JP5669703B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to a technique for forming an image on which an image is to be formed on a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known an image forming apparatus that employs a technique for forming an original image read by an image reading unit such as a scanner in a limited area on a recording medium. For example, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a document image read by an image reading unit is reduced or enlarged in accordance with an area on a recording medium, and an image is formed. An image forming apparatus that eliminates the occurrence has been proposed. Patent Document 2 also proposes an image forming apparatus that enlarges a document image read by an image reading unit and forms the image by extending the read image to a margin area on a recording medium.

JP 2000-175030 A JP 2008-206191 A

  The image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 forms an image in the margin area on the recording medium to eliminate the margin area, and the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2 uses the margin area on the recording medium. It is possible to form an image without missing the read image in a wide image formable region including the image. However, when an image to be image-formed is formed on a recording medium, it is expected that a larger image can be formed without losing the contents of the image.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. When an image to be image-formed is formed on a recording medium, the content of the image is not lost and is larger than before. An object is to enable image formation.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image reading unit that reads an image on a document,
In the read data read by the image reading unit, an image region detecting unit for detecting an image region where an image to be image-formed exists, and detecting a plurality of images to be image-formed In addition, an image region detection unit that detects a plurality of rectangular regions including all of the plurality of images and has a minimum total area as an image region;
A blank area acquisition unit for acquiring blank area information indicating a blank area where image formation is not performed on the recording medium;
A size information acquisition unit for acquiring size information of the recording medium;
Image formation for detecting an image forming area on which the image can be formed on the recording medium from the margin area information acquired by the margin area acquisition unit and the size information of the recording medium acquired by the size information acquisition unit An area detector;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the image region detected by the image region detection unit fits in the image formation region detected by the image formation region detection unit;
When the determination unit determines that the image region does not fit in the image formation region, a processing unit that performs processing to fit the image region detected by the image region detection unit into the image formation region , When a plurality of image areas are detected by the image area detection unit, an image area adjacent to one of the plurality of image areas is not formed, and the plurality of image areas A processing unit that determines whether or not there is a region that can form another region, and when there is the region, a processing unit that performs processing for moving the other image region to the region and reconstructing the image region ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of the image region processed by the processing unit in the image forming region.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit and a control unit for controlling a display operation by the display unit,
In the case where the processing unit performs processing for moving the other image region, and there are a plurality of regions in which the other image region is movable, the control unit includes the other image region in each of the plurality of regions. A plurality of reconstructed image areas that have been moved are displayed on the display unit,
The processing unit moves the other image region so as to become a reconstructed image region that has received a selection instruction from a user among a plurality of reconstructed image regions displayed on the display unit. It is.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image area detection unit receives a read instruction without a margin or a read instruction with a margin by a user, and issues a read instruction without a margin. When the image data is received, the image data in the read data read by the image reading unit is detected and an image area in which an image to be imaged is present is detected. The read data itself is used as the image area .

The invention according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image area detected by the image area detecting unit is a character area including a character image or an image other than a character. An image discriminating unit for discriminating between the image regions including the image region, and the processing unit performs the processing by giving priority to a predetermined region among the regions discriminated by the image discriminating unit. It is.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image reading unit reads a plurality of documents to acquire an image for each document, and the processing unit includes: The processing performed on the first image of the document read by the image reading unit is also performed on the second and subsequent document images.

  According to the present invention, when the above-described read image to be image-formed is formed on a recording medium, it is possible to form a larger image without losing the content of the read image than before.

1 is a front sectional view showing a structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing a main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of an image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the image area | region on a document. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of image areas on a document. It is a figure which shows the example of the image formation area and margin area on a recording paper. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state in which an image area after rotation processing is arranged in an image forming area on a recording sheet. (A) is a figure which shows the example of an image area | region, (B) (C) (D) is a figure which shows the example of the reconfigure | reconstructed image area | region. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of an image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of an image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment of an image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing the structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 11 including an image forming unit 12, a fixing device 13, a paper feeding unit 14, a paper discharging unit 15, a document feeding unit 6, a document reading unit 5, and the like.

  The apparatus main body 11 includes a lower main body 111, an upper main body 112 disposed so as to face the lower main body 111, and a connecting portion 113 provided between the upper main body 112 and the lower main body 111. The connecting portion 113 is a structure for connecting the paper discharge portion 15 between the lower main body 111 and the upper main body 112 to each other. In FIG. And is L-shaped in a plan view. The upper body 112 is supported on the upper end portion of the connecting portion 113. The upper body 112 is provided with a document reading unit 5 and a document feeding unit 6.

  The document reading unit (image reading unit) 5 is attached to the upper surface opening of the upper body 112 and presses the contact glass (document table) 161 on which the document is placed and the document placed on the contact glass 161. An openable / closable document pressing cover 162 and a reading mechanism 163 for reading an image of the document placed on the contact glass 161 are provided. The reading mechanism 163 optically reads an image of a document using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), and generates image data.

  The document feeding unit 6 includes a document placing table 61 on which a document is placed, a document discharge unit 66 from which an image-read document is discharged, and a document transport mechanism 65. The document transport mechanism 65 includes a paper feed roller, a transport roller, and a paper reversing mechanism (not shown). The document transport mechanism 65 drives the paper feed roller and the transport roller to feed the document placed on the document placing table 61 one by one to a position facing the document reading slit 53, and passes the document reading slit 53 through the document reading slit 53. Then, after reading by the reading mechanism 163 is possible, the document is discharged to the document discharge unit 66. Further, the document transport mechanism 65 causes the paper reversing mechanism to reverse the document and to transport it again to a position facing the document reading slit 53, so that images on both sides of the document are read through the document reading slit 53. 163 enables reading.

  Further, the document feeding unit 6 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the upper body 112 so that the front side thereof can move upward. By moving the front side of the document feeder 6 upward to open the upper surface of the contact glass 161 as a document table, the user places a read document, for example, a book in a spread state, on the upper surface of the contact glass 161. It can be done.

  The lower main body 111 includes an image forming unit 12, a fixing device 13, and a paper feeding unit 14. The upper body 112 is provided with a document reading unit 5. The paper feed unit 14 has paper feed cassettes 142, 143, and 144 that can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 11. Each of the paper feed cassettes 142, 143, and 144 contains a sheet bundle in which recording sheets (an example of a recording medium) are stacked. For example, unprinted recording paper which is double-sided white paper is stored in the paper feed cassette 142, and used paper (back paper) which is printed on only one side but not printed on the other side in the paper feed cassette 143. ) Is housed. In this embodiment, three stages of the paper feed cassettes 142, 143, and 144 are provided, but the number of stages of the paper feed cassettes is not limited to this.

  The image forming unit 12 performs an image forming operation for forming a toner image on the recording paper fed from the paper feeding unit 14. The image forming unit 12 is arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the traveling direction of the intermediate transfer belt 125, the magenta image forming unit 12M using magenta toner, and the cyan toner using cyan toner. Image forming unit 12C, yellow image forming unit 12Y using yellow toner, and black image forming unit 12B using black toner (hereinafter, each image forming unit is described without distinction. Each of which is referred to as an “image forming unit 120”, and an intermediate transfer belt 125 stretched between a plurality of rollers such as a driving roller 125a (secondary transfer opposing roller) so as to be capable of endless running in the sub-scanning direction in image formation. The intermediate transfer belt 125 is a portion where the intermediate transfer belt 125 is stretched around the driving roller 125a. And a secondary transfer roller 210 abutting against the outer peripheral surface 25.

  Each image forming unit 120 includes a photosensitive drum 121, a developing device 122 that supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 121, a toner cartridge (not shown) that contains toner, a charging device 123, an exposure device 124, a primary device. A transfer roller 126 and a drum cleaning device 127 are integrally provided.

  The photosensitive drum 121 forms an electrostatic latent image and a toner image along the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface thereof. The developing device 122 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 121. Each developing device 122 is appropriately supplied with toner from the toner cartridge.

  The charging device 123 is provided immediately below the photosensitive drum 121. The charging device 123 uniformly charges the peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum 121.

  The exposure device 124 is provided below the photosensitive drum 121 and further below the charging device 123. The exposure device 124 irradiates the peripheral surface of the charged photosensitive drum 121 with laser light corresponding to each color based on image data input from a computer or the like or image data acquired by the document reading unit 5, and each photosensitive member. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the peripheral surface of the drum 121. The exposure device 124 is a so-called laser exposure device, which is a laser light source that outputs a laser beam, a polygon mirror that reflects the laser beam toward the surface of the photosensitive drum 121, and a laser beam reflected by the polygon mirror. Optical components such as a lens and a mirror for guiding the drum 121 are provided.

  The developing device 122 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 121 rotating in the direction of the arrow and stacks the toner, and the toner corresponding to the image data is formed on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 121. Form an image.

  The intermediate transfer belt 125 is disposed above the photosensitive drums 121. The intermediate transfer belt 125 is stretched between the driving roller 125a on the left side in FIG. 1 and the driven roller 125b on the right side in FIG. It is in contact. The driven roller 125b is provided at a position facing the driving roller 125a and rotates following the endless running of the intermediate transfer belt 125. The intermediate transfer belt 125 is driven by a driving roller 125 a in a state where an image carrying surface on which a toner image is transferred is set on the outer peripheral surface thereof and in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121. The intermediate transfer belt 125 travels endlessly between the driving roller 125a and the driven roller 125b while being synchronized with each photosensitive drum 121.

  A primary transfer roller 126 is provided at a position facing each photosensitive drum 121 with the intermediate transfer belt 125 interposed therebetween. A transfer bias is applied to the primary transfer roller 126 by a transfer bias applying mechanism (not shown), and the primary transfer roller 126 transfers the toner image formed on the outer peripheral surface of each photosensitive drum 121 to the intermediate transfer belt 125. Transfer to the surface.

  The drive roller 125a causes the intermediate transfer belt 125 to run endlessly by a rotational driving force applied from a drive motor (not shown) driven under the control of a control unit (not shown).

  The operation control unit 100 (FIG. 2) drives and controls the primary transfer roller 126 and the image forming unit 120 for each color, and the magenta image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 by the magenta image forming unit 12M. Transfer of the toner image, transfer of the cyan toner image formed by the cyan image forming unit 12C to the same position of the intermediate transfer belt 125, and then yellow image forming unit 12Y to the same position of the intermediate transfer belt 125 The transfer of the yellow toner image formed by the above-mentioned process and the transfer of the black toner image formed by the last black image forming unit 12B are performed so that the toner images of the respective colors overlap each other. An image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 (intermediate transfer (primary transfer)).

  A transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 210 by a transfer bias applying mechanism (not shown). The secondary transfer roller 210 transfers the color toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 onto the recording paper conveyed from the paper supply unit 14. The secondary transfer roller 210 is provided in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 in the sheet conveyance path 190 where the intermediate transfer belt 125 is stretched around the drive roller 125a. The secondary transfer roller 210 forms a nip portion N where the toner image is secondarily transferred onto the recording paper between the drive roller 125a with the intermediate transfer belt 125 interposed therebetween. The recording sheet conveyed through the sheet conveying path 190 is pressed and sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 125 and the secondary transfer roller 210 at the nip portion N, where the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 125 is secondarily transferred to the recording sheet. The

  A registration roller 630 is disposed upstream of the nip portion N of the secondary transfer roller 210 and the drive roller 125a in the conveyance direction of the recording paper by the conveyance roller pair 192. The registration roller 630 performs recording in order to synchronize the toner image transfer timing from the intermediate transfer belt 125 by the secondary transfer roller 210 at the upper nip portion N and the timing at which the paper transport portion 411 transports the recording paper to the nip portion N. This is for waiting for the conveyance of the paper.

  The drum cleaning device 127 is provided on the left side of each photoconductive drum 121 in FIG. 1, and removes residual toner on the peripheral surface of the photoconductive drum 121 for cleaning. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 121 cleaned by the drum cleaning device 127 goes to the charging device 123 again for a new charging process.

  A sheet conveyance path 190 extending in the vertical direction is formed at the left position in FIG. 1 with respect to the image forming unit 12. A pair of conveying rollers 192 is provided at an appropriate position on the sheet conveying path 190. The conveyance roller pair 192 conveys the recording paper fed from the paper supply unit 14 toward the nip N and the fixing device 13. That is, the recording paper is transported by the transport mechanism including the transport roller pair 192 disposed at the appropriate position.

  The fixing device 13 includes a heating roller 132 provided with an energization heating element as a heating source therein, and a pressure roller 134 disposed to face the heating roller 132. The fixing device 13 applies heat from the heating roller 132 to the toner image on the recording paper transferred by the image forming unit 12 while the recording paper passes through the fixing nip portion between the heating roller 132 and the pressure roller 134. To give a fixing process. The recording sheet on which the color image has been formed after the fixing process is completed is discharged toward a discharge tray 151 provided on the top of the lower main body 111 through a discharge conveyance path 194 extending from the upper part of the fixing device 13. The

  A cleaning unit 22 is provided at a position facing the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 125 stretched around the driven roller 125b.

  The sheet feeding unit 14 includes a manual feed tray 141 that can be freely opened and closed on the right side wall in FIG. 1 of the apparatus main body 11, and a sheet feeding cassette 142 that is detachably mounted at a position below the exposure apparatus 124 in the lower body 111. And.

  The manual feed tray 141 is a tray that is provided at a lower position on the right surface of the lower main body 111 and feeds recording paper toward the image forming unit 12 by a manual feed operation. The paper feed cassettes 142, 143, and 144 store a sheet bundle in which a plurality of recording sheets are stacked. A pick-up roller 145 is provided above the paper feed cassette 142, and the pick-up roller 145 feeds the uppermost recording paper in the paper bundle stored in the paper feed cassettes 142, 143, and 144 toward the paper transport path 190. .

  The paper discharge unit 15 is formed between the lower main body 111 and the upper main body 112. The paper discharge unit 15 includes a discharge tray 151 formed on the upper surface of the lower main body 111. The discharge tray 151 is a tray in which the recording paper on which the toner image is formed by the image forming unit 12 is discharged after the fixing process is performed by the fixing device 13.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram schematically showing the main internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM, a ROM, a dedicated hardware circuit, and the like, and controls overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The control unit 10 includes a document reading unit 5, an image processing unit 31, an image memory 32, a paper transport unit 411, an image forming unit 12, an operation unit 47, a facsimile communication unit 71, a network interface unit 91, an HDD (hard disk drive) 81, and the like. Connected with. The control unit 10 performs operation control of each of the connected mechanisms and transmits / receives a signal or data to / from each mechanism.

  The control unit 10 includes an operation control unit 100 that performs overall operation control of the image forming apparatus 1 described above. The operation control unit 100 executes operation control for each function of the scanner function, the printer function, the copy function, and the printer function in accordance with a job execution instruction input from the user through the operation unit 47 or a personal computer connected via a network. The driving and processing of each mechanism unit necessary for the purpose is controlled.

  The document reading unit 5 includes a scanner unit 51 including the reading mechanism 163 having an image irradiation lamp 511 and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor 512. The document reading unit 5 irradiates the document with the image irradiation lamp 511 and receives the reflected light with the CCD sensor 512 to read the image from the document.

  The image processing unit 31 performs image processing on the image data of the image read by the document reading unit 5 as necessary. For example, the image processing unit 31 performs predetermined image processing in order to improve the quality after the image read by the document reading unit 5 is formed by the image forming unit 12.

  The image processing unit 31 includes a correction unit 311 and an image processing unit 312. The correction unit 311 outputs the output voltage of the charging device 123 as the image output process data of the image forming unit 12, the exposure light amount of the exposure device 124, the development bias voltage of the development device 122, the transfer bias of the transfer roller 126, and the secondary transfer roller 210. Adjust the transfer bias and other values. For example, the image processing unit 312 performs predetermined correction processing such as level correction and gamma correction on the image data read by the document reading unit 5, or compression or expansion processing, and expansion or reduction processing of the image data Various processing processes such as are performed. The image data processed by the image processing unit 31 is stored in the image memory 32 or output to the image forming unit 12 or the facsimile communication unit 71 or the like.

  The image memory 32 stores image data read by the document reading unit 5.

  The paper transport unit 411 includes the pickup roller 145 and the transport roller 192 shown in FIG. 1, and the recording paper stored in the manual feed tray 141, the paper feed cassettes 142, 143, and 144 is stored in the image forming unit 12 and the discharge tray. Transport to 151.

  As described above, the image forming unit 12 includes the image forming units 12M, 12C, 12Y, and 12B, the intermediate transfer belt 125 stretched around the driving roller 125a, and the secondary transfer roller 210. Image data to be output by the image forming unit 12 is transmitted from image data read by the document reading unit 5, image data transmitted from a client computer or the like in the local area via the network interface unit 91, and the like. Image data.

  As shown in FIG. 1 in addition to FIG. 2, the operation unit 47 includes a touch panel unit and operation key units that receive instructions from the user regarding various operations and processes that can be executed by the image forming apparatus 1. The touch panel unit includes a display unit 473 such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) provided with a touch panel.

  The facsimile communication unit 71 includes an unillustrated encoding / decoding unit, modulation / demodulation unit, and NCU (Network Control Unit), and performs facsimile transmission using a public telephone network. For example, the facsimile communication unit 71 transmits image data of a document read by the document reading unit 5 to a facsimile device or the like via a telephone line, or receives image data transmitted from the facsimile device or the like.

  The HDD 81 stores image data read by the document reading unit 5 and the like. The image data stored in the HDD 81 is used for image formation by the image forming unit 12 and can be transmitted to a client computer connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a network.

  The network interface unit 91 includes a communication module such as a LAN board, and transmits / receives various data to / from a device (such as a personal computer) in the local area via the LAN connected to the network interface unit 91.

  The control unit 10 further includes an image area detection unit 101, a margin area acquisition unit 102, a size information acquisition unit 103, an image formation area detection unit 104, a determination unit 105, a processing unit 106, an image determination unit 107, and a character size. A detection unit 108 is provided. The CPU functions according to a program stored in the memory or ROM in the control unit 10 or the HDD 81 or the like, thereby functioning as these units. Alternatively, the control unit 10 may function as each unit by including a dedicated hardware circuit corresponding to each unit. However, the image determination unit 107 and the character size detection unit 108 need only be included in the control unit 10 as long as they are required in each embodiment described later.

  The image area detection unit 101 detects an image area where an image to be image-formed exists in the read data read by the document reading unit 5. For example, the image area detection unit 101 pays attention to the pixel value of the pixel constituting the image indicated by the read data, and for example, the difference from the pixel value indicating the background color of the document is equal to or greater than a predetermined difference value. A pixel having a pixel value is determined as a pixel constituting the image, and a pixel whose difference is equal to or larger than a predetermined difference value and the position of the pixel are detected. Furthermore, the image area detection unit 101 includes, in the read data, each area where the distribution density of pixels whose difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined difference value is higher than a prescribed density (for example, 20%). And each of the determined areas is detected as the image area. Note that the image area detection processing by the image area detection unit 101 is not limited to this.

  The blank area acquisition unit 102 acquires blank area information indicating a blank area that is an area on the recording paper and on which image formation is not performed. The margin area is, for example, a margin area that is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user and stored in a built-in memory of the margin area acquisition unit 102 or the like, and does not form an image on the recording paper used for image formation. The margin area acquisition unit 102 acquires the margin area information by reading it from the memory.

  The size information acquisition unit 103 acquires size information indicating the size of the recording paper used for image formation. The size information is input by, for example, the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user, and is stored in a memory built in the size information acquisition unit 103. The size information acquisition unit 103 acquires this size information by reading it from the memory.

  The image forming area detection unit 104 determines an image forming area where an image can be formed on a recording sheet from the margin area information acquired by the margin area acquisition unit 102 and the size information acquired by the size information acquisition unit 103. To detect. For example, the image forming area detection unit 104 stores an image forming area indicating an area where image formation is possible for each recording paper size, and an area obtained by removing the blank area from the image forming area is used as the image forming area. To detect.

  The determination unit 105 determines whether or not the image region detected by the image region detection unit 101 fits in the image formation region detected by the image formation region detection unit 104. For example, the determination unit 105 compares the width Pw and height Ph indicated by the image forming area with the width Sh and height Sw indicated by the image area, and the width Sw ≦ Pw and the height Sh ≦ Ph. If both are satisfied, it is determined that the image area fits in the image forming area. The determination unit 105 determines that the image area does not fit in the image forming area when either the width Sw ≦ Pw or the height Sh ≦ Ph is not satisfied.

  When the determining unit 105 determines that the image area does not fit in the image forming area, the processing unit 106 performs processing necessary to fit the image area in the image forming area. As the processing, the processing unit 106, for example, (1) rotates the image area while maintaining the same scale. (2) When a plurality of image areas are detected, the space between the plurality of image areas is reduced. Or (3) reducing the image area.

  The image discriminating unit 107 discriminates whether the image region detected by the image region detecting unit 101 is a character region including a character image or an image region including an image other than a character. As a technique for determining the character area, the image determination unit 107 can use, for example, an edge detection processing method. In this case, the image determination unit 107 sequentially sets each pixel constituting the image indicated by the read data obtained by the document reading unit 5 as a target pixel, extracts the target pixel and peripheral pixels, and performs edge processing on these pixels. By performing a filter process using a detection filter, an edge detection process for detecting edge pixels constituting the contour of the image is performed. Then, when the edge is detected by the edge detection process, the image determination unit 107 determines that the target pixel is an edge pixel, and determines a character image based on the edge pixel. For example, the image determination unit 107 calculates a luminance difference value between each pixel of interest and eight neighboring pixels adjacent to the pixel of interest, and the difference value having a value larger than a predetermined threshold is equal to or greater than a certain number (for example, If there are four or more), it is determined that the target pixel is an edge pixel constituting the character image. The image discriminating unit 107 discriminates an image in which the edge pixel is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold as a character image. Then, the image determination unit 107 determines each region where the distribution density of the character image is higher than a specified density (for example, 20%) in the image indicated by the read data, and determines each region. Detect as a character area. Further, the image determination unit 107 determines that the image area other than the character area is an image area including an image such as a photograph or a graphic in the image indicated by the read data.

  The character size detection unit 108 detects the size of the character image included in the character area determined by the image determination unit 107. The character size detection unit 108 detects the size of each character image based on, for example, the number of pixels constituting the character image determined by the image determination unit 107 or the area of the character image.

  Next, a first embodiment of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the first embodiment of the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image area on a document. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of image areas on a document. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image forming area and a margin area on a recording sheet. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the image area after the rotation process is arranged in the image forming area on the recording paper.

  When an image formation instruction is input by the user operating the operation unit 47 or the like (YES in S1), the operation control unit 100 starts executing an image formation job indicated by the image formation instruction. At this time, the operation control unit 100 detects an image area on the display unit 473 and performs a reading operation in which no margin is provided in the image indicated by the read data (that is, the image area on the document is the entire area of the reading result by the document reading unit 5). (This operation is referred to as full-range reading), or a “margin reading instruction” is executed to provide a margin in the image indicated by the read data without detecting the image area. A message prompting the user to input any of “reading instruction” is displayed on the display unit 473.

  After this display, when a “marginless reading instruction” is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user (YES in S2), the operation control unit 100 causes the document reading unit 5 to perform a document surface reading operation. Furthermore, the image area detection unit 101 detects an image area (for example, indicated by the width Sw and the height Sh) in which the image to be image-formed exists in the read data read by the document reading unit 5. Detect (S3). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the image area detection unit 101 selects an area formed of an image to be image-formed from the entire image im (width SW, height SH) indicated by the read data as an image area ima ( Detected as width Sw, height Sh). That is, of the entire image im (width SW, height SH), the portion excluding the area corresponding to the width S1 to S4 (margin) from the document edge becomes the image area ima (width Sw, height Sh). .

  Here, as shown in FIG. 5, when a plurality of areas are detected as image areas in the read data, the image area detection unit 101 has information indicating the area for each image area. Detect Sw and height Sh. In this case, the image area detection unit 101 stores a rectangular area that can be configured to be the smallest including all of the plurality of image areas as the image area ima (width Sw, height Sh), and the plurality (n) of the plurality of (n) areas. Each of the image areas is stored as a small image area im1 (width Sw1, height Sh1)... Small image area imn (Swn, Shn). FIG. 5 shows a case where a small image area im1 (width Sw1, height Sh1) and a small image area im2 (Sw2, Sh2) are detected.

  In addition, when a “margin reading instruction” is input by the user operating the operation unit 47 or the like (NO in S2), the operation control unit 100 causes the document reading unit 5 to perform a document surface reading operation ( S4) At this time, the image area detection processing by the image area detection unit 101 is not performed. In this case, in the subsequent processing, the image itself indicated by the read data of the original read by the original reading unit 5 is handled as the image area.

  Subsequently, the operation control unit 100 includes an image in the above-described image area (including the case where the image itself indicated by the read data of the document read by the document reading unit 5 is treated as the image area in S4). A message that prompts the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to form an image within the image forming area on the recording paper is displayed on the display unit 473.

  After this display, when an instruction to not perform image formation so that the image in the image area fits in the image forming area is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user (NO in S5), the operation control unit 100, the image forming unit 12 uses the image of the image area obtained in S3 or S4 to perform normal image formation without processing by the processing unit 106 from the blank area acquiring unit 102 performed in the image forming apparatus 1. Perform (S6).

  On the other hand, when an in-region image formation instruction indicating that image formation is performed so that the image in the image region fits in the image formation region is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user (YES in S5), the margin The area acquisition unit 102 acquires blank area information about the recording paper used for the image forming job being executed (S7), and the size information acquisition unit 103 acquires the size information of the recording paper (S8).

  Thereafter, as shown in the example of FIG. 6, the image forming area detecting unit 104 stores the entire recording paper (width PW, height stored in correspondence with the recording paper size indicated by the size information obtained in S8. PH), the area excluding the blank area mg obtained in S7 (for example, an area having a width P1 to P4 from the edge of the recording paper) is detected as an image forming area pma (Pw, Ph) (S9). ).

  Subsequently, the determination unit 105 compares the values Pw and Ph indicating the width and height indicated by the image forming area with the values Sw and Sh indicating the width and height indicated by the image area, and performs the detection. It is determined whether or not the detected image area (Sw, Sh) fits in the image forming area (Pw, Ph) thus formed (S11).

  If the determination unit 105 determines that both the width Sw ≦ Pw and the height Sh ≦ Ph are satisfied and determines that the image area fits in the image forming area (YES in S11), the image The image in the area (Sw, Sh) is not subjected to reduction processing or the like, and the image forming area (Pw, Sh) on the recording paper is controlled by the image forming unit 12 under the control of the operation control unit 100 in the state at the time. An image is formed on Ph) (S22).

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 105 determines that any one of the width Sw ≦ Pw or the height Sh ≦ Ph is not satisfied and determines that the image area does not fit in the image forming area (NO in S11). ), The operation control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a message urging input of an instruction as to whether or not to rotate the image in the image region (Sw, Sh). After this display, when a rotation instruction for rotating the image in the image area is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user (YES in S12), the processing unit 106 displays the image in the image area by 90 degrees. The image area (Sw, Sh) is rotated to be the image area (Sh, Sw) (S13). Note that the rotation processing and the rotation angle by the processing unit 106 are not limited to this.

  Thereafter, the determination unit 105 determines whether or not the image area (Sh, Sw) subjected to the rotation processing is accommodated in the image formation area (Pw, Ph) (S14). Here, when the determination unit 105 determines that both Sh ≦ Pw and width Sw ≦ Ph are satisfied and determines that the image area fits in the image forming area (YES in S14), the rotation processing is performed. The image in the image area (Sh, Sw) is processed by the image forming unit 12 under the control of the operation control unit 100 without being subjected to processing such as reduction processing, for example, as shown in FIG. The image of the image area (Sh, Sw) thus formed is formed on the image forming area (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper (S22).

  Here (YES in S14), if the rotated image area (Sh, Sw) is stored in the image forming area (Pw, Ph), the image forming area (Pw, Ph) and the rotation When an area is generated between the processed image area (Sh, Sw), the processing unit 106 stores the rotated image area (Sh, Sw) in the image forming area (Pw, Ph). The operation control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to form an image on the image forming region (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper by the image forming unit 12. (S22).

  Further, the determination unit 105 determines that any one of the width Sh ≦ Pw and the height Sw ≦ Ph is not satisfied, and the rotated image area (Sh, Sw) is added to the image forming area (Pw, Ph). ) Does not fit (NO in S14), the operation control unit 100 determines that the small image area (width Sh1, height Sw1),... (Shn, Swn) constituting the image area (Sh, Sw). A message that prompts the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to adjust the relative positions of each other is displayed on the display unit 473. After this display, when a relative position adjustment instruction for adjusting the relative position is input by a user's operation of the operation unit 47 or the like (YES in S15), the processing unit 106 is in the image region (Sh, Sw). The image area is reduced by filling the area between the small image areas (width Sh1, height Sw1), ... (Shn, Swn) and rearranging the small image areas (Sh1, Sw1), ... (Shn, Swn). (Sh, Sw) is reconfigured (S16).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, when the rotated image area ima (Sh, Sw) has two small image areas (Sh1, Sw1), (Sh2, Sw2), The unit 106 determines the positions of the small image areas (Sh1, Sw1), (Sh2, Sw2) with respect to the image area (Sh, Sw) and the positions of the areas where the small image formation areas are not formed. Judgment is made based on the position of the pixels constituting the formation region. Then, the processing unit 106 can form the other small image region in the image region (Sh, Sw) where the small image formation region is not formed at a position close to one small image region. It is determined whether or not there is an area. If there is an area that satisfies the condition, the processing unit 106 moves the other small image area to the area that satisfies the condition, and the image area as illustrated in FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D. Reconfigure (Sh, Sw). In this case, the processing unit 106 sets a rectangular area that can be configured to a minimum including the small image areas (Sh1, Sw1) and (Sh2, Sw2) as an image area ima (Sh, Sw). If the examples shown in FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D are examples in which the arrangement of the small image regions (Sh1, Sw1), (Sh2, Sw2) can be changed, FIGS. (1) The operation control unit 100 displays an image indicating the result of the reconfiguration created by the processing unit 106 according to which of the examples shown in (D) is used to reconstruct the image region (Sh, Sw). When an instruction to select a user-desired reconstruction is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user, the processing unit 106 performs the reconstruction indicated by the instruction, or (2) the processing unit 106 For example, the reconstruction is performed by a predetermined reconstruction method (any of the examples shown in FIGS. 8B, 8C, and 8D).

  Thereafter, the determination unit 105 determines whether or not the reconstructed image area (Sh, Sw) fits in the image formation area (Pw, Ph) (S17). Here, when the determination unit 105 determines that both Sh ≦ Pw and width Sw ≦ Ph are satisfied and determines that the image area fits in the image forming area (YES in S17), the reconfiguration is performed. The image of the reconstructed image area (Sh, Sw) is processed by the image forming unit 12 under the control of the operation control unit 100 without performing processing such as reduction processing. An image is formed in the image forming area (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper (S22).

  In this case (YES in S17), if the reconstructed image area (Sh, Sw) is stored in the image forming area (Pw, Ph), the image forming area (Pw, Ph) and the reconstructed image area When an area is generated between the configured image area (Sh, Sw), the processing unit 106 stores the reconfigured image area (Sh, Sw) in the image forming area (Pw, Ph). The operation control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to form an image on the image forming region (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper by the image forming unit 12. (S22).

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 105 determines that any one of the width Sw ≦ Pw and the height Sh ≦ Ph is not satisfied, and determines that the reconstructed image area does not fit in the image forming area ( In step S17, NO, the operation control unit 100 causes the display unit 473 to display a message that prompts the user to input an instruction as to whether or not to rotate the image in the reconstructed image area again. After this display, when a rotation instruction for rotating the image in the image area again is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user (YES in S18), the processing unit 106, for example, , Sw) is rotated 90 degrees, and the reconstructed image area (Sh, Sw) is set as an image area (Sw, Sh) (S19). Note that the rotation processing and the rotation angle by the processing unit 106 are not limited to this.

  Thereafter, the determination unit 105 determines whether or not the image area (Sw, Sh) that has been subjected to the rotation process fits in the image formation area (Pw, Ph) (S20). Here, when the determination unit 105 determines that both Sw ≦ Pw and the width Sh ≦ Ph are satisfied and determines that the image region (Sw, Sh) fits in the image formation region (Pw, Ph). (YES in S20), the image of the image area (Sw, Sh) subjected to the rotation process is processed by the image forming unit 12 under the control of the operation control unit 100 without being subjected to processing such as reduction processing. The image of the image area (Sw, Sh) thus formed is formed on the image forming area (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper (S22).

  In this case as well (YES in S20), if the rotated image area (Sw, Sh) is stored in the image formation area (Pw, Ph), the image formation area (Pw, Ph) and the rotation When a region is generated between the processed image region (Sw, Sh), the processing unit 106 stores the rotated image region (Sw, Sh) in the image forming region (Pw, Ph). The operation control unit 100 causes the image forming unit 12 to form an image on the image forming region (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper by the image forming unit 12. (S22).

  However, when the determination unit 105 determines that any one of the width Sw ≦ Pw or the height Sh ≦ Ph is not satisfied and determines that the rotated image area does not fit in the image forming area ( In S20, the processing unit 106 changes the image area (Sw, Sh) to the image forming area (Pw, Ph) while maintaining the aspect ratio so as to satisfy the width Sw ≦ Pw and the height Sh ≦ Ph. The image is reduced to fit (S21). Under the control of the operation control unit 100, the image forming unit 12 forms an image of the reduced image area (Sw, Sh) in the image forming area (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper (S22). ). In this case, it is preferable that the processing unit 106 performs the reduction process so that the image area (Sw, Sh) after the reduction process is maximized as long as the above requirements are satisfied.

  Note that when the relative position adjustment instruction is not input from the user at S15 (NO at S15) and when the rotation instruction is not input from the user at S18 (NO at S18), the rotated image area ( The image of the image area (Sw, Sh) is recorded on the recording paper by the image forming unit 12 under the control of the operation control unit 100 without further processing. An image is formed in the formation area (Pw, Ph) (S22).

  In S3, if the image area detection unit 101 does not detect a plurality of small image areas, the processing of S15 to S20 is omitted. If NO in S14 and NO in S12, the image area (Sh , Sw) is subjected to a reduction process in S21. Under the control of the operation control unit 100, the image forming unit 12 converts the image of the reduced image region (Sh, Sw) into an image forming region on the recording paper. An image is formed on (Pw, Ph) (S22).

  The relative position adjustment process of S15 to S17 described above may be performed before the rotation process of S12 to S14. In this case, the rotation process of S18 to S20 is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, when the marginless reading of S3 is performed, paying attention to only the image area where the image portion to be image-formed exists in the read data of the original by the original reading unit 5, the above-mentioned Since it is the object of the above-described processing to be accommodated in the image forming area, the portion other than the image to be image-formed is excluded from the read data by the document reading unit 5 and is accommodated in the image forming area. Become. As a result, it is possible to eliminate an image that is a truly important information part for the user, compared to the case where the entire image indicated by the data read by the document reading unit 5 is reduced and formed on a recording medium as in the past. And a larger image can be formed on the recording medium.

  Further, in the first embodiment, an image area in which the image portion to be image-formed exists in the read data by the document reading unit 5 is secured in a scale as large as possible, and the above-described image formation area It is possible to carry out the processing which fits in.

  Next, a second embodiment of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a second embodiment of the image forming process by the image forming apparatus 1. In the description of the second embodiment, the description of the same processing as that of the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the image discriminating unit 107 discriminates the image type for each of a plurality of small image areas detected as image areas by the image area detecting unit 101 in S33 (S41). In S33, it is assumed that the image area detected by the image area detecting unit 101 has a plurality of small image areas. For example, the image determination unit 107 determines whether each small image area is a character image or an image image (an image other than a character image such as a photograph area and a graphic area).

  Even after the first rotation process (S44), the relative position adjustment process (S47), and the second rotation process (S50), the image in the image area (Sh, Sw) remains in the image formation area (Pw , Ph) (NO in S51), the processing unit 106 performs the reduction processing on the small image area of the predetermined type without changing the small image area other than the predetermined type. (S52). For example, an instruction to set the image area as the predetermined type is input by the operation of the operation unit 47 by the user, and the image is stored in the processing unit 106 as the predetermined type based on the input. If the image is not within the image forming area (Pw, Ph) (NO in S51), the processing unit 106 determines that the image area is an image image area from among the plurality of small image areas. Only the image is reduced, and the image area (Sw, Sh) is reconstructed.

  Thereafter, the determination unit 105 determines whether or not the reconstructed image area (Sw, Sh) fits in the image forming area (Pw, Ph) (S53), and Sw ≦ Pw and width Sh ≦ Ph. If it is determined that both are satisfied and it is determined that the image area (Sw, Sh) fits in the image forming area (Pw, Ph) (YES in S53), the area of the predetermined type is reduced. The image of the image area (Sw, Sh) thus formed is image-formed on the image formation area (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper by the image forming section 12 under the control of the operation control section 100 (S55). Of course, it is possible to reduce the character image by using a predetermined type as the character image.

  When the determination unit 105 determines that any one of Sw ≦ Pw or Sh ≦ Ph is not satisfied and the image area (Sw, Sh) does not fit in the image formation area (Pw, Ph) (S53). NO), the processing unit 106 so that the image area (Sw, Sh) created at this time satisfies the width Sw ≦ Pw and the height Sh ≦ Ph with respect to the image formation area (Pw, Ph). In a state where the aspect ratio is maintained, the image area (Sw, Sh) is reduced so as to fit in the image forming area (Pw, Ph) (S54). Under the control of the operation control unit 100, the image forming unit 12 forms an image of the reduced image area (Sw, Sh) in the image forming area (Pw, Ph) on the recording paper (S55). ). For this reason, the processing unit 106 reduces the area of the predetermined type in preference to the area of the other type. However, the image area to be subjected to the reduction process may be an image area obtained by returning the image of the predetermined type of image area reduced in S52 to the size before the reduction.

  In S41, the image determination unit 107 determines whether each of the small image areas is a character image, a photographic image, or a graphic image, and the processing unit 106 sets the predetermined type as the above-described type. Any one of a character image, a photographic image, and a graphic image may be handled.

  According to the second embodiment, the processing unit 106 preferentially processes the predetermined region of the character region or the image region determined by the image determination unit 107 and stores it in the image forming region. As a result, the image area desired for the user can be stored in the image forming area on the recording medium while maintaining the same scale as much as possible.

 Next, a third embodiment of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of the image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. In the description of the third embodiment, the description of the same processing as in the first or second embodiment is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, when the image discriminating unit 107 discriminates the image type for each of a plurality of small image areas (S71), the character size detecting unit 108 detects the character included in the area discriminated as a character image here. The size of the image is detected (S72). It is assumed that the character image is determined in the determination of the image type in S71.

  Then, even after the first rotation process (S75), the relative position adjustment process (S78), and the second rotation process (S81), the image in the image area (Sw, Sh) remains in the image formation area (Pw , Ph) (NO in S82), the processing unit 106 determines whether or not the above-described predetermined type is a character area (S83).

  Here, when the processing unit 106 determines that the predetermined type is not a character area (NO in S83), the processing unit 106 does not process the small image region other than the predetermined type as it is. Then, a small image area of a predetermined type is reduced (S87).

  On the other hand, when the processing unit 106 determines that the predetermined type is the character area (YES in S83), the character size is smaller than the predetermined size in the small image area of the character area. Only the image in the image area is reduced, and the image in the small image area whose character size is smaller than a predetermined size is not reduced (S84).

  After S84 and S87, as in the first or second embodiment, the determination unit 105 determines whether or not the image area (Sw, Sh) at this time fits in the image forming area (Pw, Ph). Reduction processing and image formation are performed according to (S85, S86, S88).

  According to the third embodiment, the processing unit 106 performs the above processing by preferentially reducing a character area whose character size detected by the character size detection unit 108 is equal to or larger than a predetermined size. Since the character area with a relatively large character size is reduced first, the area with the small character size is kept in a state where the character size scale is secured, while ensuring the character visibility for the user as much as possible. The image area can be stored in the image forming area.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of image forming processing by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth embodiment of the image forming process performed by the image forming apparatus 1. In the description of the fourth embodiment, illustration and description of the same processing as in the first to third embodiments is omitted.

  In the fourth embodiment, when a plurality of documents are read by the document reading unit 5 and image formation is performed based on the read data for the plurality of sheets, the read data of the first document is processed. The image forming process to be performed is also performed on the read data of the second and subsequent originals.

  Referring to FIG. 11, when a plurality of originals are read by the original reading unit 5, the read data of the first original read first will be described with reference to FIGS. Then, an image forming process similar to that in any of the first to third embodiments described above is performed (S90). When the image forming process for the read data of the read data of the first original is completed, the operation control unit 100 performs the original reading performed in the image forming process for the read data of the read data of the first original. Setting (setting of presence / absence of margin at the time of reading), setting of whether or not to process the image area within the image forming area, processing by the processing unit 106 (rotation processing, relative position adjustment processing, reduction processing, etc.) In the case of the form, the contents of the image area reduction processing based on the image type, and in the case of the third embodiment, the content of the image area reduction processing based on the character size) are stored in a storage area such as a built-in memory (S91). .

  Subsequently, the operation control unit 100 determines whether or not a document is still placed on the document reading unit 5 based on an output signal from an unillustrated sheet presence / absence detection sensor provided on the document placing table 61. If it is determined that the document is still placed (there are remaining documents) (YES in S92), image formation using the setting contents for the read data of the first document stored in S91 is performed. Processing is also performed on the read data of the next original (S93).

  The processes in S92 and S93 are continued until there is no document to be read by the document reading unit 5, and the operation control unit 100 places the document on the document reading unit 5 based on the output signal from the sheet presence / absence detection sensor. If it is determined that the document is not placed (NO in S92), the image forming process for the plurality of documents is terminated.

  According to the third embodiment, a plurality of document bundles that are read at the same time are read by the processing unit 106 based on the assumption that the image contents described on each document are often approximate. The image shown by the image area of the second and subsequent documents is also performed on the second and subsequent images by performing the processing performed on the first image of the document read by the unit 5. Therefore, the scale of the image in the image area on the second and subsequent documents can be ensured as much as possible while reducing the processing required for the above.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is described as a multifunction peripheral, but the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may be a copier, a facsimile machine, or the like.

  The configurations and processes shown in the above embodiments using FIGS. 1 to 11 are only one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the configurations and processes.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 5 Document reading part 10 Control unit 100 Operation control part 101 Image area detection part 102 Margin area acquisition part 103 Size information acquisition part 104 Image formation area detection part 105 Judgment part 106 Processing part 107 Image discrimination part 108 Character size detection Part 12 Image forming part

Claims (5)

An image reading unit for reading an image on a document;
In the read data read by the image reading unit, an image region detecting unit for detecting an image region where an image to be image-formed exists, and detecting a plurality of images to be image-formed In addition, an image region detection unit that detects a plurality of rectangular regions including all of the plurality of images and has a minimum total area as an image region;
A blank area acquisition unit for acquiring blank area information indicating a blank area where image formation is not performed on the recording medium;
A size information acquisition unit for acquiring size information of the recording medium;
Image formation for detecting an image forming area on which the image can be formed on the recording medium from the margin area information acquired by the margin area acquisition unit and the size information of the recording medium acquired by the size information acquisition unit An area detector;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the image region detected by the image region detection unit fits in the image formation region detected by the image formation region detection unit;
When the determination unit determines that the image region does not fit in the image formation region, a processing unit that performs processing to fit the image region detected by the image region detection unit into the image formation region , When a plurality of image areas are detected by the image area detection unit, an image area adjacent to one of the plurality of image areas is not formed, and the plurality of image areas A processing unit that determines whether or not there is a region that can form another region, and when there is the region, a processing unit that performs processing for moving the other image region to the region and reconstructing the image region ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image of the image region processed by the processing unit in the image forming region.   A display unit and a control unit for controlling a display operation by the display unit;
  In the case where the processing unit performs processing for moving the other image region, and there are a plurality of regions in which the other image region is movable, the control unit includes the other image region in each of the plurality of regions. A plurality of reconstructed image areas that have been moved are displayed on the display unit,
  The processing unit moves the other image region so as to become a reconstructed image region that has received a selection instruction by a user among a plurality of reconstructed image regions displayed on the display unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   The image area detection unit receives a marginless reading instruction or a margined reading instruction by a user, and when receiving a marginless reading instruction, an image that is an object of image formation in the read data read by the image reading unit 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image area in which the image is present is detected and a reading instruction with a margin is received, the read data itself read by the image reading unit is used as the image area. An image determination unit for determining whether the image region detected by the image region detection unit is a character region including a character image or an image region including an image other than a character ;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit preferentially performs a predetermined region among regions determined by the image determination unit. The image reading unit reads a plurality of documents and acquires an image for each document,
The processing unit, an image according to processing to be performed on the first image of the document read by the image reading unit, to claim 1 carried out with respect to images of the second and subsequent sheets of document Forming equipment.