JP5988616B2 - Image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and dirt determination method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a stain determination method for the reading window that read images of a plurality of conveyed documents through a reading window and process the read image.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an automatic document feeder (ADF) is installed and a multi-function device that reads an image of a document through a reading window while automatically conveying a plurality of documents is widely spread.

  However, in such a multi-function peripheral, there is a problem that black streaks appear in the output when the reading window is dirty with dust, dust, or the like.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, in order to deal with such a problem of dirt on a member such as a reading roller and a platen glass that causes dirt on an output product, for example, the reading roller is irradiated with light and the reading is performed. An image recording apparatus is disclosed in which dirt data is acquired by causing a reading means to read reflected light from a roller, and dirt detection control is performed by determining at least the size of the fluctuation range of the dirt data.

JP 2004-159240 A

  On the other hand, in practice, the appearance of black stripes does not necessarily cause a problem, and in some cases, the influence of black stripes can be ignored. For example, in the case of a reduced copy of an original, black streaks are not noticeable due to image reduction. Further, there is a case where only a part of the original image is used and the surplus portion is removed, that is, a black streak appears in the surplus portion in so-called trimming.

  That is, although the detection of the same stain is not always required, performing the detection of the stain unnecessarily increases the processing load on the apparatus and may cause a processing delay. However, the above-described image recording apparatus of Patent Document 1 cannot solve such a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an instruction for a predetermined process from a user in an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that determine whether or not a reading window is dirty. If the accepted, based on the contents of processing according to the instruction received, have row determines whether the reading window is dirty, and, by changing the sensitivity of the determination, reduce the processing load of the apparatus Another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a stain determination method capable of preventing processing delay and improving user convenience.

An image processing apparatus according to the present invention includes: an instruction receiving unit that receives a processing instruction in an image processing apparatus that reads an image of a plurality of conveyed documents through a reading window and processes the read image; Determination means for determining whether or not the reading window is dirty based on the content of the processing related to the designated instruction, and the content of the processing is the embedding of a character or pattern related to security in the read image in some cases, the determination means is configured so that increase sensitivity of determination.

In the present invention, for example, when the instruction receiving unit receives an instruction for a predetermined process from a user, the determination unit performs the reading based on the content of the process related to the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit. It is determined whether or not the window is dirty, and the sensitivity of the determination is changed. Specifically, when the content of the process related to the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit is embedding of a character or pattern related to security in the read image, the determination unit increases the sensitivity of the determination.

  The image processing apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the determination means is configured to change the sensitivity of determination when the content of the processing is enlargement / reduction of the read image.

  In the present invention, for example, when the content of the process related to the instruction received by the instruction receiving unit is an enlargement of the read image, the determination unit increases the sensitivity of the determination and reduces the read image. In this case, the determination means lowers the sensitivity of determination.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: the image processing apparatus according to any one of the above-described inventions; and an image forming unit that forms an image processed by the image processing apparatus on a sheet. To do.

  In the present invention, the image forming means forms an image on a sheet based on an image obtained by processing by the image processing apparatus.

The dirt determination method according to the present invention includes a detection unit that detects dirt on a reading window, reads an image of a plurality of conveyed originals through the reading window, and performs processing on the read image. In the reading window dirt determination method in the processing apparatus, a step of receiving a processing instruction, a step of determining whether or not the reading window is dirty based on the content of the processing related to the received instruction, and the processing content of, for read image, if it is embedded in the character or pattern according to security, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: raise the sensitivity of the determination.

In the present invention, for example, when an instruction for a predetermined process is received from the user, whether the reading window is dirty based on the result of the dirt detection by the detection unit based on the content of the process related to the received instruction. It is determined whether or not, and the sensitivity of such determination is changed based on the contents of the processing. Specifically, when the content of the processing related to the instruction received from the user is embedding of a character or pattern related to security in the read image, the sensitivity of determination is increased.

  According to the present invention, when an instruction for a predetermined process is received from a user, it is determined whether or not the reading window is dirty based on the content of the process related to the received instruction. While being able to reduce, a processing delay can be prevented and a user's convenience can be improved.

It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the multifunctional device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a main configuration of an image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of an image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining dirt detection by a dirt detection unit in the image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining dirt detection by a dirt detection unit in the image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of a reading control unit in the image reading unit of the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an operation screen for setting a resolution of an image to be transmitted in an instruction of a scanner function. FIG. 6 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for selecting a document size to be read in response to an instruction for a copy function or a scanner function. FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for selecting a paper size (paper feed tray) at the time of printing in the copy function instruction. FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an operation screen for setting a margin forming position in an instruction for a margin function. It is an illustration figure which shows the operation screen which sets the position of the shadow which should be deleted in the instruction | indication of a frame removal function. 4 is a flowchart for explaining stain determination and processing based on the stain determination in the multifunction peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 4 is a flowchart for explaining stain determination and processing based on the stain determination in the multifunction peripheral according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. 6 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit when the conveyance and reading of a document are stopped in the multifunction peripheral according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for setting a predetermined position of a printing paper in an instruction of a moving copy function. FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram illustrating an operation screen for setting an image arrangement position in an instruction of a card scanning function. 10 is a flowchart for explaining dirt determination and processing based on the dirt determination in the multifunction machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the image processing apparatus, the image forming apparatus, and the stain determination method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a case where the apparatus is applied to a so-called digital multi-function peripheral. Needless to say, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to a digital multi-function peripheral, and can be applied to other apparatuses such as a scanner.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a multifunction peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. . The multifunction device 100 is a digital multifunction device having a color copy function, a color scanner function, and the like.

  The multifunction device 100 includes an image reading unit 20 that optically reads an image from a document. The image reading unit 20 is connected to an image processing unit 30 that generates image data corresponding to the read image. The image processing unit 30 transmits an image output unit 40 (image forming unit) that outputs an image based on the image data generated by the image processing unit 30 and the image data generated by the image processing unit 30 to the outside. A transmission / reception unit 50 for receiving image data from the outside is connected. An operation panel 60 that receives an operation from a user is connected to the image reading unit 20, the image processing unit 30, the image output unit 40, and the transmission / reception unit 50.

  The operation panel 60 includes a numeric keypad for receiving an instruction for controlling the operation (processing) of the multifunction peripheral 100, such as a setting instruction for setting the operation mode of the multifunction peripheral 100, and information necessary for the operation. A display unit 70 such as a liquid crystal display for display and a touch panel are included.

  The display unit 70 includes, for example, an LCD or an EL (Electroluminescence) panel, and the touch panel is provided so as to cover the display screen of the display unit 70. The display unit 70 displays information to be notified to the user, such as the status of the multifunction peripheral 100, the status of job processing, the confirmation of the image of the document read by the image reading unit 20 and the operation content of the operation panel 60, and the like. Displays an acceptance screen for accepting various job (processing) instructions from the user.

  The image processing unit 30 generates image data for output based on document image data (hereinafter referred to as document image data) input from the image reading unit 20. The output image data generated by the image processing unit 30 is output to the image output unit 40 or stored in the storage unit 80.

  The image processing unit 30 performs image processing such as enlargement, reduction, rotation, trimming, masking, partial deletion, composition, and embedding based on the document image data in accordance with a job instruction from the user.

  The image output unit 40 forms an image on a recording sheet such as paper based on output image data input from the image processing unit 30 or the storage unit 80 by a method such as thermal transfer, electrophotography, or inkjet. .

  The transmission / reception unit 50 is configured using a network card, a modem, or the like, and transmits / receives data to / from the outside via a communication network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet (not shown).

The storage unit 80 includes, for example, a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory, EEPROM (registered trademark) , HDD, MRAM (magnetoresistance memory), FeRAM (ferroelectric memory), or OUM (Ovonic Unified Memory). Has been.

  The multifunction device 100 includes a control unit 10. The control unit 10 controls each hardware described above in various processes executed by the multifunction peripheral 100. The control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM, and a RAM (not shown).

  The CPU controls the various hardware described above by loading a control program stored in the ROM in advance on the RAM and executing it, and causes the entire apparatus to operate as the MFP 100 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the image reading unit 20 of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the image reading unit 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes an automatic document feeder (hereinafter referred to as ADF) 212 that automatically conveys a document along a document conveyance path F. A front-surface image reading unit 210 that reads an image on the front side of the conveyed document and a back-side image reading unit 211 that reads an image on the back side of the conveyed document.

  The image reading unit 20 is provided in the upper part of the multifunction peripheral 100 and includes an ADF 212 that stores the back image reading unit 211 and a main scanning unit 213 that stores the front surface image reading unit 210. The ADF 212 and the main scanning unit 213 are connected by a hinge (not shown), and the ADF 212 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the main scanning unit 213 by the rotation of the hinge.

  The main scanning unit 213 includes a housing 214 and a platen plate 215 made of a transparent glass plate, and the surface image reading unit 210 is accommodated in the housing 214.

  The surface image reading unit 210 includes a light source unit 224 that holds a light source 221, a mirror unit 225 that holds a plurality of mirrors, a lens 222, and a CCD 223.

  The main scanning unit 213 reads a document image while a user places a document on the platen plate 215 and reads a document image (hereinafter referred to as a document fixing method) and automatically transports the document by the ADF 212. A document can be read by a method (hereinafter referred to as a document conveyance method).

  In the case of the document conveyance method, the light source unit 224 and the mirror unit 225 are light sources for the document conveyed by the ADF 212 so as to pass the upper part of the home position while remaining stationary at the home position that is directly below the reading window 236. The image is scanned by irradiating light from 221, and the light reflected from the surface of the original passes through the reading window 236 made of a transparent member such as glass and enters the light source unit 224, and is a mirror of the light source unit 224. After that, the optical path is changed by 180 ° by the mirror unit 225, formed on the CCD 223 through the lens 222, and converted into electrical image data.

  On the other hand, the ADF 212 includes a taking-in roller 217 that takes the originals placed on the original placing table 216 one by one into the ADF 212, and a plurality of pairs of conveying rollers 218 that convey the taken originals along the original conveying path F. , A registration roller 219 that adjusts the paper feed timing, and a paper discharge roller 220 that discharges the document after image reading to the discharge tray 231, and the back image reading unit 211 forms an arc in a substantially U shape. It is arranged so as to fit in the document transport path F.

  The back surface image reading unit 211 includes a light source 226, a plurality of mirrors that reflect light from the light source 226, a lens 227, and a CCD 228, which are housed in a housing 229 and unitized. .

  As described above, the back-side image reading unit 211 reads an image on the back side of the document conveyed on the document conveyance path F when a user requests reading of a double-sided document. Specifically, after the front image reading unit 210 reads the image on the front side of the document, the document is transported along the document transport path F toward the discharge tray 231. At this time, the back surface image reading unit It passes under the light source 226 of 211. When such a document passes through the lower part of the light source 226 (reading window 232), the light source 226 emits light toward the back surface of the document, and the light reflected from the back surface of the document is read by a transparent member such as glass. The light passes through the window 232 and enters the housing 229, and is optically converted by a plurality of mirrors. Then, the light is imaged on the CCD 228 via the lens 227 and converted into electronic image data.

  A pressing plate 230 is provided below the ADF 212 to press the document to be read placed on the platen plate 215 of the main scanning unit 213 from above.

  Further, the document placing table 216 is provided with a document sensor 235 for detecting the presence or absence of a placed document and a document length sensor 233 for detecting a document length in the document transport direction. The document table 216 is provided with a document guide 234 that regulates the lateral direction (depth direction) of the document.

  A document transport path F for transporting a document to be read is provided with a plurality of path sensors 238 for detecting the position of the document to be transported. The position and the like can be detected.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing a main configuration of the image reading unit 20 of the multifunction machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The image reading unit 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention drives and controls a reading control unit 201, a scanner unit 202, a read image processing unit 203, a read image storage unit 204, an I / F 205, and a document scanning unit drive motor 206. A driver 207, a driver 208 that controls driving of the document conveying roller drive motor 209, a reading window 236, a dirt detection unit 237 that detects dirt on the reading window 232, and the like are provided.

  The scanner unit 202 includes a front surface image reading unit 210 and a back surface image reading unit 211 shown in FIG. 3, and acquires optical data of a document by the method described above.

  The read image processing unit 203 converts the optical data (analog data) acquired by the front surface image reading unit 210 or the back surface image reading unit 211 into electronic image data (digital data) in units of pages.

The read image storage unit 204 is configured by a nonvolatile storage medium such as flash memory, EEPROM (registered trademark) , HDD, MRAM (magnetoresistance memory), FeRAM (ferroelectric memory), or OUM, for example. . The read image storage unit 204 stores various instruction contents input via the operation panel 60, optical data (original image data) of the original read by the scanner unit 202, and the like.

  The I / F 205 is an interface for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device. For example, data processed by the read image processing unit 203 is transmitted to the external device via the I / F 205.

  A document scanning unit drive motor 206 is a motor for moving the light source unit 224 and the mirror unit 225 in the sub-scanning direction at an appropriate speed when a document image is read by a document fixing method. Thus, the drive is appropriately controlled by the driver 207.

  The document transport roller drive motor 209 is a motor that drives each of the take-up roller 217, the transport roller 218, the registration roller 219, the paper discharge roller 220, and the like disposed in the document transport path F. Thus, the drive control is appropriately performed by the driver 208.

  The dirt detection unit 237 detects the degree of dirt in the reading window 236. When the conveyed document passes over the reading window 236, dust, toner, ink, or the like of the document may adhere to the reading window 236. When printing is performed in such a state, a streak pattern is generated in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, in the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the dirt detection unit 237 detects the degree of dirt in the reading window 236, and appropriate measures are taken according to the detection result.

  5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the dirt detection by the dirt detection unit 237 in the image reading unit 20 of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has 7500 pixels in the main scanning direction.

  For example, when the multifunction peripheral 100 is shipped, the image reading unit 20 is activated, etc., scanning in the main scanning direction is performed, and a white level in which the reading window 236 is not dirty is acquired (see FIG. 5). Hereinafter, the obtained white level is referred to as a reference white level. The acquired reference white level is stored in the read image storage unit 204. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and a predetermined threshold value may be set instead of the reference white level. (See Figure 6)

  On the other hand, when a plurality of documents are conveyed, the dirt detection unit 237 detects the dirt in the reading window 236. Hereinafter, the determination of contamination based on the detection result by the contamination detection unit 237 will be described.

  The stain detection unit 237 performs scanning in the main scanning direction between a document to be transported and the detected white level value (hereinafter referred to as a detected white level value) to the reference white level or a predetermined threshold value. By detecting whether or not there is a portion below the predetermined number of pixels, such contamination is detected. For example, when the pixel unit is “2”, it is determined that the detected white level value is lower than the reference white level at two pixels in succession by the CPU 241 described later. .

  Therefore, when the pixel unit (number of pixels) is increased, the sensitivity of the dirt determination is lowered, and when the pixel unit is decreased, the sensitivity of the dirt determination is improved. In other words, the dirt determination sensitivity can be changed by increasing or decreasing the pixel unit (number of pixels).

  In the following description, the case where the pixel unit is “2” will be described as an example for convenience of description. Needless to say, the pixel unit is not limited to “2”.

  Furthermore, in the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the determination area in the reading window 236 can be changed in the stain determination by the CPU 241. For example, based on a determination result by a pattern determination unit 247 described later, the CPU 241 determines a stain only based on a detected white level value related to a part of 7500 pixels in the main scanning direction, or selects a part other than the part. Exclude from dirt determination.

  As described above, in the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the sensitivity of the dirt determination or the determination area is changed as necessary, so that the processing is unnecessarily delayed. This can prevent the user from having to clean the place.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram illustrating a main configuration of the reading control unit 201 in the image reading unit 20 of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The reading control unit 201 is a part that manages operation control of the entire image reading unit 20, and includes a CPU 241, a ROM 242, a RAM 243, a display control unit 244, a cancellation unit 245, an instruction reception unit 246, and a pattern determination unit 247.

  The CPU 241 controls the above various hardware by loading a control program stored in advance in the ROM 242 onto the RAM 243 and executing it. In addition, the CPU 241 receives a predetermined instruction from the user via the operation panel 60.

  The display control unit 244 controls image display on the display unit 70. For example, in response to an instruction from the CPU 241, a message to be notified to the user and the reception screen are displayed on the display unit 70. Further, when the contamination is detected and the conveyance of the document is stopped, the display control unit 244 displays a message to that effect on the display unit 70 and displays a preview image corresponding to the read document. To display.

  The cancel unit 245 controls the driver 207 and the driver 208 based on the detection result of the dirt detection unit 237, thereby stopping the transport and reading of the document, or restarting the transport and reading of the canceled document.

  The instruction receiving unit 246 (resolution receiving unit, document receiving unit) receives a predetermined instruction from the user via the display unit 70 (touch panel) or the operation panel 60. For example, when the conveyance and reading of the document are stopped, the display control unit 244 displays a message asking whether or not to continue reading the document on the display unit 70, and the instruction receiving unit 246 displays any instruction on the touch panel. Alternatively, it is accepted via the operation panel 60.

Further, the instruction receiving unit 246 receives resolution setting and document selection from the user.
FIG. 8 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for setting the resolution of an image to be transmitted in the scanner function instruction. FIG. 9 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for selecting a document size to be read in the copy function or scanner function instruction. FIG. 10 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for selecting a paper size (paper feed tray) at the time of printing in response to a copy function instruction.

  For example, when transmitting the image data generated by the image processing unit 30 or the read document image data to the outside, the user appropriately operates the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 8 to have a resolution of 200 dpi, 300 dpi, 400 dpi, 600 dpi, or the like. Can be set.

  Further, the user can appropriately operate the operation screens shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 to select the read original size related to the image data to be transmitted or the original image data, and the paper size at the time of printing at the time of copying. .

  As described above, the resolution setting, the document size selection, and the paper selection are performed by the user appropriately operating the touch panel (operation screen) or the operation panel 60. At this time, the instruction receiving unit 246 is operated by the touch panel. Alternatively, resolution setting, document size and paper selection are accepted from the user via the operation panel 60.

  The pattern determination unit 247 determines a job (processing) instruction received from the user via the reception screen for each pattern. Job (processing) instructions received from the user can be classified into an enlargement / reduction pattern, a partial change pattern, a security print pattern, and an external transmission pattern.

  The enlargement / reduction pattern is an enlargement / reduction process performed on the original image data (for example, original image data), and includes a reduction function, a page aggregation (N-up) function, an enlargement function, and an enlargement function. A continuous shooting (divided printing) function and the like are included. Enlarged continuous shooting is a process in which data for one page is divided into a plurality of sheets, and is enlarged and printed.

  The partial change pattern is obtained by performing partial image processing on original image data (for example, original image data), and includes a margin function, a frame erasing function, a trimming function, a masking function, a menu, Includes printing functions.

  The read image storage unit 204 stores a pattern table in which each pattern and a function belonging to the pattern are associated as described above.

  FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for setting a margin forming position in the instruction of the margin function. In the margin function, as shown in FIG. 11, position designation at the left / right / top / bottom edge of the paper is received from the user, and the margin is output at such a position.

  FIG. 12 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for setting the position of the shadow to be deleted in the instruction of the frame removal function. In the frame erasing function, when a wide document such as a thick original or book that is bundled in a large number is copied, a shadow formed around the center or the center is erased and output. That is, the specification of the position of the shadow to be deleted is received from the user, and the shadow at the position is deleted and output.

  The trimming function can extract and output only the range specified by the user in the document, and the masking function can output only the range specified by the user in the document. Further, in the menu print function, the print menu image is overwritten at a predetermined position on the original image, and the combined image is output.

  In addition, the security print pattern embeds a character or pattern related to the security of the image data. For example, a document control function that embeds and outputs a so-called control pattern in the original image data in order to prohibit subsequent reading, and a copy-forgery-inhibited pattern or character string is embedded in the original image data and output in order to prevent document duplication. Includes tint block printing.

  Further, as described above, the external transmission pattern is for transmitting, for example, read document image data to the outside based on the resolution setting and the document size selection received from the user.

  When a predetermined job (processing) instruction is received from the user, the pattern determination unit 247 determines which of the above-described patterns the job corresponds to. The CPU 241 interprets the detection result by the dirt detection unit 237 based on the determination result by the pattern determination unit 247 and determines whether or not the reading window 236 is dirty.

  Note that the above-described cancellation unit 245, instruction reception unit 246, and pattern determination unit 247 may be configured by hardware logic, or may be constructed in software by the CPU 241 executing a predetermined program.

  FIGS. 13 and 14 are flowcharts for explaining the dirt determination and the processing based on the dirt determination in the multi-function device 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the case of processing based on stain detection of the reading window 236 used when reading the surface of the document will be described as an example, and the detected white level value may be lower than the reference white level. Assume that the CPU 241 determines the stain when the pixel occurs continuously in two pixels, that is, the pixel unit is set to “2”. In addition, it is assumed that the user copies a plurality (five) of document bundles.

  First, after placing the document bundle on the document placing table 216, the user operates the operation panel 60 as appropriate to instruct any job (processing). Specifically, the user selects a job by appropriately operating the reception screen displayed on the display unit 70.

  At this time, the instruction receiving unit 246 of the image reading unit 20 receives an instruction of a predetermined job via the operation panel 60 (step S101), and a job related to the received instruction (hereinafter referred to as a received job) is temporarily stored in the RAM 243. To remember.

  Next, the pattern determination unit 247 determines which pattern the received job belongs to. First, the pattern determination unit 247 determines whether or not the received job belongs to an external transmission pattern (step S102). Such a determination is made based on the pattern table of the read image storage unit 204.

  If the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job does not belong to the external transmission pattern (step S102: NO), the pattern determination unit 247 further determines whether or not the received job belongs to the enlargement / reduction pattern (step S106). Such a determination is made based on the pattern table of the read image storage unit 204.

  When the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job belongs to the enlargement / reduction pattern (step S106: YES), the CPU 241 changes the sensitivity of the determination (step S107).

  For example, when the received job is an enlarged copy of a document image, the CPU 241 increases the sensitivity of determination by setting the pixel unit to “1” and determines whether the reading window 236 is dirty. That is, in this case, since the 1-pixel image is enlarged and the dirt width is greatly enlarged and output, the judgment of the dirt is made strict accordingly.

  If the received job is a reduced copy of the original image, the CPU 241 reduces the sensitivity of determination by setting the pixel unit to “3”, and determines whether the reading window 236 is dirty. That is, in this case, since the dirty image (streaked line) itself is also reduced, the dirt becomes inconspicuous even in the output image, so the determination of the dirt is eased.

  The RAM 243 stores information that the determination sensitivity has been changed as described above. Thereafter, the processing moves to step S108.

  On the other hand, if the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job does not belong to the enlargement / reduction pattern (step S106: NO), the pattern determination unit 247 determines whether the received job belongs to the security print pattern (step S108). Such a determination is made based on the pattern table of the read image storage unit 204.

  When the pattern determining unit 247 determines that the received job belongs to the security print pattern (step S108: YES), the CPU 241 changes the sensitivity of determination (step S109).

  For example, in the document control function and copy-forgery-inhibited pattern printing, the original image is required to be free of dirt. Therefore, the CPU 241 increases the sensitivity of determination by setting the pixel unit to “1” to remove the dirt. Make judgments stricter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S110.

  On the other hand, when the pattern determining unit 247 determines that the received job does not belong to the security print pattern (step S108: NO), the instruction receiving unit 246 receives a document selection via the operation panel 60 or the touch panel (step S110). In addition, the selection of the paper is accepted (step S111).

  Next, the CPU 241 compares the value obtained by multiplying the document size by the magnification and the paper size based on the relationship between the document size, the magnification, and the paper size, and the value (size) obtained by multiplying the document size by the magnification is equal to or larger than the paper size. It is determined whether or not (step S112).

If it is determined that the paper size is smaller (step S112: YES), the CPU 241 changes the determination area (step S113).
Usually, the determination is made based on the image area of the original. However, if the paper size is smaller by the determination, an area that is not printed on the original image is included, and this area corresponds to the area because no image is formed. Judgment of dirt in the reading window 236 becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the CPU 241 changes the determination area by excluding the area from the determination target or invalidating the detection result of the dirt related to the area.

  Specifically, a value obtained by dividing the paper size by the magnification is set in the determination area. However, if the value exceeds 7500, the maximum value is limited to 7500. Thereafter, the processing moves to step S114.

  When the CPU 241 determines that the paper size is larger or equal to the paper size (step S112: NO), the pattern determination unit 247 determines whether or not the received job belongs to the partial change pattern ( Step S114). Such a determination is made based on the pattern table of the read image storage unit 204.

  For example, when the user intends to perform a margin copy, the margin function is selected on the reception screen, and a region such as a position and a width where the margin is to be added is designated as shown in FIG.

  That is, for example, when a margin copy instruction is received from the user, the pattern determining unit 247 determines that the received job belongs to the partial change pattern (step S114: YES). At this time, the instruction receiving unit 246 Then, an area designation such as the position and width is accepted via the operation panel 60 or the touch panel (step S115).

  Next, the CPU 241 changes the determination region in the stain determination based on the region designation received by the instruction receiving unit 246 (step S116).

  That is, since no image is formed in the area specified by the area designation received by the instruction receiving unit 246, it is not necessary to determine the stain on the reading window 236 corresponding to the area. Therefore, the CPU 241 changes the determination area by excluding the area from the determination target or invalidating the detection result of the dirt related to the area. The change of the determination area is as described above, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The RAM 243 stores information that the determination area has been changed as described above. Thereafter, the process moves to step S117, and the stain of the CPU 241 is determined based on the changed determination area.

  On the other hand, when the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job does not belong to the partial change pattern (step S114: NO), neither the sensitivity of determination nor the determination region is changed, and the process proceeds to step S117.

  However, for example, when the user intends to externally transmit the document image data, the user selects the external transmission by appropriately operating the reception screen, and sets the resolution and the document size as described above. Will do.

  That is, for example, when an external transmission instruction is received from the user, the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job belongs to the external transmission pattern (step S102: YES). At this time, the instruction reception unit 246 A document size selection is received via the panel 60 or the touch panel (step S103), and a resolution setting is received (step S104).

  Next, the CPU 241 increases or decreases the determination sensitivity based on the resolution setting received by the instruction receiving unit 246, and changes the determination area based on the selection of the document size received by the instruction receiving unit 246 (step S105). . Such a change in sensitivity of determination and a change in determination area have already been described, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Thereafter, the process moves to step S117, and the CPU 241 determines the contamination based on the sensitivity and the determination area after the change.

  Next, the CPU 241 controls the driver 207 and the driver 208 to automatically convey and read the original bundle placed on the original placement table 216 (step S117). The originals are conveyed one by one at a predetermined interval, and when passing through the upper part of the reading window 236, the original is read as described above, and dirt detection is performed between the originals. . The read image data of the document is stored in the RAM 243.

  After the reading of the first original is finished, the second is conveyed along the original conveying path F. Before the second sheet passes the upper part of the reading window 236, based on the detection result of the path sensor 238, The CPU 241 instructs the dirt detection unit 237 to detect dirt. In accordance with the instruction from the CPU 241, scanning in the scanning direction is performed, and the dirt detection unit 237 detects the degree of dirt in the reading window 236 (step S118). The dirt detection by the dirt detection unit 237 has already been described, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  Next, the CPU 241 determines whether or not the reading window 236 is dirty by comparing the white level value (detected white level) detected by the stain detection unit 237 with the reference white level (step S119). At this time, the stain determination by the CPU 241 is performed based on the determination sensitivity or / and the determination region after the change as described above.

  If the CPU 241 determines that the reading window 236 is not dirty (step S119: NO), the CPU 241 instructs the display control unit 244 to display an image based on the document image data read immediately before, that is, a preview image. In response to the instruction from the CPU 241, the display control unit 244 displays a preview image on the display unit 70 (step S124).

  The preview image is provided with “Yes” and “No” soft keys (not shown), for example, in order to accept an instruction as to whether or not to continue document conveyance and reading. After confirming the preview image displayed on the display unit 70, the operation panel 60 or the touch panel is appropriately operated to instruct to stop or continue the document reading.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 241 determines that the reading window 236 is dirty (step S119: YES), the cancel unit 245 controls the driver 207 and driver 208 to temporarily stop the conveyance and reading of the document (step S120). .

  When the conveyance and reading of the original are stopped, the first original that has been read is discharged to the discharge tray 231, and the second original that has not yet been read remains in the original conveying path F. State. Further, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be configured such that after all the documents remaining in the document conveyance path F are discharged to the discharge tray 231, the conveyance and reading of the documents are stopped.

  Next, the display control unit 244 displays on the display unit 70 that the conveyance and reading of the document have been stopped (step S121).

  FIG. 15 is an exemplary view showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 70 in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention when the conveyance and reading of a document are stopped.

  When the conveyance and reading of the document are stopped, the display control unit 244 reads the text “There is a possibility that a streak-like pattern may appear. Please clean the reading window of the ADF device” and the previous reading. The display unit 70 includes a “preview confirmation” soft key for receiving an instruction to display a preview image corresponding to the original, and “yes” and “no” soft keys for receiving an instruction as to whether or not to continue conveying and reading the original. To display.

  For example, when the user touches a “preview confirmation” soft key, the display control unit 244 displays a preview image corresponding to the first original read immediately before on the display unit 70. Therefore, the user can select whether or not to continue the conveyance and reading of the document while visually recognizing such a preview image.

  Next, the CPU 241 determines whether or not an instruction to continue document conveyance and reading has been received (step S122). Such determination is performed by the CPU 241 monitoring a signal from the touch panel of the display unit 70.

  For example, when the user touches the “Yes” soft key in FIG. 15 or touches the “Yes” soft key of the preview image displayed in step S120, the CPU 241 continues to transport and read the document. It is determined that the instruction has been received (step S122: YES), and it is determined whether or not the document that has been read immediately before is the last sheet (step S125). Such a determination is made based on the detection results of the path sensor 238 and the document sensor 235.

  If the CPU 241 determines that the document read immediately before is not the last document (step S125: NO), the process returns to step S117, and the next document (second document) is conveyed to the upper part of the reading window 236. Read.

  If the CPU 241 determines that the document read immediately before is the last document (step S125: YES), the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 241 determines that an instruction to continue the conveyance and reading of the document has not been received (step S122: NO), the CPU 241 determines whether an instruction to cancel the conveyance and reading of the document has been received (step S123). Such a determination is made by the CPU 241 monitoring whether the “No” soft key in FIG. 15 or the “No” soft key of the preview image displayed in step S124 is operated.

  For example, when the user touches the “No” soft key, the CPU 241 determines that an instruction to cancel the conveyance and reading of the document is received (step S123: YES), and then the process ends.

  If the user does not touch the “No” soft key for a predetermined time, the CPU 241 determines that an instruction to cancel the conveyance and reading of the document has not been received (step S123: NO), and the process proceeds to step S122. Return to.

  In the above description, the case where the stain on the reading window 236 is detected and processing is performed based on the detection result has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, the present invention can also be applied to the determination of contamination of the reading window 232 used when reading the back side of the document.

(Embodiment 2)
The above-described enlargement / reduction pattern further includes a small original pattern. The small original pattern is a case where the original is small, and includes, for example, enlarged copy, moving copy, card scan, and the like.

  The enlargement copy function reads, for example, a B5 size document and enlarges it to A4 size.

  The moving copy function outputs a document such as a read photo or graph in combination with a predetermined position on the printing paper. FIG. 16 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for setting a predetermined position of the printing paper in the instruction of the moving copy function. The user appropriately operates the operation screen of FIG. 16 to set a predetermined position on the printing paper, and the original image is combined and output at the position.

  The card scanning function scans the front and back of various cards such as licenses and time cards, arranges them on a single sheet, and copies them together. FIG. 17 is an exemplary diagram showing an operation screen for setting an image layout position in the card scan function instruction. The user sets the arrangement positions of the back and front images by appropriately operating the operation screen of FIG.

In the pattern table of the read image storage unit 204, small document patterns and functions belonging to the small document patterns are stored in association with each other.
Hereinafter, such processing will be described in detail.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining the dirt determination and the processing based on the dirt determination in the multifunction machine 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the following, for the sake of convenience of explanation, the case of processing based on stain detection of the reading window 236 used when reading the surface of the document will be described as an example, and the detected white level value may be lower than the reference white level. Assume that the CPU 241 determines the stain when the pixel occurs continuously in two pixels, that is, the pixel unit is set to “2”. Further, it is assumed that the user makes a moving copy using a small document.

  First, after placing a photographic document on the document placement table 216, the user operates the operation panel 60 as appropriate to instruct any job (moving copy).

  At this time, the instruction receiving unit 246 of the image reading unit 20 receives a moving copy instruction via the operation panel 60 (step S201), and a job related to the received instruction (hereinafter referred to as a received job) is temporarily stored in the RAM 243. To remember.

  Next, the pattern determination unit 247 determines which pattern the received job belongs to. First, the pattern determination unit 247 determines whether the received job belongs to the enlargement / reduction pattern based on the pattern table of the read image storage unit 204.

  If the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job belongs to the enlargement / reduction pattern, the pattern determination unit 247 determines whether or not the copy is the same size copy (step S202). When the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job is not an equal copy (step S202: NO), in other words, when the received job is an enlarged or reduced copy, the CPU 241 changes the determination sensitivity (step S204). ). Thereafter, the process moves to step 203. At this time, since the accepted job is an enlarged or reduced copy, the CPU 241 increases or decreases the determination sensitivity by the above-described method, and determines whether or not the reading window 236 is dirty.

  On the other hand, when the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job is an equal-size copy (step S202: YES), the pattern determination unit 247 further determines whether the received job is a small document pattern (step S203).

  If the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job is not a small document pattern (step S203: NO), the process proceeds to step S206.

  On the other hand, when the pattern determination unit 247 determines that the received job is a small document pattern (step S203: YES), the CPU 241 changes the determination region in the stain determination (step S205).

  That is, in the case of a small document pattern, since the document to be processed is small, it is not necessary to determine the stain at the reading window 236 corresponding to the area exceeding the range occupied by the document. The area is excluded from the dirt determination target, or the dirt detection result related to the area is invalidated. Thereafter, the process moves to step S206.

  Subsequently, based on the determination sensitivity or determination area after the change, the CPU 241 determines the contamination. The subsequent processing in steps S206 to S214 is the same as the processing in steps S117 to S125 of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
The multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present invention has a tab copy function in addition to the various functions belonging to the various patterns described above. In the tab copy function, tab sheets are set in advance in a paper feed tray, and characters such as headings described in a document are printed on a tab of a specified tab sheet.

  That is, in the case of the tab copy function, it is not necessary to determine the stain in the reading window 236 corresponding to the area other than the portion where characters such as a headline on the document are described. Therefore, the CPU 241 determines such an area as a stain. Exclude from the target, or invalidate the detection result of the dirt related to the area.

20 Image reading unit 40 Image output unit (image forming means)
60 Operation Panel 70 Display Unit 100 Multifunction Machine 201 Reading Control Unit 212 ADF
232 Reading window 236 Reading window 237 Dirt detection unit 241 CPU
244 Display control unit 246 Instruction reception unit 247 Pattern determination unit

Claims (4)

In an image processing apparatus that reads an image of a plurality of conveyed documents through a reading window and performs processing on the read image.
Instruction receiving means for receiving processing instructions;
Determination means for determining whether or not the reading window is dirty based on the contents of the processing related to the received instruction;
If the content of the process, for the read image, is embedded in the character or pattern according to the security, the determination means, the image processing apparatus characterized by being configured so that increase sensitivity of determination. When the content of the processing is enlargement / reduction of the read image,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is configured to change sensitivity of determination. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image processed by the image processing apparatus on a sheet. A detection unit for detecting contamination on the reading window is provided. The image of the reading window is detected in an image processing apparatus that reads images of a plurality of conveyed documents through the reading window and processes the read images. In the method
Receiving a processing instruction;
Determining whether or not the reading window is dirty based on the contents of the processing related to the received instruction;
Dirt determination method contents of the process, for the read image, if it is embedded in the character or pattern according to security, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: Raise the sensitivity of the determination.

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