JP3820782B2 - Image processing device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having an automatic document feeding function for automatically conveying and reading a document, and an image forming apparatus having the image processing apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine having an automatic document feeder for reading a document while automatically conveying the document is used. In such an image forming apparatus, the size of a document set on the automatic document feeder is detected, and the size, enlargement / reduction ratio, and the like of a sheet to be image formed are determined based on the detected size.
[0003]
By the way, in the image forming apparatus provided with the automatic document feeder as described above, a plurality of documents may be set. In such a case, the automatic document feeder sequentially conveys the set documents. Reading operation. However, there is a problem in that when a plurality of documents cannot detect the size, that is, when an irregular-size document is included, the reading operation is stopped and continuous image forming operations cannot be performed. .
[0004]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-93137 discloses that if a size cannot be detected when continuously reading a plurality of originals, the reading operation is temporarily stopped at that time, and the original size is determined by the user. An apparatus for resuming a document reading operation after the input of “” is disclosed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the apparatus described in the above publication, if the user does not input a document size, the reading operation remains interrupted at that time, and document reading after an unknown size document, image processing, image forming processing, etc. There is a problem that productivity is reduced due to the failure of the process. Further, when the interruption time of the reading operation becomes long, damage such as curving of the remaining document set on the automatic document feeder may occur.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and even when there is a document of unknown size, the productivity of the entire apparatus is not reduced, and damage to the document can be reduced. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the same.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention automatically conveys a set document and detects the size of the document when the set document has a preset size. An automatic document feeder,
Reading means for reading a document conveyed by the automatic document feeder and generating image data;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data;
Storage means for storing image data;
Size setting means for setting the document size;
First control means for outputting image data generated by the reading means to the image processing means by reading the original when the size of the original is detected by the automatic document feeder;
When the size of the document is not detected by the automatic document feeder, the image data generated by the reading unit is stored in the storage unit by reading the document, and then the size of the document is set by the size setting unit. And a second control means for reading out the image data of the document from the storage means and outputting it to the image processing means.
[0008]
In this configuration, when a document is set on the user, the automatic document feeder automatically conveys the document. At this time, if the size of the document conveyed to the automatic document feeder is a fixed size, the size of the document is detected, and the document is read by the reading unit to generate image data. The first control means outputs image data corresponding to the document whose size is detected by the size detection means to the image processing means, whereby image processing such as enlargement / reduction processing is executed by the image processing means. On the other hand, when there is a document whose document size is not detected by the automatic document feeder, the reading unit reads the document and generates image data. In this case, the generated image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit by the second control unit. When the size of the original is set by the size setting means, the image data is read from the storage means and output to the image processing means. As a result, the image processing means performs image processing such as enlargement / reduction on the image data. Thus, even when there is a document of unknown size, the document is read and image data is generated, and this image data is written into the storage means by the second control means. Accordingly, even when there is an original of unknown size, the original reading operation can be continued without interrupting the original reading operation, so that the productivity of the apparatus can be prevented from being lowered. Further, even when there is a document of unknown size, the reading of the document is not interrupted, so that it is possible to reduce a situation in which the set document is left unattended for a long time.
[0009]
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image processing apparatus configured as described above,
And image forming means for forming an image on a sheet based on the image data subjected to image processing by the image processing means in the image processing apparatus.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
A. Configuration of Embodiment First, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a copying machine provided with an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the copying machine includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1, an image reading device 2, an image processing unit 3, a hard disk device (HDD) 4, and a CPU (central processing unit) 5. , RAM 6, ROM 7, user interface (U / I) 8, and image forming unit 9.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder 1 has a plurality of conveying rollers 21, and when a document is set, these conveying rollers 21 are driven to indicate the document by a two-dot chain line in the figure. It is transported along the transport path and discharged to the document discharge tray 23. When a plurality of documents are set on the document tray 22, the automatic document feeder 1 drives the conveyance roller 21 to sequentially convey the plurality of documents along the conveyance path. A plurality of sensors (not shown) are arranged on the document tray 22 of the automatic document feeder 1. When the document has a fixed size such as A4 or B5, which fixed shape the document set on the document tray 22 is. It is possible to detect whether it is a size. As such a size detection sensor, a known document size detection sensor system provided in the automatic document feeder 1 may be used. The document size information detected in this manner is output from the automatic document feeder 1 to the CPU 5.
[0012]
The image reading device (reading unit) 2 reads a document conveyed along a predetermined conveyance path by the automatic document feeder 1 and converts it into an electric signal to generate image data. The automatic document feeder 1 may transport the document so that only one side is read by the image reading device 2, or can transport the document so that both sides of the document are read by the image reading device 2. It may be a thing.
[0013]
Returning to FIG. 1, the image processing unit (image processing means) 3 executes known image processing such as enlargement / reduction processing on the image data generated by the image reading device 2. The hard disk device (storage means) 4 stores the image data generated by the image reading device 2. A CPU (first control means, second control means, document size setting means) 5 controls each part of the copying machine, and reads a control program stored in the ROM 7 to a RAM 6 as a working area. In accordance with this control program, a copying operation described later is executed.
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 3, the user interface 8 includes a display panel (notification unit) 150, a numeric area 151, a clear key 152, a start key 153, a stop key 154, and an all clear key 155. The display panel 150 can be touched, and the user can specify the document size set in the automatic document feeder 1 and select the tray to be used. The start key 153 is for the user to instruct the start of the copying operation. The display panel 150 displays the operation status of the copying machine. The numeric keys, asterisk (*) key, and sharp (#) key provided in the numeric area 151 are used for setting the number of copies.
[0015]
The image forming unit (image forming unit) 9 outputs an image to a sheet of paper or OHP based on the image data that has been subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing unit 3.
[0016]
B. Operation of Embodiment Next, the operation of the copying machine having the above-described configuration will be described. Here, a plurality of documents are set in the automatic document feeder 1, and these documents are sequentially read, and automatic magnification selection is performed for copying. The operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0017]
First, in this copying machine, it is determined whether or not there has been a copy start instruction from the user (step Sa1). Here, if there is a copy start instruction from the user via the user interface 8, the initial settings of the document number N = 0 and the number of undetected documents I = 0 are written in the RAM 6 or the like (step Sa2), and the automatic document feeder 1 is instructed to pull the document. As a result, the document set on the automatic document feeder 1 is pulled to the reading position (step Sa3).
[0018]
Then, the automatic document feeder 1 detects whether or not the document size is a standard size (step Sa4). If the document is a standard size, the image reading device 2 reads the document (step S4). Sa5). Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is a document whose size has not been detected in the document read before this document, that is, whether I = 0 or not (step Sa6). The image processing unit 3 performs image processing on the image data generated by the apparatus 2.
[0019]
In the image processing unit 3, image reduction / enlargement processing is performed based on the standard size detected by the automatic document feeder 1 and the sheet size to be output set in advance by the user. The image data subjected to the reduction / enlargement processing in the image processing unit 3 is output to the image forming unit 9 and printed out on a sheet such as paper or OHP in the image forming unit 9 (step Sa7).
[0020]
Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the flow of image data during image processing by the image processing unit 3. As shown in the figure, when the reduction processing is performed by the image processing unit 3 in step Sa7, the image data from the image reading device 2 is subjected to the reduction processing by the reduction processing unit 61 and then the compression processing unit. 62 is compressed by JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) method. The compressed image data is stored in the buffer memory 63 via the asynchronous image bus. The compressed image data stored in the buffer memory 63 is read via the asynchronous image bus and output to the decompression processing unit 64. After decompression processing is performed, the reduction / enlargement processing unit 67 performs processing. Without being output to the image forming unit 9.
[0021]
On the other hand, when the enlargement process is performed by the image processing unit 3 in step Sa7, the image data from the image reading device 2 is not processed by the reduction processing unit 61 but from the image reading device interface 65 via the asynchronous image bus. Is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 63. Thereafter, the image data is read from the buffer memory 63 and output to the image forming unit interface 66 via the asynchronous image bus. Then, enlargement processing is performed by the reduction / enlargement processing unit 67 and output to the image forming unit 9.
[0022]
If it is determined in step Sa6 that there is a document whose size has not been detected before this document, the image data generated by the image reading device 2 is output to the image processing unit 3 and reduced / enlarged in the same manner as described above. Processing is performed, but the image-processed data is written to the hard disk device 4 without being output to the image forming unit 9 (step Sa8).
[0023]
On the other hand, if it is not detected in step Sa4 that the document has a standard size, that is, if the document has an irregular size, “input the Nth document size” on the display panel 150 of the user interface 8. Are displayed to prompt the user to input the document size (step Sa9). Thereafter, the image reading device 2 reads the document, generates image data, and writes the image data in the hard disk device 4 without performing image processing (step Sa10). Then, the number of undetected documents I is incremented by “1” (step Sa11). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the image data generated by the image reading device 2 is not processed by the reduction processing unit 61 and is output to the image reading device interface 65. Thereafter, the image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 63 via the asynchronous image bus and then written to the hard disk device 4 via the hard disk interface 68.
[0024]
After the processing of step Sa7, step Sa8 or step Sa11 is completed, it is determined whether or not there is a next original (step Sa12). If there is a next document, the document number N is incremented by “1” (step Sa13), the process proceeds to step Sa3, and the same process is repeated for the next document.
[0025]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step Sa12 that there is no next document, that is, if all the documents set on the automatic document feeder 1 have been read, it is determined whether there is image data that has not yet been printed out on the hard disk device 4. Determination is made (step Sa14). If there is no image data not yet printed out in the hard disk device 4, the copying operation is terminated.
[0026]
On the other hand, if there is image data that has not been printed out in the hard disk device 4, it is determined whether or not the image data corresponds to a document of an irregular size (step Sa15). Here, if the image data that has not been printed out corresponds to a document of an irregular size, it is determined whether or not the size of the document has been input by the user (step Sa16). When the document size is input, the image data is read from the hard disk device 4 and the image processing unit 3 reduces the image based on the input document size and the sheet size preset by the user. After the enlargement process is performed, the image forming unit 9 prints out (Step Sa17). In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the image data stored in the hard disk device 4 is read from the hard disk interface 68 and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 63 via the asynchronous image bus. Then, after being output to the image forming unit interface 66 via the asynchronous image bus, the reduction / enlargement processing unit 67 performs enlargement or reduction processing and outputs it to the image forming unit 9.
[0027]
If it is determined in step Sa15 that the image data does not correspond to an irregular-size document, that is, corresponds to a regular-size document, the image data (image processed in step Sa8) is stored in the hard disk device. 4 and output to the image forming unit 9 to execute printout (step Sa18).
[0028]
In the copying machine including the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, the reading operation is interrupted even when a plurality of documents set in the automatic document feeder 1 includes an irregular size. Instead, reading is executed for all the set originals. For a standard-size document, necessary image processing such as enlargement / reduction is executed without interruption. For this reason, when the user sets the size of the document while viewing the display on the display panel 150, the image processing corresponding to the irregular-size document and the output of the image data are performed without performing the image reading operation. Can be executed immediately. Therefore, it is possible to improve the productivity of the copying machine called FCOT (First Copy Output Time).
[0029]
Further, even when an irregular-size document is included in the document set on the automatic document feeder 1, the image reading operation is not interrupted, so that the document is set on the automatic document feeder 1. Thus, the document is not left unattended for a long time, and document damage such as curling of the document can be reduced.
[0030]
C. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications as described below are possible.
[0031]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, when the document size is indefinite, the user is prompted to input the document size. When the user inputs the document size, the image data is received from the hard disk device 4. Although the reduction / enlargement processing is performed by reading, the edge size of the image data read by the image reading device 2 may be detected to calculate the document size. When the document size is calculated in this way, the reduction / enlargement process may be performed based on the calculated document size.
[0032]
(2) In the above-described embodiment, the automatic document feeder 1 can detect the document size when the document is a standard size. However, in addition to the standard size, the user can detect the document size in advance. The configuration may be such that a plurality of types of set document sizes can be detected. In this case, when there is a document whose size cannot be detected by the automatic document feeder 1, that is, a document other than the standard size or the size set by the user, image data corresponding to this document is not subjected to image processing. What is necessary is just to write in the hard disk unit 4.
[0033]
(3) In the above-described embodiment, when the automatic document feeder 1 does not detect the size, the user is prompted to input the document size. The normal mode for prompting and the automatic size setting mode for automatically setting the document size even when the size cannot be detected by the automatic document feeder 1 may be switched. The mode switching in this case may be instructed by the user via the user interface (mode determining means) 8. The size automatically set in the automatic size setting mode may be a fixed size specified in advance by the user, or is automatically set to the size of a document (standard size) read immediately before a document whose size is not detected. You may make it set to. If such mode switching is possible, when the user sets a plurality of originals and gives instructions to start copying and then leaves the place, the automatic original setting mode can be set. Even when the size cannot be detected by the feeder 1, the size is automatically set, and the image processing unit 3 performs image processing based on this size. Therefore, all copying operations can be completed without the copying machine being stopped in a size input waiting state. On the other hand, if the user does not leave the copier, set to normal mode, and if there is a document whose size cannot be detected, if the user enters the size, more accurate copying will be possible. Can perform actions.
[0034]
(4) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an original is conveyed by an image processing apparatus including an automatic document feeder, for example, an automatic document feeder. Can be applied to a facsimile machine that generates image data by reading image data, performs image processing on the image data, and transmits the image data to an external communication network.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even if there is a document of unknown size among the documents set in the automatic document feeder, the document set after this is not interrupted without interrupting the document reading operation. Since the reading operation can be continued, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the productivity of the apparatus. Further, even when there is a document of unknown size, the reading of the document is not interrupted, so that it is possible to reduce a situation in which the set document is left unattended for a long time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a copying machine to which an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a schematic front sectional view showing a configuration of an automatic document feeder which is a component of the copying machine.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a user interface that is a component of the copying machine.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an operation of sequentially reading and copying a plurality of originals by the copying machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an operation of sequentially reading and copying a plurality of originals by the copying machine.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of image data during image processing by an image processing unit that is a component of the copying machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Automatic document feeder, 2 ... Image reading apparatus (reading means), 3 ... Image processing part (image processing means), 4 ... Hard disk device (storage means), 5 ... CPU (1st control) Means, second control means, size setting means), 8... User interface (mode determining means), 9... Image forming unit (image forming means), 150.

Claims (3)

An automatic document feeder that sequentially conveys a plurality of set documents and detects the size of each document when each set document has a preset size; and
Reading means for sequentially reading a plurality of documents conveyed by the automatic document feeder and generating respective image data;
Image processing means for performing image processing on the image data;
Storage means for storing image data ;
If the size of the originals is detected by the automatic document feeder, while outputting the image data to said reading means is generated by reading the document to the image processing unit, the size of the original is the automatic document feeder When the automatic document feeder detects the next original size of the original after the image data generated by the reading means is stored in the storage means when the original is read by the automatic document feeder. A control unit that continuously performs the process of outputting the image data generated by the reading unit to the image processing unit without interruption with respect to a plurality of set originals;
The image processing apparatus comprising: a. A size setting means for setting the document size is provided.
The control means sets the original size of the image data stored in the storage means by the user using the size setting means after the reading means finishes reading all set originals. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus reads out the image data from the storage unit and outputs the image data to the image processing unit. If the size of the originals is not detected by the automatic document feeder, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a notifying means to notify the fact to the user prompt the instruction size.

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