to step S6, where the main scanning is started. During the main scanning scan, the image determination unit 200
Monitors the flowing image signal to determine whether or not it is a specific image. After confirming that the main scanning has been completed in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8. In step S8, the main CPU 100 reads data from the image determination unit 200 and determines whether there is a possibility of a specific image. If there is no possibility of a specific image, the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, it is determined whether image formation for all bands has been completed, that is, whether copying has been completed. If YES, the copy sequence is terminated. If NO, the process proceeds to step S10, where the sub-scanning scan in the reader unit 12 and the printer unit 20 is performed.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S8 that there is a possibility of a specific document, the flow advances to step S11 in FIG. In step S11, after confirming that the reader unit 12 has become scan ready, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the document image is read by scanning only the reader unit 12, and the image determination unit 200 determines whether the image is a specific image.

After the end of the scan, the judgment result of the image judging section 200 is confirmed again in step S13, and if it is judged that the read image is not a specific image, step S1 is executed.
Go to 5. In step S15, the reader carriage 90 is
The image discriminating unit 200 detects that there is a possibility of a specific image (step S8), and moves to the sub-scanning position. Thereafter, the flow returns to step S9 to restart the image forming operation.

On the other hand, if it is not determined in step S13 that the image is a non-specific image, the process proceeds to step S14. If it is not determined in step S14 that the image is a specific image, the process proceeds to step S16, performs a sub-scanning scan in the reader unit 12, and then returns to step S11. Step S1
If it is determined in step 4 that the image is a specific image, the process proceeds to step S17. Here, of the one line of recorded image at the time when it is determined that there is a possibility of the specific image in the previous step S8, the area where the specific image is recorded is solid printed and filled, and then the copy operation is stopped. I do.
Note that the determinations in steps S14 and S15 can be normally determined after 5 or 6 scans after detecting the possibility of a specific image.

The above sequence will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a view of the reader platen as viewed from above.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a platen glass, and reference numeral 90 denotes a reader carriage. Reference numeral 99 denotes a specific document having a specific image.

The specific original 99 is placed on the original platen glass 2 as shown in the figure.
8 and the detection of the possibility of a specific image by the image determination unit 200 is performed at the position A in the sub-scanning direction. At this time, the printer 20 temporarily stops the recording operation, and only the reader 12 performs the scanning operation for image discrimination. If it is determined at the position B that the image is a specific image, the printer 20 immediately prints out and fills the area of the specific image recorded at the point A, and then immediately stops the copying operation. If it is determined that the image is not a specific image at the position B, the reader carriage 90 is returned to the position A, and both the reader and the printer perform sub-scan feed, and then form an image subsequent to the band A. Here, the reason why the sub-scan feed is performed to the position of the band to be formed next after returning the reader carriage 90 to the position A once is to prevent backlash in each transport mechanism.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the first embodiment, the recording of the specific image is prevented from being minimized.
It is possible to prevent formation of a specific image. Further, since scanning for image discrimination is executed only when there is a possibility of a specific image, a decrease in throughput in image formation can be suppressed.

<Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the scanning operation of the reader unit 12 when detecting a specific image is the same as that in the normal image formation, but is not limited to this.

In general, in the image forming apparatus having the structure as in the first embodiment, when forming an image, scanning is performed only in one direction with respect to the main scanning direction. This is for each color (C,
(M, Y, K) printing order affects the color of the image, and it is necessary to guarantee mechanical accuracy in each direction during reciprocating printing. It is due to reasons such as difficulty.

However, the printer 20 does not operate in determining whether or not the image is a specific image, which is executed after it is determined that there is a possibility that the image is a specific image. Therefore, the reader unit 1
If the mechanical accuracy of 2 is guaranteed, reciprocal reading can be performed when determining whether or not the image is a specific image. As a result, it is possible to improve the throughput of the sequence for determining whether or not the image is a specific image.

Further, the scan area in the main scanning direction for determining whether or not the image is a specific original image may be limited to an area where a specific image may exist. For example, in FIG. 9, scanning is performed only in a region C to D in the main scanning direction in which a specific document may be present. Obviously, the means for determining this area can be realized by providing a counter that counts up for each pixel in the main scanning and a RAM that temporarily stores the value according to a signal from the image determination unit. It is. According to this method,
Throughput at the time of determining whether or not the image is a specific image can be further improved.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, scanning for determining whether or not a specific image is performed can be performed more efficiently, and the throughput of image formation can be further improved.

As described above, the present invention is not limited to the scanning method for determining whether or not a specific image is present.

<Embodiment 3> In the above description, the present invention is applied to a digital color copying machine. However, the present invention can be applied to a scanner or a printer having a similar structure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a scanner. Reference numeral 303 denotes an image data bus through which an image signal flows, 300 denotes a gate for applying a gate to the image signal, and 302 denotes a gate on. , A gate control signal to turn off, 301 an external I / F for sending an image signal to the outside, for example, SCSI, and 304 an external I / F bus. 30
Reference numeral 5 denotes a scanner image processing unit, which has a reading head for reading a document image. When the image determination unit 201 determines that there is a possibility of a specific image, the CPU 10
1 turns off the gate control signal 302 and turns off the external I / F 30
4 so as not to output image data. Then, as in the first embodiment, only scanning for document determination is performed, and if it is determined that the image is not a specific image, the gate control signal 3
02 is turned on, and transmission of the image signal to the outside is restarted.

The operation of the above-described scanner will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, step S2
At 1, the gate 300 is turned on, and the output of the image signal is enabled. Next, in step S22, reading of a document image by the scanner image processing unit 305 is started. Since the gate 300 is on, the read image signal output from the scanner image processing unit 305 is output to the outside via the external I / F 301. Further, the image determination unit 201 monitors the image signal output from the scanner image processing unit 305, and determines whether or not the document image may be a specific image. In step S23, if the result of the determination by the image determination unit 201 is not "there is a possibility of a specific image", the process proceeds to step S24.
In step S24, it is determined whether the reading of the document image has been completed. If the reading has not been completed, the process returns to step S23. If the reading has been completed, the present process ends.

On the other hand, in step S23, if the result of the determination by the image determination section 201 is "there is a possibility of being a specific image", the flow proceeds to step S25. Step S25
Then, the gate 300 is turned off by the control signal 302, and the output of the image signal to the outside is cut off. In step S26, the image determination unit 200 determines whether or not the original image is a specific image based on the image signal continuously output from the scanner image processing unit 305. In step S27,
The process branches according to the result of the determination. If the image determination unit 200 determines that the image is a specific image, the process proceeds to step S
The process proceeds to step 28, where the reading operation of the scanner is stopped, and the present process is terminated. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S27 that the document image is not the specific image, the process proceeds to step S29,
The read head is returned to the position where the gate 300 was turned off in step S25. Thereafter, the process returns to step S21 to turn on the gate 300 and restart the output of the image signal to the outside.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a printer. In FIG. 12, the position of the gate 300 and the position of the image input port of the image judging section 202 are reversed. The components having the same functions as those in FIG. 10 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Reference numeral 306 denotes a printer image processing unit.
An image is formed based on image data input via the gate 300, and an image is recorded on a recording medium. In the printer according to the present instruction, the gate 300 is turned off and the image transmission to the printer image processing unit 306 is turned off when the image determining unit 202 detects the possibility of the specific image. However, during this time, the image from the external I / F 301 is continuously received and the determination is continued. Then, when it is determined that the image is not the specific image, a request to retransmit the image is output to the external device, and the recording is resumed from the time when the possibility of the specific image is detected.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the printer according to the third embodiment. When the image data is received in step S41, the process proceeds to step S42, and the gate 300 is turned on. When the gate 300 is turned on, the image data input via the external I / F 301 is input to the printer image processing unit 306, and an image is formed. Further, the image data input via the external I / F 301 is input to the image determination unit 202, and it is determined whether or not the image data may be a specific image. In step S43, if the result of the determination by the image determination unit 202 is “there is a possibility of a specific image”, the flow proceeds to step S45, and if not, the flow proceeds to step S44. In step S44, it is determined whether or not the reception has been completed. If the reception has been completed, the present process is terminated.
Return to

If it is determined in step S43 that "there is a possibility of a specific image", the flow advances to step S45. In step S45, the input of the image signal to the printer image processing unit 306 is shut off by turning off the gate 300, and the image formation is interrupted. In step S46, the image determination unit 202
Determines whether the image is a specific image based on image data continuously input via the external I / F 301. Then, the process branches from step S47 according to the determination result. If the result of the determination by the image determining unit 202 is that the image is a specific image, the process proceeds to step S48, and reception of the image data is stopped. On the other hand, if it is not a specific image, the process proceeds to step S49, and a request for retransmission of the image data is made. In step S50, the image determining unit 202 monitors the retransmitted image data, and waits for reception of the image data at the time when the image formation is interrupted, that is, when the gate 300 is turned off (step S45). When the image data at the time of the interruption is received, the process returns to step S42 and the gate 3
By turning on 00, image formation is restarted.

As described above, according to each of the above embodiments, when an image is read by repeating a plurality of scans or an image is formed, the image is a specific image for which image formation should be prohibited. Detect the possibility. After the possibility of being a specific image is detected, a process for prohibiting image formation is performed, and a scan for determining whether or not the image is a specific image is performed. Accordingly, since the image formation is interrupted when the possibility of the specific image is determined, it is possible to minimize the formation of the specific image in the image forming process. In addition, since the scan for confirming whether or not the image is the specific image is performed after the possibility of the specific image is determined, the effect on the throughput of the image forming sequence can be minimized.

The processing after the detection of the specific image may be performed by storing information in the backup memory by the CPU so that the apparatus cannot be used thereafter, or by connecting the management center and the image forming apparatus online and detecting the specific image. Although measures such as notifying an appropriate organization are conceivable, the present invention does not specify such measures.

In each of the above embodiments, the present invention is applied to an ink jet printer, but the invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to other printers such as a thermal printer.

The present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of one device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus.

[0077]

As described above, according to the image processing method and apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to minimize the formation of a predetermined image in which image formation is to be prohibited in image formation. It is possible to minimize the influence of the process of determining whether the image is a predetermined image on the throughput of the image forming sequence.

[0078]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a digital color copying machine according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the internal configuration of the digital color copying machine according to the first embodiment when viewed from the side.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a state where the inside of the reader unit is viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a recording head of a printer unit and a mechanism around the recording head.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control system configuration in the digital color copying machine 10 of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration of a main image processing unit 106 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a copy sequence according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a copy sequence according to the first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a copy sequence according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration example of a scanner to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the scanner according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a control configuration example of a printer to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the printer according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 Reader unit 20 Printer unit 26 Image sensor 56 Recording head 100 Main CPU 102 Printer control CPU 104 Reader control CPU 106 Main image processing unit 108 Operation unit 110 Synchronous memory 114 Printer unit driving system 116 Input system image processing unit 118 Reader unit driving system 200 Image judgment unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/40-1/409 H04N 1/46 H04N 1/60

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] A reader for sequentially reading images in band units.
And a recording medium for storing the image read by the reading means in band units.
Recording means for sequentially recording on the body, and reading by the reading means in parallel with the recording operation of the recording means.
If viewed taken image is determined to be the be a specific image by the first determining means for determining whether there is likely to be a specific image, the first determination means, said The operation of the recording means is interrupted, and the reading means
A second determining unit for reading the image and determining whether the image is the specific image; and stopping the recording by the recording unit when the second determining unit determines that the image is the specific image. A canceling unit; and a possibility of the specific image being determined by the first determining unit when the second determining unit determines that the image is not the specific image.
From the position where it is determined that there is
And a resuming unit for resuming the recording operation of the recording unit. 2. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reading means reads an image by scanning in a main scanning direction a reading head having a predetermined reading width in a sub-scanning direction. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads the image by scanning the reading head in one direction during image formation, and executes the bidirectional scanning of the reading head in executing the second determining unit. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a scanning method changing unit that reads the image. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said image input means further comprises a scanning width changing means for changing a movement amount of said read head in a main scanning direction to at least a range in which a predetermined image exists when executing said second determining means. Claim 3 characterized by the following:
An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The stopping means stops image recording when the second determining means determines that the image is the specific image , and at least the specific image of the image already recorded by the recording means is provided. the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined recording ranges existing. 6. A recording head having a predetermined width in a sub-scanning direction.
In the main scanning direction and the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction.
Are sequentially input by repeating the process of moving
Ink-jet recording pudding that records images
An image processing apparatus having an image processing device, based on input image information in parallel with an image recording operation.
If an image formed had is determined to be the be a specific image by the first determining means for determining whether there is likely to be a specific image, the first determination means, said During recording operation on recording medium
The image based on the image information input continuously.
If the image is determined and the second judging means judges whether said specific image, to be the specific image by said second determination means, and stop means to stop the recording of the image, the Image processing characterized by comprising: resuming means for resuming recording of the image from a portion where recording on the recording medium is interrupted when the second determining means determines that the image is not the specific image. apparatus. 7. A reader for sequentially reading images in band units.
And a recording medium for the image read in the reading step in band units.
And an image processing apparatus provided with recording means for sequentially recording on a body.
An image processing method according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit reads the image data in parallel with the recording operation of the recording unit.
If viewed taken image is determined first a determination step of determining whether there is likely to be a specific image, and the first determination is the be a specific image by step, the The operation of the recording means is interrupted
And causing the reading unit to read the image.
A second determining step of determining whether or not the image is a fixed image; a stopping step of stopping recording by the recording unit when the second image is determined to be the specific image; When it is determined that the image is not the specific image in the determination step, the possibility of the specific image is determined in the first determination step.
From the position where it is determined that there is
And a resuming step of resuming the recording operation of the recording means . 8. A recording head having a predetermined width in a sub-scanning direction.
In the main scanning direction and the recording medium in the sub-scanning direction.
Are sequentially input by repeating the process of moving
Ink-jet recording pudding that records images
An image processing method in an image processing apparatus having a data, in parallel with the recording operation of the image, based on input image information
If an image formed had is determined first a determination step of determining whether there is likely to be a specific image, and the first determination is the be a specific image by step, the During recording operation on recording medium
The image based on the image information input continuously.
A second determination step of determining whether or not the image is the specific image ; and a stop step of stopping recording of the image when the image is determined to be the specific image by the second determination step; If it is determined in the second determination step that the image is not the specific image, the part where the recording on the recording medium is interrupted is
And a resuming step of resuming image recording .