JP4683030B2 - Document reader - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an original reading apparatus having a function of reading an original and acquiring an image, such as a copier, a scanner, or a facsimile machine.

  A document reading apparatus such as a copier, a facsimile machine, a scanner, or a digital multifunction peripheral generally includes an optical unit having a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor that reads a document and reads an image from the document. The document reading device prints the read image on a printing paper and transmits it to an external device for communication in accordance with a user operation. Some of such document reading apparatuses have a function that allows a user to check when an image is read (for example, Patent Document 1).

The image processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 can perform editing to change the color or density of a read image, and further has a function of displaying the editing result on a liquid crystal screen. . Thereby, for example, when the read image is printed on the printing paper, the read image before printing can be confirmed. As a result, it is found that the user does not have the desired reading accuracy after printing the read image, and the trouble of reading the image from the original or editing the read image can be omitted.
JP-A-8-23437

  By the way, as described above, the document reading apparatus has a function of transmitting to an external device or a function of printing on printing paper, and the user needs to input which function is to be executed. For this reason, there is a demand for a document reading apparatus that can easily grasp a read image and can easily input a function to be executed, as in Patent Document 1.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve operability when inputting processing to be performed on an image read from an original and to which processing for which image It is an object of the present invention to provide an original reading apparatus that makes it easy to intuitively understand whether or not to perform the operation.

  Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a document reading apparatus capable of performing an intuitive operation.

Document reading apparatus according to the present invention, execution and reading unit reads a plurality of images from the document, a plurality of reduced images obtained by reducing the plurality of images said read unit is read, and, for the image in which the reading unit has read A display unit that displays a plurality of objects corresponding to the processing to be performed, an image selection reception unit that receives selections of a plurality of reduced images displayed on the display unit, and a reception unit that receives selections of objects displayed on the display unit And an execution unit that executes a process corresponding to the object related to the selection received by the reception unit. The execution unit displays on the display unit when any of the objects is selected by the reception unit. When processing corresponding to the object is performed on all the images corresponding to the plurality of reduced images and any of the objects is selected by the reception unit, When I receives a selection of reduced images in the image selection accepting unit, and wherein only the configuration and tear Rukoto to execute processing corresponding to the object for image corresponding to the reduced image according to the selection To do.

  Furthermore, the document reading apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the receiving unit and the image selection receiving unit are touch panels that cover a display surface of the display unit.

According to the present invention, by displaying a reduced image obtained by reducing a read image and displaying an object corresponding to the process executed on the read image, the user can select the process to be executed while checking the image. . As a result, the user can perform a smooth operation and improve operability. Further, by selecting a reduced image and executing a process corresponding to the selected object on the selected reduced image, it becomes easy to intuitively understand which process is to be performed on which image .

  According to the present invention, the touch panel allows the user to perform an intuitive operation and improve operability.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of a document reading apparatus according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, a digital multi-function peripheral will be described as an example of a document reading apparatus. The digital multi-function peripheral has a copy function for copying a document, a facsimile function for transmitting / receiving data via a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network), reading an image such as a character or a figure from a document, and It has a plurality of functions such as a scanner function to be acquired and a printer function for printing image data given via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) on printing paper.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. The digital multi-function peripheral includes a control unit (execution unit) 10 that controls the operation of the entire digital multi-function peripheral. The control unit 10 is a microcomputer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. In the control unit 10, the CPU reads out and executes a program and data stored in advance in the ROM, thereby controlling operations of each unit of the digital multi-function peripheral and realizing various software functions.

  The digital multi-function peripheral further includes a storage unit 11, a position acquisition unit 12, an image acquisition unit 14, a display control unit 16, and an output unit 18, each of which is connected to the control unit 10 via the data bus 21. ing.

  The storage unit 11 is configured by a large-capacity memory element such as a DRAM (Dynamic RAM) or a flash memory, for example, and receives image data received by facsimile communication or image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 14 described later. Memorize temporarily. The image data may be temporarily stored in the RAM of the control unit 10.

  The position acquisition unit 12 is connected to the touch panel 13, and detects the pressed position of the touch panel 13 when the user presses the touch panel 13 with a finger. The touch panel 13 is provided so as to cover a liquid crystal screen included in the display unit 17 described later. The touch panel 13 is formed of a transparent material, and the user can visually recognize an image displayed on the display unit 17 via the touch panel 13. The touch panel 13 has a material (for example, a film or glass) provided with a transparent conductive film, and is bonded in a direction in which the transparent conductive films face each other. And when a user presses with a finger | toe, a transparent conductive film contacts, and a signal is output. The position acquisition unit 12 detects which position on the touch panel 13 the user has pressed based on the signal output from the touch panel 13.

  Thereby, for example, when an image such as an icon or a button is displayed on the display unit 17 and the position where the user presses the touch panel 13 with a finger matches the image portion displayed on the display unit 17, the corresponding image is displayed. Can be executed. As a result, the user can perform an intuitive operation as if the user actually pressed a physical button.

  An image acquisition unit (reading unit) 14 is connected to a CCD image sensor 15 and acquires image data that is electronic data of an image printed on a document. The CCD image sensor 15 receives light reflected from the document when it is irradiated from a light source (not shown) onto the document set on the document table, and further converts it into an electrical signal. And the image acquisition part 14 acquires image data by further converting the converted electric signal into digital data.

  The digital multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment sets a plurality of pages of documents on an ADF (Automatic Document Feed) in addition to the user setting the documents one by one on the document table and reading the documents. By doing so, it is possible to automatically read a multi-page document.

  The display control unit 16 is connected to the display unit 17 and forms an image to be displayed on the display unit 17. Specifically, the display control unit 16 includes an image control IC (Integrated Circuit), an image control RAM, and an image ROM (not shown). The image control IC determines the display contents on the display unit 17 according to the image control program based on the parameters set by the control unit 10. The image control RAM is configured as temporary storage means (buffer) when the image control program is executed by the image control IC. The image ROM stores dot data for forming an image to be displayed on the display unit 17.

  The display unit 17 is controlled by the display control unit 16, and the operation state of the digital multifunction peripheral, a selection menu for the user to select a function of the digital multifunction peripheral, a setting menu for setting each function, and an operation guide or Information to be notified to the user such as a warning message is displayed.

  The output unit 18 is connected to a printing unit (execution unit) 19 and a communication unit (execution unit) 20 and outputs a signal suitable for each unit. The printing unit 19 includes a light source such as a semiconductor laser or an LED, a photoreceptor to which toner is attached, a fixing unit that transfers and fixes the toner to a printing medium with heat or pressure. The printing unit 19 selects an optimum size printing paper of each size such as A3 portrait, B4 portrait, A4 portrait, B5 landscape, and A5 landscape, and prints the image data stored in the storage unit 11. . The communication unit 20 is connected to an external communication device via a network such as PSTN or LAN so as to be able to perform data communication, and enables transmission / reception of mail or fax communication.

  Next, contents displayed on the display unit 17 when the digital multi-function peripheral configured as described above is operated by the touch panel 13 will be described.

  2 to 4 are schematic diagrams for explaining the contents displayed when operating the digital multi-function peripheral, and schematically show images (objects) such as menus and icons displayed on the display unit 17. It is shown.

  First, a “user selection screen” (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 17. Then, the user selects a user name registered in advance or inputs a user name. Thereafter, the reading screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 17. On the reading screen, a message 41 for prompting the user to set the document on the ADF or the document table is displayed. Further, an icon 42 for instructing the digital multifunction peripheral to start reading a document and an icon 43 for returning the display to the user selection screen are displayed on the display unit 17.

  Since the display unit 17 is provided with the touch panel 13, the user can operate by pressing the displayed image portion such as an icon and a button. In the following description, an operation in which the user presses an image portion displayed on the display unit 17 to start processing is simply referred to as “operation”.

  On the reading screen shown in FIG. 2, when the icon 42 is operated in a state where the original is set, reading of the original is started. After the document reading is completed, the display unit 17 displays a confirmation screen (see FIG. 3) for confirming with the user whether or not to read the document. On the other hand, when the icon 43 is operated, a user selection screen is displayed on the display unit 17, and the user can be selected again.

  In the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 3, the user name 44 selected on the user selection screen and a menu 45 that allows the user to select reading settings are displayed. In the menu 45, a substantially oval icon for selecting “Yes” or “No” for reading in the spread is displayed. These icons are highlighted by a reverse operation or blinking display when operated by the user (hatching is added in FIG. 3). Note that the case where reading is performed with a spread is a case where the original is set on the original table of the digital multi-function peripheral without using the ADF and is read. The display unit 17 also displays an icon 46 for starting processing based on the parameter of the icon selected in the menu 45, an icon 47 for canceling the processing so far, and an icon 48 for setting functions.

  On the confirmation screen, when the icon 46 is operated in a state where the “read” icon for reading with the spread of the menu 45 is operated, reading of the document set on the document table is started. After that, the confirmation screen is displayed again on the display unit 17, and the user can repeatedly read the document.

  On the other hand, when the icon 46 is operated in a state where the icon of “no reading” in the spread of the menu 45 is operated, the reading of the document is finished. Thereafter, the operation screen shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the display unit 17. Note that, when the icon 46 is operated in a state where the icon of the menu 45 “Do not scan with spread” is operated, if a document is set in the ADF, reading of the set document is started. It may be a configuration.

  When the icon 47 is operated, the image data temporarily stored in the storage unit 11 is discarded, and the reading screen shown in FIG. 2 is displayed on the display unit 17. Further, when the icon 48 is operated, the display unit 17 displays a setting screen (not shown) for setting the resolution at the time of reading or the paper size.

  In the operation screen shown in FIG. 4, a preview area 49 for displaying an image read from a document in a reduced size (so-called thumbnail display) and an operation area 50 for displaying a function icon for determining a function to be executed on the read image. Is displayed. In FIG. 4, the dotted line indicating the operation area 50 is not actually displayed.

  In the preview area 49, a plurality of reduced images 491 obtained by reducing an image read from a document are displayed. When the user touches the reduced image 491, the reduced image 491 is highlighted by highlighting or blinking (in FIG. 4, the selected reduced image A is highlighted). In the preview area 49, an icon 492 for editing an image corresponding to the selected reduced image 491 (specifically, image data stored in the storage unit 11) is displayed. When the icon 492 is operated while the reduced image 491 is selected, an editing screen (not shown) is displayed on the display unit 17. Then, the user enlarges and displays the selected reduced image 491 on the editing screen and changes the orientation of the image by rotating it at intervals of 90 degrees, or the color of the read image corresponding to the selected reduced image 491 or Processing to change the density and the like becomes possible.

  In the operation area 50, a substantially oval function icon 51 for selecting a copy function with a character “Copy”, a function icon 52 for selecting a facsimile function with a character “Fax”, A function icon 53 for selecting a mail function with the letter “Mail” and a function icon 54 for selecting a save function with the letter “Save” are displayed. By operating each of the function icons 51 to 54, the operated function is started with respect to an image corresponding to the reduced image 491 displayed in the preview area 49.

  For example, when the function icon 51 is operated, an image read from the document is printed on the printing medium from the printing unit 19. When the function icon 52 is operated, the image data of the image read from the document is faxed to the outside, and when the function icon 53 is operated, the image data is attached to the mail and transmitted. Further, by operating the function icon 54, the image data is stored and stored in the storage unit 11 or a computer connected via the network from the communication unit 20. As described above, the user can select a function to be started while confirming an image read from a document, so that a smooth operation can be performed.

  Further, as in the screen shown in FIG. 3, the display unit 17 displays a cancel icon 47 for canceling the processing so far and an icon 48 for setting a function.

  In addition, when each function icon 51-54 is operated, the detail of each function may be set and the screen which starts a process may be displayed on the display part 17. FIG. Moreover, the structure which starts a process when the function icons 51-54 are operated by the preset content may be sufficient. In this case, when the icon 48 is operated, detailed setting of each function, for example, selection of paper size, fax transmission destination, mail transmission destination, or the like may be set.

  Next, the procedure of the operation reception process in the digital multi-function peripheral configured as described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation reception process in the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the function execution process of FIG. This process is performed by the control unit 10 of the digital multi-function peripheral.

  The control unit 10 of the digital multi-function peripheral displays a user selection screen on the display unit 17, and after the user is selected, displays the reading screen shown in FIG. 2 on the display unit 17 (S1). And the control part 10 determines whether the icon 42 was operated in the reading screen (S2). Specifically, the position acquisition unit 12 acquires the contact position on the touch panel 13 by the user, and the control unit 10 determines that the contact position acquired by the position acquisition unit 12 is the position of the icon 42 displayed on the display unit 17. It is determined whether or not they match. When the positions match each other, it is determined that the user's contact with the touch panel 13 is a contact with the icon 42.

  When the icon 42 is not operated (S2: NO), the control unit 10 repeats S2. In this case, the control unit 10 displays a user selection screen on the display unit 17 when the icon 43 is operated. When the icon 42 is operated (S2: YES), the control unit 10 starts reading the set document (S3). Note that when the icon 42 is operated and an original is not set, an error message may be displayed on the display unit 17.

  When reading of the document is started, image data is acquired by the image acquisition unit 14, and the control unit 10 stores the acquired image data in the storage unit 11 as needed (S4). Then, the control part 10 displays the confirmation screen shown in FIG. 3 on the display part 17 (S5). Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the icon 47 for canceling the processing so far is operated on the confirmation screen (S6). When the icon 47 is operated (S6: YES), the control unit 10 erases the image data stored in the storage unit 11 in S4, and returns the process to S1. When the icon 47 is not operated (S6: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S7.

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether or not to further read the document (S7). When the document is further read (S7: YES), specifically, the reading is performed with the spread of the menu 45 as “2”. When the icon 46 is operated while the “Yes” icon is operated, the control unit 10 returns the process to S3. Then, the control unit 10 starts reading the set original (S3). Further, when the original is not read (S7: NO), specifically, when the icon 46 is operated in a state where the “no reading” icon is operated in the spread, the control unit 10 performs the process. Move to S8.

  Note that when the icon 48 is operated on the confirmation screen and an operation screen described later, the control unit 10 causes the display unit 17 to set a resolution for reading, a paper size, and the like on a setting screen (not shown). ) Is displayed.

  In S8, the control unit 10 controls the display control unit 16, and the display control unit 16 generates reduced data of reduced images to be displayed as thumbnails from the image data stored in the storage unit 11 (S8). Then, the control unit 10 displays an operation screen (see FIG. 4) on which the reduced image 491 is displayed as a thumbnail on the display unit 17 (S9). The control unit 10 determines whether or not the icon 47 is operated on the operation screen (S10). When the icon 47 is operated (S10: YES), the control unit 10 erases the image data stored in S4 and returns the process to S1. When the icon 47 is not operated (S10: NO), the control unit 10 starts the function execution process shown in FIG. 6 and executes the process on the operation screen (S11).

  In the operation screen, the control unit 10 determines whether or not the icon 492 for editing the read image has been operated (S21). When the icon 492 is not operated (S21: NO), the control unit 10 moves the process to S24. When the icon 492 is operated (S21: YES), the control unit 10 determines whether or not the reduced image 491 in the preview area 49 is selected (S22).

  When the reduced image 491 is not selected (S22: NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to S21. In this case, the control unit 10 may display a message indicating that the reduced image 491 is selected on the display unit 17. When the reduced image 491 is selected (S22: YES), the control unit 10 displays the editing screen on the display unit 17, and the image corresponding to the selected reduced image 491, that is, the image stored in the storage unit 11 is displayed. The editing process described above is performed on the data (S23).

  Next, the control unit 10 determines whether any of the function icons 51 to 54 has been operated (S24). When none of the function icons 51 to 54 is operated (S24: NO), the control unit 10 determines whether or not the icon 47 is operated (S26). When the icon 47 is operated (S26: YES), the control unit 10 deletes the image data stored in the storage unit 11, and returns the process to S1 in the flowchart shown in FIG. When the icon 47 is not operated (S26: NO), the control unit 10 returns the process to S24.

  On the other hand, when any of the function icons 51 to 54 is operated (S24: YES), the image corresponding to the reduced image 491 displayed in the preview area 49, that is, all the images read from the document are operated. The function is started (S25). For example, when the function icon 51 for selecting the copy function is operated, the control unit 10 starts processing image data using the copy function. Then, the control part 10 complete | finishes a function execution process, and returns to the process of FIG. And the control part 10 also complete | finishes the process of FIG.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the function icons 51 to 54 corresponding to the processing to be executed on the image are displayed together with the reduced image 491 obtained by reducing the image read from the document, so that the user can copy. Alternatively, a process to be executed can be selected while confirming an image to be processed such as a fax. For this reason, the user can perform a smooth operation and can improve operability.

  Note that the operation procedure on the operation screen of FIG. 4 is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, when the user operates the function icons 51 to 54 in the operation area 50, the function may be started only for the image data corresponding to the selected reduced image 491. For example, when the reduced image A is selected and the function icon 51 is operated, only the image data corresponding to the reduced image A may be printed from the printing unit 19.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing another operation method on the screen shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, each function of the function icons 51 to 54 may be started by sliding a reduced image 491 displayed in the preview area 49 onto the function icons 51 to 54. For example, in FIG. 7, when it is desired to copy the image data corresponding to the reduced image A, the user performs so-called “drag and drop” on the function icon 51 so that the image data corresponding to the reduced image A is displayed. Is printed from the printing unit 19.

  Further, the image data editing may be started by so-called “dragging and dropping” the reduced image 491 displayed in the preview area 49 on the icon 492 for editing the image data.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the icon displayed on the display unit 17 is selected from the touch panel 13. However, as a configuration in which a physical button is provided and the icon displayed on the display unit 17 is selected. Also good.

  The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been specifically described above, but each configuration, operation, and the like can be changed as appropriate, and are not limited to the above-described embodiment.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining contents displayed when operating a digital multi-function peripheral. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining contents displayed when operating a digital multi-function peripheral. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining contents displayed when operating a digital multi-function peripheral. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation reception process in the digital multi-function peripheral according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the function execution process of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing another operation method on the screen shown in FIG. 4.

Explanation of symbols

13 Touch Panel 17 Display 49 Preview Area 50 Operation Area 51, 52, 53, 54 Function Icon 491 Reduced Image

Claims (2)

A reading unit for reading a plurality of images from a document;
A plurality of reduced images said read unit is reduced a plurality of images read, and a display unit for displaying a plurality of objects corresponding to the processing to be executed for the image in which the reading unit has read,
An image selection receiving unit for receiving selection of a plurality of reduced images displayed on the display unit;
A receiving unit for receiving selection of an object displayed on the display unit;
An execution unit that executes a process corresponding to the object related to the selection received by the reception unit ,
The execution unit
When any of the objects is selected by the reception unit, a process corresponding to the object is executed on all images corresponding to a plurality of reduced images displayed on the display unit,
When one of the objects is selected by the reception unit and the selection of a reduced image is received by the image selection reception unit, only the image corresponding to the reduced image related to the selection is included in the object. configured to perform a corresponding processing to the document reading apparatus characterized tare Rukoto. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit and the image selection reception unit are touch panels that cover a display surface of the display unit.

Images