JP6241442B2 - Image processing apparatus and image processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method.

  In an image processing apparatus such as a copying machine, it is possible to print each page of a plurality of documents on a sheet. Specifically, in this type of image processing apparatus, each of a plurality of documents is sequentially conveyed by an automatic document conveying device called ADF. Image data is read from the document conveyed by the ADF. Then, the image data of the read original is printed on the sheet.

  By the way, there is known an image processing apparatus capable of sorting and printing each page of a plurality of originals by pages designated by a user. For example, in this type of image processing apparatus, a slip sheet (intersheet) having a different color or shape from an ordinary sheet is inserted in front of a page designated by the user, and each of a plurality of document pages is printed. . As a result, the user can divide and print each chapter included in the document document, for example. Here, there is known a related technique capable of detecting a blank document inserted into a plurality of documents and classifying and outputting each page of the plurality of documents on the next page of the blank document ( Patent Document 1). According to the related technology, compared with a configuration in which a page designation operation is performed in the operation unit, the trouble of the page designation operation by the user is reduced.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-141425

  However, in the related art, when image data is read from both sides of a plurality of documents, only one of the front and back pages of the document can be designated.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of designating both the front and back pages of a document while reducing the trouble of page designation operation by a user.

  An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a document transport unit, an image reading unit, a mark detection unit, a setting processing unit, an output processing unit, and a sorting processing unit. The document conveying unit sequentially conveys each of a plurality of documents placed on the document placing unit. The image reading unit reads image data from both sides of the document conveyed by the document conveyance unit. The mark detection unit detects the presence / absence of a predetermined mark in the document and the position of the mark based on the image data of each side of the document read by the image reading unit. The setting processing unit sets, as reference data, image data of one of the front and back sides of the document with the mark attached according to the position of the mark detected by the mark detection unit. The output processing unit outputs the image data of both sides of each of the plurality of documents read by the image reading unit in the order of the front side and the back side according to the reading order by the image reading unit. The classification processing unit classifies each of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents output by the output processing unit either before or after the reference data in the output order by the output processing unit.

  An image processing method according to another aspect of the present invention includes the following first step, second step, third step, fourth step, fifth step, and sixth step. In the first step, each of a plurality of documents placed on the document placement unit is sequentially conveyed. In the second step, image data is read from each of both sides of the document conveyed in the first step. In the third step, the presence / absence of a predetermined mark in the document and the position of the mark are detected based on the image data on both sides of the document read in the second step. In the fourth step, image data of one of the front surface and the back surface of the document with the mark is set as reference data according to the position of the mark detected in the third step. In the fifth step, image data on both sides of each of the plurality of originals read in the second step is output in the order of the front side and the back side in accordance with the reading order in the second step. In the sixth step, each of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents output in the fifth step is classified either before or after the reference data in the output order in the fifth step.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to specify both the front and back pages of a document while reducing the time and effort of a user to specify a page.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating configurations of the ADF, the first image reading unit, and the second image reading unit of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document read by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the first output process executed by the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the second output process executed by the image processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. The following embodiment is an example embodying the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[First Embodiment]
First, a schematic configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus 10. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the image processing apparatus 10 includes an ADF 1, a first image reading unit 2, a second image reading unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a sheet conveying unit 5, a control unit 6, and an operation display unit 7. And a storage unit 8. The image processing apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function or a copy function, in addition to a scan function for reading image data from a document P and a print function for forming an image based on the image data. The present invention is also applicable to image processing apparatuses such as scanner apparatuses, facsimile apparatuses, and copiers.

  The ADF 1 sequentially conveys each of a plurality of documents P placed on the document placement unit 11 shown in FIG. Here, the ADF 1 is an example of a document conveying portion in the present invention.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the ADF 1 includes a document placement unit 11, a conveyance path 12, a document pressing unit 13, and a paper discharge unit 14. A document P from which image data is read by the first image reading unit 2 and the second image reading unit 3 is placed on the document placing unit 11. The conveyance path 12 is formed by a pair of conveyance guide members provided in the housing of the ADF 1, and connects the document placement unit 11 and the paper discharge unit 14. The conveyance path 12 is provided with a plurality of conveyance rollers. In the ADF 1, the plurality of transport rollers are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a motor (not shown), so that the document P placed on the document placement unit 11 is transported to the paper discharge unit 14 along the transport direction 11A. Is done. The document presser 13 is disposed in an exposed portion where the surface of the document P transported through the transport path 12 in the transport path 12 is exposed to the outside of the casing of the ADF 1, and the surface of the document P transported by the transport roller at the exposed portion. Is pressed against the contact glass 21 of the first image reading unit 2 described later.

  The first image reading unit 2 reads the image data of the surface of the document P placed on the document placement unit 11 of the ADF 1 and the image data of the document P placed on the contact glass 21 shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the first image reading unit 2 includes a contact glass 21, a reading unit 22, a mirror 23, a mirror 24, an optical lens 25, and a first image sensor 26. A document P that is read by the first image reading unit 2 is placed on the contact glass 21. The reading unit 22 irradiates the original P placed on the contact glass 21 or the original P conveyed by the ADF 1 with light, and guides the light reflected by the original P to the mirror 23. Specifically, the reading unit 22 is provided so as to be movable along the sub-scanning direction 22A shown in FIG. 2, and is reflected by a large number of light sources and originals P arranged along the main scanning direction orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction 22A. A mirror for guiding the emitted light to the mirror 23. The mirror 23 and the mirror 24 guide the light reflected by the document P to the optical lens 25. The optical lens 25 collects the incident light and makes it incident on the first image sensor 26.

  In the first image reading unit 2, when an image is read from the document P placed on the contact glass 21, the reading unit 22 is moved along the sub-scanning direction 22 </ b> A and from the reading unit 22 to the contact glass 21. Light is emitted toward the camera. As a result, the reflected light from the document P placed on the contact glass 21 enters the first image sensor 26.

  In the first image reading unit 2, when image data is read from the surface of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1, the reading unit 22 is moved to a position where the exposed portion of the ADF 1 can be irradiated with light. Light is emitted from the reading unit 22 toward the exposed portion. Thereby, the reflected light from the document P conveyed by the ADF 1 is incident on the first image sensor 26.

  The first image sensor 26 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light incident from the optical lens 25. The first image reading unit 2 obtains image data by converting the electrical signal output from the first image sensor 26 into a digital signal by an analog front end circuit (not shown). The image data acquired by the first image reading unit 2 is input to the control unit 6.

  The second image reading unit 3 reads image data on the back side of the document P placed on the document placing unit 11 of the ADF 1. Here, the first image reading unit 2 and the second image reading unit 3 are examples of the image reading unit in the present invention.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the second image reading unit 3 has a second image pickup arranged on the conveyance path 12 of the document P by the ADF 1 so as to face the back surface of the document P conveyed on the conveyance path 12. An element 31 is provided. The second image sensor 31 is an image sensor such as a CIS including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit irradiates light on the back surface of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1. The light receiving unit receives light emitted from the light emitting unit and reflected from the back surface of the document P, and outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light received. The second image reading unit 3 acquires the image data by converting the electric signal output from the light receiving unit of the second image sensor 31 into a digital signal by an analog front end circuit (not shown). The image data acquired by the second image reading unit 3 is input to the control unit 6.

  The image forming unit 4 executes an image forming process (printing process) for forming a color or monochrome image by an electrophotographic method based on the image data read by the first image reading unit 2 or the second image reading unit 3. Is possible. The image forming unit 4 can also execute the printing process based on image data input from an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 4 includes a plurality of image forming units 41 to 44, an optical scanning device 45, an intermediate transfer belt 46, a secondary transfer roller 47, a fixing device 48, and a paper discharge tray. 49. The image forming unit 41 corresponds to C (cyan), the image forming unit 42 corresponds to M (magenta), the image forming unit 43 corresponds to Y (yellow), and the image forming unit 44 corresponds to K (black). The image forming units 41 to 44 form images based on the electrophotographic method. Each of the image forming units 41 to 44 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a developing device, a primary transfer roller, and a cleaning device.

  The optical scanning device 45 forms an electrostatic latent image based on the image data on each of the photosensitive drums by irradiating each of the photosensitive drums with a laser beam based on the image data. Each color toner image developed on each of the photosensitive drums by the developing device is intermediately transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 46 and then transferred to the sheet supplied from the sheet conveying unit 5 by the secondary transfer roller 47. Is done. Thereafter, the toner image is fused and fixed on the sheet on which the toner image has been transferred by the fixing device 48 to form a color image, which is then discharged to the paper discharge tray 49.

  The sheet transport unit 5 sequentially transports each of a plurality of sheets placed on the paper feed cassette 51 or the manual feed tray 52 shown in FIG.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, the sheet conveyance unit 5 includes a paper feed cassette 51, a manual feed tray 52, a first conveyance path 53, a second conveyance path 54, and a switching member 55. Sheets are placed on the paper feed cassette 51 and the manual feed tray 52. Here, the paper feed cassette 51 and the manual feed tray 52 are an example of a plurality of sheet placement units in the present invention. In the following description, the paper feed cassette 51 and the manual feed tray 52 may be collectively referred to as a sheet placement unit.

  The first transport path 53 is formed by a pair of transport guide members provided in the housing of the image processing apparatus 10, and connects the paper feed cassette 51, the manual feed tray 52, and the paper discharge tray 49. The first transport path 53 is provided with a plurality of rollers including a pickup roller, a registration roller, and a discharge roller 53A. In the sheet conveyance unit 5, the plurality of rollers rotate by a driving force transmitted from a motor (not shown), and thereby the sheet placed on the paper feed cassette 51 or the manual feed tray 52 is conveyed to the paper discharge tray 49. .

  The second conveyance path 54 is formed by a pair of conveyance guide members provided in the housing of the image processing apparatus 10, and the first merging portion 54 </ b> A located on the downstream side of the fixing device 48 in the first conveyance path 53. A second junction 54B located on the upstream side of the registration roller in the first conveyance path 53 is connected. The second conveyance path 54 is provided with a plurality of rollers for conveying the sheet. The switching member 55 is provided in the first merging portion 54A. The first merging portion 54A is in the first state where the first conveyance path 53 is opened and the second conveyance path 54 is closed, and the first conveyance path 53. Can be switched between the second state in which the second transport path 54 is opened while the second is closed.

  In the image processing apparatus 10, the image forming unit 4 can form images on both sides of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 5. Specifically, when printing is performed on both sides of the sheet, the control unit 6 switches at the timing when the rear end of the sheet on which the image is formed on the first side by the image forming unit 4 passes through the first joining unit 54A. The member 55 is operated to switch the state of the first joining portion 54A from the first state to the second state. On the other hand, after the switching member 55 operates and the second conveyance path 54 is opened, the control unit 6 rotates the discharge roller 53A in the reverse direction. As a result, the sheet in which the first surface and the second surface are reversed is sent to the first transport path 53 again via the second transport path 54 and the second junction 54B.

  The control unit 6 includes control devices such as a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM (not shown). The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile storage device in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile storage device used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU. In the control unit 6, various control programs stored in advance in the ROM are executed by the CPU. As a result, the image processing apparatus 10 is comprehensively controlled by the control unit 6. The control unit 6 may be configured by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC), and is a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that comprehensively controls the image processing apparatus 10. May be.

  The operation display unit 7 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information according to control instructions from the control unit 6, and an operation key or touch panel that inputs various types of information to the control unit 6 according to user operations. And so on. The operation display unit 7 is an example of the display unit in the present invention.

  The storage unit 8 is a storage device such as an SSD (solid state drive) or an HDD (hard disk drive). The storage unit 8 stores image data read by the first image reading unit 2 or the second image reading unit 3.

  By the way, the image processing apparatus 10 can print each page of a plurality of documents P on a sheet. Specifically, in the image processing apparatus 10, each of a plurality of documents P is sequentially conveyed by the ADF 1. Image data is read from the document P conveyed by the ADF 1. Then, the image data of the read original P is printed on the sheet.

  Here, there is known an image processing apparatus capable of printing each page of a plurality of originals P in a page designated by a user. For example, in this type of image processing apparatus, a slip sheet (intersheet) having a different color or shape from an ordinary sheet is inserted in front of a page specified by the user, and each page of a plurality of documents P is printed. The As a result, the user can divide and print each chapter included in the document document, for example. Here, a related technique is known in which a blank document inserted in a plurality of documents P can be detected, and each page of the plurality of documents P can be classified and output by the next page of the blank document. Yes. According to the related technology, compared with a configuration in which a page designation operation is performed in the operation unit, the trouble of the page designation operation by the user is reduced.

  However, in the related art, when image data is read from both sides of a plurality of documents P, only one of the front and back pages of the document P can be designated. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention, as described below, it is possible to specify both the front and back pages of the document P while reducing the trouble of the page specifying operation by the user.

  Specifically, the ROM of the control unit 6 stores in advance a first output program that causes the CPU of the control unit 6 to execute a first output process (see the flowchart of FIG. 5) described later. The first output program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be installed from the storage medium into the storage unit 8 or the like.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 6 includes a reading processing unit 61, a size detecting unit 62, a mark detecting unit 63, a setting processing unit 64, an operation receiving unit 65, a change processing unit 66, a removal processing unit 67, and an output. A processing unit 68 and a classification processing unit 69 are included. Specifically, the CPU of the control unit 6 executes the first output program stored in the ROM. Thereby, the control unit 6 includes a reading processing unit 61, a size detection unit 62, a mark detection unit 63, a setting processing unit 64, an operation receiving unit 65, a change processing unit 66, a removal processing unit 67, an output processing unit 68, and a classification. It functions as the processing unit 69.

  The reading processing unit 61 reads image data from both sides of each of a plurality of documents P placed on the document placement unit 11. Specifically, the reading processing unit 61 controls the ADF 1 to sequentially convey each of a plurality of documents P placed on the document placement unit 11. The reading processing unit 61 controls the first image reading unit 2 to read image data from the surface of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1. Further, the reading processing unit 61 controls the second image reading unit 3 to read image data from the back surface of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1.

  The reading processing unit 61 stores each surface image data read from a plurality of documents P in the RAM. For example, the reading processing unit 61 stores the image data of each surface in the RAM in the order of the front surface and the back surface according to the order of transporting the document P by the ADF 1. Note that the reading processing unit 61 may add information indicating the order of conveyance by the ADF 1 and information indicating whether the image data is on the front side or the back side to each of the image data on each side, and store them in the RAM.

  The size detection unit 62 detects the size of the document P read by the reading processing unit 61. For example, the size detection unit 62 determines the image data of both sides of the document P read by the reading processing unit 61 based on the length in the width direction 11B (see FIG. 4) orthogonal to the transport direction 11A. Detect the size.

  Note that the size detection unit 62, when there are a plurality of sizes of the document P specified from the length in the width direction 11B of the image data on each side of the document P, transport direction of the image data on each side of the document P. The size of the document P may be detected in consideration of the length at 11A. The size detection unit 62 uses a sensor provided in the document placement unit 11 to detect the size of the document P placed on the document placement unit 11 in advance before reading the image data by the reading processing unit 61. May be.

  The mark detection unit 63 detects the presence / absence of a predetermined mark on the document P and the position of the mark based on the image data on both sides of the document P read by the reading processing unit 61. For example, the mark includes a sticky note T attached to protrude from the rear end portion at the rear end portion of the document P in the transport direction 11A by the ADF 1. The mark may be a predetermined figure or symbol written on the document P.

  Here, FIG. 4 shows an example of a document P placed on the document placement unit 11 of the ADF 1 and having a tag T attached to the surface. Note that FIG. 4 shows the document P placed on the document placement unit 11 with the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the transport direction 11A. In FIG. 4, a sticky note T is attached to the rear end portion of the document P in the conveyance direction 11 </ b> A by the ADF 1 so as to protrude from the rear end portion.

  For example, the mark detection unit 63 is based on the presence / absence of a departure region deviating from the size detected by the size detection unit 62 in the image data of the surface of the document P read by the reading processing unit 61 and the position of the departure region. The presence / absence of the tag T attached to the document P and the position of the tag T are detected.

  The setting processing unit 64 sets image data of one of the front and back surfaces of the document P with the mark as reference data according to the position of the mark detected by the mark detection unit 63. For example, the setting processing unit 64 adds the reference data information indicating the reference data to the image data on one of the front and back sides of the document P with the mark stored in the RAM. Thus, the reference data is set.

  Specifically, the setting processing unit 64 sets the reference data according to the position of the mark on the surface of the document P. For example, in the document P shown in FIG. 4, the setting processing unit 64 uses the image data on the surface of the document P when the tag T is pasted in the area A1 in the width direction 11B of the rear end portion in the transport direction 11A. Set as reference data. Further, in the document P shown in FIG. 4, the setting processing unit 64 converts the image data on the back surface of the document P when the tag T is pasted in the area A2 in the width direction 11B of the rear end portion in the transport direction 11A. Set as reference data. The setting processing unit 64 may set the image data of the surface with the mark as the reference data among the image data of the both sides of the document P with the mark.

  The operation receiving unit 65 displays an image based on the reference data on the operation display unit 7 and receives a setting change operation for the reference data. For example, the operation reception unit 65 causes the operation display unit 7 to display a setting operation screen for performing the setting operation including thumbnail images of each of the one or more reference data stored in the RAM, so that the setting is performed. Accept the change operation. The operation receiving unit 65 may cause the operation display unit 7 to display an image based on the reference data, and may cause the image forming unit 4 or an external image forming apparatus to print the image based on the reference data.

  The change processing unit 66 changes the reference data according to the setting change operation. For example, the change processing unit 66 changes the reference data by adding or deleting the reference data information to each image data stored in the RAM.

  The removal processing unit 67 removes the image of the mark included in the image data of the document P with the mark. For example, the removal processing unit 67 detects the background color of the document P based on the image data of the document P, and removes the image of the mark by painting the mark image with the detected background color.

  The output processing unit 68 outputs the image data on both sides of each of the plurality of documents P read by the reading processing unit 61 in the order of the front side and the back side according to the reading order by the reading processing unit 61. For example, the output processing unit 68 uses the image forming unit 4 to process each of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P according to the reading order by the reading processing unit 61, and to convert the image data on the surface of the document P into the first number of sheets. The image data of the back side of the original P is printed on the first side and output on the second side of the sheet.

  Specifically, the output processing unit 68 controls the sheet conveying unit 5 to sequentially convey sheets from any one of the sheet placement units selected in advance by a user operation or the like. Further, the output processing unit 68 controls the image forming unit 4 so that each of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P stored in the RAM is applied to both surfaces of the sheet sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 5. Printing is performed according to the storage order in the RAM by the reading processing unit 61.

  Note that the output processing unit 68 may store and output each image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P in the storage unit 8. Further, the output processing unit 68 may transmit and output each image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P to an external information processing apparatus.

  The sorting processing unit 69 sorts the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P output by the output processing unit 68 either before or after the reference data in the output order by the output processing unit 68.

  Specifically, when the printing surface of the reference data by the output processing unit 68 is the second surface of the sheet, the sorting processing unit 69 sets the printing surface of the reference data as the first surface of the next sheet. One process is executed. For example, the classification processing unit 69 determines whether the printing surface of the reference data is the second surface of the sheet based on the storage order of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P in the RAM. . Then, when the printing surface of the reference data is the second surface of the sheet, the sorting processing unit 69 outputs blank image data for one surface between the reference data and the image data printed before that. The first process is executed by inserting and shifting the printing order of the reference data.

  The sorting processing unit 69 also includes a sheet on which the reference data is printed by the output processing unit 68 in accordance with one or both of the color and number of the mark in the document P with the mark. A second process of inserting a sheet conveyed from the sheet placement unit set in advance between the sheet on which image data before or after the reference data is printed, and a sheet on which the reference data is printed One or both of the third processes set for the sheet conveyed from the previously set sheet placement unit are executed together with the first process.

  For example, when the color of the tag T attached to the document P is a predetermined first color, the sorting processing unit 69 executes the second process together with the first process. In addition, when the color of the tag T attached to the document P is a predetermined second color, the sorting processing unit 69 executes the third process together with the first process. Further, the sorting processing unit 69 executes only the first process when the color of the tag T attached to the document P is a predetermined third color.

  For example, the sorting processing unit 69 inserts blank image data for two pages before the reference data stored in the RAM in order. Then, the sorting processing unit 69 adds, to each of the inserted blank image data, setting information indicating that each of the blank image data is printed on a sheet conveyed from the preset sheet placement unit. Thus, the second process is executed.

  Further, the sorting processing unit 69 adds the setting information indicating that the reference data is printed on the sheet conveyed from the sheet placing unit set in advance to the reference data stored in the RAM. Then, the third process is executed.

[First output processing]
Hereinafter, the image processing method of the present invention will be described together with an example of the procedure of the first output process executed by the control unit 6 in the image processing apparatus 10 with reference to FIG. Here, steps S11, S12,... Represent the numbers of processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 6. Note that the control unit 6 executes the first output process when an instruction to execute the printing process accompanying the execution of the first process is input by a user operation on the operation display unit 7.

<Step S11>
First, in step S <b> 11, the control unit 6 reads image data from both surfaces of each of a plurality of documents P placed on the document placement unit 11. Then, the control unit 6 stores the image data of each side read from the plurality of documents P in the RAM in the order of the front surface and the back surface according to the transport order of the document P by the ADF 1.

  Specifically, the control unit 6 controls the ADF 1 to sequentially convey each of a plurality of documents P placed on the document placement unit 11. Here, the process of sequentially transporting each of the plurality of documents P placed on the document placement unit 11 in step S11 is an example of the first step in the present invention, and the reading processing unit 61 of the control unit 6 is used. It is executed by.

  Further, the control unit 6 controls the first image reading unit 2 to read image data from the surface of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1. The control unit 6 controls the second image reading unit 3 to read image data from the back surface of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1. Here, the process of reading the image data from both sides of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1 in step S11 is an example of the second step in the present invention, and is executed by the reading processing unit 61 of the control unit 6.

<Step S12>
In step S12, the control unit 6 detects the size of the document P read in step S11. For example, the control unit 6 detects the size of the document P based on the length in the width direction 11B of the image data on both sides of the document P read in step S11. Here, the process of step S <b> 12 is executed by the size detection unit 62 of the control unit 6.

<Step S13>
In step S13, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the mark has been detected from the image data on both sides of the document P read in step S11. For example, the control unit 6 is attached to the document P based on the presence / absence of a departure area deviating from the size detected in step S12 in the image data of the surface of the document P read in step S11 and the position of the departure area. The presence or absence of the tag T and the position of the tag T are detected. Here, the process of step S13 is an example of a third step in the present invention, and is executed by the mark detection unit 63 of the control unit 6.

  If the control unit 6 determines that the mark is detected from the image data on both sides of the document P read in step S11 (Yes side of S13), the control unit 6 shifts the process to step S14. If the mark is not detected from the image data on both sides of the document P read in step S11 (No side in S13), the control unit 6 moves the process to step S15.

<Step S14>
In step S14, the control unit 6 sets image data of one of the front and back surfaces of the document P with the mark as reference data according to the position of the mark detected in step S13. . For example, the control unit 6 sets the reference data by adding the reference data information to the image data stored in the RAM. Here, the process of step S14 is an example of the fourth step in the present invention, and is executed by the setting processing unit 64 of the control unit 6.

  Specifically, the control unit 6 sets the reference data according to the position of the mark on the surface of the document P. For example, in the document P shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 6 uses the image data on the surface of the document P as the reference when the tag T is pasted in the area A1 in the width direction 11B of the rear end portion in the transport direction 11A. Set as data. In addition, in the document P shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 6 uses the image data on the back surface of the document P as the reference when the tag T is pasted in the area A2 in the width direction 11B of the rear end portion in the transport direction 11A. Set as data.

  Thus, in the first output process, the reference data is set according to the position of the mark on the surface of the document P. Therefore, compared with the case where the image data of the surface with the mark is set as the reference data, the user's trouble of attaching the mark to the back surface of the document P is reduced.

<Step S15>
In step S15, the control unit 6 determines whether or not reading of image data from both sides of each of the plurality of documents P placed on the document placement unit 11 in step S11 is completed. For example, the control unit 6 uses a document detection sensor (not shown) provided in the document placement unit 11 to detect the presence or absence of the document P placed on the document placement unit 11, thereby It is determined whether or not reading has been completed.

  Here, when the control unit 6 determines that the reading of the image data has been completed (Yes in S15), the control unit 6 shifts the processing to step S16. If the reading of the image data has not been completed (No side in S15), the control unit 6 shifts the process to step S11.

<Step S16>
In step S <b> 16, the control unit 6 displays an image based on the reference data set in step S <b> 14 on the operation display unit 7 and accepts the reference data setting change operation. Here, the process of step S <b> 15 is executed by the operation receiving unit 65 of the control unit 6.

  For example, the control unit 6 displays the setting operation screen including thumbnail images of each of the one or more reference data stored in the RAM on the operation display unit 7 and accepts the setting change operation. Thereby, the user can confirm whether or not the setting of the reference data by the control unit 6 matches his / her intention.

  In step S16, the control unit 6 may cause the operation display unit 7 to display an image based on the reference data, and may cause the image forming unit 4 or an external image forming apparatus to print the image based on the reference data. . In this case, it is possible to shorten the time required for the user to confirm whether or not the setting of the reference data by the control unit 6 matches his / her intention.

<Step S17>
In step S17, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the setting change operation has been performed on the setting operation screen displayed in step S16.

  Here, if the control part 6 judges that the said setting change operation was performed (Yes side of S17), it will transfer a process to step S18. If the setting change operation has not been performed (No in S17), the control unit 6 shifts the process to step S19.

<Step S18>
In step S18, the control unit 6 changes the reference data according to the setting change operation performed on the setting operation screen. For example, the control unit 6 changes the reference data by adding or deleting the reference data information to each of the image data stored in the RAM. Here, the process of step S <b> 18 is executed by the change processing unit 66 of the control unit 6.

<Step S19>
In step S <b> 19, the control unit 6 determines whether an output instruction for each of the image data read in step S <b> 11 is input by a user operation on the operation display unit 7.

  Here, if the control part 6 judges that the said output instruction | indication was input (Yes side of S19), it will transfer a process to step S20. If the output instruction has not been input (No in S19), the control unit 6 moves the process to step S17.

<Step S20>
In step S20, the control unit 6 removes the image of the mark included in the image data of the document P with the mark. For example, the control unit 6 detects the background color of the document P based on the image data of the document P, and removes the mark image by painting the mark image with the detected background color. Here, the process of step S20 is executed by the removal processing unit 67 of the control unit 6. This avoids outputting image data including an image of the unnecessary mark.

<Step S21>
In step S21, the control unit 6 classifies the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P stored in the RAM in the reading order in step S11, either before or after the reference data in the reading order. Here, the process of step S21 is an example of the sixth step in the present invention, and is executed by the section processing unit 69 of the control unit 6.

  For example, when the color of the tag T detected in step S13 is the first color, the control unit 6 executes the second process together with the first process. Further, when the color of the tag T detected in step S13 is the second color, the control unit 6 executes the three processes together with the first process. Moreover, the control part 6 performs only the said 1st process, when the color of the tag T detected in step S13 is the said 3rd color. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user operation for instructing the processing content based on the reference data.

  Specifically, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the printing surface of the reference data is the second surface of the sheet based on the storage order of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P in the RAM. To do. Then, when the printing surface of the reference data is the second surface of the sheet, the control unit 6 inserts blank image data for one page between the reference data and the image data printed before the reference data. Then, the first process is executed by shifting the printing order of the reference data. As a result, when a document document is printed, it is possible to always print the page of the chapter change on the first surface of the sheet.

  Further, the control unit 6 inserts blank image data for two pages before the reference data stored in order in the RAM in step S11. Then, the control unit 6 executes the second process by adding the setting information to each blank image data to be inserted. As a result, when a document document is printed, it is possible to insert a slip sheet (intersheet) in front of the page of the chapter change.

  Further, the control unit 6 executes the third process by adding the setting information to the reference data stored in the RAM. As a result, when a document document is printed, a chapter change page can be printed on the slip sheet.

<Step S22>
In step S22, the control unit 6 outputs the image data of both sides of each of the plurality of documents P read in step S11 in the order of front and back according to the reading order in step S11. Here, the process of step S22 is an example of the fifth step in the present invention, and is executed by the output processing unit 68 of the control unit 6.

  For example, the control unit 6 uses the image forming unit 4 to change the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P according to the reading order in step S11, and the image data on the surface of the document P to the first surface of the sheet. In addition, the image data on the back side of the document P is printed and output on the second side of the sheet.

  Specifically, the control unit 6 controls the sheet conveying unit 5 to sequentially convey sheets from any one of the sheet placement units selected in advance by a user operation or the like. Further, the control unit 6 controls the image forming unit 4 to step each of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P stored in the RAM on both surfaces of the sheet sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 5. Printing is performed according to the storage order in the RAM in S11. When the setting information is added to the image data, the control unit 6 conveys a sheet from the preset sheet placement unit and prints the image data to which the setting information is added. .

  As described above, in the first output process, the presence / absence of the mark and the position of the mark in the document P are detected based on the image data read from both sides of the document P, and the detected position of the mark is determined. Image data of the front or back side of the document P is set as the reference data. Therefore, it is possible to specify both the front and back pages of the document P while reducing the trouble of the user specifying the page.

  Further, in the first output process, a sticky note T stuck and protruding from the rear end portion at the rear end portion in the conveyance direction 11A of the document P is detected as the mark. Thus, the user can attach the mark without damaging the original P, and can easily remove the mark attached to the original P for page designation after the original P is printed. is there. In the image processing apparatus 10 in which the first output process is executed, the front surface of the document P conveyed by the ADF 1 is the first image sensor 26 of the first image reading unit 2, and the back surface is the second image reading unit 3. Read by the second image sensor 31. Therefore, compared with the configuration in which the first image reading unit 2 reads the back surface of the document P switched back in the transport path 12, the sticky note T attached to the document P is detached during the transport by the ADF 1 and enters the transport path 12. There is no residue.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the control unit 6 in the image forming apparatus 10 of the first embodiment is partially changed. The configuration of other parts is the same between the second embodiment and the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, in the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  Specifically, the ROM of the control unit 6 stores in advance a second output program for causing the CPU of the control unit 6 to execute a later-described second output process (see the flowchart of FIG. 7). The second output program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and may be installed from the storage medium into the storage unit 8 or the like.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 6 includes a reading processing unit 61, a determination processing unit 70, a setting processing unit 64A, an operation receiving unit 65, a change processing unit 66, an output processing unit 68A, and a sorting processing unit 69A. Including. Specifically, the CPU of the control unit 6 executes the second output program stored in the ROM. Thereby, the control unit 6 functions as a reading processing unit 61, a determination processing unit 70, a setting processing unit 64A, an operation receiving unit 65, a change processing unit 66, an output processing unit 68A, and a classification processing unit 69A. The functions of the reading processing unit 61, the operation receiving unit 65, and the change processing unit 66 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The determination processing unit 70 determines whether or not the document P has a predetermined characteristic based on the image data on each side of the document P read by the reading processing unit 61. For example, the feature includes that both sides of the document P are plain. The feature may include a predetermined image.

  The setting processing unit 64A transports the document P, which has been determined to have the characteristics by the determination processing unit 70, by the ADF 1 before or after the document P having the characteristics, according to any one of the number, the size, and the color of the document P. The image data of one of the front and back sides of the original P to be set is set as reference data. For example, the setting processing unit 64A has an image on one of the front and back sides of the original P that has been transported by the ADF 1 and read the image data before or after the original P having the characteristics stored in the RAM. The reference data is set by adding the reference data information to the data.

  For example, the setting processing unit 64A, when the number of continuous transports of the document P having the characteristics is 1, the back surface of the document P that has been transported by the ADF 1 and read the image data before the document P having the characteristics. Are set as the reference data. In addition, when the number of continuous conveyances of the document P having the above characteristics is two, the setting processing unit 64A is provided on the surface of the document P on which the image data is read after being conveyed by the ADF 1 after the document P having the above characteristics. Image data is set as the reference data.

  The output processing unit 68 </ b> A outputs the image data on both sides of each of the plurality of documents P read by the reading processing unit 61 in the order of the front and back surfaces according to the reading order by the reading processing unit 61. For example, the output processing unit 68A uses the image forming unit 4 to process each of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P according to the reading order by the reading processing unit 61, and to convert the image data on the surface of the document P into the first number of sheets. The image data of the back side of the original P is printed on the first side and output on the second side of the sheet.

  Specifically, the output processing unit 68A controls the sheet conveying unit 5 to sequentially convey sheets from any one of the sheet placement units selected in advance by a user operation or the like. Further, the output processing unit 68A controls the image forming unit 4 so that the image data for each surface of the plurality of originals P stored in the RAM is applied to both surfaces of the sheet sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 5. Printing is performed according to the storage order in the RAM by the reading processing unit 61.

  Here, the output processing unit 68A excludes image data on both sides of the document P having the above characteristics and outputs each image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P.

  The output processing unit 68A may store and output each image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P in the storage unit 8. Further, the output processing unit 68A may transmit and output each image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P to an external information processing apparatus.

  The sorting processing unit 69A sorts each piece of image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P output by the output processing unit 68A, either before or after the reference data in the output order by the output processing unit 68A.

  Specifically, the sorting processing unit 69A executes the first process when the printing surface of the reference data by the output processing unit 68A is the second surface of the sheet.

  In addition, the sorting processing unit 69A selects one of the second processing and the third processing according to any one or a combination of the number of continuously conveyed documents P, the size, and the color determined to have the characteristics. One or both are executed together with the first process.

  For example, the classification processing unit 69A executes the second process together with the first process when the color of the document P determined to have the characteristics is the first color. Further, when the color of the document P determined to have the characteristics is the second color, the sorting processing unit 69A executes the third process together with the first process. In addition, the classification processing unit 69A executes only the first process when the color of the document P determined to have the characteristics is the third color.

[Second output processing]
Hereinafter, the image processing method of the present invention will be described together with an example of the procedure of the second output process executed by the control unit 6 of the image processing apparatus 10 in the second embodiment with reference to FIG. Note that the control unit 6 executes the second output process when an execution instruction for the printing process accompanying the execution of the first process is input by a user operation on the operation display unit 7. Moreover, since the process of step S31 in the said 2nd output process and the process of step S34-step S38 is the same as the process in the said S1 output process and step S15-step S19, the description is abbreviate | omitted.

<Step S32>
In step S32, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the document P has the above characteristics based on the image data on both sides of the document P read in step S31. Here, the process of step S <b> 32 is executed by the determination processing unit 70 of the control unit 6.

  Here, when the control unit 6 determines that the document P read in step S31 has the above characteristics (Yes side of S32), the control unit 6 shifts the processing to step S33. On the other hand, if the document P read in step S31 does not have the feature (No side of S32), the control unit 6 shifts the process to step S34.

<Step S33>
In step S33, the control unit 6 uses the ADF 1 before or after the document P having the characteristics according to any one of the continuous conveyance number, size, and color of the document P determined to have the characteristics in step S32. Image data on one of the front and back surfaces of the document P being conveyed is set as reference data. Here, the process of step S33 is executed by the setting processing unit 64A of the control unit 6.

  For example, the control unit 6 reads the image data of either the front surface or the back surface of the document P that has been transported by the ADF 1 and read the image data before or after the document P having the characteristics stored in the RAM. The reference data is set by adding the reference data information.

  For example, when the number of continuous transports of the document P having the characteristics is one, the control unit 6 transports the image data read by the ADF 1 before the document P having the characteristics and reads the image data. Image data is set as the reference data. In addition, when the number of continuous conveyances of the document P having the characteristics is two, the control unit 6 images the surface of the document P that is conveyed by the ADF 1 after the document P having the characteristics and the image data is read. Data is set as the reference data.

<Step S39>
In step S39, the control unit 6 deletes the image data on both sides of the document P having the characteristics stored in the RAM. Here, the process of step S39 is executed by the output processing unit 68A of the control unit 6. As a result, output of image data of the document P having unnecessary characteristics is avoided.

<Step S40>
In step S40, the control unit 6 classifies the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P stored in the RAM in the reading order in step S31, either before or after the reference data in the reading order. Here, the process of step S40 is executed by the classification processing unit 69A of the control unit 6.

  For example, when the color of the document P determined to have the characteristics in step S32 is the first color, the control unit 6 executes the second process together with the first process. In addition, when the color of the document P determined to have the characteristics in step S32 is the second color, the control unit 6 executes the third process together with the first process. Further, the control unit 6 executes only the first process when the color of the document P determined to have the characteristics in step S32 is the third color. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user operation for instructing the processing content based on the reference data.

  Specifically, the control unit 6 determines whether or not the printing surface of the reference data is the second surface of the sheet based on the storage order of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P in the RAM. To do. Then, when the printing surface of the reference data is the second surface of the sheet, the control unit 6 inserts blank image data for one page between the reference data and the image data printed before the reference data. Then, the first process is executed by shifting the printing order of the reference data. As a result, when a document document is printed, it is possible to always print the page of the chapter change on the first surface of the sheet.

  Further, the control unit 6 inserts blank image data for two pages before the reference data stored in the RAM in order in step S31. Then, the control unit 6 executes the second process by adding the setting information to each blank image data to be inserted. As a result, when a document document is printed, it is possible to insert a slip sheet (intersheet) in front of the page of the chapter change.

  Further, the control unit 6 executes the third process by adding the setting information to the reference data stored in the RAM. As a result, when a document document is printed, a chapter change page can be printed on the slip sheet.

<Step S41>
In step S41, the control unit 6 outputs the image data on both sides of each of the plurality of documents P read in step S31 in the order of front and back according to the reading order in step S31. Here, the process of step S41 is executed by the output processing unit 68A of the control unit 6.

  For example, the control unit 6 uses the image forming unit 4 to change the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P according to the reading order in step S31, and the image data on the surface of the document P to the first surface of the sheet. In addition, the image data on the back side of the document P is printed and output on the second side of the sheet.

  Specifically, the control unit 6 controls the sheet conveying unit 5 to sequentially convey sheets from any one of the sheet placement units selected in advance by a user operation or the like. Further, the control unit 6 controls the image forming unit 4 to step each of the image data for each surface of the plurality of documents P stored in the RAM on both surfaces of the sheet sequentially conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 5. Printing is performed according to the storage order in the RAM in S31. When the setting information is added to the image data, the control unit 6 conveys a sheet from the preset sheet placement unit and prints the image data to which the setting information is added. .

  As described above, in the second output process, it is determined whether or not the document P has the characteristics based on the image data read from both sides of the document P, and the number of continuously conveyed documents P having the characteristics is determined. Accordingly, the image data of one of the front and back surfaces of the document P that has been transported by the ADF 1 and read by the ADF 1 before or after the document P having the above characteristics is set as the reference data. Therefore, similarly to the first output process, it is possible to specify both the front and back pages of the document P while reducing the trouble of the user specifying the page.

1: ADF
2: First image reading unit 3: Second image reading unit 4: Image forming unit 5: Sheet conveying unit 6: Control unit 7: Operation display unit 8: Storage unit 10: Image processing device 61: Reading processing unit 62: Size Detection unit 63: Mark detection unit 64, 64A: Setting processing unit 65: Operation receiving unit 66: Change processing unit 67: Removal processing unit 68, 68A: Output processing unit 69, 69A: Classification processing unit 70: Determination processing unit

Claims (10)

A document conveying section that sequentially conveys each of a plurality of documents placed on the document placing section;
An image reading unit that reads image data from both sides of the document conveyed by the document conveyance unit;
A mark detection unit for detecting the presence / absence of a predetermined mark in the document and the position of the mark based on the image data of each side of the document read by the image reading unit;
A setting processing unit that sets image data of one of the front and back surfaces of the document with the mark according to the position of the mark detected by the mark detection unit as reference data;
An output processing unit that outputs image data on both sides of each of the plurality of originals read by the image reading unit in the order of the front side and the back side according to the reading order by the image reading unit;
A classification processing unit that classifies each of image data for each surface of the plurality of documents output by the output processing unit either before or after the reference data in the output order by the output processing unit;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the setting processing unit sets the reference data according to a position of the mark on the surface of the document. The image reading unit
A first image sensor for reading image data of the surface of the original conveyed by the original conveying unit;
A second image sensor that is disposed on the transport path of the document by the document transport unit so as to face the back surface of the document that is transported along the transport path and reads image data on the back surface of the document;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the mark includes a sticky note that sticks to protrude from the rear end portion at a rear end portion of the original in a conveyance direction by the original conveyance unit. A size detecting unit for detecting the size of the document read by the image reading unit;
The mark detection unit is based on the presence or absence of a departure area deviating from the size detected by the size detection unit and the position of the departure area in the image data of the surface of the document read by the image reading unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the presence or absence of the tag and the position of the tag are detected.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a removal processing unit that removes an image of the mark included in the image data of the document with the mark. An operation receiving unit that displays an image based on the reference data on a display unit and receives a setting change operation of the reference data;
A change processing unit that changes the reference data in accordance with the setting change operation;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the operation receiving unit displays an image based on the reference data on the display unit and causes the image forming apparatus to print an image based on the reference data. A sheet conveying unit that sequentially conveys each of a plurality of sheets placed on the sheet placing unit;
An image forming unit that forms images on both sides of the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit;
The output processing unit uses the image forming unit to perform image data for each surface of the plurality of documents in accordance with the reading order, and the image data on the surface of the document to the first surface of the sheet. The image data of the back side of each is printed and output on the second side of the sheet,
The classification processing unit sets the printing surface of the reference data to the first surface of the next sheet when the printing surface of the reference data by the output processing unit is the second surface of the sheet. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one process is executed. A plurality of the sheet placement portions;
The classification processing unit includes the sheet on which the reference data is printed by the output processing unit and the reference in accordance with one or both of the color and / or number of the mark in the document with the mark. A second process for inserting the sheet conveyed from the sheet placement section set in advance between the sheet on which image data before or after the data is printed and the sheet on which the reference data is printed The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein one or both of the third processes for setting the sheet to be conveyed from the sheet placement unit set in advance is performed together with the first process. A first step of sequentially conveying each of a plurality of documents placed on the document placement unit;
A second step of reading image data from each of both sides of the original conveyed by the first step;
A third step of detecting the presence / absence of a predetermined mark in the document and the position of the mark based on the image data of each side of the document read in the second step;
A fourth step of setting, as reference data, image data of one of the front and back surfaces of the document with the mark according to the position of the mark detected in the third step;
A fifth step of outputting image data on both sides of each of the plurality of documents read in the second step in the order of the front side and the back side in accordance with the reading order in the second step;
A sixth step of classifying each piece of image data for each surface of the plurality of documents output by the fifth step either before or after the reference data in the output order by the fifth step;
An image processing method including:

Images