JP6447877B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, and more particularly to an image processing apparatus capable of scanning the front and back surfaces of a document.

  Some image processing apparatuses are equipped with an automatic document feeder configured to be able to read both the front and back surfaces of a document. In such an image processing apparatus, image reading or copying is performed by selecting either a single-sided reading mode for reading only one side or a double-sided reading mode for reading both sides when reading a document. This selection is performed by the user depending on the situation, but when the single-sided reading mode is selected by mistake, there is a problem when necessary information is present on the back side. In particular, when a document is discarded after being digitized as the document is digitized, rescanning cannot be performed, which is a serious problem. In order to solve such a problem, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique for storing data with a reduced amount of data by reducing the resolution of the image on the back side even when the single-sided reading mode is selected. is suggesting.

JP 2009-225042

  However, in the above technique, the resolution is uniformly reduced regardless of the content of the image. For example, the back image may be stored as an image with poor visibility such as fine characters. On the other hand, when an image is acquired from a so-called backing paper (a document on which the document image is printed on the surface of a sheet on which the back side has been printed), there is a problem in that unnecessary image data is saved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and even when the single-sided reading mode is erroneously selected, an image that appropriately includes image data on the back side without excessively increasing the amount of image data. An object is to provide a technique for generating a file.

An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading unit capable of reading images on both sides of a document, an image processing unit that performs image processing on the read image data, and both sides that read both sides of the document. An image reading control unit that has a reading mode and a single-sided reading mode that reads a surface that is one side of the document, and that controls the image processing unit in either the double-sided reading mode or the single-sided reading mode ; An image analysis unit that determines whether the read image data is obtained by reading a blank sheet, and an operation display unit . In the single-sided reading mode, the image reading control unit , when the image analyzing unit determines that the back side image, which is an image read from the back side, which is the other side of the document, is a blank page. When the image analysis unit determines that the image data representing the back side image is discarded and the back side image is not obtained by reading a blank sheet, the operation display unit displays the user interface screen while continuing to read the document. And the user interface screen displays the back image, accepts a selection of storage or disposal of image data representing the back image, and the image reading control unit responds to the accepted selection. Saving or discarding the image data representing the back image, and the user interface screen further enters the duplex scanning mode. Either an additional instruction or an instruction to uniformly discard the image data representing the back image, and the image reading control unit executes the change to the double-sided reading mode or the uniform discarding according to the received instruction. To do.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for appropriately generating an image file including image data on the back side without excessively increasing the amount of image data even when the single-sided reading mode is selected by mistake. And

2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an image acquisition procedure in the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the image acquisition in the image forming apparatus 1 which concerns on one Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the image acquisition in the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 1st modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user interface screen for the image discard in the image forming apparatus which concerns on a 2nd modification.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an image forming unit 20, an operation display unit 30, and a storage unit 50. The image forming unit 20 reads an image from a document and generates image data, an image processing unit 22 that performs image processing for generating image data to be printed on printing paper, and the read image. An image analysis unit 23 for analysis, a printing unit 24 for printing the generated image data on printing paper, and the like are provided.

  The image reading unit 21 has an automatic document feeder (ADF) (not shown) that can set a plurality of documents. The image reading unit 21 includes two scanners and can simultaneously read both sides of the document with a resolution of 600 dpi.

  The image processing unit 22 has a function of converting the resolution of the read image. The image analysis unit 23 has a function of analyzing the content of the read image. Specifically, the image analysis unit 23 can analyze whether or not the read image is a blank page read. This function is provided to prevent unnecessary blank pages from being accidentally copied or faxed. The image analysis unit 23 can also determine the presence or absence of a region having character characteristics. This function is installed to determine characteristics for each area of the document for the purpose of improving image quality by image processing.

  The control unit 10 includes main storage means such as RAM and ROM, and control means such as MPU (Micro Processing Unit) and CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 10 also has controller functions related to various I / O, USB (Universal Serial Bus), bus, and other hardware such as hardware, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 1.

  The storage unit 50 is a storage device including a hard disk drive or a flash memory that is a non-temporary recording medium, and stores a control program and data for processing executed by the control unit 10.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an image acquisition procedure in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In step S10, the user sets a plurality of originals (here, four) in the ADF. In response to this, the operation display unit 30 displays a user interface screen (not shown) on the display 31 and selects either “double-sided reading mode” or “single-sided reading mode”, and “character + photo mode”. (Initial setting), “Text mode” and “Photo mode” can be selected. The double-sided reading mode is a mode intended to read both sides of a document. The single-sided reading mode is a mode that intends to read the front surface that is one side of the original and does not intend to read the back side that is the other side of the original.

  In step S20, the user performs an image acquisition setting operation. In this example, it is assumed that the user has selected “single-sided reading mode” and “character + photo mode”. In step S30, the user presses the operation button 32 (start button) to start image acquisition.

  In step S40, the control unit 10 determines which one of “double-sided reading mode” and “single-sided reading mode” is selected. If the “duplex reading mode” is selected, the process proceeds to step S80. In step S80, the image forming apparatus 1 stores both-side image data with the same resolution (600 dpi). On the other hand, if the “single-sided reading mode” is selected, the process proceeds to step S50. Thus, the control unit 10 functions as an image reading control unit.

  In step S50, the image analysis unit 23 determines whether or not the read image is a blank page read. In this case, both sides of the document are read even if the “single-sided reading mode” is selected, and it is determined whether the back side image of the read double-sided image is a blank page. If the image read based on this determination is a blank page read, the process proceeds to step S71. In step S71, the image forming apparatus 1 discards the back side image data and stores only the front side image data (step S80). On the other hand, if the read image is not a blank page, the process proceeds to step S60.

  In step S60, the image analysis unit 23 determines that the area is a photographic image when the area having character characteristics is equal to or less than a preset threshold value. Based on this determination, the process proceeds to step S72. In step S72, the image processing unit 22 converts the resolution of the back side image data to 200 dpi. On the other hand, if it is determined that the read image is a character image, the process proceeds to step S73. In step S73, the image processing unit 22 converts the resolution of the back side image data to 400 dpi.

  In step S80, the image forming apparatus 1 stores the back side image data with the resolution converted to 200 dpi for the photographic image and the back side image data with the resolution converted to 400 dpi for the character image together with the image data on the front side. 50.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of image acquisition in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. In this example, the user has set four documents on the ADF as described above. In the first of the four originals, an image is formed on the front surface, which is one side of the original, while the back side, which is the other side of the original, is blank. In this example, the image data is stored in the storage unit 50 while the first surface remains 600 dpi (step S80). On the other hand, after the image data is acquired at 600 dpi, the first back side is determined to be blank by the image analysis unit 23 (step S50) and discarded without being stored in the storage unit 50 (step S71).

  For the second and subsequent sheets, the image data is stored in the storage unit 50 while the surface remains at 600 dpi. On the other hand, the second back side is determined as a photographic image by the image analysis unit 23 after the image data is acquired at 600 dpi (step S60), and the resolution is converted to 200 dpi at step S72, and then stored in the storage unit 50. (Step S80). The third back surface is discarded without being stored in the storage unit 50 in the same manner as the first back surface (step S71). The back surface of the fourth sheet is determined as a character image by the image analysis unit 23 after image data is acquired at 600 dpi (step S60), and is stored in the storage unit 50 after the resolution is converted to 400 dpi at step S73 (step S60). Step S80).

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment converts the resolution to the low resolution (200 dpi) for the photographic image even if the single-sided reading mode is selected, with respect to the back side, the blank paper is discarded. For character images, the resolution is converted to a medium resolution (400 dpi) and stored. A photographic image is stored at a low resolution, and a character image is stored at a relatively high resolution and a fine character with good visibility even though it is lower than the reading resolution of the image reading unit. As a result, even when the single-sided reading mode is selected by mistake, an image file including image data on the back side can be appropriately generated without excessively increasing the amount of image data.

  The present invention can be implemented not only in the above embodiment but also in the following modifications.

  Modification 1: In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus having an image analysis unit capable of determining the presence or absence of a region having character characteristics. It is also possible to apply the present invention to a device that is not mounted. Specifically, for example, when the photo mode is selected in the image reading setting, the back side image is also regarded as a photo image, the image is saved at a low resolution, and the character mode (or character + photo mode) is selected. In such a case, the back image can be regarded as a character image and stored at a medium resolution.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a specific example of image acquisition in the image forming apparatus according to the first modification. The back surfaces of the first and third sheets are the same as those in the above embodiment in that the image analysis unit determines that they are blank (step S50) and is discarded without being stored in the storage unit 50 (step S71). However, when the photo mode is selected, the back surfaces of the second and fourth images are uniformly regarded as photo images after image data is acquired at 600 dpi, and are stored after the resolution is converted to 200 dpi. Stored in the department. On the other hand, when the character mode is selected, the back surfaces of the second and fourth images are uniformly regarded as character images after image data is acquired at 600 dpi, and stored after the resolution is converted to 400 dpi. Stored in the department.

  Modification 2: In the above embodiment, the image data of the back image is discarded only when the image analysis unit determines that it is blank (step S50), but is not blank (for example, so-called backing paper). In addition, a configuration that can be discarded is also possible.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a user interface screen for discarding an image in the image forming apparatus according to the first modification. This configuration is similar to the above embodiment in that the image data is discarded when the image analysis unit determines that the page is blank, but is displayed on the display 31 when the image analysis unit determines that the page is not blank. A preview image is displayed in the window 31a of the user interface screen. The user can touch the save icon 31b or the discard icon 31c based on this image to save or discard. Thereby, this structure has the advantage that storage of more useless image data can be suppressed.

  It should be noted that the reading of the document is continued during the preview on the window 31a, and a warning screen may be displayed in real time when an effective image is detected on the back side in the single-sided reading mode. The warning screen may be provided with an icon for instructing to change to the double-sided reading mode or to uniformly discard the back surface image data. In this way, if the single-sided reading mode is specified by mistake, the image data read up to that point can be used effectively by changing to the double-sided reading mode. On the other hand, for example, in the case of simply using the back paper, it is possible to avoid wasteful resolution conversion processing and wasteful use of the storage area by instructing uniform discard of the back image data.

  Modification 3: The image reading unit of the above embodiment has two scanners and can simultaneously read both sides of the document. For example, an apparatus having a configuration that sequentially reads both sides of the document by providing a switchback path. In addition, the present invention is applicable. However, the above embodiment has two scanners, and the processing time does not become long even if double-sided scanning is performed in the single-sided scanning mode. Therefore, the application of the present invention has an advantage that the user is not stressed.

  Modified example 4: In the above embodiment, the back side image data is discarded or the resolution is reduced when the image is read. For example, the free area of the storage unit is larger than a predetermined threshold (first threshold). When there are many, it may be configured to store in the storage unit without reducing the resolution. However, in this configuration, when the free area of the storage unit becomes equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold (second threshold), resolution conversion is performed on the back-side image data that has not been reduced in resolution to reduce the area. It is preferable that the resolution is increased.

  In the resolution conversion process performed later in this way, specifically, for example, when image analysis is possible, it is preferable to convert the resolution of a photographic image to a resolution lower than that of a character image. Furthermore, it is preferable that each back side image data includes attribute data such as date and time when image data is acquired and settings (photo mode or character mode or the like) when image data is acquired. In this way, for example, resolution conversion processing can be performed in order from the oldest data in the resolution conversion processing, and the resolution can be converted based on the setting at the time of image data acquisition even if image analysis cannot be performed.

  Further, it is not always necessary to include attribute data in each backside image data. For example, a configuration in which each image data is registered in a file management database may be adopted.

  Modification 5: In the above embodiment, assuming that the single-sided reading mode is selected by mistake, the image data on the back side is stored. However, for example, it is known that the original is printed on the back paper in advance, and If the presence of this function is known, it may be set so that the back side image data is not stored from the beginning by designating that it is a backing paper on the scan start screen.

  Modification 5: In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to an image forming apparatus, and can be widely applied to an image processing apparatus that only acquires and processes an image.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control part 20 Image forming part 21 Image reading part 22 Image processing part 23 Image analysis part 30 Operation display part 31 Display 31a Window 31b Save icon 32 Operation button 50 Storage part

Claims (3)

An image reading device,
An image reading unit capable of reading images on both sides of a document;
An image processing unit that performs image processing on the read image data;
A double-sided reading mode for reading both sides of the original and a single-sided reading mode for reading a surface which is one side of the original, and the image processing unit is set to either the double-sided reading mode or the single-sided reading mode. An image reading control unit to be controlled;
An image analysis unit for determining whether or not the read image data is obtained by reading a blank sheet;
An operation display;
With
In the single-sided reading mode, the image reading control unit , when the image analyzing unit determines that the back side image, which is an image read from the back side, which is the other side of the document, is a blank page. If the image analysis unit determines that the image data representing the back side image is discarded and the back side image is not obtained by reading a blank sheet, the operation display unit displays the user interface screen while continuing to read the document. Displayed on the
The user interface screen displays the back image, accepts selection of either storage or disposal of image data representing the back image,
The image reading control unit executes storage or discard of image data representing the back image according to the accepted selection,
The user interface screen further accepts either an instruction to change to the double-sided reading mode and an instruction to uniformly discard image data representing the back image,
The image reading control unit is configured to change to the double-sided reading mode or to perform the uniform discarding according to the received instruction . The image reading apparatus according to claim 1,
Wherein the image processing unit, if the contents of the back side image representing a picture, an image reading apparatus which contents of the back image to convert the resolution to a lower resolution than when representing characters. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
A storage unit for storing the image data;
The image processing unit stores the image in the storage unit without performing the image processing when the free area in the storage unit is equal to or larger than a first threshold value set in advance, and the free area in the storage unit is set in advance. An image reading apparatus that performs the image processing on the back image when the second threshold value is reached.