JP4864907B2 - Image forming apparatus, image reading method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image reading method, and a program for performing image processing of image data read from a document, and in particular, an image forming apparatus and an image reading method for processing a document of a page that does not need to be read. And programs.

  In recent years, with the spread of PCs (Personal Computers) and the Internet, the amount of digital content created has increased. Under such circumstances, information embedding technology (digital watermark technology) is used as one of security management methods for confidential documents used in offices. For example, as a technique for embedding watermark information that cannot be perceived by humans, a technique has been proposed in which image data is wavelet transformed and watermark information is embedded in image data using redundancy in a frequency space (see Patent Document 1). ).

  In addition, since binary images such as document images have little redundancy, it is difficult to realize a digital watermark technique, but several methods using characteristics unique to document images are known. For example, a method of embedding watermark information by moving a baseline of a line (see Patent Document 2), a method of embedding watermark information by manipulating a space length between words (see Patent Document 3), and a monochrome binary bitmap image And a method of embedding watermark information (see Patent Document 4).

  In addition, such digital contents are often printed and used as paper documents, and high-resolution output by an image forming apparatus such as a printer is possible today. Information embedding technology for printing (digital watermark technology) Have been devised. For example, a technique is disclosed in which, when content data is output to a printer, an image called a background pattern is superimposed on the background of the content data and output (see Patent Documents 5 and 6). A copy-forgery-inhibited pattern image looks like a simple pattern or background color to the human eye in the original (printed material output by a printer), but when the original is copied with a copying machine, etc., certain characters etc. appear on the copied material. It ’s like going up. As a result, it is possible to give the same effect to the copied person as the anti-counterfeit paper.

  Also, as a digital watermark embedding method for a black and white binary document most widely used as a printed matter, information is digitized and information is expressed by a distance (number of dots) between a reference point mark and a position determination mark. (See Patent Document 7).

  In this way, information embedded by the above information embedding technology is used to apply certain restrictions to document duplication or editing. For example, a user is given a password to copy or edit. Used when restricted to users.

JP 2000-106624 A Japanese Patent No. 3136061 JP-A-9-186603 Japanese Patent No. 3373711 JP 2001-197297 A JP 2001-238075 A JP 9-179494 A

  However, the above prior art is intended to protect the original image by using the embedded information embedded in the image data itself, such as prevention of unauthorized use, copyright protection, and data tampering. Accordingly, it is not possible to retain only the minimum necessary image data and erase unnecessary image data.

  Conventionally, when copying, scanning, or FAX transmission, it is desirable to omit output of unnecessary image data in a document bundle, accumulation of unnecessary image data in a memory, or transmission of unnecessary image data. ing. For this purpose, it is necessary for the user to set a document so that only necessary pages are read in advance, which is a burdensome operation for the user. Further, when image data is read without distinguishing whether a page is necessary or unnecessary, there is a problem that unnecessary image data is accumulated and the performance of an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral is degraded.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and improves an operation efficiency of a user and can improve performance by reading only necessary image data, an image reading method, and a program The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention according to claim 1 is an image forming apparatus that performs image processing of image data read from a document. Reading means for reading an image of a document placed on the writing means as image data in units of pages, and embedded information determining means for determining whether embedded information is embedded in the read image data When the embedded information is embedded, the embedded information is extracted from the image data, and the page number of the read unnecessary page that does not need to be read is acquired based on the extracted embedded information A page for determining whether or not the information extraction means and the page order from the first original in the next original match the page number of the acquired read-unnecessary page when the next original is placed Number judgment Includes a stage, the said reading means, when the page order and the page number of the reading unnecessary page matches, characterized in that no reading or the image data from the next document.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising storage means capable of storing a page number of the read-unnecessary page, wherein the embedded information is a page of the unneeded read page. The embedded information extracting means acquires a page number of the read-unnecessary page from the extracted embedded information, further stores the acquired page number in the storage means, and the page number determining means If the next document is placed, whether or not the page order from the first document in the next document matches the page number of the unread page stored in the storage means is determined. It is characterized by judging.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second aspect, the content of the embedded information further determines whether the embedded information determining unit has extracted all the embedded information. If it is determined that all the embedded information has been extracted, it is not determined whether or not the embedded information is embedded in the image data obtained by reading a document on and after the next page. Features.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, a page number is extracted from the read image data, and the extracted page number corresponds to the read image data. And a page number extracting means for storing in the storage means, and the image corresponding to the same page number as the page number of the read-unnecessary page among the image data stored in the storage means at a predetermined timing. And a deletion means for deleting data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the second or third aspect, a page number is extracted from the read image data, and the extracted page number corresponds to the read image data. In addition, the page number extracting means to be stored in the storage means, the detecting means for detecting the original size of the placed original, and the free storage capacity of the storage means are based on the image data size corresponding to the detected original size. Capacity determining means for determining whether there is a large amount, and when the free storage capacity of the storage means is smaller than the detected image data size, the reading is unnecessary among the image data stored in the storage means And deleting means for deleting the image data corresponding to the same page number as the page number of the page.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading method executed by an image forming apparatus that performs image processing of image data read from a document, wherein the image forming apparatus places a document. A reading step of reading an image of a document placed on the placing means as image data in units of one page, and an embedding information for determining whether or not embedding information is embedded in the read image data. The embedded information determination step, and if the embedded information is embedded, the embedded information is extracted from the image data, and the page number of the read unnecessary page that does not need to be read based on the extracted embedded information is Whether the embedded information extraction step to be acquired and the page number from the first document in the next document match the page number of the acquired read-unnecessary page when the next document is placed The A page number determination step for deciding, wherein the reading step does not read the image data from the next document when the page order and the page number of the reading unnecessary page match. .

  The invention according to claim 7 is a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 6.

  According to the present invention, the original reading process is performed based on the page number of the unnecessary reading page included in the embedded information embedded in the image data, so that the operation of placing only the original having the necessary page number is omitted. Therefore, it is possible to improve the work efficiency performed by the user and improve the performance by reading only the image data of the necessary page number.

  Further, according to the present invention, based on the page number of the page that does not need to be read in the embedded information, the image data of the page number that has not been read out of the already read image data is deleted to improve performance. There is an effect that it can be achieved.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image reading method, and a program according to the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, an example in which the image forming apparatus of the present invention is applied to a multi-function peripheral (MFP) in which a plurality of functions such as copying, faxing, and printers are housed in one housing will be described. However, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, and the present invention can be applied to any apparatus that reads image data, such as a copying machine, a scanner apparatus, and a facsimile apparatus. Further, in the following embodiments, an example in which image data read from a document is printed on paper is shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and image data read from a document can be transmitted by FAX, It can also be applied to output such as sending mail.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment. The multi-function device 100 scans a document, generates print data from image data of the scanned document, and prints it. An operation display unit 101, a scanner unit 102, a printer unit 103, a storage unit 110, The control unit 120 is mainly configured. The control unit 120 mainly includes a reading unit 121, an embedded information determination unit 122, an embedded information extraction unit 123, a page number determination unit 124, an image processing unit 125, and a print control unit 126. ing.

  The operation display unit 101 includes a display unit (not shown) capable of displaying various screens. The operation display unit 101 displays an input screen for inputting setting information related to printing on the display unit. A user inputs setting information and the like from an operation key (not shown).

  The scanner unit 102 has a placement unit (not shown) for placing a document, and the user scans the document placed on the placement unit by a user using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device).

  The printer unit 103 prints the print data generated by the image processing unit 125 on paper.

  The storage unit 110 stores image data read from a document placed by the user by the reading unit 121, and is a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a memory. In addition, the storage unit 110 stores a page number of a reading unnecessary page that is not required to be read by the reading unit 121 among the placed originals.

  Here, the reading unnecessary page is a page of a document that is determined not to be read because the user does not desire printing in advance. Also, the page number is defined as one page for a document placed on the user, which is first read by the reading unit 121, and two pages and three pages for subsequent reading. The case number. That is, when 10 originals are placed, the page number of the first original is “1” in the order of pages to be read, and similarly, the page number of the fifth original is “5”, and the last original The page number is “10”.

  The reading unit 121 controls the scanner unit 102 to read an image of a document placed on the placing unit as image data in units of one page and save it in the storage unit 110. In addition, the reading unit 121 matches the page order of the next document placed on the placing unit with the page number of the reading-unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 110 by a page number determination unit 124 described later. If it is determined, the image data of the next original is not read.

  The embedding information determination unit 122 determines whether or not the image data read by the reading unit 121 has embedded information including information on the page number of the reading unnecessary page. The embedding information is specific information on the document, and is embedded in the image data together with data to be printed by a technique such as digital watermarking.

  Here, a method for determining whether or not the embedded information is embedded in the image data will be described. For example, it is assumed that document data is divided into a plurality of rectangular areas of an arbitrary size, and 64-bit embedding information is embedded in each of the plurality of rectangular areas. If the size of the embedded information is 64 bits, character information of 8 bytes (8 characters) is embedded as 1 byte of 1 character, and each 64 bits of character information is encoded as character information character code of 8 bytes of embedded information. The bit is set to OFF (binary “0”) or ON (binary “1”), and the character code is embedded in binary. Then, whether “0” (OFF) or “1” (ON) constituting the embedding information code is embedded in each bit of each rectangular area is totaled for each bit of all rectangular areas. That is, the number of “1” and “0” in the first bit of all rectangular areas, the number of “1” and the number of “0” in the second bit of all rectangular areas, 64 bits of “1” in all rectangular areas "" And "0" are counted and counted. For each bit, if the number determined to be “0” or the number determined to be “1” exceeds a predetermined threshold, it is determined that 0 or 1 as embedded information is embedded.

  Here, according to this example, the character code of the unnecessary page number is embedded in one of the rectangular areas. Note that the method for embedding embedded information and determining whether to embed information is not limited to the above-described method, and a method based on an arbitrary digital watermark technique can be used.

  That is, for all 64 bits of all rectangular areas, if the number of “0” and “1” exceeds a predetermined threshold (for example, 20000), it is determined that “embedding information exists”. On the other hand, if the number of “0” or “1” does not exceed a predetermined threshold for any one bit, it is determined that “there is no embedded information”. Alternatively, if an error correction code is used, it is possible to determine without restoring all the bits. In this case, the presence / absence of embedded information is determined from the number of restored bits based on the minimum number of bits that can be restored. .

  When the embedded information determining unit 122 determines that the embedded information is embedded in the read image data, the embedded information extracting unit 123 extracts the embedded information from the image data using a digital watermark technique. Then, the embedded information extracting unit 123 analyzes the extracted embedded information, acquires the page number of the read-unnecessary page indicated in the embedded information, and stores the acquired page number in the storage unit 110. Is. In the example of embedding the embedded information in the rectangular area described above, the embedded information embedded in the rectangular area 64 bits (that is, a bit string of “0” and “1”) is read, and the character code for 8 hexadecimal characters is read. The character code is acquired as the page number.

  When the next document is placed on the placement unit, the page number determination unit 124 orders the page order from the first document in the next document, and the page number of the read-unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 110. Are compared to determine whether or not they match. Whether or not the next document is placed on the placement unit can be determined by whether or not a document placed at a predetermined position is detected by a sensor (not shown).

  The image processing unit 125 performs image processing on image data read from a document and generates print data to be printed by the printer unit 103.

  The print control unit 126 performs control such as printing the print data generated in the image processing unit 125 by the printer unit 103.

  Next, image data reading processing by the multi-function device 100 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an image data reading process performed by the multifunction machine according to the first embodiment.

  First, the reading unit 121 reads image data for one page from the document placed on the placement unit (step S10). The embedded information determining unit 122 determines whether embedded information is embedded in the read image data (step S11).

  When the embedded information is embedded (step S11: Yes), the embedded information extracting unit 123 extracts the embedded information from the image data (step S12). Then, the embedding information extraction unit 123 acquires the page number of the reading unnecessary page from the extracted embedding information (step S13), and stores the acquired page number in the storage unit 110 (step S14). On the other hand, when the embedded information is not embedded (step S11: No), the process of step S12-14 is not performed, but the process of step S15 is performed.

  Next, the page number determination unit 124 determines whether or not the next document is placed on the placement unit (step S15). If the next document is not placed (step S15: No), The process ends.

  On the other hand, when the next document is placed (step S15: Yes), the page number determination unit 124 determines the page order of the next document and the page number of the read unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 110. It is determined whether or not they match (step S16). If the page order of the next document does not match the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S16: No), the next document is a page that needs to be read. Reads one page of image data from the next document.

  On the other hand, if the page order of the next document matches the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S16: Yes), the next document is a page that does not need to be read. Returning to step S15, the page number determination unit 124 determines whether or not the next document is placed.

  Then, the image processing unit 125 generates print data from the image data read from the document, and the print control unit 126 controls the printer unit 103 to print the print data on a sheet.

  As described above, in the process of preventing reading of image data corresponding to the page number of a page that does not need to be read from a placed document, the front surface is desired to be printed when there are images on both sides of the document. The back side is effective when printing is not desired.

  As described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment extracts the embedded information embedded in the image data, acquires the page number of the page that does not need to be read, and reads the page order of the next document to be loaded. If the page number of the unnecessary page matches, the next document is a page that does not need to be read and is not read. Therefore, when printing a document with a required page number, it is possible to omit the work of placing only the document with the required page number, thereby improving the work efficiency performed by the user and the necessary page number. It is possible to improve performance by reading only image data.

(Embodiment 2)
In the MFP of the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the embedded information is always embedded in the image data read from the document. In contrast, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, when it is determined that all the embedded information has been extracted, the embedded information is embedded in the image data read from the document after the next document. It is a thing which does not judge whether it is.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the configuration of the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment. The multi-function device 200 scans a document, generates print data from image data of the scanned document, and prints it. An operation display unit 101, a scanner unit 102, a printer unit 103, a storage unit 110, The control unit 220 is mainly configured. The control unit 220 mainly includes a reading unit 121, an embedded information determination unit 222, an embedded information extraction unit 123, a page number determination unit 124, an image processing unit 125, and a print control unit 126. ing.

  Here, since the configurations and functions of the operation display unit 101, the scanner unit 102, the printer unit 103, and the storage unit 110 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. The configuration and functions of the reading unit 121, the embedded information extracting unit 123, the page number determining unit 124, the image processing unit 125, and the print control unit 126 in the control unit 220 are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, explanation is omitted.

  The embedding information determination unit 222 determines whether or not the image data read by the reading unit 121 is embedded with the embedding information including information on the page number of the reading unnecessary page. The method for determining whether or not the embedded information is embedded is the same as in the first embodiment.

  The embedded information determining unit 222 determines whether all embedded information for the placed document has been extracted based on the content of the embedded information. That is, for example, the embedding information determination unit 222 includes information that “embedding information is not embedded after page M + 1” in the embedding information embedded in the image data of M pages read by the reading unit 121. If there is, it is determined that all the embedded information has been extracted. Further, when the embedded information determining unit 222 determines that all the embedded information has been extracted, the embedded information is embedded in the image data of the document on and after the next page read by the reading unit 121. Do not judge whether or not. In other words, in the above example, it is possible to omit the determination as to whether or not the embedded information is embedded in the image data of the document after the (M + 1) th page.

  Next, image data reading processing by the multi-function device 200 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an image data reading process performed by the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment.

  First, processing from reading of image data by the reading unit 121 to storage of the page number by the embedded information extracting unit 123 (steps S20 to S24) is the same as the processing of the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted ( Step S10-14).

  Next, the embedded information determining unit 222 determines whether all embedded information has been extracted (step S25). When it is determined that all the embedded information has been extracted (step S25: Yes), the page number determination unit 124 determines whether or not the next document is placed on the placement unit (step S26). If the next original is not placed (step S26: No), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the next document is placed (step S26: Yes), the page number determination unit 124 determines the page order of the next document and the page number of the read unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 110. It is determined whether or not they match (step S27). If the page order of the next document does not match the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S27: No), the next document is a page that needs to be read. One page of image data is read (step S28). Since all the embedded information has been extracted, there is no need to determine whether the embedded information is embedded in the read image data. Determination unit 124 further determines whether or not the next document is placed.

  If the page order of the next document matches the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S27: Yes), the next document is a page that does not need to be read. The number determination unit 124 further determines whether or not the next document is placed.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that not all the embedded information has been extracted (step S25: No), the page number determination unit 124 determines whether or not the next document is placed on the placement unit ( If the next original is not placed (step S29), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the next document is placed (step S29: Yes), the page number determination unit 124 determines the page order of the next document and the page number of the read-unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 110. It is determined whether or not they match (step S30). If the page order of the next document does not match the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S30: No), the next document is a page that needs to be read, so the process returns to step S20 to return to the reading unit 121. Reads one page of image data from the next document.

  On the other hand, when the page order of the next document matches the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S30: Yes), since the next document is a page that does not need to be read, the reading unit 121 does not perform reading. Returning to step S29, the page number determination unit 124 determines whether or not the next document is placed.

  Then, the image processing unit 125 generates print data from the image data read from the document, and the print control unit 126 controls the printer unit 103 to print the print data on a sheet.

  As described above, the MFP 200 according to the second embodiment extracts the embedded information embedded in the image data, obtains the page number of the page that does not need to be read, and reads the page order of the next placed document. If the page number of the unnecessary page matches, the next document is a page that does not need to be read and is not read. Therefore, when printing a document with a required page number, it is possible to omit the work of placing only the document with the required page number, thereby improving the work efficiency performed by the user and the necessary page number. It is possible to improve performance by reading only image data.

  Further, when it is determined that all the embedded information is extracted from the embedded information extracted from arbitrary image data, it is determined whether the embedded information is embedded in the image data of the document on and after the next page. Do not do. Therefore, when it is not necessary to determine whether or not the embedded information is embedded, the process can be omitted, and the document reading process can be performed more efficiently. In other words, for example, when a plurality of originals are placed and the embedding information is embedded only in one page of the original, whether or not the embedding information is embedded in all of the originals after the second page. I can omit making judgments.

(Embodiment 3)
In the MFP of the first embodiment, the page number of the page that does not need to be read is acquired from the embedded information embedded in the image data read from the document, and the image data is not read from the document having the page number. . On the other hand, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, the image data corresponding to the page number of the read unnecessary page is further deleted from the read image data.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the configuration of the multifunction machine according to the third embodiment. The multifunction device 300 scans a document, generates print data from image data of the scanned document, and prints it. An operation display unit 101, a scanner unit 102, a printer unit 103, a storage unit 310, and the like. The control unit 320 is mainly configured. Then, the control unit 320 includes a reading unit 121, an embedded information determination unit 122, an embedded information extraction unit 123, a page number determination unit 124, an image processing unit 125, a print control unit 126, and a page number extraction. It mainly includes a unit 327 and a deletion unit 328.

  Here, since the configurations and functions of the operation display unit 101, the scanner unit 102, and the printer unit 103 are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. The configuration and function of the reading unit 121, the embedded information determining unit 122, the embedded information extracting unit 123, the page number determining unit 124, the image processing unit 125, and the print control unit 126 in the control unit 320 are as follows. Since it is the same as that of Embodiment 1, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The page number extraction unit 327 extracts the page number of the read original from the image data read by the reading unit 121, and stores the extracted page number and the read image data in association with each other in the storage unit 310. Is. The page number is the order of the originals that are determined to be read by the reading unit 121, and is added to any position of the originals. That is, since the order in which the originals are normally read is the page order, the page number extraction unit 327 extracts the page numbers of the read originals in order of “1”, “2”, and “3”. However, when a document with an incorrect order is placed, the reading order of the document and the page number are different, and the page number extraction unit 327 sets the read document page number to, for example, Extraction is performed in the order of “1”, “3”, “2”, and the like.

  The deletion unit 328 acquires the page number of the read-unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 310 at a predetermined timing, and among the image data stored in the storage unit 310, the acquired page number of the read-unnecessary page When there is image data corresponding to the same page number, the image data is deleted from the storage unit 310. The predetermined timing can be set at an arbitrary timing, for example, when reading of all originals is completed or when reading of 10 originals is completed. In the present embodiment, the predetermined timing is when all the originals have been read.

  Next, image data deletion processing by the MFP 300 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image data deletion processing by the multifunction machine according to the third embodiment.

  First, the reading unit 121 reads image data for one page from the document placed on the placement unit (step S40). The page number extraction unit 327 extracts the page number of the read image data from the read image data (step S41), and stores the extracted page number and the read image data in association with each other in the storage unit 310. (Step S42).

  Next, the processing from the determination of whether or not the embedded information is embedded by the embedded information determination unit 122 to the storage of the page number (steps S43 to S46) is the same as that in the first embodiment, so that the description will be given. Omitted (see steps S12 to S14).

  Next, the page number determination unit 124 determines whether or not the next document is placed on the placement unit (step S47). When the next document is placed (step S47: Yes), the page number determination unit 124 matches the page order of the next document with the page number of the read-unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 310. Whether or not (step S48). If the page order of the next document does not match the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S48: No), the next document is a page that needs to be read. Reads one page of image data from the next document.

  On the other hand, if the page order of the next document matches the page number of the page that does not need to be read (step S48: Yes), the next document is a page that does not need to be read. Returning to step S47, the page number determination unit 124 determines whether or not the next document is further placed.

  Returning to step S47, when the next document is not placed (step S47: No), reading of all the documents has been completed. Therefore, the deletion unit 328 reads the reading stored in the storage unit 310. If the page number of the unnecessary page is acquired (step S49), and there is image data corresponding to the same page number as the acquired page number of the unnecessary reading page among the image data stored in the storage unit 310, the page number The image data is deleted from the storage unit 310 (step S50).

  Then, the image processing unit 125 generates print data from the image data read from the document, and the print control unit 126 controls the printer unit 103 to print the print data on a sheet.

  As described above, the case where the image data is deleted from the storage unit 310 is, for example, the following case. First, when reading a document, the multifunction device 300 acquires a page number of a page that does not need to be read from embedded information embedded in the image data, and performs a process of not reading the document with the page number (steps S43 to S43). 48). Then, if the fifth page is embedded as the page number of the page that does not need to be read in the embedded information on the third page of the document, the document in the wrong order is placed and the page before the third page is placed. Suppose page 5 has been read. Then, when the third page is read, even if information that “the fifth page document is not read” is embedded, the fifth page has already been read, and processing according to the information is performed. I can't. In such a case, the image data of the fifth page that has already been read is deleted from the storage unit 310.

  Such processing is performed by temporarily storing the image data in the storage unit, for example, in the case of sort copy, reserved copy, FAX transmission processing, etc. in which the read image data is sequentially stored in the storage unit 310 for processing. This is effective for later processing. For example, when performing a sort copy, unnecessary image data stored in the storage unit 310 can be deleted, and only necessary image data can be printed. When performing FAX transmission, the image is stored in the storage unit 310. After deleting unnecessary image data, only necessary image data can be transmitted to the transmission destination.

  As described above, the MFP 300 according to the third embodiment extracts the embedded information embedded in the image data, obtains the page number of the page that does not need to be read, and reads the page order of the next document placed. If the page number of the unnecessary page matches, the next document is a page that does not need to be read and is not read. Therefore, when printing a document with a required page number, it is possible to omit the work of placing only the document with the required page number, thereby improving the work efficiency performed by the user and the necessary page number. It is possible to improve performance by reading only image data.

  In addition, when there is image data corresponding to the page number of the reading unnecessary page among the read image data, the multi-function device 300 further deletes the image data from the storage unit 310, and further prints. Performance can be improved.

(Embodiment 4)
In the MFP of the third embodiment, when all the originals have been read, the image data corresponding to the page number of the read unnecessary page is deleted from the read image data. On the other hand, in the MFP according to the present embodiment, when there is no free storage capacity in the storage unit 310, the image data corresponding to the page number of the read unnecessary page is deleted from the read image data. .

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the configuration of the multifunction machine according to the fourth embodiment. The multi-function peripheral 400 scans a document, generates print data from image data of the scanned document, and prints it. The multifunction display 400 includes an operation display unit 101, a scanner unit 102, a printer unit 103, and a storage unit 310. The control unit 420 is mainly configured. Then, the control unit 420 includes a reading unit 421, an embedded information determination unit 122, an embedded information extraction unit 123, a page number determination unit 124, an image processing unit 125, a print control unit 126, and a page number extraction. It mainly includes a unit 327, a deletion unit 328, a detection unit 429, and a capacity determination unit 430.

  Here, since the configurations and functions of the operation display unit 101, the scanner unit 102, and the printer unit 103 are the same as those in the third embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. Further, the embedding information determination unit 122, the embedding information extraction unit 123, the page number determination unit 124, the image processing unit 125, the print control unit 126, the page number extraction unit 327, and the deletion unit in the control unit 420. Since the configuration and function of 328 are the same as those in Embodiment 3, description thereof is omitted.

  The reading unit 421 controls the scanner unit 102 to read an image of a document placed on the placing unit as image data in units of one page and save it in the storage unit 310. Further, the reading unit 421 determines that the page order of the next document placed on the placing unit matches the page number of the reading unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 310 by the page number judging unit 124. If the image data has been received, the image data of the next original is not read.

  Further, the reading unit 421 can switch the content of the process depending on the free storage capacity (remaining capacity) of the storage unit 310. That is, the reading unit 421 can perform the reading process so that the size of the image data is reduced when the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is small. For example, the document reading process is divided according to whether the document is a monochrome image or a color image, that is, binary reading is performed when the document is a monochrome image, and multiple scanning is performed when the document is a color image. The process of reading a document with a value is executed when the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is large because the image data size used in the process is large. In addition, when a document is a color image or a monochrome image, for example, processing for forcibly reading a document with binary values is performed when the storage unit 310 has a small free storage capacity because the image data size used for the processing is small. To be executed. Here, the process when the data size to be processed as in the former is large is referred to as process A, and the process when the data size to be processed as in the latter is small is referred to as process B.

  The detection unit 429 detects a document size of a document placed on a placement unit (not shown), and is, for example, a sensor that detects the presence of a document based on a change in the amount of received infrared light. .

  The capacity determination unit 430 determines whether or not the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is larger than the image data size corresponding to the document size detected by the detection unit 429. As the image data size, for example, a data capacity corresponding to a predetermined document size such as A4 size or B4 size is determined in advance.

  Next, image data deletion processing by the multi-function device 400 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the image data deletion process performed by the multifunction machine according to the fourth embodiment.

  First, the detection unit 429 detects the document size of the document placed on the placement unit (step S60). Next, the capacity determination unit 430 determines whether or not the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is larger than the image data size corresponding to the detected document size (step S61). When the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is larger than the image data size corresponding to the detected document size (step S61: Yes), the reading unit 121 performs a document reading process by the process A (step S66).

  On the other hand, when the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is smaller than the image data size corresponding to the detected document size (step S61: No), the deletion unit 328 displays the page number of the read unnecessary page stored in the storage unit 310. (Step S62), and when there is image data corresponding to the same page number as the page number of the read unnecessary page among the image data stored in the storage unit 310, the image data is stored in the storage unit Delete from 310 (step S63).

  Then, the capacity determining unit 430 determines again whether or not the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is larger than the image data size corresponding to the detected document size (step S64). When the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 becomes larger than the image data size corresponding to the detected document size (step S64: Yes) due to the deletion of the image data in step S63, the reading unit 121 performs processing A. Thus, a document reading process is performed (step S66).

  On the other hand, if the image data is not deleted in step S63 or the image data is deleted, if the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is smaller than the image data size corresponding to the detected document size (step S64: No), reading is performed. The unit 121 performs a document reading process by the process B (step S65).

  Then, the image processing unit 125 generates print data from the image data read from the document, and the print control unit 126 controls the printer unit 103 to print the print data on a sheet.

  As described above, in the MFP 400 according to the fourth embodiment, when the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 is smaller than the image data size corresponding to the document size, the page number of the read unnecessary page among the read image data. If there is corresponding image data, the image data can be deleted from the storage unit 310 to increase the free storage capacity of the storage unit 310 and to read the document. In addition, it is possible to avoid various problems caused by a memory full state (a state in which there is no free storage capacity) due to saving of unnecessary page image data. For example, when printing using the sort function, making a copy reservation, or making a transmission reservation, the image data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 310 of the multi-function peripheral 400 and then the image data is printed or transmitted. By storing only the image data necessary for the next processing in the storage unit 310, the storage unit 310 can be used efficiently, and the performance of the multi-function peripheral 400 caused by the memory full state can be improved. .

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the MFPs 100 to 400 according to the first to fourth embodiments. As shown in the figure, the MFPs 100 to 400 have a configuration in which the controller 10 and an engine unit (Engine) 60 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The controller 10 is a controller that controls the entire MFPs 100 to 400 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 60 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 60 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine part such as a plotter.

  The controller 10 includes a CPU 11, a north bridge (NB) 13, a system memory (MEM-P) 12, a south bridge (SB) 14, a local memory (MEM-C) 17, and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). 16 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 18, and the north bridge (NB) 13 and the ASIC 16 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 15. The MEM-P 12 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.

  The CPU 11 performs overall control of the multifunction peripherals 100 to 400, has a chip set including the NB 13, the MEM-P 12, and the SB 14, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 13 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 11 to the MEM-P 12, SB 14, and AGP 15, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 12, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 12 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a memory for drawing a printer, and the like, and includes a ROM 12a and a RAM 12b. The ROM 12a is a read-only memory used as a program / data storage memory, and the RAM 12b is a writable / readable memory used as a program / data development memory, a printer drawing memory, or the like.

  The SB 14 is a bridge for connecting the NB 13 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 14 is connected to the NB 13 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 16 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 15, PCI bus, HDD 18 and MEM-C 17. The ASIC 16 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 16, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 17, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 60 via the PCI bus. An FCU (Fax Control Unit) 30, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 40, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 50 are connected to the ASIC 16 via a PCI bus. The operation display unit 101 is directly connected to the ASIC 16.

  The MEM-C 17 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 18 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  The AGP 15 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 15 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 12 with high throughput. .

  Note that the image forming program executed by the MFPs 100 to 400 according to the first to fourth embodiments is provided by being incorporated in advance in a ROM or the like.

  The image forming program executed by the MFPs 100 to 400 according to the first to fourth embodiments is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, DVD (Digital It may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as Versatile Disk).

  Further, the image forming program executed by the MFPs 100 to 400 according to the first to fourth embodiments is stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and is provided by being downloaded via the network. May be. Further, the image forming program executed by the MFPs 100 to 400 according to the first to fourth embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The image forming program executed by the MFPs 100 to 400 according to the first to fourth embodiments includes the above-described units (reading units 121 and 421, embedded information determining units 122 and 222, embedded information extracting unit 123, page number determination). Unit 124, image processing unit 125, print control unit 126, page number extraction unit 327, deletion unit 328, detection unit 429, capacity determination unit 430), and actual hardware includes a CPU (processor ) Reads out and executes the image forming program from the ROM, and the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device. The reading units 121 and 421, the embedded information determining units 122 and 222, the embedded information extracting unit 123, and the page number are loaded. Determination unit 124, image processing unit 125, print control unit 126, page number extraction unit 327, deletion unit 328, detection unit 429, capacity determination unit 30 are generated on the main memory.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image data reading processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment; 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment; FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image data reading processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a third embodiment. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image data deletion processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine according to a fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of image data deletion processing by the multifunction peripheral according to the fourth embodiment. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine according to first to fourth embodiments.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300, 400 MFP 101 Operation display unit 102 Scanner unit 103 Printer unit 110, 310 Storage unit 120, 220, 320, 420 Control unit 121, 421 Reading unit 122, 222 Embedded information determination unit 123 Embedded information Extraction unit 124 Page number determination unit 125 Image processing unit 126 Print control unit 327 Page number extraction unit 328 Deletion unit 429 Detection unit 430 Capacity determination unit

Claims (7)

In an image forming apparatus that performs image processing of image data read from a document,
A placing means for placing a document;
Reading means for reading an image of a document placed on the placing means as image data in units of one page;
Embedded information determining means for determining whether embedded information is embedded in the read image data;
When the embedded information is embedded, the embedded information is extracted from the image data, and the page number of a read unnecessary page that does not need to be read is acquired based on the extracted embedded information Means,
A page number determination unit for determining whether or not the page order from the first document in the next document matches the acquired page number of the read-unnecessary page when the next document is placed; With
The image forming apparatus, wherein the reading unit does not read the image data from the next document when the page order matches the page number of the unnecessary reading page. A storage unit capable of storing a page number of the read unnecessary page;
The embedding information includes a page number of the read unnecessary page,
The embedded information extracting means acquires the page number of the read unnecessary page from the extracted embedded information, and further stores the acquired page number in the storage means,
When the next document is placed, the page number determination unit matches the page order from the first document in the next document and the page number of the read unnecessary page stored in the storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether or not to perform the determination is determined.   The embedded information determining means further determines whether or not all the embedded information has been extracted based on the content of the embedded information, and when determining that all the embedded information has been extracted, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is not determined whether or not the embedded information is embedded in the image data obtained by reading a document on the next page or later. A page number extracting unit that extracts a page number from the read image data, associates the extracted page number with the read image data, and stores the page number in the storage unit;
A deletion unit that deletes the image data corresponding to the same page number as the page number of the reading-unnecessary page among the image data stored in the storage unit at a predetermined timing;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: A page number extracting unit that extracts a page number from the read image data, associates the extracted page number with the read image data, and stores the page number in the storage unit;
Detection means for detecting the document size of the placed document;
Capacity determining means for determining whether or not the free storage capacity of the storage means is larger than the image data size corresponding to the detected document size;
When the free storage capacity of the storage means is smaller than the detected image data size, the image data corresponding to the same page number as the page number of the read unnecessary page among the image data stored in the storage means Delete means to delete,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: An image reading method executed by an image forming apparatus that performs image processing of image data read from a document,
The image forming apparatus includes a placing unit for placing a document,
A reading step of reading the image of the document placed on the placing means as image data in units of one page;
An embedded information determination step for determining whether embedded information is embedded in the read image data;
When the embedded information is embedded, the embedded information is extracted from the image data, and the page number of a read unnecessary page that does not need to be read is acquired based on the extracted embedded information Steps,
A page number determining step for determining whether or not the page order from the first document in the next document matches the acquired page number of the unnecessary reading page when the next document is placed; Including
The image reading method, wherein the reading step does not read the image data from the next document when the page order matches the page number of the unnecessary reading page.   The program which makes a computer perform the method of Claim 6.

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