JP4904234B2 - Image reading processing apparatus, image reading processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading processing apparatus, an image reading processing method, and a program.

  As a conventional technique, the low-range scanner product developed by the applicant of the present application reads an original in units of pages, and therefore performs an operation of stopping paper feeding for each page. In this scanner product, the length of the overscan is sufficiently long so that the image for the page is not lost.

  The high-range scanner product developed by the applicant of the present application performs reading in units of pages because asynchronous scanning is performed. However, reading is basically performed without stopping paper feeding for each page. However, this scanner product also performs reading with a sufficient gap between sheets (a gap between sheets) and a sufficiently long overscan length so that images of pages are not lost.

  In addition, a scanner product (model number i1220) developed by Kodak (registered trademark) reads an image with a small gap between sheets without stopping the paper feeding operation. However, this scanner product also performs a reading process for each page, as in the case of the scanner product described above, and when the document is skewed (the paper is fed in a slanted state), the upper edge of the image for the page or The lower end is missing.

  A scanner product (model number 2580C) developed by Canon (registered trademark) performs pre-read scanning, and before reading one page, reads the next page. That is, the reading process is speeded up by reading the next page without an image reading command from the PC.

  Further, in the copying machine of Patent Document 1, in order to read a document at a high speed, a method of controlling the copying machine so that continuous reading can be performed even when the buffer memory is limited is adopted. A copying machine generally requires such a technique because the output speed is slower than the input speed of the image. However, if the input speed of the image is faster than the output speed, the page can be output without such control. Continuous reading in units is possible.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-300358

  However, in the reading process in a conventional scanner of an automatic paper feed type reading mechanism (ADF: Auto Document Feeder) type, a process is performed in units of pages, and an “inter-paper gap” is defined between pages. A so-called gap is necessary, and “overscan” is performed to read the front and rear edges of the page excessively in consideration of the skew state caused by the paper setting state and paper feeding. As a result, the reading for the “inter-paper gap” and “overscan” is read longer than the actual page length of the document, so the reading performance of the scanner (for example, speed, efficiency, accuracy, etc.) It was a cause of lowering.

Specifically, the Canon (registered trademark) scanner product performs a reading process for each page, and the paper gap is sufficiently larger than the Kodak (registered trademark) scanner product. For this reason, when the image is skewed, the missing portion of the image for the page is small, but since the image processing for correcting the missing portion is not performed, the upper or lower end of the image may be missing.

  Also, in the copying machine of Patent Document 1, the reading process is performed for each page as in the scanner product, and when the document is skewed, the upper or lower end of the image for the page may be lost.

  As described above, in the conventional scanner product, as shown in FIG. 1 showing an example of the conventional scanner product reading method at the time of skew and as shown in FIG. 2 showing an example of the conventional scanner product reading method at the normal time. Since the document reading process is performed in units of pages, it is necessary to increase the distance between the sheets, and it is necessary to ensure a sufficient overscan length so as not to lose the image for the page. For this reason, the reading process must be performed with sufficient separation between the sheets.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an image reading processing apparatus capable of shortening a gap between sheets and improving reading performance without missing an image at the time of skew when continuously reading a document. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading processing method and a program.

  In order to achieve such an object, the image reading processing apparatus according to claim 1 is an image reading processing apparatus including at least an image reading unit including a position sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit, The control unit reads the plurality of documents as one continuous image by the image reading unit, and stores the hopper image data including at least position information of each document detected by the position sensor and continuous image data. The hopper image reading means stored in the unit and the continuous image data of the hopper image data read by the hopper image reading means are separated based on the position information, and correspond to the original in the separated separation area An edge of the image to be detected, the image is cut out based on the edge, page information is added, and the page image data is stored in the storage unit. Characterized by comprising a di-image creating means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image reading processing device according to the first aspect, the page image creation means is based on the inclination amount of the edge or the intersection of the straight lines of the edge. When it is determined that the image does not fall within the separation region, the image correction unit further includes an image correction unit that performs image correction by performing an inclination correction process and an image cropping process based on the images of the separation areas before and after the separation area. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image reading processing apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the hopper image reading means compresses the continuous image read by the image reading unit. Means.

  Further, in the image reading processing device according to claim 4, in the image reading processing device according to claim 3, the compression processing means, when the continuous image data does not have a data amount necessary for the compression processing, It is characterized in that dummy data is added and compression processing is performed to obtain a required data amount, or compression processing is performed by adjusting the block unit of the image data so as to be a block unit necessary for the compression processing.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the hopper image reading means is overloaded before the first page and after the last page of the document. It is characterized by scanning.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image reading processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the position sensor is a top sensor or a discharge sensor.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image reading processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the page information is a JPEG restart marker or an EOI marker.

  An image reading processing apparatus according to claim 8 is the image reading processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the block unit is a JPEG compression unit of 8 lines or 16 lines. To do.

  The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 9 is the image reading processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit further includes an error detection sensor, and the hopper image reading means includes the error detection sensor. And an error detecting means for detecting an error state in which the preceding and following originals overlap, and when the error state is detected by the error detecting means, the image reading process is stopped. .

  An image reading processing method according to claim 10 is an image reading processing method executed in an image reading processing apparatus including at least an image reading unit including a position sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit. A hopper image including at least the position information of each document detected by the position sensor and the continuous image data, which is executed by the control unit, reads a plurality of documents as one continuous image by the image reading unit. A hopper image reading step stored as data in the storage unit, and the continuous image data of the hopper image data read in the hopper image reading step are separated based on the position information, and within the separated separation area To detect the edge of the image corresponding to the original, cut out the image based on the edge, add page information, and Characterized in that it comprises a page image creation step of storing in the storage unit as the chromatography data, the.

  A program according to an eleventh aspect is a program for causing an image reading processing apparatus including at least an image reading unit including a position sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit to execute the program. The storage unit is executed as hopper image data including at least the position information of each document detected by the position sensor and continuous image data. And the continuous image data of the hopper image data read in the hopper image reading step is separated based on the position information and corresponds to the original in the separated separation area. Detects the edge of the image to be cut, cuts out the image based on the edge, and adds page information as page image data A page image creation step of storing the serial storage unit, characterized in that it comprises a.

  The present invention also relates to a recording medium, wherein the program according to claim 11 is recorded.

According to the present invention, the image reading unit reads a plurality of documents as one continuous image, and reads and reads the hopper image data including at least the position information of each document detected by the position sensor and the continuous image data. The continuous image data of the received hopper image data is separated based on position information, the edge of the image corresponding to the document is detected in the separated separation area, the image is cut based on the edge, and page information is added Since the page image data is created, the gap between the sheets can be made sufficiently small so that the preceding and following sheets do not overlap, and the speed of the reading process can be improved. In addition, it is possible to cut out an image based on the position information of each document detected by the position sensor and realize the sequential processing of the reading process, thereby improving the reading efficiency of the image. Further, the position information of each document can be added to the header information, and the accuracy of the inclination correction process (deskew process) and the image cutout process (cropping process) can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the generation of page image data, when it is determined that the image is not within the separation area based on the edge inclination amount or the intersection of the edge straight lines, before and after the separation area Since the image is corrected by performing an inclination correction process and an image cut-out process based on the image of the separation area, it is possible to improve reading accuracy without missing an image at the time of skew when performing continuous reading of a document. .

  Further, according to the present invention, since continuous image data can be compressed in reading hopper image data, reading efficiency can be improved even when a large amount of data is read.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the image compression processing, when the continuous image data does not have the data amount necessary for the compression processing, the dummy data is added to perform the compression processing, or Since the image data block unit can be adjusted so that it becomes the block unit required for the compression process, the image can be compressed regardless of the length of the document, improving the reading efficiency. Can be made.

  In addition, according to the present invention, when reading hopper image data, overscan is performed before the first page and after the last page of the document, so that the space between the sheets can be made sufficiently small so that the front and back sheets do not overlap. The speed of the reading process can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the position sensor is a top sensor or a discharge sensor, the position information of the read original can be detected at the upper or lower end of the original, and the inclination of the image corresponding to the original is corrected. The accuracy of processing and cutout processing can be increased, and the accuracy of reading processing can be improved.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the page information is a JPEG restart marker or an EOI marker, it can accurately indicate the position information of each document and can be divided into pages from one continuous image, The efficiency of the reading process can be improved.

  In addition, according to the present invention, the block unit is a JPEG compression unit of 8 line units or 16 line units. Therefore, dummy data is added or compressed by adjusting the block unit when generating a JPEG file. The image can be processed, the image can be compressed regardless of the length of the document, and the reading efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the image reading unit includes an error detection sensor, and in reading the hopper image data, the error detection sensor can detect an error state in which the preceding and following originals overlap. Is detected, the image reading process can be stopped and the reading efficiency can be improved.
As described above, according to the present invention, if the upper and lower sheets do not overlap, a plurality of originals are read as one continuous image, and then divided into pages to perform image inclination correction processing and clipping processing. Therefore, it is possible to shorten the gap between sheets and improve the performance of the reading process.

  Embodiments of an image reading processing apparatus, an image reading processing method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

[Outline of the present invention]
Hereinafter, the outline of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 and FIGS. 7 to 13, and then the configuration and processing of the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of skew in the image reading processing method to which the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error in the image reading processing method to which the present embodiment is applied. 7-9 is a figure which shows an example of the compression method of this embodiment. 10 to 13 are diagrams illustrating an example of the restoration method according to the present embodiment.

  The present invention generally has the following basic features. That is, the image reading processing apparatus according to the present invention includes at least an image reading unit including a position sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit. Here, the “position sensor” is a sensor that detects the position of the document, and may be, for example, a top sensor or a discharge sensor.

  First, as shown in FIG. 3, the present invention reads a plurality of originals as one continuous image for each hopper by an image reading unit, position information of each original detected by a position sensor, continuous image data, Is read as hopper image data. Here, the “hopper unit” is a unit in which a plurality of documents set in a hopper unit (not shown) of the image reading unit are grouped into one. Here, in the present invention, the continuous image read by the image reading unit may be compressed.

  For example, in FIG. 3, the present invention eliminates the gap between sheets, reads images continuously, and when the top sensor detects a sheet, transfers the data to the host PC or saves it on the local disk, and processes the next page. Do. If the paper is skewed, the next paper is also skewed in the same direction, so the overscan length is shortened. Further, the top portion of the page is always an overscanned image, and when skewed, the lower end portion of the sheet is read on the next page.

  Here, if the continuous image data does not have the data amount necessary for the compression process, the image is separated by the line detected by the position sensor as shown in FIG. 7, and dummy data is added to obtain the necessary data amount. The compression processing may be performed, or the image processing may be performed by separating the images in units of blocks and adjusting the block units of the image data so that the blocks are necessary for the compression processing as shown in FIG. Here, the “block unit” is a JPEG compression unit, and may be, for example, an 8-line unit or a 16-line unit.

  For example, in FIG. 7, when the read data is compressed in JPEG format, the present invention compensates for the deficient portion with dummy data (corresponding to the FF block in FIG. 7) when the position sensor is other than a unit of JPEG block. , Compression is performed after adjusting to the unit of 8 lines. That is, when the line detected by the position sensor indicating the length of the image is at a position that cannot be divided by 8 in JPEG block units, dummy data is added, and insufficient data is added so that it is divisible by 8. In addition, after adding dummy data, the length described in the header information is rewritten so that the host PC that transfers the image can handle the image without being aware of the dummy data.

  For example, in FIG. 8, the present invention divides an image by the next JPEG block unit detected by the position sensor or the previous JPEG block unit. The position information detected by the position sensor is described in the comment part of the header information. The length of the image is set to a block unit length.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, overscan may be performed before the first page and after the last page of the document.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the image reading unit may further include an error detection sensor, and the error detection sensor may detect an error state in which the preceding and following originals overlap. If an error state is detected, the image reading process may be stopped.

  For example, in FIG. 4, when a jam occurs (paper jammed) due to damage to the binding medium (for example, staples or clips) or paper, the front and back pages may overlap, and this occurs. The present invention stops the reading process as an error.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the present invention separates the continuous image data of the read hopper image data based on the position information, detects the edge of the image corresponding to the document in the separated separation area, An image is cut out based on the edge, and page information is added to create page image data. Here, the “page information” may be a JPEG restart marker or an EOI marker.

  For example, in FIG. 9, the present invention temporarily stores the header information and the page information separately, and after the position sensor detects the position information, the position information is added to the header information, combined with the page information, Create a JPEG file. In the example of FIG. 9, the JPEG restart markers are FFD0 to FFD7, starting from FFD0 and counting up to FFD7 for each designated MCU. The EOI marker is FFD9 and functions as a JPEG end marker. In this way, page image data is created from hopper image data.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 13, when it is determined that the image does not fall within the separation area based on the edge inclination amount or the intersection of the edge straight lines, the separation areas before and after the separation area. The image may be corrected by performing tilt correction processing and image cutout processing based on the image.

  For example, in FIG. 10, the present invention performs image inclination correction (deskew) processing and cropping (cropping) processing for each page when the document is not skewed, that is, when the image is within the separation region. .

  For example, in FIG. 11, according to the present invention, when the document is skewed (that is, when the image does not fit in the separation region), the image is based on the amount of edge inclination (corresponding to the angle θ in FIG. 11). The presence or absence of restoration (that is, image correction) is determined. Here, in the example of FIG. 11, the upper end portion of the image is not lost by dividing into the separation regions using the top sensor as a reference. However, when another sensor (for example, a discharge sensor) is used as a reference, the upper end portion is displayed. Some parts may be missing. If there is a possibility that the top and bottom of the image is missing, the image is restored based on the images of the preceding and following separation regions.

  For example, in FIG. 12, when the document is skewed, that is, when the image does not fit in the separation region, the presence / absence of image restoration is determined based on the intersection of the straight lines of the edges. Specifically, when the intersection of four straight lines detected from the edge of the image is outside the separation region (that is, when the intersection is in the separation region above and below (before and after) the reference separation region). Since restoration is performed based on the image of the separation area in that direction, it is possible to determine which of the images of the previous and subsequent separation areas is necessary for restoration. Here, in the example shown in FIG. 12, the image is restored based on the image of page n + 1, which is the next page of page n.

For example, in FIG. 13, the present invention first detects (1) a sensor passing through an edge portion from a position where the position of the top sensor and the edge of the image overlap, and then (2) the position of the top sensor and the image. Since the next image appears in the position below the length of the overscan from the position where the edges overlap, a line is detected in front of it, and (3) is between (1) and (2) By detecting two straight lines, the image is restored when the document is skewed. This is the end of the description of the outline of the present invention.

[1. Configuration of image reading processing system]
First, the configuration of the image reading processing system will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a logical configuration of the image reading processing apparatus 100 to which the present embodiment is applied. FIG. 6 is an image reading unit of the image reading processing apparatus 100 to which the present embodiment is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the physical structure of 112, and has shown only the part relevant to this invention among this structure notionally.

  In this image reading processing system, as shown in FIG. 5, an image reading processing apparatus 100 including an image reading unit 112 and a host PC (not shown) are connected to be communicable via a network. It is configured.

  In FIG. 5, the image reading unit 112 includes a position sensor 114 and an error detection sensor 116.

  Here, FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of a physical configuration of the image reading unit 112. In FIG. 6, the image reading unit 112 includes a top sensor 1, a discharge sensor 2, a transport roller 3, and an error detection sensor 116 at an upper part so as to configure a paper transport path for reading a document, and a transport roller 3 at a lower part. And a light source 4. The top sensor 1 and the discharge sensor 2 are the position sensors 114 in FIG. 5, and the top sensor 1 and the discharge sensor 2 are sensors that detect the upper end portion of the document. For example, a three-axis acceleration sensor, an optical sensor, Pressure-sensitive sensors and the like. The top sensor 1 detects the upper end position of the document, and the discharge sensor 2 detects the lower end position of the document. Further, the distance between the top sensor 1 and the reading position is the length of overscan. The discharge roller 3 is a roller that rotates so that the document is conveyed in the traveling direction through the sheet conveyance path. The light source 4 is a light provided on the side of a reading unit (not shown), and is a light that irradiates the original with light so that the original is read at the reading position of the reading unit. Further, the error detection sensor 116 is a sensor that detects a state in which the front and back sheets overlap in the case of a jam or the like that occurs when reading a document. For example, a triaxial acceleration sensor, an optical sensor, a pressure sensor, or the like is used. is there.

  Returning to FIG. 5, the various databases and tables (image data file 106a to page information file 106c) stored in the storage unit 106 are storage means such as a fixed disk device and are used for various processes. Stores various programs, tables, files, databases, etc.

  Among these components of the storage unit 106, the image data file 106a stores the continuous image data of the hopper image data read by the hopper image reading unit 102a and the page image data created by the page image creation unit. Image data storage means.

  The header information file 106b is a header information storage unit that stores header information including position information of each document detected by the position sensor under the control of the hopper image reading unit 102a.

  The page information file 106c is a page information storage unit that stores page information added by the page image reading unit 102b.

  In FIG. 5, the communication control interface unit 104 performs communication control between the image reading processing apparatus 100 and the host PC (or a communication apparatus such as a router). That is, the communication control interface unit 104 has a function of communicating data with other terminals via a communication line.

  In FIG. 5, the control unit 102 has a control program such as an OS (Operating System), a program that defines various processing procedures, and an internal memory for storing necessary data. Information processing for executing various processes is performed. The control unit 102 includes a hopper image reading unit 102a, a page image creation unit 102b, an image correction unit 102c, an error detection unit 102d, and a compression processing unit 102e in terms of functional concept.

  Among these, the hopper image reading unit 102a reads a plurality of documents as one continuous image for each hopper by the image reading unit 112, and at least position information of each document detected by the position sensor 114, continuous image data, Is a hopper image reading means for storing in the storage unit 106 as hopper image data including at least.

  Further, the page image creation unit 102b separates the continuous image data of the hopper image data read by the hopper image reading unit 102a based on the position information, and sets the edge of the image corresponding to the document in the separated separation area. It is a page image creation means that detects and cuts out an image based on the edge, adds page information, and stores it in the storage unit 106 as page image data.

  In addition, when the image correction unit 102c determines that the image does not fall within the separation area based on the edge inclination amount or the intersection of the edge straight lines, the image correction unit 102c is based on the images of the separation areas before and after the separation area. The image correction means corrects an image by performing tilt correction processing and image cutout processing.

  The error detection unit 102d is error detection means for detecting an error state in which the preceding and following originals overlap with the error detection sensor 116. This is the end of the description of the configuration of the image reading processing system.

  The compression processing unit 102e is a compression processing unit that compresses a continuous image read by the image reading unit 112 by processing of the hopper image reading unit 102a.

[2. Processing of image reading processing system]
Next, an example of the processing of the image reading processing system according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  First, the operation of the reading process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the reading process according to the present embodiment. Next, the operation of the transfer process according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the transfer process of this embodiment.

[2-1. Reading processing operation]
First, the outline of the reading processing operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, the hopper image reading unit 102a controls the image reading unit 112 to read a plurality of documents as one continuous image for each hopper, and the position information of each document detected by the position sensor 114, the continuous image data, Are stored in the storage unit 106 as hopper image data including at least (corresponding to steps SA-1 to SA-13 other than steps SA-9 and SA-10). Next, the page image creation unit 102b separates the continuous image data of the hopper image data read by the hopper image reading unit 102 based on the position information, and the edge of the image corresponding to the document in the separated separation area Is detected, the image is cut out based on the edge, page information is added, and the image is stored in the storage unit 106 as page image data (corresponding to step SA-9 and step SA-10).

  Next, each step of FIG. 14 will be described in detail. First, the hopper image reading unit 102a stores the header information of the document in the header information file 106b of the memory 2 of the storage unit 106 (step SA-1).

  The hopper image reading unit 102a reads a plurality of documents as one continuous image for each hopper (step SA-2).

  Then, the hopper image reading unit 102a stores the read continuous image data in the image data file 106a of the memory 1 of the storage unit 106 (step SA-3).

  Then, the image reading unit 112 controls the top sensor to detect position information of each document (step SA-4).

  In step SA-4, when the top sensor detects position information of the upper end of the document (step SA-4: Yes), the compression processing unit 102e determines that the position of the document detected by the top sensor is a JPEG block unit. It is determined whether the unit is 8 lines (step SA-5).

  In step SA-5, if the compression processing unit 102e determines that the position of the document is in units of 8 lines (step SA-5: Yes), the compression processing unit 102e stores the memory 1 in the storage unit 106. The continuous image data is read from the image data file 106a (step SA-6), and the process proceeds to the processing (step SA-8) in which the compression processing unit 102e compresses the image using JPEG.

  On the other hand, when the compression processing unit 102e determines in step SA-5 that the position of the document is not in units of eight lines (step SA-5: No), the compression processing unit 102e reads from the memory 1 of the storage unit 106. The continuous image data is read from the image data file 106a, dummy data is added so that the position of the document is in units of 8 lines (step SA-7), and the compression processing unit 102e performs JPEG compression processing (step Proceed to SA-8).

  After the processing of step SA-8 by the compression processing unit 102e, the page image creation unit 102b stores the page information used when the image is compressed into a JPEG file in the page information file 106c of the storage unit 106c ( Step SA-9).

  Then, the page image creation unit 102b divides the continuous image data read by the hopper image reading unit 102a, combines the page information to correct the header information (step SA-10), and the next hopper unit image. The process returns to the reading process (step SA-2).

  Here, returning to the processing of step SA-4, when the position information of the upper end of the document is not detected by the top sensor in step SA-4 (step SA-4: No), the image reading unit 112 determines the position. The sensor 114 is controlled to determine the presence or absence of paper (step SA-11).

  If the image reading unit 112 determines that there is no sheet (step SA-11: Yes), the image reading unit waits for the end of overscan (step SA-12), and will be described later with reference to FIG. Then, the process proceeds to a normal compression flow process (step SA-13).

  On the other hand, when the image reading unit 112 determines that there is a sheet (step SA-11: No), the compression processing unit 102e determines that the position of the document detected by the top sensor is in units of 8 lines or more in JPEG block units. It is determined whether or not there is (step SA-14). Here, when it is determined that the number of units is equal to or more than 8 lines (step SA-14: Yes), the process proceeds to a normal compression flow process (step SA-13) described later with reference to FIG. If it is determined that the number is less than 8 lines (step SA-14: No), the process returns to step SA-2.

  Here, the normal compression flow process (step SA-13) of FIG. 14 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the compression processing unit 102e reads continuous image data from the image data file 106a in the memory 1 of the storage unit 106 (step SB-1), and the compression processing unit 102e performs JPEG compression processing (step SB-2). Then, the page information is stored in the page information file 106c of the memory 2 of the storage unit 106 (step SB-3). This is the end of the description of the reading processing operation of the image reading processing system.

[2-2. Transfer processing operation]
Next, the transfer processing operation of the present invention will be described. First, the image reading unit 112 controls the top sensor, which is the position sensor 114, and detects the position information of each document (step SC-1).

  If the top sensor detects position information in step SC-1 (step SC-1: Yes), the process proceeds to a normal transfer flow process (step SC-4) described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, if position information is not detected by the top sensor in step SC-1 (step SC-1: No), the image reading unit 112 controls the position sensor 114 to determine the presence or absence of paper. (Step SC-2).

  If the image reading unit 112 determines that there is no sheet (step SC-2: Yes), the image reading unit waits for the end of overscan (step SC-5), and will be described later with reference to FIG. The process proceeds to the normal transfer flow process (step SC-6).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a sheet (step SC-2: No), the image reading unit 112 returns to the process of step SC-1.

  Here, with reference to FIG. 17, the normal transfer flow process (step SC-4 and step SC-6) of FIG. 16 will be described. First, after the end of the compression processing by the compression processing unit 102e (step SD-1), the page image creation unit 102b receives the header information stored in the header information file 106b of the memory 2 of the storage unit 106, and the memory 2 The page information stored in the page information file 106c is read (step SD-2), and the header information is corrected (step SD-3). Then, the control unit 102 transfers the page image data created by the page image creation unit 102b to the communication control interface unit 104 (step SD-4) and transfers it to the host PC that performs image output or the like. Then, it is stored in the local disk (step SD-5). This is the end of the description of the transfer processing operation of the image reading processing system.

  This concludes the description of the processing of this image reading processing system.

[Other embodiments]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described so far, the present invention can be applied to various different embodiments in addition to the above-described embodiments within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. May be implemented.

  In particular, for example, in FIG. 5, the case where the image reading processing apparatus 100 performs processing in the form of an integrated apparatus including the image reading unit 112 in the image reading processing apparatus 100 has been described as an example. The image reading processing apparatus including the storage unit 106 and the control unit 104 may be configured as a separate housing. That is, the image reading processing apparatus may include an input / output control interface unit connected to the image reading apparatus, a storage unit 106, and a control unit 102.

  Further, for example, in FIG. 5, the image reading processing apparatus 100 has been described as an example in which processing is performed in the form of a network scanner that transfers a scanned image to the host PC, but the image reading processing apparatus is all in a stand-alone form. You may comprise so that the process of this may be performed.

  In addition, among the processes described in the embodiment, all or part of the processes described as being automatically performed can be performed manually, or the processes described as being performed manually can be performed. All or a part can be automatically performed by a known method.

  In addition, unless otherwise specified, the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, information including registration data for each processing, parameters such as search conditions, screen examples, and database configurations shown in the above documents and drawings Can be changed arbitrarily.

  Further, regarding the image reading processing apparatus 100, each illustrated component is functionally schematic, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated.

  For example, regarding the processing functions provided in each apparatus of the image reading processing apparatus 100, in particular, each processing function performed by the control unit 102, all or an arbitrary part thereof is used as a program interpreted and executed by the CPU. It can also be realized as hardware by wired logic. The program is recorded on a recording medium to be described later, and is mechanically read by the image reading processing apparatus 100 as necessary. In other words, the storage unit 106 such as a ROM or HD stores a computer program for giving various instructions to the CPU in cooperation with the OS. This computer program is executed by being loaded into the RAM, and constitutes a control unit in cooperation with the CPU.

  The computer program may be stored in an application program server connected to the image reading processing apparatus 100 via an arbitrary network, and may be downloaded in whole or in part as necessary. It is.

  The program according to the present invention can also be stored in a computer-readable recording medium. Here, the “recording medium” refers to any “portable physical medium” such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a CD-ROM, an MO, and a DVD, or a LAN, WAN, or Internet. It includes a “communication medium” that holds the program in a short period of time, such as a communication line or a carrier wave when the program is transmitted via a network represented by

  The “program” is a data processing method described in an arbitrary language or description method, and may be in any format such as source code or binary code. Note that the “program” is not necessarily limited to a single configuration, and functions are achieved in cooperation with a separate configuration such as a plurality of modules and libraries or a separate program represented by the OS. Including things. Note that a well-known configuration and procedure can be used for a specific configuration for reading a recording medium, a reading procedure, an installation procedure after reading, and the like in each device described in the embodiment.

  Various databases and the like (image data file 106a to page information file 106c) stored in the storage unit 106 are storage means such as a memory device such as RAM and ROM, a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, a flexible disk, and an optical disk. Stores various files, programs, tables, databases, etc.

  Further, the image reading processing apparatus 100 and the host PC connect software (including programs, data, and the like) that connects an information processing apparatus such as a known personal computer and workstation to the information processing apparatus to implement the method of the present invention. It may be realized by mounting.

  Furthermore, the specific form of distribution / integration of the devices is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof is configured to be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in an arbitrary unit according to various additions. can do.

  As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when continuously reading a document, the gap between sheets can be shortened, and the reading performance can be improved without missing an image at the time of skew. A processing device, an image reading processing method, and a program can be provided.

It is a figure which shows an example at the time of the skew of the reading method of the conventional scanner product. It is a figure which shows an example at the time of the normal of the reading method of the conventional scanner product. It is a figure which shows an example at the time of the skew of this image reading processing method to which this embodiment is applied. It is a figure which shows an example at the time of the error of this image reading processing method to which this embodiment is applied. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a logical configuration of an image reading processing apparatus 100 to which the present embodiment is applied. It is a block diagram which shows an example of a physical structure of the image reading part 112 of this image reading processing apparatus 100 to which this embodiment is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the compression method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the compression method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the compression method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the decompression | restoration method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the decompression | restoration method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the decompression | restoration method of this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the decompression | restoration method of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement of the reading process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement of the compression process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement of the transfer process of this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the operation | movement of the transfer process of this embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

100 Image reading processing apparatus
102 Control unit
102a Hopper image reading unit
102b Page image creation unit
102c Image correction unit
102d Error detection unit
102e Compression processing unit
104 Communication control interface unit
106 Storage unit
106a Image data file
106b Header information file
106c Page information file
112 Image reading unit
114 Position sensor
1 Top sensor
2 Discharge sensor
116 Error detection sensor
3 Transport roller
4 Light source

Claims (11)

An image reading processing apparatus including at least an image reading unit including a position sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit,
The control unit
A hopper that reads a plurality of originals as one continuous image by the image reading unit and stores in the storage unit as hopper image data including at least the position information of each original detected by the position sensor and continuous image data. Image reading means;
Separating the continuous image data of the hopper image data read by the hopper image reading unit based on the position information, detecting an edge of an image corresponding to the document in the separated separation area, and detecting the edge A page image creating means for cutting out the image based on the page, adding page information and storing it in the storage unit as page image data;
An image reading processing apparatus comprising: The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The page image creation means
If it is determined that the image is not within the separation area based on the edge inclination amount or the intersection of the edge straight lines, the inclination correction processing is performed based on the separation area images before and after the separation area. And image correction means for correcting the image by performing image cutting processing,
An image reading processing apparatus, further comprising: The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The hopper image reading means includes
Compression processing means for compressing the continuous image read by the image reading unit;
An image reading apparatus, further comprising: The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 3.
The compression processing means includes
If the continuous image data does not have the data amount necessary for the compression process, dummy data is added to perform the compression process to the required data amount, or the image data is arranged in units of blocks necessary for the compression process. An image reading processing apparatus that performs compression processing by adjusting a block unit.   2. The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the hopper image reading means performs overscan before the first page and after the last page of the document.   The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position sensor is a top sensor or a discharge sensor. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The image reading processing apparatus, wherein the page information is a JPEG restart marker or an EOI marker.   5. The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the block unit is a JPEG compression unit of 8 lines or 16 lines. The image reading processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The image reading unit further includes an error detection sensor,
The hopper image reading means includes
An error detection means for detecting an error state in which the preceding and following originals overlap with the error detection sensor;
Further comprising
An image reading processing apparatus, wherein when the error detection unit detects the error state, the image reading process is stopped. An image reading processing method executed in an image reading processing apparatus including at least an image reading unit including a position sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit,
Executed in the control unit,
A hopper that reads a plurality of originals as one continuous image by the image reading unit and stores in the storage unit as hopper image data including at least the position information of each original detected by the position sensor and continuous image data. An image reading step;
Separating the continuous image data of the hopper image data read in the hopper image reading step based on the position information, detecting an edge of an image corresponding to the document in the separated separation region, and A page image creation step of cutting the image based on the edge, adding page information and storing the page image data in the storage unit;
An image reading processing method comprising: A program for causing an image reading processing apparatus including at least an image reading unit including a position sensor, a storage unit, and a control unit to execute the program,
Executed in the control unit,
A hopper that reads a plurality of originals as one continuous image by the image reading unit and stores in the storage unit as hopper image data including at least the position information of each original detected by the position sensor and continuous image data. An image reading step;
Separating the continuous image data of the hopper image data read in the hopper image reading step based on the position information, detecting an edge of an image corresponding to the document in the separated separation region, and A page image creation step of cutting the image based on the edge, adding page information and storing the page image data in the storage unit;
The program characterized by including.

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