JP4933382B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus and image processing method capable of performing suitable post-processing by processing image data, when the direction of image data is different from the user's desired direction, or when there is an image within a prescribed area including a staple position. <P>SOLUTION: When the presence of a characteristic value equal to or higher than a fixed value which indicates that there is an image within a prescribed region, including a staple setting position is determined, a main CPU 401 controls a binary image processing section 501 to perform 180&deg; rotation processing on image data or to cause the binary image processing section 501 to rotate the image data into a mirror image and controls a double-side unit 207 to perform printing onto the rear side of a printing paper. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing technique for an image processing apparatus to perform appropriate post-processing.

Conventionally, post-processing functions provided in printers have been improved for the convenience of users.
For example, when sheets are stacked using the stapling function, the staple portions may overlap at one place and the load may collapse.

  In order to solve this problem, a technique for stacking sheets by changing the staple position has been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  First, a sheet bundle in a normal state is imaged as usual, and stapling is performed. When a certain number of sheet bundles are ejected, the image on each page is rotated 180 degrees, and the image formation order is reversed to form an image, and stapled at a position symmetrical to that in the normal state. The sheet bundle is discharged.

In this way, by switching the discharge of the sheet bundle in the normal state and the sheet bundle in the inverted state for each fixed number of copies, the staple portions can be prevented from overlapping at one place, and the collapse of the load can be suppressed.
JP 2002-308522 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of print jobs are stapled and stacked on a paper discharge tray, the image data is rotated 180 degrees so that the stapling positions of the jobs do not overlap. However, if there is image data such as destination information or a seal field at the stapling position of each page, the data may be bound without being recognized, and may be stapled to a position not desired by the user. Had the inconvenience of having to recreate it after looking at the finish.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. When the orientation of the image data is different from the orientation desired by the user, or when there is an image in a predetermined area including the staple position, the image data is obtained. An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of performing appropriate post-processing by processing.

In view of such circumstances, the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is a detection means for detecting features of input image data, a storage means for storing staple positions, and a rotation for mirroring the image data in the sub-scanning direction. Data processing means for processing the image data, printing means for printing the image data on recording paper, and post-processing means for performing post- processing including stapling on the printed recording paper Control means for controlling each means, the control means compares the direction of the image data detected by the detection means with the staple position, and controls the data processing means based on the comparison result. Te, and change by rotating the orientation of the image data, wherein, in a predetermined area including a staple position of the image data after the data processing, one that indicates that there is an image When it is determined that there is no characteristic value equal to or greater than the value, the control unit controls the printing unit to print the image data after data processing on the back surface of the recording paper, and the control unit When it is determined that there is a characteristic value equal to or greater than a certain value indicating that there is an image in a predetermined area including the staple position of the processed image data, the data processing unit sets the image data to a state before processing. It is made to return.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus, the feature of the image data is a characteristic value equal to or greater than a predetermined value indicating that an image is present, and the control means includes a predetermined area including the staple position, A comparison is made with a region where a characteristic value of a certain value or more is detected.

  An image processing apparatus according to a fourth invention is characterized in that the processing of the image data includes a process of rotating the image data by 180 degrees.

  Further, in the image processing apparatus according to the sixth invention, the control means determines that there is a characteristic value equal to or greater than a certain value indicating that there is an image in a predetermined area including the staple position of the image data after the data processing. In this case, the data processing means is made to return the image data to the state before the processing.

  An image processing apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the invention is characterized in that the control means compares the feature of the image data with the staple position for all image data.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when the orientation of the image data to be printed is different from the orientation desired by the user, it is possible to form a good-looking record by rotating the image data by 180 degrees. it can.

  In addition, if the image existing at the corner of the image data to be printed overlaps with the staple position, the image data is rotated 180 degrees to prevent the image and the staple position from overlapping and form a good-looking record. can do.

  In addition, when the staple position overlaps with the image existing at the corner of the image data to be printed, the image data is rotated on the back side of the recording paper by rotating the image data to be a mirror image in the sub-scanning direction. And stapling positions can be prevented from overlapping, and a good-looking record can be formed.

  By processing the image data by determining only the image data read first, the time required for the determination can be reduced, and the processing according to the present invention can be performed without making the user aware of the waiting time.

  Further, if the position where the image is present and the staple position overlap after the rotation processing, it is inevitable that the original document orientation can be restored as the next best processing.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an image processing apparatus (digital multifunction peripheral) according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention.

  In this digital multi-function peripheral 1, in function, a copy mode in which an image of a document is read and printed on recording paper, and a facsimile mode in which an image of the document is read and transmitted, or an image of document is received and printed on recording paper And a printer mode for printing an image received from the information terminal device via the network onto a recording sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes a document conveyance reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a paper discharge processing device 5, and a USB interface 7. Yes.

  Next, taking the copy mode as an example, the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described.

  First, when a document is set on the document set tray 11 of the document conveyance reading unit 2, the document detection sensor 12 detects that the document is set. Then, by operating the operation panel 8 of the document conveying / reading unit 2, the print paper size, magnification, and the like are input and set. Thereafter, the start of copying is instructed by operating the operation panel 8.

  In response to these operations, the document conveying / reading unit 2 pulls out each document on the document setting tray 11 one by one by the pickup roller 13, and the document is passed through the platen plate 14 and the conveying roller 15 to the platen glass 16. Then, the document is conveyed on the platen glass 16 in the sub-scanning direction and discharged to the document discharge tray 17.

  At this time, the first reading unit 21 reads the surface (lower side) of the document. The first scanning unit 23 of the first reading unit 21 is moved and positioned, the second scanning unit 24 is positioned at a predetermined position, and the surface of the document is placed on the platen glass 16 by the exposure lamp of the first scanning unit 23. The reflected light of the document is guided to the imaging lens 26 by the reflection mirrors of the first and second traveling units 23 and 24, and the reflected light of the document is guided by the imaging lens 26 to a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The image on the surface of the document is focused on the CCD 27 and thereby the image on the surface of the document is read.

  Further, the back side (upper side surface) of the document is read by the second reading unit 22. The second reading unit 22 is disposed above the platen glass 16 and collects reflected light of the document for each pixel by an exposure lamp (LED (Light Emitting Diode) array, fluorescent lamp, etc.) that irradiates the back side of the document. A light-sensitive Selfoc lens array and a contact image sensor (CIS, Contact Image Sensor) that photoelectrically converts the reflected light of the original received through the Selfoc lens array and outputs an analog image signal are provided.

  Further, it is possible to open the upper housing of the document conveyance reading unit 2 and place the document on the platen glass 16, and in this state, the first reading unit 21 can read the surface of the document. In this case, the first and second scanning units 23 and 24 are moved in the sub-scanning direction while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, the original on the platen glass 16 is exposed by the first scanning unit 23, and the first The reflected light from the original is guided to the imaging lens 26 by the second scanning units 23 and 24, and the image of the original is formed on the CCD 27 by the imaging lens 26.

  When one or both sides of the document are read in this way, image data indicating an image on one or both sides of the document is input to a control unit such as a microcomputer, where various image processing is performed on the image data. The image is output to the image forming unit 3.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of various unit units, image processing units, and the like constituting the digital multi-function peripheral 1 according to the present invention.

  The control unit is realized by a main central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “main CPU”) 401 located substantially in the center reading or writing a program or setting information stored in the memory 403 as appropriate. is there.

  The image forming unit 3 prints an image of a document indicated by image data on a recording sheet. The image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum 31, a charging device 32, a laser scanning unit (hereinafter referred to as “LSU”) 33, and a developing device 34. A transfer device 35, a cleaning device 36, a static elimination device (not shown), a fixing device 37, and the like.

  The image forming unit 3 is provided with a main transport path 38 and a reverse transport path 39, and the recording paper fed from the paper feed unit 4 is transported along the main transport path 38. The paper feed unit 4 pulls out the recording paper stored in the paper cassette 41 or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 42 one by one, and sends the recording paper to the main conveyance path 38 of the image forming unit 3. .

  While the recording paper is being conveyed along the main conveying path 38 of the image forming unit 3, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer device 35, and further passes through the fixing device 37 to be recorded. Printing on paper is performed.

  The photosensitive drum 31 rotates in one direction, and after the surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 36 and the static eliminator, the surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 32.

  The LSU 33 modulates the laser beam based on the image data from the document conveying / reading unit 2, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 with the laser beam in the main scanning direction, thereby converting the electrostatic latent image into the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. To form.

  The developing device 34 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31.

  The transfer device 35 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to a recording sheet passing between the transfer device 35 and the photosensitive drum 31.

  The fixing device 37 heats and pressurizes the recording paper to fix the toner image on the recording paper.

  A branching claw 43 is disposed at a connection position between the main conveyance path 38 and the reverse conveyance path 39. When printing is performed only on one side of the recording paper, the branching claw 43 is positioned, and the recording paper from the fixing device 37 is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5 by the branching claw 43.

  Further, when printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper, the branching claw 43 is rotated to the position indicated by the dotted line, and the recording paper is guided toward the reverse conveyance path 39. Then, the recording paper passes through the reverse conveyance path 39, is turned upside down, and is conveyed again to the main conveyance path 38, and printing on the back surface is performed in the middle of the re-conveyance of the main conveyance path 38. Then, the paper is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5.

  The recording sheet printed in this way is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 or to any one of the paper discharge trays 51 of the paper discharge processing device 5. Discharged.

  The paper discharge processing device 5 sorts and discharges a plurality of recording papers to the respective paper discharge trays 51, performs punching processing on each recording paper, and performs stapling processing on each recording paper. For example, when creating a plurality of printed materials, each recording sheet is sorted and discharged to each discharge tray 51 so that a part of the printed material is allocated to each discharge tray 51. Then, punching processing and stapling processing are performed on each recording sheet to create a printed matter.

  Next, control in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the digital copying machine 1, the main CPU 401 performs operation management while cooperating with a sub central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as “CPU”) mounted for each unit.

  As can be seen from this block diagram, an operation panel board 100 for managing and controlling the operation panel 103 located substantially at the upper right of the drawing, and a machine control for managing and controlling each unit constituting the digital copying machine 1 located at the upper left of the drawing. A board 200, a CCD board 300 that electrically reads a document image located substantially at the lower left of the drawing and uses it as electronic data, and a document image converted into electronic data by the CCD board 300 located substantially at the center of the drawing are predetermined. A main image processing board 400 that performs image processing, a sub-image processing board 500 that further performs predetermined image processing on image information processed by the main image processing board 400, and a substantially lower right of the drawing. Other expansion boards connected to the sub-image processing board 500 via an interface Group 600 (printer board, FAX board, function expansion board) and a like.

  The contents managed and controlled for each board will be described below.

(Operation panel board)
The operation panel board 100 is basically controlled by the CPU 101, and inputs a display screen of a liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as “LCD”) display unit 104 arranged on the operation panel 103 and instructions regarding various modes. The operation input from the operation key group 105 is managed.

  A memory 102 for storing various control information on the operation panel 103 such as data input from the operation key group 105 and information to be displayed on the LCD screen is provided.

  In this configuration, the CPU 101 performs control data communication with the main CPU 401 and issues an operation instruction for the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  Further, the main CPU 401 transfers a control signal indicating the operation state of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 to the CPU 101, so that the operator can determine the current state of the apparatus through the LCD screen 104 of the operation panel 103. Is displayed.

(Machine control board)
The machine control board 200 is entirely controlled by a CPU 201, and includes an automatic document feeder 203 such as an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and a RADF (Recirculating Automatic Document Feeder), a document image, and the like. A reading scanner unit 204 that reads image information, a process unit 205 that reproduces image information as an image, a sheet feeding conveyance unit 206 that sequentially conveys a sheet on which an image is recorded from the sheet feeding unit 4 to the image forming unit 3, and an image is recorded. It manages a duplex unit 207 that reverses and conveys the sheet so that the image is formed on both sides of the sheet by reversing the sheet, and a finisher 208 that performs post-processing such as stapling on the sheet on which the image is recorded. .

(CCD board)
The CCD board 300 includes a CCD 301 for electrically reading an original image, a circuit for driving the CCD 301, a CCD gate array (hereinafter referred to as “CCD G / A”) 302, gain adjustment of analog data output from the CCD 301, and the like. An analog circuit 303 to be performed, an A / D converter 304 that converts the analog output of the CCD 301 into a digital signal and outputs it as electronic data, and the like, are controlled by the main CPU 401.

(Main image processing board)
The main image processing board 400 is controlled by the main CPU 401, and based on the electronic data of the original image sent from the CCD board 300, shading correction, so that the gradation of the image can be expressed in a desired state. Process in the state of multi-valued image data such as density correction, region separation, filter processing, MTF (Modulation Transfer Factor) correction, resolution conversion, electronic zoom (magnification processing), gamma (γ) correction, image orientation determination, etc. A multi-value image processing unit 402 for performing processing, a memory 403 for storing various control information such as processed image data or processing procedure management, and the LSU 33 side for reproducing an image with the processed image information And a laser control 404 for controlling the transfer of data.

(Sub image processing board)
The sub image processing board 500 is connected to the main image processing board 400 by a connector, and is controlled by the main CPU 401 on the main image processing board 400. The binary image processing unit 501, binary image information subjected to image processing, or A memory for storing and managing processing control information and the like, G / A 502 for controlling the memory, a plurality of document image information are stored and managed, and a plurality of document images are repeatedly read out in a desired number of copies. A hard disk for generating a copy, a G / A 503 for controlling the hard disk, a SCSI as an external interface, a G / A 504 for controlling SCSI, and the like.

  The binary image processing unit 501 described above is a processing unit that converts multi-valued image information into a binary image, a processing unit that rotates an image, and a binary scaling (zoom) process that performs scaling processing of a binary image. A fax interface (I / F) is also provided so that fax images can be transmitted and received via communication means.

(Expansion board)
The expansion board 600 has an editing function of the printer board 601 and the digital multifunction machine 1 for enabling data sent from a personal computer (PC) or the like to be output as a printer mode from the image forming unit 3 of the digital multifunction machine 1. A function expansion board 602 for expanding and effectively utilizing the features of the digital multifunction device 1, a document image read from the document conveying / reading unit 2 of the digital multifunction device 1 is transmitted to or sent from the partner. There is a facsimile board 603 or the like that makes it possible to output the received image information from the image forming unit 3 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1, and each has a CPU.

  Hereinafter, the flow of processing of image data in the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described in more detail for each mode of copy mode, facsimile mode, and printer mode.

(Copy mode)
Documents set at predetermined positions of the ADF / RADF 18 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are sequentially supplied one by one onto the platen glass 16 of the scanner unit 20, and images of the documents are sequentially applied according to the configuration of the scanner unit 20 described above. It is read and transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data.

  The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing on the multi-value image processing unit 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.

  The 8-bit electronic image data is subjected to processing such as gamma correction and sent to the LSU 33 via the laser control 404.

  As a result, the document image read by the document conveyance reading unit 2 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is output from the image forming unit 3 as a copy image having gradation.

(Electronic RDH (scanner) function in copy mode)
Similarly, the originals set at predetermined positions of the ADF / RADF 18 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are sequentially supplied onto the platen glass 16 of the scanner unit 20 one by one, and the image of the original is based on the configuration of the scanner unit 20 described above. The data is sequentially read and transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data.

  The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing by the multi-value image processing unit 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.

  The 8-bit electronic image data is then sent from the connector 405 on the main image processing board 400 side to the sub image processing board 500 side via the connector 505 on the sub image processing board 500 side, and a binary image processing unit. The multi-value binary conversion unit 501 converts 8-bit electronic image data into 2-bit electronic image data together with processing such as error diffusion.

  The reason why 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 2-bit electronic image data including processing such as error diffusion is that there is a problem in image quality simply by performing multi-value binary conversion. Consideration is made so that the degradation of image quality is reduced.

  The reason why the 8-bit electronic image data is converted into 2-bit electronic image data is that the storage capacity of the image is taken into consideration.

  The 2-bit electronic image data converted in this way is transferred to a disk memory 503 such as a hard disk (HD) for each document, and is temporarily stored and managed.

  When all of the originals set in the ADF / RADF 18 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are read and processed, the 2-bit electronic image data temporarily stored in the HD is the number of copies designated by the RDH G / A control. The read 2-bit electronic image data is sent again to the main image processing board 400 via the connector connection portions 405 and 505, and subjected to processing such as gamma correction and the like via the laser control 404. To the LSU 33.

  In the present embodiment, it has been described that after all the document group images are read, the image group is repeatedly read by the desired number of copies. However, a predetermined number of images can be prepared for the first image output. It is also possible to configure to output sequentially at different stages.

  As a result, the document image read by the document conveyance reading unit 2 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is output from the image forming unit 3 as a copy image having gradation.

(Printer mode)
An image sent from an external device connected to the network such as a PC is developed on the board 601 as a page unit image on the printer board 601, and then temporarily transferred from the SCSI 504 as an interface to the sub image processing board 500 side. And stored in a disk memory 503 such as an HD.

  Note that the image developed as a page image by the printer board 601 is sent to the sub-image processing board 500 side, but binary image processing is not performed on the page image, but is only temporarily stored in the disk memory 503. .

  Also, when a page image once stored is read from the disk memory 503, binary image processing is not performed on the page image.

  The image information temporarily stored in the disk memory 503 is sent to the main image processing board 400 while being read from the disk memory 503 so as to be in a predetermined page order, is subjected to gamma correction, and is controlled by the laser control 404. Based on the above, an image is reproduced by the LSU 33.

(Facsimile mode)
The facsimile mode includes processing for transmission of a document to a destination and reception of a document from the destination.

  First, transmission of a document to the other party will be described. Transmission documents set at predetermined positions of the ADF / RADF 18 of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are sequentially supplied onto the platen glass 16 of the scanner unit 20 one by one. Are sequentially read by the configuration of the scanner unit 20 described above, and transferred to the main image processing board 400 as 8-bit electronic data.

  The 8-bit electronic data transferred to the main image processing board 400 is subjected to predetermined processing by the multi-value image processing unit 402 as 8-bit electronic image data.

  The 8-bit electronic image data is sent from the connector 405 on the main image processing board 400 side to the sub image processing board 500 side via the connector 505 on the sub image processing board 500 side. The multi-level binary conversion unit converts 8-bit electronic image data into 2-bit electronic image data together with processing such as error diffusion.

  Note that the conversion of 8-bit electronic image data into 2-bit electronic image data including processing such as error diffusion is the same as in the case of the electronic RDH function in the copy mode described above.

  The transmission document converted into a binary image in this way is compressed in a predetermined format and stored in the memory 502.

  Then, when the transmission procedure with the other party is performed and the transmission possible state is ensured, the transmission original image compressed in a predetermined format read from the memory 502 is transferred to the facsimile board 603 side. The board 603 performs necessary processing such as changing the compression format, and sequentially transmits the data to the other party via a communication line.

  Next, processing for receiving a document image transmitted from the other party will be described.

  When a document is transmitted from the other party via the communication line, a document image transmitted from the other party is received while performing a communication procedure by the facsimile board 603. Also, the received image compressed in a predetermined format is sent to the binary image processing unit 501 from the facsimile interface provided in the binary image processing unit 501 of the sub image processing board 500, and the compression / decompression processing unit etc. Is reproduced as a page-by-page image.

  Then, the original image reproduced as an image in page units is transferred to the main image processing board 400 side, gamma correction is performed, and writing of the image is controlled from the laser control 404 to reproduce the image by the LSU 33.

  Hereinafter, image processing during stapling performed by the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing image processing during stapling processing in the present embodiment.

  When a manuscript is set on the manuscript set tray 11 and an operation key 105 on the operation panel 103 is used to input paper size, variable magnification, stapling, etc., the CPU 101 of the operation panel board 100 further designates a stapling position. It is determined whether an input to be made has been made (S1).

  If an input for performing a stapling process has been made, but an input for designating a stapling position has not been made ("NO" in S1), the process proceeds to S3. When there is no input regarding the staple position, the initial setting value for the staple position designation is stored in the memory 403 of the main image processing board, and the main CPU 401 reads the initial setting information from the memory 403 and outputs it to the CPU 208a of the finisher 208. Is done.

  When an input for designating a staple position is made (“YES” in S1), the CPU 101 outputs the setting information to the main CPU 401, and the main CPU 401 outputs the staple setting information to the CPU 208a of the finisher 208. At the same time, it is stored in the memory 403 (S2).

  Next, when the start button of the operation key 105 is pressed, the reading scanner unit 204 starts reading the original, and the image data acquired by the CCD 301 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 304, and the main data The image is output to the multi-value image processing unit 402 of the image processing board 400.

  The top / bottom determination (reference direction determination) of the image data of each document is performed by the image direction determination processing of the multi-value image processing unit 402 (S3).

  This image orientation determination is performed by calculating a document characteristic value indicating the attribute of the image data. For example, by performing edge determination based on pixel density, density, etc. in image data, image types such as characters and photographs are discriminated, and character images are subjected to character recognition by OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing. Can be converted into a format (character code string) that can be edited by a computer, and image data orientation determination can be performed.

  Further, the main CPU 401 reads the staple setting information in the memory 403, and determines whether or not image data rotation processing is necessary based on the setting information and the image orientation determination result (S4).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which image data rotation processing is performed based on the image orientation determination result and the staple position setting.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, if the image data of the document is identified as being vertically and upward, the main CPU 401 determines that image rotation is not necessary (“NO” in S4), and the image The data is not subjected to rotation processing, and this image processing is terminated.

  However, as shown in FIG. 5B, if the image data of the document is identified as being vertically and downward, the main CPU 401 determines that image rotation is necessary (“YES” in S4), and the sub image processing board. The binary image processing unit 501 of 500 is controlled to perform 180 ° image rotation processing (S5).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the setting information of the stapling position is set as “upper right” for a portrait document (portrait image) and “upper left” for a landscape document (landscape image). When the image data is identified as facing right, the main CPU 401 determines that image rotation is not necessary ("NO" in S4) and does not perform image rotation processing.

  Similarly, when the stapling position setting information is set to upper right for a portrait document and upper left for a landscape document, and the image data of the document is identified as left facing, the main CPU 401 performs image rotation. It is determined that it is necessary (“YES” in S4), and the binary image processing unit 501 performs 180 ° image rotation processing (S5).

  When the setting information of the staple position is set to the upper left for a portrait document and the upper right for a landscape document, and the image data of the document is determined to be right, the main CPU 401 needs to rotate the image. It is determined that there is present (“YES” in S4), and the binary image processing unit 501 performs 180 ° image rotation processing (S5).

  Similarly, when the setting information of the stapling position is set to the upper left for a portrait document and the upper right for a landscape document, and the image data of the document is determined to be the left direction, the main CPU 401 determines the image rotation. It is determined that it is not necessary (“NO” in S4), and image rotation processing is not performed.

  In this way, the image data is processed from the staple position and the image orientation.

  After this processing is completed, normal image processing is performed by the binary image processing unit 501 under the control of the main CPU 401, and the processed image data is output to the HD 503 for each original and temporarily stored. .

  When all the documents set on the document set tray 11 are read or a predetermined number of documents are read and image processing is performed, the main CPU 401 sequentially reads out the images stored from the HD 503, and multi-value image processing unit In step 402, γ correction or the like is performed, and image data is output to the LSU 33 via the laser control unit 404.

  As already described, the LSU 33 scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 with laser light based on the image data, and fixes the toner image on the recording paper passing between the transfer device 35 and the photosensitive drum 31.

  The printed recording paper is discharged to the paper discharge processing device 5.

  FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the paper discharge processing device 5. 7 to 11 are diagrams for illustrating a stapling process in the paper discharge processing device 5.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the paper discharge processing device 5 is provided with a paper discharge tray 51 and a branch arranged to guide the printed recording paper conveyed from the image forming unit 3 to each paper discharge tray 51. A claw 52, a transport path 53, a roller 54 for transporting the recording paper, a compiler tray 55 for temporarily storing the recording paper to be discharged to the paper discharge tray 51, and storing the recording paper to be stapled, A stapler 56 and a sheet bundle discharge roller 57 for discharging the sheet bundle are provided.

  When performing the stapler process, the branching claw 52 is positioned so as to be guided to the compiler tray 55.

  The printed recording paper conveyed from the image forming unit 3 to the paper discharge processing device 5 is sent by the roller 54, and the recording paper on which the final document is printed is discharged to the compiler tray 55 as shown in FIG. Then, the sheet bundle is bound by the stapler 56.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the sheet bundle discharge roller 57 moves, and the compiler tray 55 moves in the direction of the sheet bundle discharge roller 57 in order to discharge the bound sheet bundle.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the sheet bundle discharge roller 57 sends out the sheet bundle to be discharged to the paper discharge tray 51.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the sheet bundle is discharged to the paper discharge tray 51. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the sheet bundle discharging roller 57 returns to the position before the movement.

  As described above, the digital multi-function peripheral according to the present invention can determine the orientation of the document from the read image data of the document, and perform stapling processing at an appropriate position.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating image processing during stapling according to the present embodiment.

  When a manuscript is set on the manuscript set tray 11 and an operation key 105 on the operation panel 103 is used to input paper size, variable magnification, stapling, etc., the CPU 101 of the operation panel board 100 further designates a stapling position. It is determined whether or not an input has been made (S11).

  If an input for performing a stapling process has been made, but an input for designating a stapling position has not been made ("NO" in S11), the process proceeds to S13. When there is no input regarding the staple position, the initial setting value for the staple position designation is stored in the memory 403 of the main image processing board, and the main CPU 401 reads the initial setting information from the memory 403 and outputs it to the CPU 208a of the finisher 208. Is done.

  When an input for designating the staple position is made (“YES” in S11), the CPU 101 outputs the setting information to the main CPU 401, and the main CPU 401 outputs the staple setting information to the CPU 208a of the finisher 208. At the same time, it is stored in the memory 403 (S12).

  Next, when the start button of the operation key 105 is pressed, the reading scanner unit 204 starts reading the original, and the image data acquired by the CCD 301 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 304, and the main data The image is output to the multi-value image processing unit 402 of the image processing board 400.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a state in which image data rotation processing is performed from the staple position setting and the image detection result in the present embodiment.

  In the multi-value image processing unit 402, the pixel density of the image data is detected and stored in the memory 403. The main CPU 401 reads the staple setting information and the original characteristic values such as the pixel density in the memory 403 and, as shown in FIG. 13A, within the predetermined area from the end of the staple setting position in the image data. Then, it is determined whether or not a document characteristic value that is equal to or greater than a certain value representing the presence of an image is detected (S13). The coordinate value of the predetermined area is stored in the memory 403 in advance, and the main CPU 401 reads out the coordinate value together with the staple setting information and makes a determination.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when a characteristic value exceeding a certain value is not detected in the predetermined area, the main CPU 401 determines that image rotation is not necessary (“NO” in S13), and the image data is The image processing is terminated without performing the rotation processing.

  However, as shown in FIG. 13B, when a characteristic value exceeding a certain value is detected in a predetermined area, the main CPU 401 determines that image rotation is necessary (“YES” in S13), and the sub image processing board. The binary image processing unit 501 of 500 is controlled to perform 180 ° image rotation processing (S14).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13C, the main CPU 401 detects whether or not a characteristic value equal to or greater than a certain value is detected in a predetermined area where the staple setting position is set, as shown in FIG. Is determined (S15).

  If a characteristic value equal to or greater than a certain value is not detected in the predetermined area (“NO” in S15), the main CPU 401 ends this process.

  If a characteristic value equal to or greater than a certain value is detected in the predetermined area (“YES” in S15), the main CPU 401 controls the binary image processing unit 501 of the sub image processing board 500 again to obtain a 180 ° image. The rotation process is performed to return to the original image orientation (S16), and this process is terminated.

  Since the subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In this manner, it is possible to determine whether there is image data within a predetermined area where the staple position is present, and the processing of the image data is performed, so that a problem that the image is stapled can be prevented.

  Further, if the position where the image is present and the stapling position overlap after the rotation processing, it is inevitable that the original document orientation is restored as the next best processing.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing image processing during stapling processing in the present embodiment.

  When a manuscript is set on the manuscript set tray 11 and an operation key 105 on the operation panel 103 is used to input paper size, variable magnification, stapling, etc., the CPU 101 of the operation panel board 100 further designates a stapling position. It is determined whether or not an input has been made (S21).

  If the input for performing the stapling process has been made but the input for designating the stapling position has not been made ("NO" in S21), the process proceeds to S23. When there is no input regarding the staple position, the initial setting value for the staple position designation is stored in the memory 403 of the main image processing board, and the main CPU 401 reads the initial setting information from the memory 403 and outputs it to the CPU 208a of the finisher 208. Is done.

  When an input for designating the staple position is made (“YES” in S21), the CPU 101 outputs the setting information to the main CPU 401, and the main CPU 401 outputs the staple setting information to the CPU 208a of the finisher 208. At the same time, it is stored in the memory 403 (S22).

  Next, when the start button of the operation key 105 is pressed, the reading scanner unit 204 starts reading the original, and the image data acquired by the CCD 301 is converted into digital data by the A / D converter 304, and the main data The image is output to the multi-value image processing unit 402 of the image processing board 400.

  The main CPU 401 determines whether or not an input for specifying double-sided printing has been made from the operation key 105 of the operation panel 103 (S23).

  If an input for specifying double-sided printing has been made (“YES” in S23), the image processing ends.

  If there is no input specifying double-sided printing (“NO” in S23), the process proceeds to the next image processing.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a state in which image data rotation processing is performed from the staple position setting and the image detection result in the present embodiment.

  In the multi-value image processing unit 402, the pixel density of the image data is detected and stored in the memory 403. The main CPU 401 reads the staple setting information and the original characteristic values such as the pixel density in the memory 403 and, as shown in FIG. 15A, within the predetermined area from the end of the staple setting position in the image data. Then, it is determined whether or not a document characteristic value that is equal to or greater than a predetermined value representing the presence of an image is detected (S24). The coordinate value of the predetermined area is stored in the memory 403 in advance, and the main CPU 401 reads out the coordinate value together with the staple setting information and makes a determination.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when a characteristic value greater than a certain value is not detected in a predetermined area, the main CPU 401 determines that image rotation is not necessary (“NO” in S24), and the image data is Then, the image processing is terminated without performing the rotation processing.

  However, as shown in FIG. 15B, when a characteristic value of a certain value or more is detected in a predetermined area, the main CPU 401 determines that image rotation is necessary (“YES” in S24), and performs sub image processing. The binary image processing unit 501 of the board 500 is controlled to perform image rotation processing so that the image orientation is mirrored in the sub-scanning direction (S25).

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15C, the main CPU 401 detects whether or not a characteristic value of a certain value or more is detected in a predetermined area where the staple setting position is set, as shown in FIG. Is determined (S26).

  When a characteristic value of a certain value or more is not detected in the predetermined area (“NO” in S26), the main CPU 401 sends a control signal to the machine control board 200 to print the image data after the rotation process on the back side of the recording paper. Then, the CPU 201 outputs a control signal for back side printing to the duplex unit 207 (S27), and ends this process.

  By doing so, the image data that has been rotated to be mirrored is printed on the back side of the recording paper.

  When a characteristic value equal to or greater than a certain value is detected in the predetermined area (“YES” in S26), the main CPU 401 controls the binary image processing unit 501 of the sub image processing board 500 again to perform image rotation processing. The image data is returned to the original orientation (S28), and the process is terminated.

  Since the subsequent processing is the same as that of the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  In this manner, it is possible to determine whether there is image data within a predetermined area where the staple position is present, and the processing of the image data is performed, so that a problem that the image is stapled can be prevented.

  Further, if the position where the image is present and the stapling position overlap after the rotation processing, it is inevitable that the original document orientation is restored as the next best processing.

  Note that the processing for rotating or mirroring image data and performing reverse side printing when image data is detected in a predetermined area including the staple position described in the second and third embodiments is performed for each piece of image data. Alternatively, it may be determined or only the image data read first may be determined.

  By processing the image data by determining only the image data read first, the time required for the determination can be reduced, and the processing according to the present invention can be performed without making the user aware of the waiting time.

  Note that the image processing apparatus and the image processing method of the present invention are not limited to the illustrated examples described above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of the image processing apparatus which concerns on this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating image processing during stapling in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which image data rotation processing is performed based on a result of image orientation determination and setting of a staple position. It is sectional drawing which shows one Embodiment of a paper discharge processing apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating stapling processing in the paper discharge processing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating stapling processing in the paper discharge processing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating stapling processing in the paper discharge processing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating stapling processing in the paper discharge processing device. FIG. 10 is a diagram for illustrating stapling processing in the paper discharge processing device. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating image processing during stapling in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which image data rotation processing is performed from staple position settings and image detection results according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating image processing during stapling processing according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state in which image data rotation processing is performed based on staple position settings and image detection results in the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction device 2 Document conveyance reading part 3 Image formation part 4 Paper feed part 5 Paper discharge processing apparatus 7 USB interface 8 Operation panel 11 Document setting tray 12 Document detection sensor 13 Pickup roller 14 Buckling plate 15 Conveyance roller 16 Platen glass 17 Document Discharge tray 18 ADF / RADF
20 Scanner unit 21, 22 Reading unit 23, 24 Scan unit 26 Imaging lens 27, 301 CCD
31 Photosensitive drum 32 Charging device 33 Laser scanning unit 34 Developing device 35 Transfer device 36 Cleaning device 37 Fixing device 38, 39 Transport path 41 Paper cassette 42 Manual feed tray 51 Paper discharge tray 100 Operation panel boards 101, 201 CPU
102, 403, 502 Memory 103 Operation panel 104 LCD
105 Operation Key 200 Machine Control Board 203 Automatic Document Feeder 204 Reading Scanner Unit 205 Process Unit 206 Paper Feeding Unit 207 Duplex Unit 208 Finisher 300 CCD Board 302 CCD G / A
303 Analog circuit 304 A / D converter 400 Main image processing board 401 Main CPU
402 Multi-value image processing unit 404 Laser control unit 405, 505 Connector 500 Sub image processing board 501 Binary image processing unit 503 HD
504 SCSI
601 Printer board 602 Function expansion board 603 FAX board

Claims (5)

Detection means for detecting features of the input image data;
Storage means for storing the staple position;
Data processing means for performing processing of the image data, including processing for rotating the image data to be mirrored in the sub-scanning direction;
Printing means for printing the image data on recording paper;
Post-processing means for performing post- processing including stapling on the printed recording paper;
Control means for controlling each of the means,
The control means compares the orientation of the image data detected by the detection means with the staple position, controls the data processing means according to the comparison result, and rotates and changes the orientation of the image data ,
When the control means determines that there is no characteristic value equal to or greater than a predetermined value indicating that there is an image in a predetermined area including the staple position of the image data after the data processing, the control means The image data after data processing is printed on the back side of the recording paper,
When the control means determines that there is a characteristic value equal to or greater than a certain value indicating that there is an image in a predetermined area including the staple position of the image data after the data processing, the data processing means An image processing apparatus for returning data to a state before processing.   The characteristic of the image data is a characteristic value greater than or equal to a certain value indicating that there is an image, and the control means includes a predetermined area including the staple position and an area where the characteristic value greater than or equal to the certain value is detected. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing apparatus is compared with the image processing apparatus.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the processing of the image data includes a process of rotating the image data by 180 degrees.   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit compares the characteristics of the image data with the staple positions for all image data. 5.   5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit compares the feature of the image data with the staple position for the first input image data. 6.