JP5763613B2 - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image processing method, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image that perform automatic color determination for determining whether color output should be performed automatically or monochrome output. It relates to the processing method.

  Conventionally, color printing has been performed by repeating the development process multiple times with only one set of an image reading unit that optically reads a color image such as a scanner and inputting the image and an image forming unit that is an image reproduction unit. 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses such as copiers and multi-functional peripherals (MFPs) capable of printing are known.

In such an image forming apparatus capable of color printing, a color mode is designated when the user wants to obtain a color output, and a monochrome mode is designated when a user wants to obtain a monochrome output.
When the color mode or the monochrome mode is specified in this way, all pages are output in color or monochrome when copying a plurality of originals in which color originals and monochrome originals are mixed at once with the document feeder. Become.
Therefore, a color having an automatic color determination (Auto Color Select, hereinafter referred to as “ACS”) function for automatically determining whether a document is color or monochrome based on image data acquired by scanning the document with a reading unit. There is an image forming apparatus.
When ACS is used, a document can be automatically switched between a color output and a monochrome output, and the convenience for the user is increased.

Further, a conventional color image forming apparatus having such an ACS has three output modes of a color mode, a monochrome mode, and an ACS mode, and the user designates and outputs these modes as required. be able to.
However, when the user designates the color mode or the monochrome mode, it is often not the mode intended by the user. For example, an incorrect mode specification may be made by forgetting to specify the mode.
If a monochrome document is erroneously output in the color mode, useless toner is consumed. In addition, if a color original is erroneously output in the monochrome mode, a monochrome output that is not intended by the user is obtained, and it is necessary to set and output the original again, which is troublesome.

For this reason, it may be possible to use a setting for forcibly outputting in color or monochrome depending on the ACS result, regardless of whether the user has specified the color mode or monochrome mode.
However, even if the user wants to output in color mode or monochrome mode without using ACS, there is a possibility that inconvenience may arise if the mode is forcibly determined by the ACS discrimination result.
For example, if you want to copy a document that consists of black text, ruled lines, etc., with a red stamp stamped on it, or a document that has only some of the characters in color, copy the original. In general, copying in monochrome mode is often performed. This is because a seal stamp or the like does not necessarily need to be copied in color, and is often copied in monochrome in consideration of toner consumption. In such a case, even if the determination result by ACS is color, if it is forcibly output in color, it will be disadvantageous for the user.

For this reason, a technique for automatically adjusting a reference for determining whether a document is a color document or a monochrome document in the ACS mode has been proposed.
Here, referring to Patent Document 1, an image input unit that receives an input of an image, an area determination unit that separates the input image into at least two image areas according to the type of the image, and the type of the image Region-specific ACS means for determining whether the image area is separated according to the chromatic color or achromatic color, and the input image is chromatic color or achromatic color based on the determination result for each area by the region-specific ACS means There is disclosed a technique of an image processing apparatus including a document ACS unit for determining whether or not and an output unit for outputting an image subjected to image processing corresponding to a determination result of the document ACS unit (hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 1). And).
In the prior art 1, an error is determined by notifying the user of the determination result of whether the original is a color original or a monochrome original in the ACS mode, and causing the user to determine whether the determination result matches the desired result. Can be detected and the discrimination criterion can be adjusted.

JP 2011-142409 A

  However, as in the prior art 1, when the ACS discrimination standard is simply adjusted in the ACS mode, an original such as a stamp being pressed can be determined to be monochrome, but it includes an area that is clearly colored like a seal. However, there is a problem in that the original is determined to be monochrome, which greatly affects the determination result of other originals.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, and makes it a subject to eliminate the above-mentioned subject.

In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, in an image processing apparatus capable of color output, a reading unit that reads a document as image data, and mode instruction information that is an instruction to output the document in a color mode or a monochrome mode Mode instruction information acquisition means for acquiring color threshold setting storage means for storing color threshold value settings based on color pixel information of the image data read by the reading means, and the image data read by the reading means Automatic color determination means for determining whether the color pixels are monochrome or monochrome according to the color threshold setting stored in the color threshold setting storage means, and the mode instruction information acquired by the mode instruction information acquisition means If the mode determination by the automatic color determination means is different, the user A user notification instruction acquisition unit that obtains a user instruction by inquiring whether to change the mode by informing the user, and switching between the color mode and the monochrome mode according to the user instruction acquired by the user notification instruction acquisition unit The mode switching means, the mode instruction information acquired by the mode instruction information acquisition means, and the mode determination by the automatic color determination means are different, and further the user instruction acquired by the user notification instruction acquisition means Is the same as the mode instruction information, the automatic color determination threshold adjustment means for adjusting the threshold value of the color threshold value stored in the color threshold value setting storage means in accordance with the instruction of the user, and the image data Consists of a plurality of pages, and the user notification instruction is received for one page. If you obtain a user instruction by means, characterized in that it comprises other pages same setting means for switching between the color mode and a monochrome mode for the other pages.
In the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the automatic color determination means is adjusted by the automatic color determination threshold adjustment means, and the image data is re-colored by the color threshold setting stored in the color threshold setting storage means. It is characterized by determining whether it is monochrome.
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes image forming means for printing the image data read by the reading means in a color mode or a monochrome mode according to a color mode determined by the image processing apparatus.
The image processing method of the present invention is an image processing method capable of color output, which reads a document as image data and obtains mode instruction information which is an instruction to output the document in a color mode or a monochrome mode. Storing a color threshold setting for determining whether the image data is color or monochrome, determining whether the image data is color or monochrome by the color threshold setting, determining the mode instruction information, and determining the mode. Is different, the user is notified as to whether or not to change the mode, the user's instruction is acquired, the color mode and the monochrome mode are switched according to the user's instruction, the mode instruction information, The mode determination is different, and the acquired user instruction is the same as the mode instruction information. If Tsu, the threshold value of the color threshold set tailored to an instruction of the user, the image data comprises a plurality of pages, when obtaining the user's instruction for one page, the color for the other pages It is characterized by switching between a mode and a monochrome mode .

  According to the present invention, when the user designates the color mode or the monochrome mode, it is possible to reduce useless output due to an erroneous mode designation, and to perform ACS adjustment according to the user's instruction. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus with improved user convenience.

1 is a schematic schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. It is a flowchart of the automatic color determination adjustment process which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the process of the automatic color determination adjustment process which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

<Embodiment>
[Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 1]
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
Referring to FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 1 (image processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a document reading unit 2 (reading unit), a document feeding unit 3, a main body unit 4, a stack tray 5, and an operation panel unit 6 (display). Means and image input means).
The document reading unit 2 is disposed on the top of the main body unit 4, and the document feeding unit 3 is disposed on the top of the document reading unit 2. The stack tray 5 is disposed on the recording paper discharge port 41 side formed in the main body unit 4, and the operation panel unit 6 is disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1.

The document reading unit 2 includes a scanner 21, a platen glass 22, and a document reading slit 23. The scanner 21 includes an exposure lamp, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging sensor, and the like, and is configured to be movable in the document transport direction by the document feeder 3. The platen glass 22 is an original table made of a transparent member such as glass. The document reading slit 23 has a slit formed in a direction orthogonal to the document transport direction by the document feeder 3.
The document reading unit 2 can automatically recognize the size of a document such as business cards to A3 one by one and read (scan) an image in a predetermined range corresponding to the recognized size.

When reading a document placed on the platen glass 22, the scanner 21 is moved to a position facing the platen glass 22 and reads the document while scanning the document placed on the platen glass 22 to obtain image data. The acquired image data is output to the main unit 4.
When reading the document conveyed by the document feeding unit 3, the scanner 21 is moved to a position facing the document reading slit 23, and the document is conveyed by the document feeding unit 3 through the document reading slit 23. The document is read in synchronization with the operation to acquire image data, and the acquired image data is output to the main body unit 4.

  The document feeding unit 3 includes a document placement unit 31, a document discharge unit 32, and a document transport mechanism 33. The originals placed on the original placement unit 31 are sequentially fed out one by one by the original conveyance mechanism 33, conveyed to a position facing the original reading slit 23, and then discharged to the original discharge unit 32. The document feeding unit 3 is configured to be retractable, and can function as a platen cover that opens the upper surface of the platen glass 22 by lifting the document feeding unit 3 upward.

The main body unit 4 includes the image forming unit 7, and includes a paper feeding unit 42, a paper conveyance path 43, a conveyance roller 44, and a discharge roller 45. The paper feed unit 42 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 421 that store recording papers of different sizes or orientations, and a paper feed roller 422 that feeds the recording papers one by one from the paper feed cassette 421 to the paper transport path 43. Yes. The paper feed cassette 421 functions as a paper holding unit.
The paper feed roller 422, the transport roller 44, and the discharge roller 45 function as a transport unit. The recording paper is conveyed by this conveyance unit. The recording paper fed to the paper conveyance path 43 by the paper supply roller 422 is conveyed to the image forming unit 7 by the conveyance roller 44.
The recording paper on which recording has been performed by the image forming unit 7 is discharged to the stack tray 5 by the discharge roller 45.

The operation panel unit 6 includes a display unit such as an LCD, a touch panel 61 for performing various instructions, a button unit 62, and the like.
The touch panel 61 is a resistive film type or electrostatic capacity type touch panel, and acquires instruction information by coordinates on the display unit pressed by the user, pressing, or the like. In the case of a multi-touch compatible panel, the touch panel 61 can detect a plurality of coordinates, presses, and the like.
The button unit 62 is a button for acquiring a user instruction related to switching of operation modes such as a start key, a numeric keypad, copying, and scanning, and printing / transmission / reception of a selected document.
The touch panel 61 and the button unit 62 of the operation panel unit 6 acquire an instruction of the image forming apparatus 1 by the user. For this reason, user authentication can be performed from the touch panel 61 or the button unit 62 of the operation panel unit 6.

The image forming unit 7 includes a photosensitive drum 71, an exposure unit 72, a developing unit 73, a transfer unit 74, and a fixing unit 75.
The exposure unit 72 is an optical unit including a laser device, an LED array, a mirror, a lens, and the like. The exposure unit 72 outputs light or the like based on image data to expose the photosensitive drum 71, and the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 is statically exposed. An electrostatic latent image is formed.
The developing unit 73 is a developing unit that develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 71 using toner, and forms a toner image based on the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 71. The transfer unit 74 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 71 by the developing unit 73 onto a recording sheet. The fixing unit 75 heats the recording paper on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit 74 to fix the toner image on the recording paper.

The document feeding unit 3 includes a document detection sensor that detects the size and number of documents when the document is placed on the document placing unit 31. The document feeder 3 also includes an open / close sensor that detects that the platen cover is opened and closed.
The main body 4 also includes a sensor that detects opening / closing of a manual feed tray (not shown), replacement of the paper feed cassette 421, and the like as a paper set. In addition, each means includes a sensor for detecting a change in state.
The control unit 8 can detect user instructions from these sensors and the operation panel unit 6 and execute various jobs including scanning in a normal activation state.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic control configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The document reading unit 2, document feeding unit 3, transport unit (feed roller 422, transport roller 44, discharge roller 45), operation panel unit 6, and image forming unit 7 are connected to the control unit 8 and controlled. The operation is controlled by the unit 8. The control unit 8 is connected to a storage unit 9, an image processing unit 10, and the like.

The control unit 8 is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, the control unit 8 may include a dedicated calculation means for speeding up the encryption / decryption calculation such as 3DES and AES.
The control unit 8 reads the control program stored in the ROM and develops the control program in the RAM, thereby controlling the entire apparatus in accordance with user instruction information input from the operation panel unit 6. In addition, the control unit 8 and the image processing unit 10 can perform various controls in accordance with instructions from other terminals. The control unit 8 or the image processing unit 10 may further include a dedicated circuit or calculation means for performing automatic color recognition (Auto Color recognition System).

In addition, the control unit 8 includes a color determination control unit 81 (automatic color determination unit, color determination adjustment control unit, mode instruction information acquisition unit, user notification instruction acquisition unit, mode switching unit, automatic color determination threshold adjustment unit, and the same for other pages. Setting means, user authentication means).
The color determination control unit 81 acquires an instruction such as copying, scanning, or remote scanning from the operation panel unit 6. At this time, the color determination control unit 81 also acquires, as the mode instruction information 94, an instruction from the user regarding whether to output in the color mode, the monochrome mode, or the ACS mode.
Here, in the ACS mode, the color determination control unit 81 performs color or monochrome determination by ACS for the scanned image data 95 read by the document reading unit 2, and in color or monochrome according to this determination. Output. The color determination control unit 81 also performs ACS when instructing the color mode or the monochrome mode. Then, when the user instruction and the ACS determination result are different, the color determination control unit 81 notifies the user whether or not to change the color mode, thereby specifying the wrong color mode. Prevent unintended output. At this time, if there are a plurality of pages, the plurality of pages are changed to the same color mode. Further, in the case where it is considered that the ACS determination result is incorrect rather than the user designation, the color threshold setting of the color threshold setting 91 is adjusted. After this adjustment, the ACS can be determined again.
Details of the processing of the color determination control unit 81 will be described later.

The storage unit 9 is a storage unit such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
The storage unit 9 stores the image data read by the document reading unit 2 and subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 10 as scanned image data 95 of a temporary file. The storage unit 9 also stores various files read from an external recording medium, thumbnail image data, and the like.
In addition, the storage unit 9 includes a storage folder for each user. This storage folder holds data obtained by filing the scan image data 95 in a format such as TIFF or PDF, other image data, print data, and the like as NAS (Network Attached Storage). These data may be transmitted to an external terminal via a network.
The storage unit 9 functions as an account setting storage unit that stores the account setting 90. The storage unit 9 functions as a color threshold setting storage unit that stores the color threshold setting 91. The storage unit 9 functions as a mode instruction information storage unit that stores the mode instruction information 94. The storage unit 9 functions as a scan image data storage unit that stores the scan image data 95.

The account setting 90 is a database including various types of information on the image forming apparatus 1 for each user account. The account setting 90 includes encrypted authentication information, threshold information for switching between the color mode and the monochrome mode, and the like for each user ID (Identification).
The authentication information includes a password corresponding to the user ID, a user name, and the like, and is used for user authentication (personal authentication). Also, the authority of the administrator, general user, guest, etc. is included as authentication information used at the time of printing or copying.
The threshold information includes information similar to a color threshold setting 91 described later for each user. After the user is logged in, the control unit 8 may perform each process by writing the threshold information in the color threshold setting 91 for each user.
In addition, the account setting 90 may include the name and location of the storage folder, the user's IP address, mail address, address book, and the like. The account setting 90 may further include a unique encryption key created from the authentication information and the unique number of the image forming apparatus 1.
Information of each user in the account setting 90 is input or changed from the operation panel unit 6. Also, various information of the user may be input and registered from an external terminal (not shown) or another recording medium connected to a recording medium connection unit or the like.
In addition, a guest user may be registered in the account setting 90.

The color threshold setting 91 is a setting for an ACS determination threshold when the ACS determines whether the scanned image data 95 is a color image or a monochrome image.
The ACS determination threshold value is a threshold value used when determining color or monochrome output based on color pixel information of the scan image data 95. The ACS determination threshold is, for example, a color pixel detection threshold for detecting a color pixel based on a threshold of a UV component when RGB data is converted into YUV data, a color block threshold for determining a color block based on the size of the detected color pixel, A color line threshold for detecting a color line from the size of the color block, a color page threshold for determining a color page from the number of color lines, and the like are included.
Further, as a threshold value for ACS determination, for example, a predetermined value indicating whether a pixel or a region is a chromatic color or an achromatic color from a plurality of color component signals for each pixel, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-290966. The threshold value can also be used. In this case, when the ratio of the chromatic color pixels or regions to the whole is larger than these threshold values, it is determined that the document should be output in color. In addition, a threshold value for performing ACS determination based on the minimum and maximum values of RGB differences for each page may be used.
Each value of the color threshold setting 91 is a variable value, and an optimum value is calculated by processing by a color determination control unit 81 described later, and is adjusted according to a user instruction. A difference threshold between the ACS determination thresholds may be used for this adjustment.

The mode instruction information 94 is user instruction information for a color mode for color output, a monochrome mode for monochrome output, and an ACS mode for automatically determining color output and monochrome output by ACS.
This mode instruction information 94 can be instructed by the user through the operation panel unit 6 or an external terminal, and can be acquired.
The mode instruction information 94 may be directly included in the scanned image data 95. In addition, a user instruction corresponding to the mode instruction information 94 may be acquired directly from the operation panel unit 6 and used for processing during copying, scanning, or remote scanning.

The scanned image data 95 is image data that is read mainly by the document reading unit 2 and subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 10. The scanned image data 95 includes RGB color, monochrome, and gray scale bitmap image files, files that are lightly compressed with run length, LZW, and the like.
Further, the scan image data 95 includes data filed as PDF or TIFF by the image processing unit 10 or the control unit 8.

The image processing unit 10 is control arithmetic means such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The image processing unit 10 is a functional unit that performs predetermined image processing on image data. For example, the image processing unit 10 performs various types of image processing including image enhancement processing such as enlargement / reduction processing, density adjustment, and gradation adjustment.
The image processing unit 10 performs image processing on the image data read by the document reading unit 2 to create scan image data 95. At this time, the image processing unit 10 may be used for calculation for conversion to image data in a format such as PDF or TIFF, addition of a digital watermark, decoding, and the like.

Note that the image forming apparatus 1 may integrally form the control unit 8, the image processing unit 10, and the like like a CPU with a built-in GPU or a chip-on-module package.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a FAX transmission / reception unit that performs facsimile transmission / reception, a network transmission / reception unit for connection to a network, and the like.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may include an upload unit for uploading to another image forming apparatus 1 or an external server (not shown).

[Automatic color determination and adjustment processing by the image forming apparatus 1]
Next, automatic color determination adjustment processing by the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
As described above, conventionally, when the user designates the color mode or the monochrome mode, the output is performed in the mode as it is.
On the other hand, in the automatic color determination adjustment process of this embodiment, even if the color mode or the monochrome mode is specified by the user, it is determined whether the document is color or monochrome using ACS. If the color mode specified by the user and the ACS determination result are the same, the output is performed according to the mode specified by the user. However, if the mode specified by the user is different from the ACS determination result, a specification error or the like may be considered, so that the user is notified once and then the instruction is acquired again. The mode is switched according to this instruction again. Here, only when the user has instructed the color mode and the ACS is determined to be monochrome, but the user's re-instruction is the color mode, the ACS threshold is adjusted. As a result, it is possible to prevent a user's mode specification error, prevent an unintended ACS threshold adjustment, and improve user convenience.
In the following, the automatic color determination adjustment processing of this embodiment will be described step by step with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following processing is executed mainly by the color determination control unit 81 of the control unit 8 using hardware resources in accordance with the program stored in the storage unit 9.

(Step S101)
First, the color determination control unit 81 performs a scan image input process.
Here, the user sets the document on the document feeder or the contact glass of the document placement unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 1.
The color determination control unit 81 receives a document set in the document reading unit 2 when an instruction for copying, scanning, remote scanning, facsimile transmission, or the like is received from the user via the touch panel 61 or the button unit 62 of the operation panel unit 6. Instruct to read optically.
At this time, the color determination control unit 81 uses the operation panel unit 6 to acquire mode instruction information 94 that is instruction information for the color mode, the monochrome mode, and the ACS mode, and stores the mode instruction information 94 in the storage unit 9. This instruction is a default setting stored in the storage unit 9 unless otherwise selected by the user.
Image data read by the document reading unit 2 is subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 10 and stored in the storage unit 9 as scanned image data 95.

(Step S102)
Next, the color determination control unit 81 performs an ACS determination process.
The color determination control unit 81 performs ACS determination on the scanned image data 95 with reference to the color threshold setting 91 to determine whether the image is to be output in color or monochrome for each page. .
That is, the color determination control unit 81 according to the present embodiment performs ACS determination for all the scan image data 95 even when the user does not specify the ACS mode.
The color determination control unit 81 temporarily stores the ACS determination in the storage unit 9 as a document output setting.
Note that the color determination control unit 81 may first output the image forming unit 7 in the color mode or monochrome mode designated by the user regardless of the ACS determination result.

(Step S103)
Next, the color determination control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has instructed the ACS mode. The color determination control unit 81 determines Yes when the mode instruction information 94 is in the ACS mode. In other cases, the color determination control unit 81 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the color determination control unit 81 advances the processing to step S119, and outputs the scan image data 95 according to the ACS mode determination result.
In No, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S104.

(Step S104)
When the user has instructed a mode other than the ACS mode, the color determination control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has designated the monochrome mode. Here, the color determination control unit 81 determines Yes when the mode instruction information 94 is an instruction for the monochrome mode. In other cases, that is, in the case of a color mode instruction, the color determination control unit 81 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S105.
In No, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S110.

(Step S105)
When the monochrome mode is instructed by the user, the color determination control unit 81 determines whether the ACS determination is color. The color determination control unit 81 determines Yes when there is a page determined to be color in the scanned image data 95 in the ACS determination processing of step S102. In other cases, the color determination control unit 81 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S106.
In No, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S109.

(Step S106)
When the monochrome mode is instructed but the ACS determination is color, the color determination control unit 81 performs a color scan image investigation process.
The color determination control unit 81 detects, from the scanned image data 95, a page that is similarly detected as a color in the ACS determination, and stores it in the storage unit 9. At this time, the color determination control unit 81 may create data such as a thumbnail image of a page detected as color and store it in the storage unit 9.
Note that the color determination control unit 81 retains the scanned image data 95 in the storage unit 9 without deleting it if it has been output first regardless of the ACS determination result.

(Step S107)
Next, the color determination control unit 81 performs color notification and instruction acquisition processing.
The color determination control unit 81 displays an inquiry about the possibility of different modes such as “There was a page with color detection. Are you sure you want to change to the color mode?” On the display unit of the operation panel unit 6 ( Dialog). The color determination control unit 81 causes the user's re-instruction to be input through the touch panel 61 or the button unit 62 of the operation panel unit 6.
Note that the color determination control unit 81 may notify that re-output is possible in a dialog when it has been output first regardless of the ACS determination result.
In addition, the color determination control unit 81 can perform similar intention confirmation to the user via an external terminal (not shown).

(Step S108)
Next, the color determination control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has instructed to change to the color mode. The color determination control unit 81 determines Yes when the user gives an instruction to change to the color mode. In other cases, the color determination control unit 81 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S117.
In No, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S109.

(Step S109)
Here, the color determination control unit 81 performs a monochrome setting process.
That is, the color determination control unit 81 indicates that the user has designated the monochrome mode and the ACS is determined to be monochrome, the user has designated the monochrome mode, but has been determined to be color by the ACS and has been instructed to the monochrome mode again, or the user Is instructed to output in the color mode, and when the ACS is determined to be monochrome and an instruction to change to the monochrome mode is given, the scan image data 95 is set to be output in monochrome.
Thereafter, the color determination control unit 81 advances the processing to step S118.

(Step S110)
When the user instructs output in the color mode, the color determination control unit 81 determines whether the ACS determination is monochrome. The color determination control unit 81 determines Yes when there is a page determined to be monochrome in the scanned image data 95 in the ACS determination processing of step S102. In other cases, the color determination control unit 81 determines No.
In the case of Yes, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S111.
In No, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S117.

(Step S111)
When the color mode is instructed but the ACS determination is monochrome, the color determination control unit 81 performs a monochrome scan image investigation process.
The color determination control unit 81 detects, from the scanned image data 95, a page that is similarly detected as monochrome in the ACS determination, and stores it in the storage unit 9. Also at this time, the color determination control unit 81 may create data such as a thumbnail image of a page detected as monochrome and store it in the storage unit 9.
Note that the color determination control unit 81 performs control so that the scanned image data 95 in the storage unit 9 is retained without being deleted when it is output first regardless of the ACS determination result.

(Step S112)
Next, the color determination control unit 81 performs monochrome notification and instruction acquisition processing.
Similar to the color notification and instruction acquisition processing in step S107, the color determination control unit 81 displays a dialog such as “There was a page detected in monochrome. Are you sure you want to change to monochrome mode?” This instruction is input again on the operation panel unit 6.
In addition, the color determination control unit 81 may notify that re-output is possible when it has been output first. In addition, an instruction may be acquired from an external terminal.

(Step S113)
Next, the color determination control unit 81 determines whether or not the user has instructed the change to the monochrome mode. The color determination control unit 81 determines Yes when the user instructs to change to the monochrome mode. In other cases, the color determination control unit 81 determines No.
In Yes, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S109.
In No, the color determination control part 81 advances a process to step S114.

(Step S114)
When the user permits, the color determination control unit 81 performs a threshold value changing process.
The color determination control unit 81 calculates the number of color pixels of the scan image data 95 and adjusts the ACS determination threshold of the color threshold setting 91 based on this. Here, the ACS determination threshold is adjusted so that it is easier to determine the color. For example, the color determination control unit 81 adjusts the determination threshold for chromatic / achromatic color so that it can be easily determined as a chromatic color, or changes the threshold for the ratio of chromatic color pixels to determine whether a document with a small color portion is a color original. By making it easy to discriminate, the original is adjusted so that it can be accurately discriminated as color.
The color determination control unit 81 reflects the changed threshold setting in the ACS determination threshold of the color threshold setting 91. The color determination control unit 81 also reflects these values in the threshold information of the account setting 90.
As a result, the ACS can be determined using the changed ACS determination threshold at the time of the subsequent copy, scan, remote scan, or the like.
Note that the ACS determination threshold of the color threshold setting 91 may be stored in the account setting 90, and the ACS determination may be performed with a different ACS determination threshold for each user.

(Step S115)
Here, the color determination control unit 81 performs redetermination processing.
The color determination control unit 81 performs ACS determination again with the ACS determination threshold value of the adjusted color threshold value setting 91 for the pages determined to be monochrome by ACS in the scanned image data 95.

(Step S116)
Next, as a result, the color determination control unit 81 determines whether or not all the pages that have been subjected to the ACS determination again are determined to be in color.
If Yes, that is, if all are determined to be color, the color determination control unit 81 advances the process to step S117.
If there is a page that is not determined to be color, that is, the color determination control unit 81 returns the process to step S115 and adjusts the threshold again.

(Step S117)
Here, the color determination control unit 81 performs color setting processing.
The color determination control unit 81 determines that the user has designated the color mode but is determined to be monochrome by ACS, and the user instructs to change to the color mode. Alternatively, the user instructs output in the color mode and the color is determined by ACS. If it is determined, or if the user has instructed the monochrome mode but is determined to be color by ACS and the instruction is changed to the color mode, the scan image data 95 is set to be output in color.
Thereafter, the color determination control unit 81 advances the processing to step S118.

(Step S118)
After the color setting process or the monochrome setting process is completed, the color determination control unit 81 performs the same setting process for other pages.
Unlike the user instruction for the color mode or the monochrome mode of the mode instruction information 94, the color determination control unit 81 is another page that has been determined to be color by the ACS in the color scan image inspection process of step S106 described above, or step The other pages determined to be black by the ACS in the monochrome scan image investigation process in S111 are set to output according to the user's instruction.
Note that the color determination control unit 81 may display the above-described thumbnail image on the display unit of the operation panel unit 6 and select whether to perform color output or monochrome output for each page.

(Step S119)
Here, the color determination control unit 81 performs output processing.
The color determination control unit 81 causes the image forming unit 7 to print the scan image data 95 according to the output setting of the scan image data 95 described above. At this time, when the page is set to monochrome output, the color determination control unit 81 converts the color from CMYK color to monochrome by printing with a predetermined weight, and prints. After printing, the color determination control unit 81 may delete the scan image data 95 in the storage unit 9.
In addition to the printing by the image forming unit 7, the color determination control unit 81 may perform creation of a PDF file, facsimile transmission from a FAX transmission / reception unit, transmission to another terminal (not shown), uploading to a server, and the like. Good.
Further, the color determination control unit 81 may count each color or monochrome output and store it as history information in the storage unit 9 to calculate a charge (fee) or the like.
Thus, the automatic color determination adjustment process is completed.

[Example of automatic color determination adjustment processing]
Here, with reference to FIG. 4, a processing example of the automatic color determination adjustment processing according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<Case A>
-User specified mode: Monochrome-ACS discrimination result: Color

In such a case, whether the user accidentally instructed monochrome output for a color document, or whether the document was actually including a color part but monochrome output was determined to be sufficient. It is considered either.
For this reason, the color determination control unit 81 prompts the user for confirmation without immediately outputting. The user re-selects whether to output in monochrome mode or color mode as it is according to the notified contents, and instructs again. The color determination control unit 81 performs output according to this re-instruction.

<Case B>
-User specified mode: Color-ACS discrimination result: Monochrome

In such a case, the ACS discriminating result is because the user has erroneously instructed color output to the monochrome document or the document actually includes the color part but the area of the color part is small. May have become black and white.
Also in this case, as in case A, the color determination control unit 81 first asks the user to confirm whether to output by notifying the user without immediately outputting. When the user gives an instruction to change the monochrome mode, it is considered that the user has made a specification error. Therefore, the monochrome mode is changed to output, and the process ends.
When the user instructs the output in the color mode as initially specified, the document is considered to be a color document including a slightly colored portion, and therefore the ACS determination threshold is adjusted. This is because although it was a color original, it was erroneously determined to be monochrome by ACS.

With the configuration described above, the following effects can be obtained.
In conventional image forming apparatuses, even if a user specifies a color mode or a monochrome mode, the mode is often not the intended mode. That is, the user may have designated the wrong mode due to forgetting to specify the color mode.
If you accidentally copy a monochrome manuscript in color mode, you will consume wasted toner, and if you accidentally copy a color manuscript in black and white, you will lose your expressive power in color and appeal. No output was obtained. In addition, it takes time and effort to set and copy the original again.
On the other hand, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can effectively prevent an output unintended by the user due to incorrect mode designation.
It is also possible to automatically adjust the ACS function according to the content designated by the user.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to an information processing apparatus other than the image forming apparatus.
Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment may be configured to use scan image data 95 created by another image forming apparatus, a separately connected scanner, or a network scanner. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may use the processing of the present embodiment not only for printing but also for file formation such as scanning and PDF.

Further, the image input method described in the embodiment of the present invention is not merely intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but merely an illustrative example.
That is, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may perform the same processing for a print job from a network-connected terminal (not shown). In this case, for example, the color determination control unit 81 acquires print job or FAX transmission job data, analyzes the page description language of the print data, rasterizes it, and creates data similar to the scan image data 95. And stored in the storage unit 9. At this time, the color determination control unit 81 can generate image data equivalent to the scan image data 95 by mapping the color reproduction range after printing. By using image data equivalent to the generated scan image data 95, it is possible to perform the same processing as described above.

In the above-described embodiment, the ACS threshold value is adjusted only when the user has designated the color mode but the ACS is determined to be monochrome. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the ACS threshold value may be adjusted even when the user has instructed the monochrome mode but the color is determined by ACS.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, it has been described that when the user instructs again, the instruction of the color mode or the monochrome mode is performed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured to instruct the ACS mode. .

  Note that the configuration and operation of the above-described embodiment are examples, and it is needless to say that the configuration and operation can be appropriately changed and executed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Original reading part 3 Original feeding part 4 Main body part 5 Stack tray 6 Operation panel part 7 Image forming part 8 Control part 9 Storage part 10 Image processing part 21 Scanner 22 Platen glass 23 Original reading slit 31 Original placement Unit 32 document discharge unit 33 document transport mechanism 41 discharge port 42 paper feed unit 43 paper transport path 44 transport roller 45 discharge roller 61 touch panel 62 button unit 71 photosensitive drum 72 exposure unit 73 development unit 74 transfer unit 75 fixing unit 81 color determination Control unit 90 Account setting 91 Color threshold setting 94 Mode instruction information 95 Scan image data 421 Paper feed cassette 422 Paper feed roller

Claims (4)

In an image processing apparatus capable of color output,
Reading means for reading a document as image data;
Mode instruction information acquisition means for acquiring mode instruction information which is an instruction to output the original in color mode or monochrome mode;
Color threshold setting storage means for storing a color threshold setting based on information of color pixels of the image data read by the reading means;
Automatic color determination means for calculating a color pixel of the image data read by the reading means and determining whether the image is color or monochrome by the color threshold setting stored in the color threshold setting storage means;
If the mode instruction information acquired by the mode instruction information acquisition unit is different from the mode determination by the automatic color determination unit, the user is notified to inquire whether or not to change the mode. User notification instruction acquisition means for acquiring
Mode switching means for switching between a color mode and a monochrome mode according to a user instruction acquired by the user notification instruction acquisition means;
The mode instruction information acquired by the mode instruction information acquisition unit is different from the mode determination by the automatic color determination unit, and the user instruction acquired by the user notification instruction acquisition unit is the mode instruction information. The automatic color determination threshold adjustment means for adjusting the color threshold setting threshold stored in the color threshold setting storage means according to the user's instruction ;
The image data includes a plurality of pages, and when a user instruction is acquired by the user notification instruction acquisition unit for one page, the other page includes another page identical setting unit that switches between the color mode and the monochrome mode. An image processing apparatus. The automatic color determination means includes
The conditioned by the automatic color determination threshold adjustment unit, at the color threshold set stored in the color threshold setting storage unit, according to claim 1, characterized in that determining said image data again for color or monochrome Image processing apparatus. An image forming unit comprising: an image forming unit configured to print the image data read by the reading unit in a color mode or a monochrome mode according to the color mode determined by the image processing apparatus according to claim 1. apparatus. In an image processing method capable of color output,
Scan the document as image data,
Obtaining mode instruction information which is an instruction to output the original in color mode or monochrome mode;
Storing a color threshold setting for determining whether the image data is color or monochrome;
For the image data, it is determined whether it is color or monochrome by the color threshold setting,
If the mode instruction information and the mode determination are different, notify the user whether to change the mode, obtain the user instruction,
Switching between color mode and monochrome mode according to user instructions,
When the mode instruction information is different from the mode determination, and when the acquired user instruction is the same as the mode instruction information, the color threshold setting threshold is adjusted in accordance with the user instruction. And
An image processing method, wherein the image data includes a plurality of pages, and when a user instruction is acquired for one page, the color mode and the monochrome mode are switched for the other pages .

Images