JP5423735B2 - Copying apparatus and control program for copying apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a copying apparatus that prints an image based on image data acquired by reading a document image while relatively moving a line sensor and the document in the long side direction of the document, and a control program for the copying apparatus.

  In recent years, MFPs (MFPs) having functions such as copiers, printers, image scanners, and facsimiles have become widespread, and many MFPs automatically convey originals to convey originals toward a reading position in the image scanner. A device (Auto Document Feeder: ADF) is provided.

  In the MFP, only the document conveyed in the vertical direction (Short Edge Feed: SEF) is read by the ADF so that the short side direction of the document coincides with the arrangement direction of the line sensors provided in the image scanner. Some are possible. When copying an original using such an MFP, the user feeds the paper in the portrait orientation (SEF) so that the short side direction of the recording paper and the print main scanning direction coincide with each other. Alternatively, it is selected whether to feed the paper in the horizontal direction (Long Edge Feed: LEF) so that the long side direction of the recording paper coincides with the main printing scanning direction. Note that the printing main scanning direction refers to the direction in which the laser beam scans and moves on the photosensitive drum in the case of a laser printer, and refers to the longitudinal direction of the LED head in the case of an LED printer. That is, the printing main scanning direction indicates a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the printing paper.

  Here, when the user selects the portrait orientation (SEF) as the recording paper feeding direction, the MFP can start printing sequentially from the position read by the line sensor, so that the first printed matter is output. There is an advantage that the time (First Copy Output Time: FCOT) can be shortened. On the other hand, since the long side of the recording paper is about 1.4 times as long as the short side, when the vertical orientation (SEF) is selected as the paper feeding direction, the paper transport time to the printer is also about 1.times. 4 times, and the time required for the printing process is prolonged.

  Therefore, many MFPs have a function of printing a document conveyed in portrait orientation (SEF) by ADF on a recording sheet fed in landscape orientation (LEF) to the printer in order to shorten the time required for printing processing. I have. However, in order to print the image data of the document conveyed in the portrait orientation (SEF) by the ADF on the recording paper fed in the landscape orientation (LEF), the image data is matched with the orientation of the recording paper prior to the printing process. A separate process of rotating horizontally is required. Therefore, when the user selects landscape orientation (LEF) as the orientation of the recording paper, the time required for the printing process can be reduced, but the time required for the entire document copying process by the MFP cannot be reduced. .

  In relation to this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 discloses that when printing an image based on print data on a recording paper, the time difference of the printing process for the recording paper fed in landscape / vertical orientation, and the rotation of the image data In consideration of the time required for processing, a technique for selecting a paper feeding direction that shortens the time required for printing is disclosed. However, even if this technology is used, it is only possible to select an optimal paper feeding direction for ending the printing process in a short time, and it is not possible to shorten the time required for the entire document copying process by the MFP. It was.

JP 2001-322326 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to generate an image based on image data obtained by reading a document along a long side direction with a line sensor, and to record the long side of the recording paper. The present invention provides a copying apparatus capable of reducing the time required for document copy processing for feeding and printing in a landscape orientation so that the direction and the main scanning direction coincide with each other, and a control program for the copying apparatus. .

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) A reading unit that reads the document by relatively moving the document and the line sensor along the long side direction of the document, and a data generation unit that generates image data of the document read by the reading unit A printing unit that prints an image based on the image data generated by the data generation unit on a recording sheet, and a direction of the recording sheet fed to the printing unit as a short side direction of the recording sheet and the recording A selection unit that selects one of a vertical direction in which a printing main scanning direction orthogonal to a paper feeding direction matches and a horizontal direction in which a long side direction of the recording paper matches the printing main scanning direction; When the portrait orientation is selected by the selection unit, the line sensor is moved at a first speed to read the document at a first resolution along the long side direction of the document, When selected, the line sensor is moved at a second speed larger than the first speed to move the line sensor at a second resolution smaller than the first resolution along the long side direction of the document. A reading control unit that controls the reading unit to read a document; and a rotation process that rotates the image data horizontally when the selection unit selects a landscape orientation, and the long side direction of the document An image processing unit that performs image processing including resolution conversion processing that converts the resolution of image data to the first resolution, and when the selection unit selects landscape orientation, the image processing unit that has processed the image And a printing control unit that controls the printing unit to print an image based on the image data.

  (2) The copying apparatus according to (1), wherein the image processing unit performs the resolution conversion process for each line along the printing main scanning direction.

  (3) The copying apparatus according to (1), wherein the printing unit starts printing from a portion of the image data where the resolution conversion processing by the image processing unit has been completed.

  (4) The printing unit, when the portrait orientation is selected by the selection unit, starts printing from a portion of the image data where the reading unit has completed reading the document. The copying apparatus according to any one of 1) to 3).

  (5) The copying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the image processing unit executes the image processing after the reading of the original by the reading unit is completed. .

  (6) The copying apparatus according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein the image processing unit executes the resolution conversion processing by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) circuit.

  (7) a reading unit that relatively moves the document and the line sensor along the long side direction of the document to read the document, a data generation unit that generates image data of the document read by the reading unit, and A control program for a copying apparatus having a printing unit that prints an image based on the image data generated by the data generation unit on a recording sheet, wherein the direction of the sheet fed to the printing unit Select either the vertical direction in which the short side direction and the printing main scanning direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording paper match, or the horizontal direction in which the long side direction of the recording paper and the printing main scanning direction match. When the portrait orientation is selected in the procedure (A) and the procedure (A), the line sensor is moved at the first speed to move the first resolution along the long side direction of the document. When the original is read and the landscape orientation is selected, the line sensor is moved at a second speed larger than the first speed, thereby moving the line sensor along the longer side direction of the original than the first resolution. A procedure (B) for controlling the reading unit to read the document with a small second resolution, and a rotation process for rotating the image data horizontally when the landscape orientation is selected in the procedure (A); Step (C) for executing image processing including resolution conversion processing for converting the resolution of the image data along the long side direction of the document to the first resolution, and landscape orientation is selected in the step (A). In this case, a procedure (D) for controlling the printing unit so as to print an image based on the image processed image data in the procedure (C) is applied to a control device for controlling the operation of the copying apparatus. Execution Program for causing.

  (8) The program according to (7), wherein in the step (C), the resolution conversion process is executed for each line along the printing main scanning direction.

  (9) The program according to (8), wherein the printing unit starts printing from a portion of the image data where the resolution conversion process in the procedure (C) is completed.

  (10) When the portrait orientation is selected in the procedure (A), the printing unit starts printing from a portion of the image data where the reading of the original by the reading unit is completed. The program according to any one of (7) to (9) above.

  (11) In the step (C), the image processing is executed after the reading of the original by the reading unit is completed. program.

  (12) The program according to any one of (7) to (11), wherein the resolution conversion process is executed by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) circuit.

  (13) A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to any one of (7) to (12) is recorded.

  According to the copying apparatus of the present invention, when the landscape orientation (LEF) is selected as the recording paper feeding direction, the line is printed at the second speed V2 that is higher than the first speed V1 corresponding to the reading resolution specified by the user. The sensor can be moved relative to the document. Therefore, according to the copying apparatus of the present invention, an image based on image data obtained by reading a document while relatively moving both of the originals along the long side direction by the line sensor, and the main side scanning of the recording paper It is possible to reduce the time required for document copy processing for feeding and printing in landscape orientation (LEF) so that the directions match.

1 is a front view showing an appearance of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of document copy processing executed by the MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an example of a time chart showing a time required for document copy processing executed by the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention. 6 is an example of a time chart showing a time required for document copy processing executed by the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view showing an appearance of MFP 100 as a copying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of MFP 100. MFP 100 may include components other than the components illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 or may not include some of the components illustrated in FIGS.

  1 and 2, the MFP 100 includes a control unit 110, an operation panel unit 120, a document reading unit 130, a paper feeding unit 140, a printing unit 150, and a post-processing unit 160, which exchange signals. Are connected to each other via a bus 170.

  The control unit 110 includes a main CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a hard disk 104, a first image processing circuit 105, a second image processing circuit 106, and a communication interface. 107.

  The main CPU 101 performs control of each part and various arithmetic processes according to a program. The ROM 102 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 103 temporarily stores programs and data as a work area. In particular, the RAM 103 is used for temporarily storing a print job received via the communication interface 107, various arithmetic processing results by the main CPU 101, image data of a copy original obtained by the original reading unit 130, and the like. The

  Hard disk 104 stores various programs and various data for controlling basic operations of MFP 100. Further, since the hard disk 104 is a non-volatile storage area, it is used for storing a print job received via the communication interface 107, image data of a copy original obtained by the original reading unit 130, etc. for a long period of time. The

  The first image processing circuit 105 generates image data of a copy original based on a signal acquired from the CCD image sensor 132 of the original reading unit 130. The second image processing circuit 106 executes various types of image processing on the image data of the copy document generated by the first image processing circuit 105. In this image processing, the image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105 is rotated in accordance with the direction of the recording paper fed to the printing unit 150 (rotation processing), or the image data For example, a process of appropriately converting the resolution (resolution conversion process). These image processes will be further described later. The image data after the image processing by the second image processing circuit 106 is transmitted to the printing unit 150 for printing processing.

  The communication interface 107 is an interface for communicating with other devices, and includes a network interface and a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. The network interface is an interface for communicating with other devices via a network, and conforms to standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface). The USB interface is an interface for communicating with an external device compliant with the USB standard such as a USB memory.

  The operation panel unit 120 is an operation panel including a touch panel, a numeric keypad, a start button, a stop button, and the like, and is used for displaying various information to the user and acquiring various operation instructions from the user.

  The document reading unit 130 is an image scanner including a scanner CPU 131, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) image sensor 132, an IR / ADF motor 133, and a motor driver 134. The document reading unit 130 irradiates light from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp onto a document conveyed at a predetermined conveyance speed by an ADF (not shown), and converts the reflected light into an electronic signal by the CCD image sensor 132. Then, the electrical signal converted by the CCD image sensor 132 is transmitted to the first image processing circuit 105, and based on this, image data of a copy original is generated.

  Here, the CCD image sensor 132 is a line sensor composed of a plurality of CCDs arranged along a direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction by the ADF. In the following description, the CCD image sensor 132 is arranged in the direction in which the line sensors are arranged. This is referred to as the “reading main scanning direction” of the document reading unit 130.

  The document reading unit 130 can read only a document conveyed in portrait orientation (SEF) so that the short side direction of the document and the main scanning direction of the document coincide with each other by the ADF. That is, the document reading unit 130 generates vertical (SEF) image data by relatively moving the line sensor (CCD image sensor 132) along the long side direction of the document conveyed by the ADF. In the following description, a direction orthogonal to the reading main scanning direction (that is, a document conveying direction by ADF) is referred to as a “reading sub-scanning direction”.

  The scanner CPU 131 performs control of each unit and various arithmetic processes according to a program. The IR / ADF motor 133 is a motor for driving the CCD image sensor 132 and ADF as a reading device (Image Reader: IR), and the motor driver 134 is a control device for controlling the IR / ADF motor 133. is there.

  The motor driver 134 can adjust the document conveyance speed by the IR / ADF motor 133 in accordance with instructions from the control unit. Here, since the document conveyance speed by ADF and the reading resolution in the reading sub-scanning direction by document reading unit 130 are inversely proportional, for example, when the document conveyance speed by ADF is doubled, it is acquired by document reading unit 130. The resolution of the image data along the reading sub-scanning direction is halved.

  The paper feeding unit 140 accommodates printing recording paper for each size. The paper feed unit 140 includes a plurality of paper feed trays 140a to 140c and a manual feed tray 140d, and sends out recording sheets stored in the paper feed trays 140a to 140c and the manual feed tray 140d one by one to the printing unit 150. A plurality of types of recording sheets are stored in the plurality of sheet feeding trays 140a to 140c for each size or for each sheet feeding direction (SEF / LEF).

  In this example, A4 size recording paper is stored in the first paper feed tray 140a, and the vertical direction (SEF) is set so that the short side direction thereof coincides with the printing main scanning direction of the printing unit 150. It shall be fed. On the other hand, the A4 size recording paper is stored in the second paper feed tray 140b, and is fed in the horizontal direction (LEF) so that the long side direction thereof coincides with the printing main scanning direction of the printing unit 150. Shall be. Here, the printing main scanning direction refers to a direction in which laser light moves on a photosensitive drum of a printing unit 150 to be described later.

  The printing unit 150 is a print engine that executes print processing based on image data received from the second image processing circuit 106. More specifically, the printing unit 150 includes a charging process for charging the photosensitive drum, an exposure process for forming an electrostatic latent image by scanning the photosensitive drum with laser light, and an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. Development process for forming toner image by attaching toner to the toner, transfer process for transferring the toner image on the photosensitive drum to the recording paper by the transfer belt, and fixing by heating and fixing the toner image transferred to the recording paper by the fixing roller An electrophotographic printing process including a process is executed.

  However, the printing method employed by the printing unit 150 is not limited to the above-described electrophotographic method, and any printing method including a process of forming an image for each line along the main scanning direction of printing may be used. For example, an inkjet method may be used. In the following description, a direction orthogonal to the printing main scanning direction (that is, the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum and the feeding direction of the recording paper) will be referred to as a “printing sub-scanning direction”. .

  The post-processing unit 160 is a finisher that discharges the recording paper that has been printed by the printing unit 150. The post-processing unit 160 includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, and the recording paper that has undergone printing processing is discharged to a predetermined paper discharge tray. Further, the post-processing unit 160 includes a mechanism (not shown) for performing various post-processing such as stapling and punching on recording paper that has been printed.

  MFP 100 having the above-described configuration generates image data by reading a document conveyed in portrait orientation (SEF) so that the short side direction of the document matches the main scanning direction of image reading unit 130 by ADF. Then, an image based on the image data is recorded on a recording sheet fed in a portrait orientation (SEF) such that the short side direction of the recording sheet coincides with the printing main scanning direction, or the long side direction of the recording sheet and the printing main unit. A process of printing on the recording paper fed in the landscape orientation (LEF) so as to match the scanning direction is executed. In the following description, the above-described processing by MFP 100 will be referred to as “original copy processing”.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure of document copy processing by MFP 100. The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is stored as a control program in the hard disk 104 of the MFP 100. Prior to the document copying process, it is assumed that the document for copying is set in the ADF of the document reading unit 130 so as to be conveyed in portrait orientation (SEF).

  First, when it is confirmed that a document is set on the ADF (S101), the MFP receives various copy settings from the user through the operation panel unit 120 (S102). Information regarding the copy settings received in S102 is stored in the RAM 103. The copy settings here include the number of copies related to the number of copies printed by the printing unit 150, the resolution setting related to the reading resolution by the document reading unit 130, and the size and orientation of the recording paper fed to the printing unit 150 by the paper feeding unit 140. The paper setting for (SEF / LEF) is included. In the following description, the reading resolution by the user's resolution setting accepted in S102 is referred to as “first resolution R1”, and the ADF document conveyance speed corresponding to the first resolution R1 (that is, the CCD image sensor 132). The movement speed along the reading sub-scanning direction) will be referred to as “first speed V1”.

  Subsequently, when the MFP 100 receives a copy start instruction (S103), the MFP 100 refers to the paper setting received in S102 and determines whether the orientation of the recording paper fed to the printing unit 150 is landscape (LEF). Determine (S104). Then, the MFP 100 branches the subsequent processing in accordance with the determination result in S104 (S105 to S112 or S113 to S118). First, the procedure when the orientation of the recording sheet is not the landscape orientation (LEF) but the portrait orientation (SEF) (NO in S104) will be described below (S113 to S118).

  First, the MFP 100 instructs the second image processing circuit 106 not to perform rotation processing of the image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105 (to turn off the rotation processing) (S113). Thereafter, the MFP 100 starts reading (scanning) the document by the document reading unit 130 (S114). At this time, the document conveyance speed by the ADF is set to the first speed V1 corresponding to the first reading resolution R1 received in S102. Then, the first image processing circuit 105 generates image data having a resolution R1 along the reading sub-scanning direction.

  After that, the MFP 100 determines whether or not scanning is completed up to a predetermined position on the document along the reading sub-scanning direction (S115), and waits until scanning is completed up to the predetermined position (NO in S115). Then, when the scanning to the predetermined position is completed (YES in S115), the MFP 100 starts the image data printing process by the printing unit 150 (S116). As described above, when a document conveyed in portrait orientation (SEF) by ADF is printed on recording paper fed in portrait orientation (LEF), it is necessary to execute rotation processing of image data prior to printing processing. Therefore, the printing process can be started sequentially from the portion read by the document reading unit 130.

  Thereafter, MFP 100 determines whether or not scanning of the entire document has been completed (S117), and waits until scanning of the entire document is completed (NO in S117). Then, when the scanning of the entire document is completed (YES in S117), the MFP 100 determines whether or not the next document is set on the ADF (S118). If the next document is set (YES in S118), the process returns to S115 described above. If the next document is not set (NO in S118), the document copying process is terminated (END).

  Next, a procedure when the orientation of the recording sheet fed to the printing unit 150 is landscape (LEF) (YES in S104) will be described (S105 to S112). First, the MFP 100 instructs the motor driver 134 to transport the document at a second speed V2 (V2> V1) that is higher than the first speed V1 based on the resolution setting (R1) received in S102 (S105). . Here, the reading resolution in the reading sub-scanning direction corresponding to the second speed V2 is set as the second resolution R2. As described above, since the document conveyance speed by the ADF and the reading resolution along the reading sub-scanning direction by the document reading unit 130 are inversely proportional, the second resolution R2 is smaller than the first resolution R1 by the user resolution setting. (R2 <R1).

  Subsequently, the MFP 100 instructs the second image processing circuit 106 to perform rotation processing of the image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105 (turn on the rotation processing) (S106). Then, the MFP 100 starts reading (scanning) the document by the document reading unit 130 (S107).

  At this time, the document conveyance speed by the ADF is set to a second speed V2 that is higher than the first speed V1 by the user's resolution setting (see S105). As a result, the document reading unit 130 can complete the scan in a shorter time compared to the case where the orientation of the recording sheet is the portrait orientation (LEF). For example, when the second speed V2 is twice the first speed V1, the document reading unit 130 can complete scanning of the document in half the time.

  Then, when scanning of the document is started in S107, the first image processing circuit 105 generates image data having a second resolution R2 whose resolution along the reading sub-scanning direction is smaller than the first resolution R1. It will be. For example, when the second speed V2 is twice the first speed V1, the resolution of the image data along the document sub-scanning direction (second resolution R2) is the first resolution R1 determined by the user resolution setting. (R2 = R1 / 2).

  Thereafter, MFP 100 determines whether or not scanning of the entire document has been completed (S108), and waits until scanning of the entire document is completed (NO in S108). When the entire document has been scanned (YES in S108), the MFP 100 performs image rotation processing (S109) and resolution conversion processing on the image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105 by the second image processing circuit 106. (S110) is executed. These image processes will be described in detail below.

  First, in the image rotation process (S109), the portrait (SEF) image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105 is rotated in accordance with the orientation (LEF) of the recording paper fed to the printing unit 150. It is processing for. By this image rotation processing, the image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105 is rotated horizontally (LEF) in accordance with the direction of the recording paper fed to the printing unit 150. The resolution conversion process (S110) refers to the resolution (second resolution R2) along the reading sub-scanning direction of the image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105, and the first resolution R1 by the user resolution setting. It is a process to convert to. By this resolution conversion processing, the resolution of the image data generated by the first image processing circuit 105 matches the first resolution R1 according to the user resolution setting in both the reading sub-scanning direction and the reading main scanning direction. Become.

  Note that the resolution conversion process in S110 is executed by, for example, a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) circuit provided in the second image processing circuit 106. Here, the resolution conversion process in S110 is preferably executed for each scanning line along the main printing scanning direction that coincides with the reading sub-scanning direction of the image data. As a result, the second image processing circuit 106 can execute the resolution conversion process using only the line buffer for one scanning line, and therefore avoids an increase in cost due to the mounting of the line buffers for a plurality of lines. Can do. On the other hand, if resolution conversion is to be performed along the printing sub-scanning direction of image data, it is necessary to mount a line buffer for a plurality of lines in the second image processing circuit 106, and thus an increase in cost is inevitable.

  Thereafter, the MFP 100 starts a printing process based on the image data that has been subjected to the image rotation process (S109) and the resolution conversion process (S110) (S111). Here, since the resolution conversion processing in S110 is executed for each scanning line along the main printing direction of the image data, the MFP 100 includes a portion of the image data for which the resolution conversion processing by the second image processing circuit 106 has been completed. Printing can be started sequentially.

  Thereafter, the MFP 100 determines whether or not the next document is set on the ADF (S112). If the next document is set (YES at S112), the process returns to S107 described above. If the next document is not set (NO at S112), the document copying process is terminated (END).

  Next, the time required for document copy processing by the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the time required for document copy processing by MFP 100. (B) in the figure shows the required time when the recording paper is fed to the printing unit 150 in landscape orientation (LEF), and (C) in the figure shows the recording paper in the portrait orientation (SEF) on the printing unit 150. ) Shows the required time when paper is fed. For comparison with the present embodiment, (A) is a time chart showing the time required for document copy processing according to the prior art when a recording sheet is fed in landscape orientation (LEF).

  As shown in FIG. 5B, when the recording paper is fed in the landscape orientation (LEF), the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment has a second speed that is higher than the first speed V1 according to the user resolution setting. Since the original is conveyed at a speed V2 (V2> V1), the time required for scanning can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional example. For example, when the second speed V2 is twice the first speed V1 (V2 = 2 × V1), the MFP 100 can complete the scan in half the required time.

  Then, when the ADF transports the document at the second speed V2, the CCD image sensor 132 moves relative to the document at the second speed V2. Therefore, the first image processing circuit 105 generates image data having a second resolution R2 (R2 <R1) in which the resolution along the reading sub-scanning direction is smaller than the first resolution R1 according to the user resolution setting. become. As a result, the time required for image rotation processing by the second image processing circuit 106 is also shortened compared to the conventional example.

  On the other hand, according to the document copying process according to the present embodiment, a resolution conversion process that is unnecessary in the conventional example is newly required. However, since the resolution conversion processing according to this embodiment is executed for each line along the print main scanning direction (that is, the reading sub-scanning direction) of the image data, the MFP 100 is a portion of the image data for which the resolution conversion processing has been completed. Printing can be started sequentially. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by appropriately selecting the second speed V2, the time required for the entire document copying process can be significantly shortened as compared with the conventional example. Here, if the second speed V2 is excessively increased, the print image quality along the main scanning direction of the print deteriorates. Therefore, the magnification (V2 / V1) of the second speed V2 with respect to the first speed V1 is 2 It is preferable to be set to 0.0 to 3.0 times.

  FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the time required for the document copying process when scanning by the document reading unit 130 and the printing process by the printing unit 150 are performed in parallel in the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment. (B) in the figure shows the required time when the recording paper is fed to the printing unit 150 in landscape orientation (LEF), and (C) in the figure shows the recording paper in the portrait orientation (SEF) on the printing unit 150. ) Shows the required time when paper is fed. For comparison with the present embodiment, (A) in the figure shows the time required for document copy processing according to the prior art when the recording sheet is fed in the landscape orientation (LEF). As shown in FIG. 5, even when scanning and printing are performed in parallel, the time required for the entire document copying process can be greatly reduced.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the MFP 100 including the document reading unit 130 and the printing unit 150 is employed as the copying apparatus according to the present invention. However, the copying machine according to the present invention includes a document reading device such as an image scanner, a printer, and the like. The copying system may include a printing apparatus.

  The copying apparatus according to the present invention can be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit for executing the above procedure, or by executing a program describing the above procedure by the CPU. When the present invention is realized by the latter, the program for operating the copying apparatus may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a floppy (registered trademark) disk or CD-ROM, or via a network such as the Internet. It may be provided online. Here, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to a ROM, a hard disk or the like built in the recording device. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software as one function of the copying apparatus.

100 MFP,
101 main CPU,
102 ROM,
103 RAM,
104 hard disk,
105 a first image processing circuit;
106 a second image processing circuit,
107 communication interface,
110 control unit,
120 operation panel section,
130 Document reading unit,
140 paper feeder,
150 image forming unit,
160 post-processing section,
170 Bus.

Claims (13)

A reading unit that reads the original by relatively moving the original and the line sensor along the long side direction of the original;
A data generation unit that generates image data of the document read by the reading unit;
A printing unit that prints an image based on the image data generated by the data generation unit on a recording sheet;
The orientation of the recording paper fed to the printing unit is the vertical orientation in which the short side direction of the recording paper coincides with the printing main scanning direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording paper, and the length of the recording paper A selection unit that selects any one of the horizontal directions in which the side direction and the main printing scanning direction coincide with each other;
When the portrait unit is selected by the selection unit, the original is read at a first resolution along the long side direction of the document by moving the line sensor at a first speed, and the landscape orientation is selected. In this case, the original is read at a second resolution smaller than the first resolution along the long side direction of the original by moving the line sensor at a second speed higher than the first speed. A reading control unit for controlling the reading unit,
Rotation processing for rotating the image data horizontally when the selection unit selects landscape orientation, and resolution conversion processing for converting the resolution of the image data along the long side direction of the document into the first resolution An image processing unit that executes image processing including:
And a printing control unit that controls the printing unit to print an image based on the image data that has been subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit when the selection unit selects landscape orientation.   The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit executes the resolution conversion process for each line along the printing main scanning direction.   The copying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the printing unit starts printing from a portion of the image data where the resolution conversion processing by the image processing unit is completed.   4. The printing unit according to claim 1, wherein when the portrait unit is selected by the selection unit, the printing unit starts printing from a portion of the image data where the reading unit has completed reading the document. The copying apparatus according to any one of the above.   The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit performs the image processing after the reading of the original by the reading unit is completed.   The copying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processing unit executes the resolution conversion processing by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) circuit. A reading unit that reads the original by relatively moving the original and the line sensor along the long side direction of the original, a data generation unit that generates image data of the original read by the reading unit, and the data generation A control program for a copying apparatus having a printing unit for printing an image based on the image data generated by a unit on a recording sheet,
The orientation of the paper fed to the printing unit is a longitudinal orientation in which the short side direction of the recording paper coincides with the printing main scanning direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recording paper, and the long side of the recording paper A procedure (A) for selecting one of the horizontal orientations in which the direction and the printing main scanning direction coincide with each other;
When the portrait orientation is selected in the procedure (A), the line sensor is moved at a first speed to read the document at a first resolution along the long side direction of the document, and the landscape orientation is selected. In this case, by moving the line sensor at a second speed larger than the first speed, the original at a second resolution smaller than the first resolution along the long side direction of the original. (B) for controlling the reading unit to read
When the landscape orientation is selected in the procedure (A), a rotation process for rotating the image data horizontally, and a resolution for converting the resolution of the image data along the long side direction of the document into the first resolution. A procedure (C) for executing image processing including conversion processing;
A step (D) for controlling the printing unit to print an image based on the image data that has been subjected to the image processing in the step (C) when landscape orientation is selected in the step (A); A program that is executed by a control device that controls the operation of the copying apparatus.   The program according to claim 7, wherein in the step (C), the resolution conversion process is executed for each line along the printing main scanning direction.   The program according to claim 8, wherein the printing unit starts printing from a portion of the image data where the resolution conversion process in the procedure (C) has been completed.   8. The printing unit according to claim 7, wherein when the portrait orientation is selected in the procedure (A), the printing unit starts printing from a portion of the image data in which the reading of the original by the reading unit is completed. The program as described in any one of -9.   The program according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein in the step (C), the image processing is executed after the reading of the document by the reading unit is completed.   The program according to claim 7, wherein the resolution conversion process is executed by a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) circuit.   The computer-readable recording medium with which the program as described in any one of Claims 7-12 was recorded.

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