JP3809829B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of switching between a color mode and a monochrome mode.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Known image processing apparatuses such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a scanner, a printer, and a multifunction machine are capable of switching between a color mode and a monochrome mode. In this type of image processing apparatus, when the user switches between the color mode and the monochrome mode by an operation, a dedicated LED is turned on to notify the user whether the selected mode is color or monochrome. In addition, there are those that automatically determine the color / monochrome mode based on the scanned content, and those that display color / monochrome as characters in the display unit (LCD). Furthermore, it is a technology that displays the document with the most preferable image quality according to the read image by changing the method of using the memory brain of the LCD display memory according to the color / monochrome reading mode. A technique for displaying a document in monochrome and displaying the document in color in the color mode or color mode + monochrome mode is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-20712
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In order to distinguish between the color mode and the monochrome mode, the above-described method using the LED requires a dedicated LED, and has a problem that it is difficult to understand when informing through a message display on the LCD. Also, when color / monochrome determination is performed based on the scanned content (automatic mode), whether color is determined and color image processing is performed, or whether monochrome is determined and monochrome image processing is performed There is a problem that the user cannot know. Also, it is difficult to understand that the notification is made with characters in the display section.
[0005]
Further, since the technique described in Patent Document 1 displays a read original, a large LCD with high resolution is required. In addition, there is a problem that even if the read original is displayed in monochrome, it cannot be known whether it is processed in monochrome or color.
[0006]
The present invention has been made paying attention to the above-described problems, and provides an image processing apparatus that does not require a special mode notification LED and can reliably notify a user of a selected mode. It is aimed.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the display color or display form of the display unit related to the operation is switched according to whether the operation mode is the color mode or the monochrome mode, and the automatic mode can be set. When the automatic mode is set, a determination unit that determines whether the document is a color image or a monochrome image based on image data obtained by scanning the document, and a display color of the display unit according to the determination result of the determination unit Or a switching unit that switches the display mode to one corresponding to the color mode or the monochrome mode, and automatically performs the operation in the color mode or the monochrome mode according to the determination result of the determination unit after switching by the switching unit. And
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when the automatic mode is set, the display unit includes a display unit that determines whether the scanned document is a color image or a monochrome image. Except for the period from when the display color or display mode is changed to when the image processing operation in the mode according to the determination result is completed and a predetermined time elapses, the display unit is in monochrome mode and monochrome mode. The display color or display mode in the mode is alternately repeated.
[0009]
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3 displays a page number for each of the plurality of read originals on the display unit when continuously reading a plurality of originals using the automatic document feeder. The display color or display form of the display unit is switched based on the determination result for the number page.
[0010]
In the present invention, each character message includes not only simple characters but also icons and simple figures. As a simple figure, for example, there is an illustration of a device showing a jam occurrence location or a location to be operated, which is displayed when a jam occurs.
[0011]
Further, in the present invention, switching the display form is, for example, when switching a hatching pattern according to a mode or a determination result in a monochromatic LCD.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to embodiments.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a color image communication apparatus according to the embodiment. This color image communication apparatus is configured as a multi-function machine that serves both as a copying machine and a facsimile machine. The facsimile apparatus has a function of performing facsimile communication of a color image in accordance with a facsimile communication procedure specified by ITU-T recommendation.
[0014]
In FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 1 as a main control unit has a function of comprehensively controlling each unit constituting the device.
[0015]
The CPU 1 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) 2, MODEM 3, ROM 4, RAM 5, image memory 6, display unit 7, operation unit 8, image reading unit 9, image recording unit 10, CODEC (encoding / coding). Decoder: Coder and Decoder) 11, LAN I / F 12, and recording medium 16 are connected via a bus 13.
[0016]
The NCU 2 is controlled by the CPU 1 to control connection with a telephone line network (PSTN) 14 that is a communication line. Further, the NCU 2 has a function of sending a dial pulse corresponding to a telephone number (including a FAX number) of a communication partner and a function of detecting an incoming call. MODEM3 is an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) -T recommendation T.264. 30, T.M. 4 according to the facsimile transmission control procedure (facsimile communication procedure) according to FIG. 17, V. 27ter, V.I. The transmission data is modulated and the received data is demodulated in accordance with 29. MODEM3 is a V. 8, V. V. using 34. It is also applicable to 34 FAX. Specifically, the MODEM 3 has a function of modulating transmission data, which is a digital signal, into an analog voice signal so as to be sent to the telephone line network 14 via the NCU 2. The MODEM 3 has a function of demodulating an analog voice signal received from the telephone line network 14 via the NCU 2 into a digital signal.
[0017]
The ROM 4 stores a program for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus. The RAM 5 stores data necessary for control by the CPU 1 and data that needs to be temporarily stored during the control operation. The image memory 6 stores the image data read by the image reading unit 9 in a compressed state. Further, the image memory 6 stores image data received from an external device such as a personal computer via a network (LAN) or image data read from a recording medium via the recording medium I / F 16 in a compressed state (JPEG or the like). To do.
[0018]
The display unit 7 displays icons, key buttons, message contents necessary for data transmission / reception, a telephone number and a FAX number input by the operation of the operation unit 8, and the like. As the display unit 7, a CRT display or an LCD (liquid crystal display device) is used. The display unit 7 can display the display content in either color or monochrome by selection. The operation unit 8 includes a numeric keypad, a one-touch key, and a registration key, in addition to the mode switch 8a and the start key 8b. A color mode / monochrome mode / automatic mode can be switched by the mode switch 8a. Of course, other operation modes can be switched, for example, switching between FAX mode / copy mode / scanner mode and the like. Here, the color mode is an operation mode in which image formation is performed in color in the case of a copy function or print function, a mode in which color image data is communicated in the communication function, and image reading in color in the scanner function. This is a mode for storing color image data. The monochrome mode is an operation mode in which image processing is performed in monochrome for the copy function, print function, communication function, and scanner function, respectively. The automatic mode determines whether the scanned image is color or monochrome, and determines the result according to the specification. This is an operation mode for performing storage in the image memory 6 with a corresponding color, print output in the image recording unit 10, or facsimile transmission . The start key 8b is used to instruct the start of facsimile communication or copy operation. The numeric keypad is for inputting a telephone number or a FAX number. The one-touch key is used to call a destination telephone number or FAX number with one touch. The registration key is used for abbreviated registration of the telephone number or FAX number of the other party.
[0019]
The image reading unit 9 optically scans and reads image data of a document when performing facsimile transmission or copying. The image reading unit 9 can also read a color image. In the case of color reading, the image reading unit 9 optically scans a document image and obtains RGB three-color separation signals. The image recording unit 10 includes an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data and image data of a document read by the image reading unit 9 in a copying operation on a recording sheet. This image recording unit 10 uses CMYK four-color recording agents (toners), and in addition to monochrome printing using only K (black component) recording agents, color using all CMYK four-color recording agents. Printing is also possible.
[0020]
The CODEC 11 encodes (encodes) the read image data according to the MH, MR, MMR method or the like to transmit or store the image data. The CODEC 11 stores the encoded data received in a compressed state by the image recording unit 10. Further, the CODEC 11 encodes color image data obtained by color reading by the image reading unit 9 by the JPEG method, and records the color image data received in a state encoded by the JPEG method by the image recording unit 10. To decrypt. The LAN I / F 12 is used to exchange data with an external device via a LAN (local area network), and is connected to an external device such as a PC (personal computer) via the LAN I / F 12. For example, JPEG-compressed image data can be received from an external device via the LAN I / F 12.
[0021]
Next, the processing operation when switching the color / monochrome mode of this embodiment apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When this processing routine is entered, it is determined in step ST1 whether the switched mode is the monochrome mode or the color mode. When the mode is switched to the color mode by the mode switch 8a, the process proceeds to step ST2. On the other hand, when the mode is switched to the monochrome mode, the process proceeds to step ST3.
[0022]
In step ST2, the LCD of the display unit 7 is set to the color display mode. In the color display mode here, the display on the display unit 7 has a color scheme that can be inferred to be the color mode. Next, the process proceeds to step ST4. In step ST3, the LCD of the display unit 7 is set to the monochrome display mode. In the monochrome display mode here, the display unit 7 has a color scheme that can be inferred to be the monochrome mode. Next, the process proceeds to step ST4. The user can know that the mode has been switched to the color mode by the color display mode in step ST2, and can know that the mode has been switched to the monochrome mode by the monochrome display mode in step ST3.
[0023]
In step ST4, it is determined whether or not a start instruction has been given. When the start key 8b of the operation unit 8 is operated, the process proceeds to step ST5. In step ST5, the image reading unit 9 scans the document. Then, the process proceeds to step ST6. In step ST6, the LCD of the display unit 7 performs color display according to the display mode selected in steps ST2 and ST3. Next, the process proceeds to step ST7.
[0024]
In step ST7, image processing corresponding to the display mode is performed on the scan data, for example, color image processing is performed when a color mode is selected. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST8. In step ST8, the image processed image data is stored in the image memory 6. Alternatively, a printout is made according to designation, or facsimile transmission is made according to designation. Then, it transfers to step ST9 and complete | finishes a process in progress of predetermined time.
[0025]
Next, the processing when the automatic mode is selected in this embodiment apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When the automatic mode is selected by the mode selector switch 8a of the operation unit 8, this processing routine is entered, and the LCD of the display unit 7 blinks in step ST11. This blinking is performed by alternately switching between color display and monochrome display. Next, the process proceeds to step ST12. By this blinking display, the user can confirm that the device is set to the automatic mode.
[0026]
In step ST12, it is determined whether or not a start instruction has been issued. When the start key 8b of the operation unit 8 is pressed, the process proceeds to step ST13. In step ST13, the image reading unit 9 scans the document. Next, the process proceeds to step ST14. In step ST14, it is determined whether the original image obtained by scanning is color or monochrome. In the case of color, the process proceeds to step ST15. On the other hand, if the document image is monochrome, the process proceeds to step ST17.
[0027]
In step ST15, the LCD of the display unit 7 is set to color display. Subsequently, the process proceeds to step ST16. In step ST16, color image processing is performed on the scan data. Next, the process proceeds to step ST19. In step ST17, the LCD of the display unit 7 is set to monochrome display, and in the next step ST18, monochrome image processing is performed on the scan data. Then, the process proceeds to step ST19. The user can know that the color mode has been automatically selected by the LCD color display in step ST15, and that the monochrome mode has been automatically selected by the LCD monochrome display in step ST17.
[0028]
In step ST19, the image processing data is stored in the image memory 6, printed out by the image recording unit 10, or transmitted by facsimile according to the designation. Next, the process proceeds to step ST20. In step ST20, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after completion of the process in step ST19. If it determines with predetermined time having passed, it will transfer to step ST21. In step ST21, the LCD of the display unit 7 is set to blink display that alternates between color display and monochrome display. From this blinking display, it is possible to know that the apparatus is currently on standby but is still set in the “automatic mode”.
[0029]
When the “automatic mode” of the above embodiment is set, when a plurality of documents are continuously read by an ADF (automatic document feeder), characters indicating page numbers are displayed on the display unit 7. In addition, color / monochrome determination may be performed for the numbered pages, and the display color may be switched based on the determination result. In this way, the user can know the color mode / monochrome mode for each page.
[0030]
In each of the above embodiments, when the color mode is selected (or when it is determined as a color document), the LCD can be set to the color display mode. The basic color (basic color) in the color display mode is used. The user may be able to change the setting.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether the image data of the scanned document is a color image or a monochrome image, and the display color or display form of the display unit corresponds to the color mode or the monochrome mode according to the determination result. Since the operation in the color mode or the monochrome mode is automatically performed according to the determination result after switching, the user can surely recognize the determined mode by the display color or display form of the display unit .
[0032]
According to the invention of claim 2, when the automatic mode is set, the display color or display form of the display unit is switched to one corresponding to the determination result of whether the scanned document is a color image or a monochrome image. Therefore, the display unit alternately repeats the display color or display mode in the color mode and the monochrome mode except for the period from the end of the image processing operation in the mode according to the determination result to the elapse of a predetermined time . , the user can be reliably recognize the set in the automatic mode, it reliably recognize whether the determined mode of or want deviation.
[0033]
Further, according to the invention of claim 3, even when reading multiple consecutive document in ADF, and displays the page number of each of a plurality of sheets of read original in Table radical 113, based on the determination result for the number of pages since switching the display color or display form of tables radical 113 Te, the user can reliably know the decision result for each page.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation at the time of color / monochrome mode switching of the facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation when an automatic mode is selected in the facsimile apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Main control unit (CPU)
2 NCU
3 MODEM
4 ROM
5 RAM
6 Image memory 7 Display unit 8 Operation unit 8a Mode switch 8b Start key 9 Image reading unit 11 CODEC
12 LAN I / F
13 Bus 14 Telephone network 15 LAN

Claims (3)

In the image processing apparatus in which the display color or display form of the display unit related to the operation is switched depending on whether the operation mode is the color mode or the monochrome mode, and the automatic mode can be set,
Determining means for determining whether the original is a color image or a monochrome image based on image data obtained by scanning the original when the automatic mode is set;
Switching means for switching the display color or display form of the display unit to one corresponding to the color mode or the monochrome mode according to the determination result of the determination means,
An image processing apparatus that automatically performs an operation in a color mode or a monochrome mode according to a determination result of the determination unit after switching by the switching unit. When the automatic mode is set, the display color or display form of the display unit is switched to the corresponding one according to the determination result of whether the scanned document is a color image or a monochrome image. 2. The image according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit alternately repeats the display color or the display mode in the color mode and the monochrome mode except for a period until the predetermined time elapses after the image processing operation ends. Processing equipment. When continuously reading a plurality of documents using the automatic document feeder, the display unit displays a page number for each of the plurality of read documents and the display unit based on a determination result for the numbered pages. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display color or display form is switched.

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