JP6065457B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document.

  The image reading apparatus generally includes a placement surface on which a document is placed, and a reading unit that reads the document placed on the placement surface while moving in the sub-scanning direction, and is read by the reading unit. It is structured to output image data. As described in the following patent document, the document reading range is set in advance according to the selection by the user or the size of the document, and image data in the range corresponding to the selection or setting is output.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-148965

  In recent years, there are many image reading apparatuses that can read a large-size document. Such an image reading apparatus can read a relatively large document to a relatively small document, which is very convenient. However, there is a document that can be placed on the placement surface in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, and the document may not be read properly depending on the orientation.

  Specifically, for example, when an A4 size document is read in an image reading apparatus capable of reading an A3 size document, the A4 size document is placed in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation. But it can be placed. For documents placed in portrait orientation and documents placed in landscape orientation, the reading range is the same when the two types of documents overlap, but in the remaining parts Is different. For this reason, for example, when the reading range is set for a document in landscape orientation, if the user mistakenly places the document in portrait orientation, a part of the image data of the document is output. Therefore, there is a possibility that desired image data cannot be obtained.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and image data in an appropriate range regardless of whether the document is placed in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation. An image reading apparatus capable of obtaining the above is provided.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a placement surface on which a document is placed, and a reading unit that reads the document placed on the placement surface while moving in the sub-scanning direction. And a control device that controls the reading operation of the document by the reading unit, the control device specifying a short side and a length of the long side of the reading range by the reading unit, and the sub-scanning In the main scanning direction orthogonal to the direction, there is an image of the document in the first area set at a position exceeding the short side length specified by the specifying unit from the reference position in the main scanning direction. The sub-scanning direction is specified by the specifying unit when the first determining unit and the first determining unit determine that an image of the document exists in the first area. Corresponds to the length of the short side, front Main scanning direction and having a first output section for outputting the image data of the read range corresponding to the length of the long side which is specified by the specifying unit.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, when an image exists in the first region, the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the short side of the document, and the main scanning direction corresponds to the length of the long side of the document. The image data in the reading range corresponding to is output. The first area is an area where an image exists only when the document is placed on the placement surface in a portrait orientation. For this reason, in the image reading apparatus of the present invention, when it is confirmed that the document is placed on the placement surface in the portrait orientation, the image data of the reading range for the document in the portrait orientation Is output. As a result, it is possible to obtain image data in an appropriate range when the document is placed on the placement surface in a portrait orientation.

  Further, when there is no image in the first area, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an image in the second area. When an image is present in the second area, the image data of the reading range in which the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the long side of the document and the main scanning direction corresponds to the length of the short side of the document Is output. The second area is an area where an image exists only when the document is placed on the placement surface in a landscape orientation. For this reason, when it is confirmed that the document is placed on the placement surface in the landscape orientation, the image data of the reading range for the document in the landscape orientation is output. As a result, it is possible to obtain image data in an appropriate range when the document is placed on the placement surface in a landscape orientation.

  Further, the reading stop position by the reading unit when an image of the document is present in the first area is set to a position away from the reading start position by a distance corresponding to the length of the short side of the document. Is possible. As a result, it is possible to appropriately read the image of the document placed in the portrait orientation on the placement surface.

  Further, the reading stop position by the reading unit when there is no document image in the first area is set to a position away from the reading start position by a distance corresponding to the length of the long side of the document in the sub-scanning direction. Is possible. This makes it possible to reliably determine whether the document is placed in a landscape orientation. Further, when the document is placed in a landscape orientation, it is possible to appropriately read the image of the document.

  In addition, when a first buffer area is set with a predetermined width from the upstream end of the first area in the main scanning direction to the downstream in the main scanning direction, and an image exists only in the first buffer area, the first buffer area It can be determined that no image exists in the region. When a document in landscape orientation is placed on the placement surface in a tilted state, a part of the document may enter the first area. In such a case, it is determined that an image is present in the first area even though the document is placed in a landscape orientation, and image data in the wrong reading range may be output. There is. For this reason, by setting the first buffer area, even when the document in the landscape orientation is placed on the placement surface in an inclined state, the orientation of the document is appropriately determined and the appropriate range is set. Image data can be obtained.

  In addition, when a second buffer area is set with a predetermined width from the upstream end of the second area in the sub-scanning direction toward the downstream in the sub-scanning direction, and an image exists only in the second buffer area, the second buffer area is set. It can be determined that no image exists in the region. When a vertically oriented document is placed on the placement surface in a tilted state, a part of the document may enter the second area. In such a case, it is determined that an image is present in the second area even though the document is placed in a portrait orientation, and image data in the wrong reading range may be output. There is. For this reason, by setting the second buffer area, even when a vertically oriented document is placed on the placement surface in a tilted state, the orientation of the document is appropriately determined and the appropriate range is set. Image data can be obtained.

  Also, the position of the short side of the original that is separated from the upstream end of the reading position in the main scanning direction in the downstream direction of the main scanning direction, and the length of the long side of the original in the downstream direction of the main scanning direction from the upstream end of the reading position. An area surrounded by the separated position, the reading start position, and the position separated from the reading start position in the sub-scanning direction by the length of the short side of the document can be set as the first area. This makes it possible to determine the presence / absence of an image in the first area only within a necessary range, and to omit the determination of the presence / absence of an image in a useless area.

  In addition, when a determination position is set at a position that is shorter than the short side length of the document in the sub-scanning direction from the reading start position, and the determination position is exceeded, an image of the document exists in the first area. It is possible to determine whether or not Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the area | region which determines the presence or absence of the image in a 1st area | region.

  Further, the determination position can be changed according to the moving speed of the reading unit in the sub-scanning direction. Specifically, as the moving speed of the reading unit is slower, the determination position can be set to a position closer to the reading stop position of the document in the portrait orientation. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately determine the presence or absence of an image near the reading stop position. On the other hand, as the moving speed of the reading unit increases, the determination position can be set to a position away from the reading stop position of the document in the portrait orientation. This makes it possible to reduce the frequency at which the reading unit exceeds the reading stop position when determining an image in the first area.

  In addition, when it is determined that an image exists in the first area at a position beyond the reading stop position of the vertically placed document, before the reading unit reaches the reading stop position of the horizontally placed document, The reading operation can be terminated. As a result, useless reading operations can be omitted.

  If it is determined that an image exists in the first area at a position beyond the reading stop position of the document in the portrait orientation, the image data in the reading range of the document in the portrait orientation is trimmed, Trimmed image data can be output. As a result, it is possible to remove excess image data and obtain image data in an appropriate range.

2 is a block diagram of the MFP 10. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a document reading table 34. FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a document 60a placed in a portrait orientation on a platen glass 36 and a document 60b placed in a landscape orientation. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a document 60 placed on a platen glass 36 and a determination line 66. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a document 60 and a first buffer area 70 placed in a landscape orientation on the platen glass 36. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a document 60 and a second buffer area 72 placed on the platen glass 36 in a portrait orientation. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart when scanning of the MFP. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a flowchart when scanning of the MFP. FIG.

<Configuration of MFP>
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an MFP (abbreviation of Multifunction Peripheral) 10 exemplified as an embodiment according to the present application. The MFP 10 includes a CPU (abbreviation of central processing unit) 12, a storage unit 14, a panel 16, a button input unit 18, a printer 20, a scanner 22 (an example of an image reading apparatus of the present invention), a modem 24, and a telephone line connection unit 26. Mainly prepared. These components can communicate with each other via the input / output port 30.

  Panel 16 displays various functions of MFP 10. The button input unit 18 is a key for executing each function of the MFP 10 and may be configured integrally with the panel 16 as a touch panel. The printer 20 is a part that executes printing. The modem 24 modulates the original data to be transmitted by the facsimile function into a signal that can be transmitted to the telephone line network 32 and transmits the signal via the telephone line connection unit 26, or from the telephone line network 32 via the telephone line connection unit 26. The received signal is received and the original data is demodulated.

  The scanner 22 reads a document set on a document reading table (see FIG. 2) 34 and creates scan data. The document reading table 34 is provided on the upper surface of the MFP 10 and is covered with an openable / closable document cover (not shown). As shown in FIG. 2, a rectangular platen glass 36 (an example of a placement surface according to the present invention) is fitted in the document reading table 34. The platen glass 36 has a size slightly larger than that of an A3 size document, and an A3 size document can be placed thereon.

  Below the platen glass 36, a reading unit 38 (an example of the reading unit of the present invention) for reading an image of a document is provided. The reading unit 38 includes a line image sensor 40 that extends in the main scanning direction, and a transport mechanism 42 that moves the line image sensor 40 in the sub scanning direction. The line image sensor 40 is positioned at the left end (left end in FIG. 2) at the viewpoint from the operator of the platen glass 36 before image reading. Then, the line image sensor 40 is moved rightward by the transport mechanism 42, whereby the image of the document is read.

  Incidentally, the sub-scanning direction is a direction in which the line image sensor 40 moves during scanning, and is a direction in which the long side of the platen glass 36 extends. The line image sensor 40 is moved from the left direction to the right direction in the figure at the time of image reading. Therefore, the left direction in the figure is the upstream direction in the sub-scanning direction, and the right direction in the figure is the right direction. This is the downstream direction in the sub-scanning direction. The main scanning direction is a direction that intersects the sub-scanning direction horizontally and at a right angle, and is a direction in which the short side of the platen glass 36 extends. The upper direction in the figure is the upstream direction in the main scanning direction, and the lower direction in the figure is the downstream direction in the sub-scanning direction.

  Further, the CPU 12 executes processing according to the scan program 50 in the storage unit 14. The scan program 50 is a program for reading a document placed on the platen glass 36. The storage unit 14 is configured by combining a RAM (abbreviation of random access memory), a ROM (abbreviation of read only memory), a flash memory, an HDD (abbreviation of hard disk), a buffer provided in the CPU 12, and the like.

  In addition, the storage unit 14 includes a data storage area 52. The data storage area 52 is an area for storing scan data read by the scanner 22, data necessary for executing the scan program 50, and the like.

<Scanning a document with a scanner>
The scanner 22 reads a document placed on the platen glass 36. As described above, it is possible to place a document of A3 size on the platen glass 36, and in the scanner 22, a document of A3 size and a document smaller than the A3 size (A4, A5, B4, B5 size documents, postcard size documents, etc.) can be read. Therefore, at the time of reading by the scanner 22, the user can set the size of the read image via the button input unit 18 or the like. Also, the resolution of the read image can be changed by a user operation.

  Thus, the scanner 22 can read a relatively large document to a relatively small document, which is very convenient. However, there is an original that can be placed on the platen glass 36 in either a vertical orientation or a horizontal orientation, and the original may not be read properly depending on the orientation.

  Specifically, for example, when an A4 size document is read by the scanner 22, as shown in FIG. 3, the A4 size document 60 is placed on the platen glass 36 in a vertically placed posture (solid line) and placed horizontally. It is possible to mount the robot in any posture (dotted line). Here, the vertical orientation is a direction in which the long side of the document extends in the short side of the platen glass 36, that is, the direction in which the short side of the document extends in the long side of the platen glass 36. That is, the document 60 is placed so as to extend in the sub-scanning direction. The landscape orientation is a direction in which the long side of the document extends in the long side of the platen glass 36, that is, the direction in which the short side of the document extends in the short side of the platen glass 36. That is, it is a posture in which the document 60 is placed so as to extend in the main scanning direction. When reading a document, it is possible to set a range to be read to a range corresponding to either a vertically placed document or a horizontally placed document.

  As can be seen from the drawing, in the document 60a placed in the portrait orientation and the document 60b placed in the landscape orientation, the two documents 60a and 60b overlap in the range to be read. It is the same in some parts, but different in the rest. For this reason, for example, when a document 60b in a landscape orientation is set as a reading target, if the user mistakenly places the document in a portrait orientation, the first region 62 indicated by the diagonal lines in the figure. The scan data (an example of the first region of the present invention) is not output, and the desired scan data cannot be obtained.

  The first area 62 is a position beyond the short side length of the original in the main scanning direction downstream from the reference position, and exceeds the long side length of the original in the main scanning direction downstream from the reference position. This is an area specified by a position that does not exceed the length of the short side of the document in the sub scanning direction downstream from the reading start position. Incidentally, the reference position is the upstream end in the main scanning direction, that is, the position of the upper edge of the platen glass 36 in the drawing, and the reading start position is the upstream end in the sub-scanning direction, that is, the platen glass 36 in the drawing. The position of the left edge.

  When the original 60a in the vertical orientation is set as a reading target and the user erroneously places the original in the horizontal orientation, the second area 64 indicated by the diagonal lines in the drawing (the present invention). The scan data in the second region is not output, and the desired scan data cannot be obtained. The second area 64 is a position beyond the length of the short side of the document in the downstream direction from the reading start position, and the length of the long side of the document in the downstream direction from the reading start position. And an area specified by a position not exceeding the length of the short side of the document in the main scanning direction from the reference position.

  In view of the above, in the scanner 22, as shown in FIG. 4, a determination line 66 (an example of the determination position of the present invention) that crosses the first region 62 in the main scanning direction is set. Then, it is determined whether or not an image of the document exists between the reading start position in the first area 62 and the determination line 66. When an image is present in the first area 62, scan data of a reading range corresponding to a document in a portrait orientation is output. That is, image data in a reading range in which the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the short side of the document and the main scanning direction corresponds to the length of the long side of the document is output. In this case, the scan data reading stop position is set at a position away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the short side of the document.

  However, even if an image does not exist in the first area 62 in the determination line 66, an image may exist in the first area 62 beyond the determination line 66. Even in such a case, scan data of a reading range corresponding to a document in a portrait orientation is output. However, in such a case, when the presence of the image is determined, the line image sensor 40 has a length corresponding to the short side of the document from the reading stop position in the vertical orientation, specifically, from the reading start position. It may be moving beyond a remote location. In other words, there is a case where reading is performed in a range larger than the reading range of a document in a portrait orientation. For this reason, when the line image sensor 40 exceeds the reading stop position in the portrait orientation, the scan data in the reading range corresponding to the document in the portrait orientation is trimmed, and the trimmed scan data is output. . In such a case, the reading operation is also terminated when it is determined that an image exists in the first area 62.

  If no image exists in the first area 62, it is determined whether or not an image of the document exists in the second area 64. Therefore, the reading stop position in that case is set at a position away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the long side of the document. When an image exists in the second area 64, scan data of a reading range corresponding to a document in a landscape orientation is output. That is, image data in a reading range in which the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the long side of the document and the main scanning direction corresponds to the length of the short side of the document is output. Before the determination of the presence / absence of an image in the second area 64, the presence / absence of an image in the first area 62 is also determined. Therefore, the read scan data includes the scan data of the first area 62. It is. For this reason, in order to remove the scan data of the first area 62, the scan data of the reading range corresponding to the document in the landscape orientation is trimmed, and the trimmed scan data is output.

  As described above, in the scanner 22, the range of scan data to be output is determined by determining whether an image exists in the first area 62 and the second area 64. As a result, it is possible to obtain appropriate scan data regardless of whether the operator places the document in a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation.

  If there is no image in both the first area 62 and the second area 64, the scan data of the original in either the portrait orientation or the landscape orientation is output. Appropriate scan data can be obtained. For this reason, the scanner 22 outputs scan data of a reading range corresponding to a document in a portrait orientation when there is no image in either the first area 62 or the second area 64.

  At the time of image reading, the moving speed of the line image sensor 40 in the sub-scanning direction varies depending on the image resolution and the like. For this reason, the position of the determination line 66 is changed according to the moving speed of the line image sensor 40. Specifically, as the moving speed of the line image sensor 40 is slower, the position of the determination line 66 is set closer to the end position of the reading range in the sub-scanning direction of the document in the vertical orientation. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately determine the presence or absence of an image near the end position of the reading range. On the other hand, as the moving speed of the line image sensor 40 increases, the position of the determination line 66 is set to a position farther from the end position of the reading range in the sub-scanning direction of the document in the portrait orientation. This makes it possible to reduce the frequency at which the line image sensor 40 exceeds the end position of the reading range when determining the image of the first region 62.

  Further, in the scanner 22, when the document is placed on the platen glass 36 in a tilted state, it is not properly determined whether the posture is a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation, and an appropriate scan is performed. There is a possibility that data cannot be obtained. Specifically, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the document 60 in the landscape orientation is placed in a tilted state, the lower end of the document 60 may enter the first region 62. In such a case, it is erroneously determined that the document is placed in the portrait orientation even though it is in the landscape orientation, and scan data of the reading range corresponding to the document in the portrait orientation is included. There is a risk of output. In view of the above, when the first buffer area 70 having a predetermined width is set at the upper edge of the first area 62 and an image exists only in the first buffer area 70. Does not determine that the document is placed in a portrait orientation. Incidentally, the first buffer area 70 is an area set with a predetermined width from the upstream end of the first area 62 in the main scanning direction toward the downstream in the main scanning direction.

  Further, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the document 60 in the vertical orientation is placed in a tilted state, the right end of the document 60 may enter the second region 64. In such a case, it is erroneously determined that the document is placed in the landscape orientation even though it is in the portrait orientation, and the scan data of the reading range corresponding to the document in the landscape orientation is included. There is a risk of output. In view of the above, when the second buffer area 72 having a predetermined width is set at the left edge of the second area 64 and an image exists only in the second buffer area 72. Is not determined to be placed in a landscape orientation. Incidentally, the second buffer area 72 is an area set with a predetermined width from the upstream end of the second area 64 in the sub-scanning direction toward the downstream in the sub-scanning direction. Thus, by setting the first buffer area 70 and the second buffer area 72, it is possible to prevent erroneous determination of the posture of the document 60, and it is possible to obtain appropriate scan data.

<Scan program>
The above-described original reading is performed by the CPU 12 executing the scan program 50. Specifically, a flow for reading a document will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

  In the scan program 50, when the size of the read image is input by the operator, the CPU 12 specifies the size of the read image (step (hereinafter abbreviated as “S”) 100). Specifically, the data storage area 52 stores the short side and long side length of the reading range according to the size of the read image, and the CPU 12 stores the short side of the reading range according to the input reading size. And get the length of the long side. Next, the CPU 12 determines whether or not a document of the size of the read image can be placed on the platen glass 36 in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation (S102). If the document of that size cannot be placed in any posture (NO in S102), normal reading control according to the size is performed, and the processing of this program ends.

  On the other hand, if the document of that size can be placed in any posture (YES in S102), the determination line 66 is set according to the moving speed of the line image sensor 40 (S104). Then, reading by the line image sensor 40 is started from the reading start position toward the downstream in the sub-scanning direction (S106).

  Subsequently, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the reading by the line image sensor 40 has reached the determination line 66 (S108). If the reading by the line image sensor 40 has not reached the determination line 66 (NO in S108), the process of S108 is repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if the reading by the line image sensor 40 has reached the determination line 66 (YES in S108), the CPU 12 determines whether or not an image exists in the first area 62 (S110).

  When an image exists in the first area 62 (YES in S110), the CPU 12 determines whether or not an image exists only in the first buffer area 70 (S112). When an image does not exist only in the first buffer area 70 (NO in S112), the reading stop position by the line image sensor 40 is set to a position away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the short side of the document. (S114). Next, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the reading up to the set reading stop position is completed (S116). If reading to the reading stop position has not been completed (NO in S116), the process in S116 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, when the reading up to the reading stop position has been completed (YES in S116), the reading by the line image sensor 40 is completed (S118). The read scan data is output to the data storage area 52 of the storage unit 14 and stored in the data storage area 52 (S120).

  If no image exists in the first area 62 in S110 (NO in S110), or if an image exists only in the first buffer area 70 in S112 (YES in S112), the line image It is determined by the CPU 12 whether or not the sensor 40 has passed a position away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the short side of the document (S122). If the line image sensor 40 does not pass through a position that is away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the short side of the document (NO in S122), the process of S122 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, when the line image sensor 40 passes through a position away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the short side of the document (YES in S122), the length corresponding to the short side of the document from the reading start position. The CPU 12 determines whether or not there is an image in the first area 62 up to a remote position (S124). If an image is present in the first area 62 (YES in S124), the scan data is trimmed in the reading range of the input reading size in the portrait orientation (S126). Then, the trimmed scan data is output to the data storage area 52 of the storage unit 14 and stored in the data storage area 52 (S120).

  On the other hand, if no image is present in the first area 62 in S124 (NO in S124), has the line image sensor 40 passed through a position away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the long side of the document? The CPU 12 determines whether or not (S128). When the line image sensor 40 does not pass through a position that is away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the long side of the document (NO in S128), the process of S128 is repeatedly executed.

  On the other hand, if the line image sensor 40 passes through a position that is away from the reading start position by a length corresponding to the long side of the document (YES in S128), whether or not an image exists in the second area 64. Is determined by the CPU 12 (S130). If no image is present in the second region 64 (NO in S130), the reading by the line image sensor 40 is completed (S132), and the scan data is scanned within the reading range of the vertical orientation of the input reading size. Trimming is performed (S134). Then, the trimmed scan data is output to the data storage area 52 of the storage unit 14 and stored in the data storage area 52 (S120).

  On the other hand, when an image exists in the second area 64 in S130 (YES in S130), the CPU 12 determines whether or not an image exists only in the second buffer area 72 (S136). When an image exists only in the second buffer area 72 (YES in S136), the processes after S132 described above are performed.

  On the other hand, if the image does not exist only in the second buffer area 72 in S136 (NO in S136), the reading by the line image sensor 40 is finished (S138), and the horizontal orientation of the input reading size is read. The trimming of the scan data is performed within the range (S140). Then, the trimmed scan data is output to the data storage area 52 of the storage unit 14 and stored in the data storage area 52 (S120).

<Functional configuration of CPU>
The CPU 12 that executes the scan program 50 can be considered to have a functional configuration as shown in FIG. 1 in view of its execution processing. As can be seen from the figure, the CPU 12 includes a specifying unit 78 (an example of the specifying unit of the present invention), a first determining unit 80 (an example of the first determining unit of the present invention), and a first output unit 82 (of the present invention). An example of a first output unit), a second determination unit 84 (an example of a second determination unit of the present invention), a second output unit 86 (an example of a second output unit of the present invention), and a first reading setting unit 88 (an example of the first reading setting unit of the present invention) and a second reading setting unit 90 (an example of the second reading setting unit of the present invention).

  The specifying unit 78 is a functional unit that executes the process of S100 of the scan program 50, that is, a functional unit that specifies the length of the short side and the long side of the reading range. The first determination unit 80 is a functional unit that executes the processes of S106 to S112 and S124 of the scan program 50, that is, a functional unit that determines whether or not an image exists in the first region 62. The first output unit 82 is a functional unit that executes the processes of S114 to S120 and S126 of the scan program 50, that is, when it is determined that an image is present in the first region 62, the first output unit 82 has a vertically placed posture. It is a functional unit that outputs scan data of a reading range. The second determination unit 84 is a functional unit that executes the processes of S128, S130, and S136 of the scan program 50, that is, a functional unit that determines whether an image is present in the second region 64. The second output unit 86 is a functional unit that executes the processes of S120 and S140 of the scan program 50, that is, when it is determined that an image exists in the second area 64, the reading range of the landscape orientation is set. This is a functional unit that outputs the scan data. The first reading setting unit 88 sets the reading stop position to the reading start position when it is determined that an image is present in the functional unit that executes the processing of S116 of the scan program 50, that is, the first region 62. This is a functional unit that is set at a position that is a distance away from the short side of the document. The second reading setting unit 90 sets the reading stop position as the reading start position when it is determined that the functional unit that executes the processing of S128 of the scan program 50, that is, the image does not exist in the first area 62. Is a functional unit that is set at a position that is away from the document by a length corresponding to the long side of the document.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, It is possible to implement in the various aspect which gave various change and improvement based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Specifically, for example, in the above embodiment, the scan data is stored in the data storage area 52, but printing, faxing, etc. may be performed based on the scan data. Further, the scan data may be transmitted to another MFP, PC, etc., and stored in a storage area of the other MFP, PC, etc.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the processing shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is executed by the CPU 12 has been described. However, these processings are not limited to the CPU 12, and may be executed by an ASIC or other logic integrated circuit. These processes may be executed by the cooperation of the CPU 12, the ASIC, and other logic integrated circuits.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when there is no image in either the first area 62 or the second area 64, the scan data of the reading range in the vertical orientation is output. Scan data of the reading range may be output. In addition, a selection button or the like may be provided, and scan data of the reading range of either the horizontal posture or the horizontal posture may be output according to the intention of the operator.

12: CPU (control device)
22: Scanner (image reading device)
36: Platen glass (mounting surface)
38: Reading unit 78: Identification unit 80: First determination unit 82: First output unit 84: Second determination unit 86: Second output unit 88: First reading setting unit 90: Second reading setting unit

Claims (10)

A placement surface on which the document is placed;
A reading unit that reads a document placed on the placement surface while moving in the sub-scanning direction;
A control device for controlling a document reading operation by the reading unit;
With
The controller is
A specifying unit that receives input of a size of a read image of a document to be read, and specifies a short side and a long side of a reading range by the reading unit based on the size of the read image ;
In the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction, an image of the document is placed in a first area set at a position exceeding the short side length specified by the specifying unit from the reference position in the main scanning direction. A first determination unit for determining whether it exists;
When the first determination unit determines that an image of the document exists in the first area, the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the short side specified by the specification unit, and A first output unit that outputs image data of a reading range corresponding to a length of the long side whose main scanning direction is specified by the specifying unit;
I have a,
The first determination unit
When an image of the document exists only in the first buffer area set with a predetermined width from the upstream end in the main scanning direction of the first area toward the downstream in the main scanning direction, the document is in the first area. An image reading apparatus that determines that no image exists . The control device is
When the first determination unit determines that an image of the document does not exist in the first area, the short unit specified by the specifying unit in the sub-scanning direction from the reading start position on the placement surface is provided. A second determination unit for determining whether an image of the document exists in the second area set at a position exceeding the side length;
When the second determining unit determines that an image of the document exists in the second area, the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the long side specified by the specifying unit, A second output unit that outputs image data of a reading range corresponding to a length of the short side whose main scanning direction is specified by the specifying unit;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A placement surface on which the document is placed;
A reading unit that reads a document placed on the placement surface while moving in the sub-scanning direction;
A control device for controlling a document reading operation by the reading unit;
With
The controller is
A specifying unit that receives input of a size of a read image of a document to be read, and specifies a short side and a long side of a reading range by the reading unit based on the size of the read image;
In the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction, an image of the document is placed in a first area set at a position exceeding the short side length specified by the specifying unit from the reference position in the main scanning direction. A first determination unit for determining whether it exists;
When the first determination unit determines that an image of the document exists in the first area, the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the short side specified by the specification unit, and A first output unit that outputs image data of a reading range corresponding to a length of the long side whose main scanning direction is specified by the specifying unit;
When the first determination unit determines that an image of the document does not exist in the first area, the short unit specified by the specifying unit in the sub-scanning direction from the reading start position on the placement surface is provided. A second determination unit for determining whether an image of the document exists in the second area set at a position exceeding the side length;
When the second determining unit determines that an image of the document exists in the second area, the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the long side specified by the specifying unit, A second output unit that outputs image data of a reading range corresponding to a length of the short side whose main scanning direction is specified by the specifying unit;
Have
The second determination unit;
When an image of the document exists only in the second buffer area set with a predetermined width from the upstream end of the second area in the sub-scanning direction toward the downstream in the sub-scanning direction, the document is placed in the second area. image images reader characterized in that is determined not to exist in. The control device is
When the first determination unit determines that an image of a document exists in the first area while the reading unit is moving in the sub-scanning direction, the reading stop position of the reading unit is set to the sub-scanning position. from the reading start position in the scanning direction according to any one of claims 1 to 3 having a first reading setting unit that sets a position corresponding to the length of the short sides that have been identified by the identifying unit Image reading device. The control device is
When the first determination unit determines that no document image exists in the first area, the reading stop position of the reading unit is specified by the specifying unit from the reading start position in the sub-scanning direction. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second reading setting unit that sets the position corresponding to the length of the long side. The first region is a position beyond the length of the short side specified by the specifying unit from the reference position to the downstream in the main scanning direction, and the downstream from the reference position to the downstream in the main scanning direction. Specified by a position that does not exceed the length of the long side specified by the specifying unit, and a position that does not exceed the length of the short side specified by the specifying unit in the sub scanning direction downstream from the reading start position. the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a region that is. The first determination unit includes:
When a determination position set at a position shorter than the length of the short side specified by the specifying unit from the reading start position toward the downstream side in the sub-scanning direction is exceeded, the document is placed in the first area in the first area. the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that to determine whether the image is present. The judgment position is
The image reading apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the image reading apparatus is changed according to a moving speed of the reading unit in the sub-scanning direction. While the reading unit is moving beyond the distance corresponding to the length of the short side specified by the specifying unit from the reading start position toward the downstream in the sub-scanning direction, the first determination unit performs the first determination. When it is determined that an image of the document exists in one area, the reading unit ends the reading operation before reaching the distance corresponding to the long side specified by the specifying unit in the sub-scanning direction. the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that. The first output unit includes:
While the reading unit is moving beyond the distance corresponding to the length of the short side specified by the specifying unit from the reading start position toward the downstream in the sub-scanning direction, the first determination unit performs the first determination. When it is determined that an image of a document exists in one area, the sub-scanning direction corresponds to the length of the short side specified by the specifying unit, and the main scanning direction is specified by the specifying unit. the long trimmed image data of the read range corresponding to the length of a side was, the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and outputs the image data that trimming .

Images