JP3765205B2 - Document reading apparatus and document reading system using the same - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus such as a scanner that includes an automatic document supply means and can continuously read image data of a plurality of documents, and a document reading system using the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, document reading devices such as a scanner having an automatic document feeder (ADF) and a copying machine having a scanner function are known. In such an original reading apparatus, when an original bundle consisting of a plurality of originals is set on the automatic original supply apparatus, the original is sequentially conveyed and supplied one by one by the automatic original supply apparatus, and the original image data is read for each original. Are continuously performed (for example, JP-A-10-200682).
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The read image data of the original read by the image reading unit of the original reading apparatus is normally converted according to a predetermined image data format including a designated color space, and then output as output image data (color space conversion). For example, JP-A-8-88780).
[0004]
For this color space, when an automatic document feeder is used to perform continuous document scanning, document scanning is performed in an automatic color selection mode that automatically sets the color space applied to the output image data of each document. May be. Specifically, the color information detection means provided in the image reading unit acquires color information for each document and detects whether it is a color document or a monochrome document. Based on the detection result, a predetermined color space given in advance for each of the color document and the monochrome document is automatically selected and set as an output color space to be applied to the data format of the output image data of the document. To do.
[0005]
However, in document reading using the automatic color selection function as described above, reading in the automatic color selection mode is continuously performed on all the documents included in the set document bundle. There is a problem that the output color space cannot be changed for some originals. For example, when it is desired to create a thumbnail for a specific document in a document bundle, it is necessary to create image data in the color space set for the thumbnail image for the document.
[0006]
At this time, when the automatic color selection mode is selected, the output image data output in the output color space selected and set from the default color space by the automatic color selection function is converted again into the thumbnail color space. This causes problems in work efficiency, such as having to generate image data. In addition, for example, when it is desired to set the same color space as that of a color original for a specific black and white original, it is not possible to cope with various requests in each original reading operation.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an original reading apparatus capable of individually specifying the color space of output image data for each original even when the automatic color selection mode is specified. And an original reading system using the same.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve such an object, an original reading apparatus according to the present invention is an original reading apparatus capable of continuously reading image data of respective originals of a bundle of originals composed of a plurality of originals. An image reading unit that includes an automatic document supply unit that sequentially supplies a document from a document bundle and a color information detection unit that detects color information of the document, and reads the supplied document to generate read image data; 2) An image processing unit that reads out the read image data and generates output image data in which the color space is converted into an output color space set for the document; and (3) an image reading unit and an image processing unit. And (4) an output color space for each document based on the color information of the document from the color information detection unit or a designated color space designated for the document. The Default which has a color space setting means for constant color space setting means, a designated color space if specified there in the specified color space for the original, also corresponding to the color information from the color information detecting unit unless specified A color space is set as an output color space for each document .
[0009]
In the document reading operation of the conventional automatic color selection mode in the document reading apparatus equipped with the automatic document feeder, the corresponding default color space is output based on the color information of the color document or the monochrome document detected for each document. Select as color space. On the other hand, in the color space setting means of the reading control unit provided in the above-described document reading apparatus, in addition to the detected color information, reference is made to the designated color space individually designated for each document. The output color space to be applied to the document can be set based on them.
[0010]
Thus, even when the automatic color selection mode is designated as the operation mode, it is necessary to generate image data using another color space as a data format while performing an original reading operation by the automatic color selection function as the basic operation. For a given document, output image data can be generated using a designated color space by changing the output color space.
[0011]
The color space setting means outputs a designated color space for each original if the designated color space is designated for the original, and a default color space corresponding to the color information from the color information detecting means if there is no designation. It is set as a color space.
[0012]
As described above, the automatic color selection mode is used by setting the designated color space specified individually or the default color space based on detected color information as the output color space depending on whether or not the color space is specified for each document. It is possible to efficiently realize both the basic operation and the color space designation / change for reading a part of the original.
[0013]
In this case, even if the specified color space is applied to a certain document reading, the default color space in the automatic color selection mode is not changed. It is possible to return to the document reading operation in the color selection mode.
[0014]
Further, the reading control unit is characterized in that the number of executions of image reading and image processing by the image reading unit and the image processing unit for the same document is set or changed for each document.
[0015]
As a result, it is possible to read the document several times with respect to the same document, and at the same time, it is possible to set the number of times the document is read differently for each document. For example, in principle, when originals are read so that each original is read once, it is possible to read an arbitrary original a plurality of times by changing the number of times the original is read as necessary.
[0016]
Further, the reading control unit sets the output color space for each time in the color space setting unit when the number of times of image reading and image processing by the image reading unit and the image processing unit for the same document is a plurality of times. It may be characterized. In this case, a plurality of image data with different color spaces can be acquired, such as acquiring a thumbnail image and a main image for the same document. Note that reading can be performed a plurality of times in the same color space.
[0017]
The document reading system according to the present invention includes: (1) the document reading device described above; (2) a reading instruction device connected to the document reading device and instructing a designated color space to the color space setting unit; Have
[0018]
The color space setting means provided in the document reading apparatus described above functions as an interface that can instruct or control a specified color space for each document individually for external devices. Accordingly, a document reading system is configured by further connecting a reading instruction device to the document reading device, so that, for example, a document reading operator can specify a designated color space from an instruction device which is an external device. It can be set as a simple structure.
[0019]
In addition, the reading instruction apparatus may be further characterized in that an instruction to supply or replace a document is further issued by an automatic document feeder. As a result, when scanning the same document multiple times, an instruction such as whether to replace the document and shift to reading the next document or to read again without replacing the document is given. It can be carried out.
[0020]
Further, the reading control unit outputs the color information from the color information detecting means to the reading instruction device. Accordingly, when the operator selects a designated color space, the color information detected with respect to the original can be referred to, and the instruction for the original reading operation can be made more efficient.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a document reading apparatus and a document reading system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0022]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a document reading system including a document reading apparatus according to the present invention. This document reading system includes a document reading device 1 and a reading instruction device 5. Here, for each arrow in FIG. 1, a solid line arrow indicates a control path related to color information and color space in the control path, a dotted line arrow indicates a control path related to other than color information and color space, and a double line arrow indicates a document. The data paths through which the image data are sent are shown.
[0023]
The document reading apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 10, an image memory 20, an image processing unit 30, and a reading control unit 40. The image reading unit 10 is provided with an automatic document supply unit 11. When a document bundle consisting of a plurality of documents is set in the automatic document supply unit 11 and reading is started, the automatic document supply unit 11 performs reading. Supply and transport originals one by one.
[0024]
For each document supplied from the automatic document supply unit 11, the read image data of the document read by the image reading unit 10 is temporarily stored in the image memory 20. Further, the read image data is read by the image processing unit 30 and converted into image data having a predetermined image data format to generate output image data.
[0025]
The document reading operation of the document reading apparatus 1 including the image reading unit 10 and the image processing unit 30 is controlled by a reading control unit 40. The reading control unit 40 is connected to the image reading unit 10, the image processing unit 30, and a reading instruction device 5 described later via a serial line, and performs control / instruction of each unit.
[0026]
The reading control unit 40 issues a document reading instruction, a document supply / exchange instruction, and the like to the image reading unit 10. Also, the image processing unit 30 is instructed to perform image data conversion processing, and designates an image data format to be converted. In accordance with the operation control of each part of the apparatus by the reading control unit 40, image reading, image processing, output to the outside, and the like are sequentially performed on each of the documents included in the document bundle.
[0027]
One of the elements that specify the image data format of the output image data described above is a color space of the image data. An output color space applied to the output image data is set for each original in a color space setting unit 41 provided in the reading control unit 40. The output color space set by the color space setting unit 41 is instructed to the image processing unit 30, and the image processing unit 30 outputs the output image from the read image data in a predetermined image data format including the instructed output color space. Perform conversion to data.
[0028]
Further, the document reading apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 has an automatic color selection mode for automatically setting an output color space as one of operation modes. The image reading unit 10 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a color information detection unit 12 used in the automatic color selection mode. The color information detection unit 12 detects whether each document is a color document or a monochrome document, and notifies the reading control unit 40 of color information (color or monochrome) as a detection result. In the automatic color selection mode, the color space setting unit 41 of the reading control unit 40 is prepared in advance with a predetermined color space corresponding to the detected color information based on the color information for each document from the color information detection unit 12. Is selected from the predetermined color space, set as the output color space of the original, and instructed to the image processing unit 30.
[0029]
In the present embodiment, in such an automatic color selection mode, in addition to the selection from the default color space described above, a color space setting unit is provided so that the output color space can be individually specified for each document. 41 is configured.
[0030]
That is, the color space setting unit 41 selects and sets the output color space from the default color space based on the color information from the color information detection unit 12, but the designated color space is individually designated for the document. In this case, regardless of the obtained color information and the corresponding default color space, the designated color space is set as the output color space and the image processing unit 30 is instructed. Accordingly, even in the automatic color selection mode, a color space different from the default color space automatically selected for an arbitrary document in the document bundle can be designated as the output color space.
[0031]
Further, the reading control unit 40 is configured to be able to control operations of the image reading unit 10 and the image processing unit 30 so as to perform image reading and image processing a plurality of times on the same document. For example, even when the original is read once for each original, it is possible to read an arbitrary original a plurality of times by changing the number of times of original reading as required. Furthermore, the color space setting unit 41 can set an output color space for each reading for the same document. As a result, a plurality of output image data of the same document in different color spaces can be acquired, for example, reading in the default color space after reading in the designated color space. It is also possible to read multiple times in the same color space.
[0032]
In the present embodiment, a reading instruction device 5 is connected to the document reading device 1 described above to constitute a document reading system. The reading control unit 40, in particular its color space setting unit 41, functions as an interface that allows an external device to instruct a designated color space. By connecting the reading instruction device 5 as an external device, an operation can be performed. In this configuration, the user can instruct the designated color space to the color space setting unit 41 such as inputting the color space and instructing the document reading apparatus 1.
[0033]
The reading instructing device 5 may be configured to give various instructions regarding the reading operation in addition to the output color space, such as instructing the reading control unit 40 to replace or supply a document by the automatic document supply unit 11. . Furthermore, the output image data from the image processing unit 30 may be received and output / displayed at the same time.
[0034]
As such a reading instruction device 5, an input / output device having a necessary input / output function, which is further connected to a host computer or the like can be used. Further, the reading instruction device 5 itself may be a host computer. Alternatively, the reading instructing device 5 may be connected to the document reading device 1 and installed integrally. Further, a display device such as a display and a storage device such as a hard disk may be provided as necessary. Note that it is preferable that an instruction regarding the color space, document replacement, and the like from the reading instruction device 5 to the document reading device 1 is made by a command set in advance.
[0035]
The operation of the document reading apparatus and the document reading system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the document reading system shown in FIG.
[0036]
First, after a document bundle consisting of a plurality of documents to be read is set in the automatic document feeder 11, when the reading instruction device 5 instructs the document reading start in the automatic color selection mode (step S101), the automatic document A document is supplied from the supply unit 11 (step S102), and color information of the supplied document is detected by the color information detection unit 12 (step S103). Here, whether the original is a color original or a monochrome original is detected as color information and notified to the color space setting unit 41.
[0037]
Next, the color space setting unit 41 sets the output color space. First, it is determined whether or not a color space to be applied has been designated (step S104). If it is designated, the output color space is set to the designated color space (step S105). If not designated, the output color space is set to the default color space (step S106). Here, the default color space is given in advance before or at the start of reading. For example, in FIG. 2, if color information = color, the default color space = YMCK, and if color information = monochrome, the default color. Space = K.
[0038]
When the output color space to be applied to the output image data is set by the designated color space or the default color space and the image processing unit 30 is instructed (step S107), image reading is performed (step S108). That is, the image of the original is read by the image reading unit 10 and the read image data is output to the image memory 20, and the image processing unit 30 further reads the read image data in a predetermined image data format including the designated output color space. It is converted into output image data.
[0039]
When the image reading of the document is completed, it is determined whether there is an instruction to replace the document (step S109). If there is no document replacement instruction, the same document is read again, and the operations in steps S104 to S109 are repeated. If there is a document replacement instruction, it is determined whether or not there is a next document in the automatic document feeder 11 (step S110). If there is a next original, the operations in steps S102 to S110 are repeated for that original. If there is no next original, the original reading for the original bundle is terminated.
[0040]
The effects of the document reading apparatus and the document reading system according to the present invention will be described. In the document reading apparatus 1 and the document reading system using the same according to the above-described embodiment, an example of the operation is output regardless of the detected color information even in the automatic color selection mode as shown in FIG. A color space can be specified.
[0041]
That is, in the normal automatic color selection mode, the corresponding default color space is selected as the output color space based on the result of color information detection (step S103) (step S106). In contrast, in the document reading apparatus 1 described above, the color space setting unit 41 determines whether a color space is designated (step S104). If the color space is not specified, the output color space is set from the default color space in the same manner as in the normal automatic color selection mode. If the color space is specified, the specified color space is set. The output color space is set (step S105).
[0042]
As a result, even during operation in the automatic color selection mode, when it is desired to acquire image data in another color space for an arbitrary document, the color space can be designated as the designated color space. For example, when you want to create a thumbnail image for a specific document, you can specify a color space for thumbnails as the specified color space, so that you can select different colors when reading the document without performing data conversion after acquiring the image data. Output image data in space can be acquired.
[0043]
Further, after the document reading is completed, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to replace the document, and the document is replaced (step S109). Therefore, a plurality of output image data such as image data in different color spaces can be acquired for the same document without instructing document replacement. In this case, it is possible to set or change the number of times of document reading for each document separately. For example, it is possible to execute two reading operations on a document for which a thumbnail image and a main image are to be acquired, using a color space corresponding to each document. It is also possible to perform multiple readings using the same color space.
[0044]
As for the change of the output color space by the designated color space, the default color space itself corresponding to the color information can be changed by an instruction. However, in the above embodiment, the setting of the default color space is changed. The specified color space is applied without using it. Therefore, even when the color space is individually specified for a certain document reading, the reading operation in the normal automatic color selection mode can be restored by the next reading without performing the color space setting again. Is possible.
[0045]
The reading instruction device 5 is used for inputting a designated color space, but the color information obtained by the color information detection unit 12 is output to the reading instruction device 5 via the reading control unit 40 and displayed on the display device. The operator may determine the designated color space based on the information and input from the reading instruction device 5.
[0046]
3 shows another example of the operation of the document reading system shown in FIG. 1. Instruction / control among the reading instruction device 5, the reading control unit 40, the image reading unit 10, and the image processing unit 30 and each information / image. It is a figure which shows the flow of data.
[0047]
First, when the instruction device 5 instructs the control unit 40 to start reading in the automatic color selection mode, the control unit 40 starts the reading operation and the document supply start to the reading unit 10, and the processing unit 30. Is instructed to start reading processing (step S201). The reading unit 10 detects color information about the document supplied by the color information detection unit 12. This color information is notified to the control unit 40 and the instruction device 5 (step S202).
[0048]
The first image reading is performed with reference to the notified color information (step S203). In this reading, after the color space is designated as RGB, an instruction to read the original is issued. Based on the designation and instruction, the control unit 40 instructs the reading unit 10 to read, and instructs the processing unit 30 to generate output image data with the output color space set to RGB. Reading, image processing, and output are performed.
[0049]
In the operation example shown in FIG. 3, the second image reading is further performed (step S204). In this reading, the color space is not specified, but an instruction to read the original is issued. As in the first reading, the control unit 40 instructs the reading unit 10 to perform reading, and instructs the processing unit 30 to generate output image data, thereby performing image reading, image processing, and output. Done.
[0050]
At this time, since the designated color space is not instructed, YMCK, which is a corresponding default color space for a color document, or a corresponding default for a monochrome document, based on the color information obtained in step S202. The output image data generation is instructed using K as the color space as the output color space. For these default color spaces, there is a setting method such as instructing the control unit 40 from the instruction device 5 in step S201 when reading is instructed.
[0051]
After completion of the second image reading, the instruction device 5 instructs the reading unit 10 to replace the document via the control unit 40 (step S205). Then, color information is detected and notified to the replaced document in the same manner as in step S202 (step S206), and the next document reading operation is started with reference to the color information. Such a reading operation is repeated until reading of all originals is completed.
[0052]
When reading of all the originals is completed, the instruction device 5 instructs the reading unit 10 and the processing unit 30 to end the reading operation via the control unit 40, and the entire reading operation for the original bundle is finished ( Step S207).
[0053]
The document reading apparatus and the document reading system according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes in the configuration are possible. The document reading device can be various devices having a document reading function, such as a scanner for reading a document and a copying machine having a scanner function. Further, the specific operation is not limited to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and various document reading operation controls can be performed.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, the document reading apparatus and the document reading system according to the present invention have the following effects. That is, when an automatic color selection mode is instructed in an original reading apparatus that includes an automatic original supply device and continuously reads a plurality of originals, the color space setting unit of the reading control unit displays the color information detection unit of the image reading unit. In addition to the default color space selected based on the color information detected in step 1, the output color space is set with reference to the designated color space individually designated for the document. This greatly improves the degree of freedom in setting the document reading operation in the automatic color selection mode. For example, when a color space different from that of other documents is applied to an arbitrary document in a bundle of documents, the same document For example, when a plurality of image data in different color spaces are acquired, various read operations can be performed by appropriately changing the output color space while using the automatic color selection mode as a basic operation.
[0055]
In this case, it is not necessary to read only a specific document again after the reading of the document bundle or to convert the read image data, thereby simplifying the document reading operation. For example, such a change in color space may be necessary in image data management such as image data filing. Therefore, by configuring the document reading apparatus and the document reading system as described above, the document reading operation can be simplified. At the same time, the efficiency of managing the read image data can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of a document reading system including a document reading device.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the document reading system shown in FIG.
3 is a diagram showing another example of the operation of the document reading system shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Document reading apparatus, 10 ... Image reading part, 11 ... Automatic document supply part, 12 ... Color information detection part, 20 ... Image memory, 30 ... Image processing part, 40 ... Reading control part, 41 ... Color space setting part, 5: Reading instruction device.

Claims (6)

A document reading device capable of continuously reading image data of a document bundle of a plurality of documents,
An image reading unit that includes an automatic document supply unit that sequentially supplies a document from a document bundle and a color information detection unit that detects color information of the document, and that reads the supplied document and generates read image data;
An image processing unit that reads the read image data and generates output image data in which the color space is converted into an output color space set for the document;
A reading control unit that controls the image reading unit and the image processing unit,
The reading control unit sets a color space setting for setting the output color space for each document based on the color information of the document from the color information detection unit or a designated color space specified for the document. Having means ,
The color space setting unit is configured to display the specified color space if the specified color space is specified for the document, and the default color space corresponding to the color information from the color information detection unit if there is no specification. An original reading apparatus, wherein the output color space for the original is set as the output color space . The reading control unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of times of execution of the image reading and image processing by the image reading unit and the image processing unit for the same of the original, set or changed for each of the document The document reading device described. When the number of times that the image reading unit and the image processing unit perform image reading and image processing on the same document is a plurality of times, the reading control unit performs the output color space at each time in the color space setting unit. document reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting the. The document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
A document reading system, comprising: a reading instruction device connected to the document reading device and instructing the color space setting means of the designated color space. 5. The document reading system according to claim 4 , wherein the reading instruction device further gives an instruction to supply or replace the document by the automatic document feeder. Wherein the reading control unit, a document reading system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the outputting the color information from the color information detecting means to said reading instruction device.

Images