JP6580965B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a multi-crop function.

Multi-crop function for scanning small documents such as business cards, postcards, photos, etc., scanning multiple documents in a row with the documents placed side by side on the platen, and cutting out the images corresponding to each document An image reading apparatus having a multi-crop function is known.
For example, it is proposed to detect the number of originals and the original position by prescan, scan the originals one by one, and display the number of originals being scanned so that the user can grasp the image reading status. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Also, even if different sizes and types of originals are mixed, the image extraction order is controlled according to the original size and original position of the extracted image and the recording paper size and recording paper type used for recording the original. (See, for example, Patent Document 2). Furthermore, there has been proposed a display that compares the number of originals input to detect and read the number of cropped images desired by the user with the detected number of originals (for example, see Patent Document 3).

JP 2003-219085 A JP 2007-013378 A JP 2007-020102 A

It is convenient to manage a plurality of document images read by batch scanning by the multi-crop function in association with each other. This is because these manuscripts are often related. For example, when organizing a plurality of business cards that are obtained by attending an event, it is convenient to read them in a batch using the multi-crop function and store them in association with the name and date / time of the event. Postcard manuscripts are also expected to be used for reading things related to new year's cards for a certain year, attendance at certain events, etc. using the multi-crop function. Photo manuscripts are also expected to be read together using a multi-crop function for each trip or event.
If there are many documents to be read, it may be impossible to read them by a single batch scan. In that case, it is convenient if the originals read by a plurality of batch scans can be stored in association with each other.

However, when a plurality of batch scans are executed, it is not easy for the apparatus to accurately determine whether or not image data read by a batch scan is related to image data read by the preceding and subsequent batch scans. . For example, consider a situation in which a user reads a plurality of business cards by a plurality of batch scans in order to organize a plurality of business cards obtained at an event. Here, it is assumed that the user wants to manage all obtained business cards as one group. In that case, the user intends to store the image data read in each batch scan in association with the image data read in the preceding and following batch scans.
On the other hand, you may want to manage the business cards that you have obtained, for example, by classifying them by industry type, importance level, etc. In that case, the user will classify the business card by himself and perform a batch scan by category, but the device usually delimits the class intended by the user, regardless of the image features that can be defined in advance. It is difficult to distinguish.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances. When a plurality of documents are read by the multi-crop function, complicated operations and processes are performed even when a large number of documents are read as the batch scanning is performed a plurality of times. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of outputting a document image in a manner in which the relevance of the read document image can be easily understood.

  The present invention includes a scanning unit that collectively scans a plurality of documents placed on a document table, an image reading unit that reads an image of each scanned document, and a clipping unit that extracts an image of each document from the scanned image. An image output unit that outputs an image of each clipped document, and a control unit that controls the scanning unit, the image reading unit, the clipping unit, and the image output unit, and the control unit performs a single batch scan. A single-shot multi-crop process that treats each scanned image as a series of image data and outputs it in a manner that is distinguishable from other batch-scanned image data, and a series of images of each document that are scanned by multiple batch scans. Provided is an image reading apparatus capable of switching and executing continuous shooting multi-crop processing handled as image data.

  In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the control unit treats the image of each document read by one batch scan as a series of image data, and outputs the image so as to be distinguishable from other batch scan image data. Since it is possible to switch between processing and continuous shooting multi-crop processing that handles images of each document read by multiple batch scans as a series of image data, a large number of documents are read as the batch scan reaches multiple times. Even in this case, it is possible to output the document image in such a manner that the relevance of the read document image can be easily understood without requiring a complicated operation or processing.

1 is an external perspective view of a digital multi-function peripheral shown as an example of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a document table and the vicinity thereof in the digital multi-functional peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a document is placed at a predetermined position on the document table shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing positions when A5, B5, and A4 size documents are placed in the vertical direction on the document table shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing positions when documents of sizes A5 to A3 are placed in the horizontal direction on the document table shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a document size detection unit detects a size when a document of each size AB is placed on the document table illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing positions when a 5.5 ”× 8.5”, B5 and 8.5 ″ × 11 size document is placed in the vertical direction on the document table shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing positions when inch-type originals and B5-size originals are placed in the horizontal direction on the original table shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a document size detection unit detects a size when a document of each inch size and a B5 size is placed on the document table illustrated in FIG. 3. It is explanatory drawing which shows the presence or absence of each detection beam of the original size detection part which concerns on this invention. (Corresponding to FIG. 5C) It is explanatory drawing which shows the presence or absence of each detection beam of the original size detection part which concerns on this invention. (Corresponding to FIG. 6C) FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the presence / absence of each detection beam when a plurality of documents are placed on a document table by a document size detection unit according to the present invention. (Corresponding to FIG. 19B described later) FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a reading area corresponding to the maximum size document shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B.

FIG. 3 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 10 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 10 is a third explanatory diagram showing an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 10 is a fourth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 10 is a fifth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 10 is a sixth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 11 is a seventh explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 10 is an eighth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 10 is a ninth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when reading a standard-size document. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which image data of a read standard-size document is stored in a USB memory connected to the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by a control unit when the digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention reads a standard-size document.

FIG. 3 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing a single-shot multi-crop scan. FIG. 6 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing a single-shot multi-crop scan. FIG. 10 is a third explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-functional peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when performing a single-shot multi-crop scan. FIG. 10 is a fourth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing a single-shot multi-crop scan. FIG. 10 is a fifth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing single-shot multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is a sixth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing a single-shot multi-crop scan. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of documents for multi-crop scanning are placed on the document table shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 11 is a seventh explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing single-shot multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is an eighth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing a single-shot multi-crop scan. FIG. 10 is a ninth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing single-shot multi-crop scanning. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which image data of a document read by single-shot multi-crop scanning is stored in a USB memory connected to the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another mode in which image data of a document read by single-shot multi-crop scanning is stored in a USB memory connected to the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a control part performs in the case of a single shooting multi-crop scan.

It is explanatory drawing of the one aspect | mode in which the original size detection part which concerns on this invention detects the some original document placed on the original stand. It is explanatory drawing of another aspect in which the original size detection part which concerns on this invention detects the some original document placed on the original stand. (Corresponding to FIG. 9) FIG. 3 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of originals for the first batch scanning are placed on the original table shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a third explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is a fourth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is a fifth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a plurality of documents for a second batch scanning are placed on the document table shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a sixth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-functional peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 11 is a seventh explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is an eighth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is a ninth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 10 is a tenth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-functional peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when performing continuous shooting multi-crop scanning. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which image data of a document read by a plurality of batch scans is stored in a USB memory connected to the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another mode in which image data of a document read by a plurality of batch scans is stored in a USB memory connected to the digital multi-function peripheral of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the process which a control part performs in the case of a continuous shooting multi crop.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image obtained by reading a plurality of originals with low edge density in a state where an original cover is opened. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image obtained by reading a plurality of documents having a high density of the edge portion in a state where a document cover is closed. FIG. 3 is a first explanatory diagram showing an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 5 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 10 is a third explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 10 is a fourth explanatory diagram illustrating an operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 7 is a first explanatory diagram showing a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 10 is a second explanatory diagram showing a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 10 is a third explanatory diagram showing a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photographic multi-crop. FIG. 10 is a fourth explanatory diagram showing a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 10 is a fifth explanatory diagram showing a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 10 is a sixth explanatory diagram illustrating a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop. FIG. 11 is a seventh explanatory diagram showing a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photographic multi-crop. FIG. 10 is an eighth explanatory diagram showing a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photographic multi-crop. FIG. 20 is a ninth explanatory diagram illustrating a different aspect of the operation procedure of the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. 1 when performing photo multi-crop.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It should not be interpreted as limiting this invention.

≪Overview of image reading device≫
A specific example of the image reading apparatus of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a digital multi-function peripheral shown as an example of the image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral shown in FIG.
A digital multi-function peripheral 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes an image reading apparatus 11 of the present invention and an image forming apparatus 12 that performs printing. Further, it can be connected to a network (not shown) via the communication unit 45. Then, the image data of the document read by the image reading device 11 can be transmitted to an external device via the network. In addition, print data can be received from an external device via the network, and the received print data can be printed by the image forming apparatus 12. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 has functions of copying, printer, scanner, image filing, and facsimile.

The document cover 33 shown in FIG. 1 also serves as an automatic document feeder. The document cover 33 can be opened upward by the user's hand. When it is used as an automatic document feeder, it is used in a closed state, but there is a document table (not shown in FIG. 1) in a portion that appears below when it is opened upward. The user can place a document on the document table and read the document. A cover opening / closing sensor 35 (see FIG. 2) detects opening / closing of the document cover.
The document table is made of transparent glass. Below the document table, a scanning unit 21 of a mechanism portion that scans the document while moving, and a document reading unit 23 that reads an image of the document scanned by the scanning unit 21 are provided. Has been placed. In this embodiment, the document reading unit is a line image sensor.
Further, the image reading device 11 includes an image processing circuit. The image processing circuit includes a cutout unit 25 that cuts out a document image from a reading area scanned by the scanning unit 21 and read by the document reading unit 23.

In addition, the image reading apparatus 11 includes an image output unit 27. The image output unit 27 assigns a file name to the read image data and stores it in the storage unit 43 that is a memory, or stores it in a USB memory connected to a USB connector 71 (shown in FIG. 3 described later). Or Alternatively, it is sent to the image forming apparatus 12 or sent to an external device via the network via the communication unit 45. The communication unit 45 can communicate via a public telephone line in addition to the LAN and WAN. Transmission / reception of image data via a public telephone line corresponds to a facsimile function.
The document size detection unit 31 detects the size of the document placed on the document table and the document set on the automatic document feeder. However, the document size that can be detected is limited to a predetermined type of size (the above-mentioned standard size).

As shown in FIG. 1, an operation display unit 51 having a liquid crystal display panel and a touch panel is disposed on the front side of the document table. In FIG. 2, the liquid crystal display panel corresponds to the display unit 51a. A touch panel covering the display surface of the liquid crystal display panel corresponds to the operation key 51b.
The control unit 41 detects each document size by the document size detection unit 31, scans the document by the scanning unit 21, reads an image by the document reading unit 23, displays the display unit 51a, and accepts an operation by the operation key 51b. Control.
The image forming apparatus 12 includes an image receiving unit 61 that receives an image read by the image reading apparatus 11 or image data sent from other than the image reading apparatus 1. In addition, an image forming unit 63 that generates a visible image based on the acquired image data is provided. The image forming unit 63 forms an image by a known method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The sheet supply unit 65 supplies a print sheet to the image forming unit 63, and the sheet conveying unit 67 conveys the print sheet supplied from the sheet supply unit 65 to the image forming unit 63. The image forming unit 63 transfers the image formed on the conveyed print sheet, fixes the image on the print sheet, and outputs the image to the sheet output unit 69.
The operation of the image forming apparatus may be controlled by a dedicated control unit (not shown in FIG. 2), but in this embodiment, the control unit 41 also performs these controls.

≪Detection of document table and document size≫
The detection of the document table and the size of the document placed on the document table in this embodiment will be described below.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the document table and the vicinity thereof in the digital multi-function peripheral shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, the document cover 33 is opened upward, and the document table 20 is disposed below the document cover 33. A document size detection unit 31 is disposed further behind the document table 20. The document size detection unit 31 is located above the document table 20 when the document cover 33 is opened, that is, when the cover opening / closing sensor 35 detects the opened state, but when the document cover 33 is closed, the document cover 33 is located. It moves to the downward direction. However, FIG. 3 shows a part of the document size detection unit 31. There is another portion of the document size detection unit 31 at a location (not shown) under the document table 20. The function of the document size detection unit 31 including a portion not shown will be described later.

An operation display unit 51 and a USB connector 71 are disposed on the front side of the document table 20. The USB connector 71 is a connector for connecting a USB device such as a USB memory to the digital multifunction peripheral 10. The digital multi-function peripheral 10 has a function of reading a document placed on the document table 20 in a state where the USB memory is connected to the USB connector 71 and storing image data of the read document in the USB memory.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the document 20b is placed at a predetermined position on the document table 20 shown in FIG. The document is placed on the document table 20 with the portion to be read facing downward. The corner on the left side of the document table 20 is a reference position for placing the document 20b, and is provided with a corner mark 20a indicating the reference position to the user.
The document reading unit 23 is a line type image sensor in this embodiment, and the reading direction along the line is a direction indicated by an arrow M in FIG. 4 (hereinafter referred to as a main scanning direction). The scanning unit 21 moves in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. This is the direction indicated by arrow S in FIG. 4 (hereinafter referred to as the sub-scanning direction).

FIG. 5A is an explanatory diagram showing positions when A5, B5, and A4 size documents are placed on the document table 20 in the vertical direction. Here, the vertical direction is a direction in which the short side of the rectangular document is along the sub-scanning direction. For any size, the user places the top of the document on the corner mark 20a. Further, FIG. 5B is an explanatory diagram showing positions when documents of sizes A5 to A3 are placed on the document table 20 in the horizontal direction. Here, the horizontal direction is a direction in which the long side is along the sub-scanning direction. For any size, the user places the top of the document on the corner mark 20a.
FIG. 5C is an explanatory diagram showing how the document size detection unit 31 detects the size when a document of each size of AB type is placed on the document table 20.
The document size detection unit 31 includes seven pairs of light emitting elements D01 to D07 arranged in the sub-scanning direction. Each light emitting element irradiates light from the upper side on the back side of the document table 20 toward the diagonally lower side on the near side. The irradiated light is transmitted from the upper side to the lower side of the document table 20 made of transparent glass. Then, after passing through a slit provided on the lower side on the front side of the document table 20, the light reaches the corresponding light receiving element.
In correspondence with the light emitting elements D01 to D07, seven slits and seven light receiving elements are arranged side by side in the sub-scanning direction. The right side of FIG. 5C shows the arrangement relationship when a pair of light emitting elements, slits, and light receiving elements are viewed from above. The part enclosed by a rectangle.

Infrared light is radiated from the light emitting element 31a made of an infrared light emitting diode toward the front side with a certain extent. Among them, the beam of infrared light radiated in the direction of the document table upper surface 31b passes through the document table 20 while being refracted from the upper surface to the lower surface, and passes through the slit 31c disposed on the lower side on the near side of the document table 20 to the light receiving element 31d. Incident. The slit 31c is for blocking the infrared light irradiated from the adjacent light emitting element.
Seven infrared beams directed from the seven light emitting elements to the corresponding seven light receiving elements are shown by two-dot chain lines in FIG. 5C. When the document is placed on the document table 20, the infrared beam does not reach the light receiving element because the infrared beam is blocked by the document in the portion where the document is placed. When the image reading apparatus 11 is on standby and the cover open / close sensor 35 detects the open state of the document cover 33, the control unit 41 determines whether the infrared beam has reached the seven light receiving elements of the document size detection unit 31. Read sequentially whether or not. Each infrared beam detects the presence or absence of a document at a plurality of different positions. The size of the document placed on the document table 20 can be determined by the pattern of whether each infrared beam has reached. Hereinafter, each infrared beam is also referred to as a detection beam. When the cover opening / closing sensor 35 detects the closed state, the control unit 41 stops reading each infrared beam and maintains the document size based on the last read detection beam. When the cover opening / closing sensor 35 detects the rotation state, each infrared beam is sequentially read again.
5A to 5C show discrimination of each size of AB system, and FIGS. 6A to 6C show discrimination of each size of inch system and B5 size corresponding thereto. Note that whether to detect the AB system or the inch system is alternatively set according to the situation of the customer where the digital multifunction peripheral 10 is used.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing detection beam presence / absence patterns corresponding to respective sizes (see FIG. 5C) of an AB-based document. In FIG. 7, items D01 to D07 arranged in the left and right directions indicate the presence or absence of infrared beam detection of the light receiving element corresponding to the light emitting element of FIG. 5C. In FIG. 7, items arranged in the vertical direction indicate each size. The circles in FIG. 7 indicate a state where the detection beam reaches the light receiving element, that is, a state where there is a detection beam. 7 indicates a state where the detection beam does not reach the light receiving element, that is, a state where there is no detection beam.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing detection beam presence / absence patterns corresponding to each inch-based size and B5 size (corresponding to FIG. 6C).
FIG. 9 shows a detection beam presence / absence pattern different from any of the patterns of FIGS. As will be described later, when a detection pattern as shown in FIG. 9 that does not correspond to any of the standard-size documents is obtained, control is performed so that a plurality of documents are placed on the document table 20 and a multi-crop scan is performed. Also good.

≪Document scanning area≫
A reading area where the document reading unit 23 reads an image of a document will be described.
The control unit 41 determines an area (reading area) where the document reading unit 23 should read the document based on the document size detected by the document size detection unit 31. The reading area corresponds to the area where the document is placed on the document table 20, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing reading areas corresponding to the maximum document sizes shown in FIGS. 5B and 6B, that is, A3 size and 11 ″ × 17 ″ size, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10, the A3 size is an area having a length of 297 mm in the main scanning direction and 420 mm in the sub scanning direction. The 11 ″ × 17 ″ size is an area having a length of 279.4 mm in the main scanning direction and 431.8 mm in the sub scanning direction. Thus, the 11 ″ × 17 ″ size is slightly smaller in the main scanning direction and slightly larger in the sub scanning direction than the A3 size.
Strictly speaking, the reading area is determined to be an area slightly smaller than the original size so as to create a margin of about 1 to 10 mm around each original size. This is to prevent the edge of the document from appearing as a shadow in the read image.

≪Operation procedure for standard size original reading≫
Next, an example of an operation for reading a document image when a normal standard-size document is placed on the document table 20 will be described. The present invention relates to multi-crop scanning. First, an example of reading an ordinary original will be described so that the features of the present invention related to multi-crop scanning can be easily understood.
FIG. 11A to FIG. 11I are explanatory diagrams showing the display of the operation display unit 51 and the procedure to be performed by the user when the digital multi-function peripheral 10 reads a standard-size document.
FIG. 11A shows an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation display unit 51 while the image reading apparatus 11 is on standby. On the operation screen, operation keys (operation buttons) related to various functions of the digital multifunction peripheral 10 including the image reading device 11 are displayed. When the user touches these operation keys, various functions can be executed. Here, an operation procedure for reading a document will be described by taking as an example a case in which a document is read and stored in a USB memory connected to the USB connector 71 among these functions.
In order to read the document and save the image data in the USB memory, the user touches the “store external memory” operation key on the operation screen shown in FIG. 11A (see FIG. 11B). In FIG. 11B, the finger illustration shows an operation in which the user touches the “store external memory” operation key with the finger F. In the following description, the touch operation of the operation key by the user is shown using the similar finger illustration.

In response to the operation illustrated in FIG. 11B, the control unit 41 causes the operation display unit 51 to display the operation screen illustrated in FIG. 11C. In the operation screen of FIG. 11C, operation keys relating to reading settings such as “file name”, “color mode”, “resolution”, “format”, “original”, “density”, and the like are arranged. In addition, a “reset” key for resetting the setting and a “start” key for starting reading are arranged.
“File name” is an operation key used when the user designates a file name of image data to be stored in the USB memory. “Color mode” is an operation key for selecting whether to read in color, gray scale, or black and white. “Resolution” is an operation key for selecting a reading resolution. “Format” is an operation key for selecting a format of image data to be output, such as PDF, TIFF, and JPEG. “Original” is an operation key for the user to specify the original size or to specify a double-sided original. “Density” is an operation key for selecting the reading density of the document. The user makes settings using these operation keys as necessary.
When the user places a standard-size document at a predetermined position on the document table 20, the document size detection unit 31 outputs a detection pattern corresponding to the size of the document using seven detection beams. The control unit 41 determines the size of the document placed on the document table 20 based on the detection pattern.

When the user touches the “start” key on the operation screen shown in FIG. 11C (see FIG. 11D), the control unit 41 starts reading the document in response to the operation. The control unit 41 controls the scanning unit 21 and the document reading unit 23 to determine a reading area corresponding to the document size, and causes the document to be read. Further, as shown in FIG. 11E, during reading, the operation display unit 51 displays a message “A document is being read. (P.1)” and an operation key “Cancel reading”. “(P.1)” in the message indicates that the first page is being read.
When the reading of one original is completed, the control unit 41 then ends the reading on the operation display unit 51 as shown in FIG. 11F, changes the setting for the next reading, or performs the next reading. Display a screen that prompts you to select whether to start.
When the user opens the document cover 33 and sets the next document on the document table 20, the document size detection unit 31 outputs a detection beam pattern corresponding to the size of the replaced document. In this state, when the user presses the “start” key (see FIG. 11G), the control unit 41 starts reading the next document in response to the operation. The control unit 41 causes the document to be read in a reading area corresponding to the document size. During reading, the control unit 41 causes the operation display unit 51 to display a message “A document is being read.” As in FIG. 11E. However, at the time of the second reading, “P.2” is displayed instead of “P.1” in FIG. 11E to inform the user that the reading is the second page.

When the reading of the second original is completed, the control unit 41 then displays the same screen as in FIG. 11F on the operation display unit 51 to end the reading or to change the setting for the next reading. Alternatively, it is requested to select whether to start the next reading.
When the user touches the “read end” operation key (see FIG. 11H), the control unit 41 stores the read image data of the two pages of the document in the USB memory connected to the USB connector 71. When the writing to the USB memory is completed, the control unit 41 causes the operation display unit 51 to display a message “Data writing is completed (P.2)” (see FIG. 11I).
As shown in FIG. 12, the image output unit 27 stores in the USB memory a PDF file in which two pages of the read document are collected as one file. The file name includes date and time information obtained by scanning and reading the document. That is, in the file name “image20150123_0918.pdf” shown in FIG. 12, “20150123” represents the date of January 23, 2015. The “0918” part that follows it represents 9:18.

≪Processing to scan standard size originals≫
The processing when the control unit 41 executes the document reading described above will be summarized and described.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the control unit when the digital multifunction peripheral 10 reads a standard size document. Although other processing (for example, image formation processing) may be executed in parallel in the digital multifunction peripheral 10, the description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 41 displays a screen for allowing the user to select a document reading condition on the operation display unit 51 (corresponding to steps S11 and FIGS. 11A to 11C), and the document size detection unit 31 It waits for detection of a document placed on the document table 20 (step S13).
When the document size detection unit 31 detects that the document is placed on the document table 20 and detects the document size (Yes in step S13), the control unit 41 accepts the operation of the “start” key displayed on the operation display unit 51. Enable (step S15). Then, it waits for the “start” key to be pressed (step S17).
When the “start” key is pressed (Yes in step S17, corresponding to FIG. 11D), the control unit 41 determines the reading area of the document and starts scanning and reading the document (corresponding to step S19, FIG. 11E). Each time one original is scanned, a selection is made as to whether to perform the next reading or end the reading (corresponding to step S21, FIG. 11F). When the “start” key is pressed, the next reading is performed (No loop in step S21, corresponding to FIG. 11G).

On the other hand, when the “reading end” key is pressed, the reading ends (Yes in step S21, corresponding to FIG. 11H).
Then, transfer of the read image data of the document to the memory is started (step S23). In this embodiment, the image data is transferred to the USB memory connected to the USB connector 71 via the image output unit 27. However, this is an example. For example, in the case of copying, the image is transferred to the image forming apparatus 12 via the image output unit 27. The image data may be temporarily stored in the storage unit 43 as a buffer. In the case of a scanner, there is also a mode in which the data is transmitted to an external device connected to the network via the communication unit 45. In the case of image filing, it is transferred to the storage unit 43 and stored. In the case of a facsimile, image data is transmitted via the communication unit 45 and the public line.
When the transfer of the image data is completed (Yes in step S25), the user is notified of the transfer completion (step S27, corresponding to FIG. 11I), and the process ends.

≪Multi-crop scan operation procedure≫
Subsequently, the operation procedure of the multi-crop scan according to the present invention will be described.
FIGS. 14A to 14F, FIG. 15, and FIGS. 16A to 16C are explanatory diagrams illustrating an operation procedure when the single-function multi-crop scan of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is performed.
In the case of multi-crop scanning, the state from the standby state reaches FIG. 14A, which is the same screen as FIG. 11C, through the operation screens of FIGS. 11A and 11B. When the user touches the “other function” key on the screen of FIG. 14A (see FIG. 14B), the control unit 41 displays the screen of FIG. 14C on the operation display unit 51 in response to the operation. In the screen of FIG. 14C, a “multi-crop” key is displayed as one of the other functions. The “photo multi-crop” key is also related to the present invention, but this function will be described later. First, “multi-crop” will be described. In this specification, “photo multi-crop” is also referred to as “inverted multi-crop”. On the other hand, a normal multi-crop is also called “non-inverted multi-crop”.

When the user presses the “multi-crop” key (see FIG. 14D), in response to the operation, the control unit 41 displays a check mark indicating that “multi-crop” has been selected on the “multi-crop” key. Then, the message “Please open and use the document holder” is displayed on the operation display unit 51 together with the “OK” key (see FIG. 14E). In the case of a standard size document, the document cover 33, that is, the document presser as referred to in the above message is used in principle. However, in the case of multi-crop scanning, scanning is performed by opening the document cover so that the area outside the document is read black with respect to the background color of the document with white or light density. The cutout unit 25 recognizes and cuts out the boundaries of each document based on the contrast between the light ground color of the document and the black contrast of the area outside the document.
When the user reads the message “Please open and use the document retainer” and press the “OK” key (see FIG. 14F), the control unit 41 erases the message in response to the operation.
The user arranges a plurality of documents to be subjected to multi-crop scanning on the document table 20.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which four documents 20b for multi-crop scanning are placed on the document table 20. As shown in FIG. The numbers 1 to 4 attached to each document indicate an example of the cutout order, and the numbers correspond to serial numbers of file names to be described later.
When the user presses the “start” key with the document cover 33 open (see FIG. 16A), in response to the operation, the control unit 41 sets the reading area as the maximum area for multi-crop scanning, The original reading unit 23 is controlled to read the four originals 20b by batch scanning. In addition, during reading, the operation display unit 51 displays a message “Reading a document (P.1)” and an operation key “Stop reading” as shown in FIG. 16B. “(P.1)” in the message indicates that the first batch scan is being executed.
The control unit 41 can acquire the open / closed state of the document cover 33 by the cover open / close sensor 35. Therefore, when the document cover 33 is closed, the “start” key is disabled so that batch scanning cannot be started. (Embodiment 1).
Alternatively, when the document cover 33 is closed, a message prompting the user to open the document cover 33 may be displayed on the operation display unit 51 (Embodiment 2).
In addition, when the “start” key is pressed while the document cover 33 is closed, a message prompting the user operation to suppress the start of batch scanning, open the document cover 33 and press the “start” key again. May be displayed on the operation display unit 51 at that time (Embodiment 3).

≪Reading area for multi-crop scanning≫
The reading area of the standard size document is determined by the control unit 41 based on the document size detected by the document size detection unit 31. However, when a plurality of documents 20b are placed on the document table 20 as shown in FIG. 15, the document size detection unit 31 according to this embodiment cannot correctly detect the size of each document.
Therefore, the control unit 41 ignores the document size detected by the document size detection unit 31 when the “multi-crop” key is touched and the multi-crop scan is selected, and the scanning unit 21 and the image reading unit 23 can read the document size. Control to read the largest area. That is, the maximum area that can be read regardless of the detection of the document size detection unit 31 is determined as the reading area.
For example, in this embodiment, the AB-type maximum document size is A3 size, which is 297 mm in the main scanning direction and 420 mm in the sub-scanning direction as shown in FIG. This is the maximum readable area. Specifically, when a margin of, for example, 10 mm is provided around the document, the reading area is 277 mm which is smaller by 20 mm in both main scanning directions and 400 mm which is smaller by 10 mm in both sub scanning directions. The image of the margin part is not read.
However, since the margin does not read the edge of the standard document, there is no point in providing a margin when performing multi-crop scanning with a plurality of documents arranged as shown in FIG. Therefore, when multi-crop is selected, an area having no margin of A3 size, that is, an area of 297 mm in the main scanning direction and 420 mm in the sub-scanning direction may be used as the reading area instead of the reading area for A3 size. In this way, the control unit 41 sets a region larger than the reading region when reading a standard document of A3 size, which is the maximum document size that can be detected by the document size detection unit, as a reading region for multi-crop scanning (the embodiment). 4).

Alternatively, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 alternatively sets a standard document size of AB type and inch type. When multi-crop is selected, the maximum original size of inch type in the main scanning direction is 11 ”. The reading area may be 297 mm corresponding to A3 size larger than 279.4 mm. On the other hand, in the sub-scanning direction, the maximum original document size of inch system larger than 420 mm of A3 size which is the maximum original document size of AB system is 17 ”. = 431.8 mm may be set as the reading area. In this manner, the control unit 41 may set an area larger than the A3 size reading area, which is the maximum document size, as a reading area for multi-crop scanning (Embodiment 5).
Alternatively, if an area larger than the above-described area can be read in one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the maximum reading area may be adopted when multi-crop is selected. In this manner, the control unit 41 may set an area larger than the A3 size reading area, which is the maximum document size, as a reading area for multi-crop scanning (Embodiment 6).

≪Document clipping process≫
When the multi-crop is selected, the cutout unit 25 cuts out the image of each original from the images of a plurality of originals scanned at once. In this case, assuming that the document has a rectangular shape, the edge, that is, the boundary between the document and the area outside the document may be determined. The cutout unit 25 recognizes the boundary of each document based on the light background color of the document and the black contrast of the outside region of the document, and cuts out the image of the document. Therefore, it is assumed that there is no character or image at the edge of the document and the background color is light. However, even if this premise is not established locally, the area of each original can be correctly cut out based on the premise that the original is rectangular.
From another point of view, if the assumption that the edges of the document are all light ground is true at all points, the area of each document can be correctly cut out without assuming that the document is rectangular. Can do.

≪Image data output≫
When the batch scanning is completed, the control unit 41 stores the image data of the four originals read by the batch scanning and cut out by the cutting unit 25 in a USB memory connected to the USB connector 71. When the writing to the USB memory is completed, the control unit 41 causes the operation display unit 51 to display a message “Data writing has been completed (P.1)” (see FIG. 16C).
In this embodiment, the function of “multi-crop” is a function for performing a one-time batch scan (referred to as a single-shot multi-crop in this specification), but a function for performing a plurality of batch scans (this specification) Can be selected by another operation.
As shown in FIG. 17A, the USB memory stores image data corresponding to the four cut out documents as four files stored in one folder. The folder is newly created when the file is stored in the USB memory. The file names given to the four files include information on the date and time when the document is scanned collectively. Furthermore, the information which shows the relationship of four files is included. Of the four files shown in FIG. 17A, the first file name “image20150123_0921_0001.pdf” will be described. Of these, “20150123” represents the date of January 23, 2015, followed by “0921”. Represents the time of 9:21. Since the four files are read by batch scanning, they have the same date and time information. And the serial number of 0001-0004 which shows those relevance is attached | subjected to the end of the file name of each file. The user can easily recognize that the image data is a series of image data because the serial number is added to the file name.
In addition, the names of folders and folders for storing these files are also attached with date and time information for scanning the documents collectively (Seventh Embodiment).

FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram showing another aspect of FIG. 17A. In FIG. 17A, image data of each document cut out by batch scanning is stored in a newly created folder, whereas in FIG. 17B, each file is stored without creating a folder. However, the file names of the four image data include the date and time information on the batch scanning of the document as in FIG. 17A. Furthermore, a serial number as information indicating the relevance of the four files is included. Since only the file names are given the same date and the same time, the relationship between the four files can be determined (Embodiment 8).
Note that the serial numbers attached to the end of each file in FIGS. 17A and 17B are merely one form of information indicating the relevance. Information indicating relevance may be information other than serial numbers, for example, alphabets. The part to which the information is attached may not be the end of the file name. For example, it may be in the middle of the file name, such as before or after the date information.
Furthermore, as a different aspect, each image data may be stored in association with each other in a known linked list format so that the relevance of a series of image data can be understood (Embodiment 9). The present invention is not limited to a linked list, and can be applied to any format that stores a plurality of files in association with each other.
In the case of FIG. 17A, the folder name and the file name have the same date and time information and can be said to be redundant. For example, for file names, date information and / or time information overlapping with folder names may be omitted.
In this embodiment, a mode in which image data is stored in a USB memory is described as an example. However, other aspects are possible. For example, when image data is transmitted to an external device connected via a network and stored in the external device, a similar file name is assigned, and a new folder is created as shown in FIG. 17A. You may control so that image data may be stored. Or you may make it store, without producing a folder like FIG. 17B.

≪Processing for scanning originals with multi-crop scanning≫
The processing when the control unit 41 executes the multi-crop scan described above will be summarized and described.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the control unit when multi-crop is selected. As shown in FIG. 18, the control unit 41 causes the operation display unit 51 to display a screen for allowing the user to select a scan condition and a multi-crop (corresponding to step S31 and FIGS. 14A to 14D). Thereafter, the user is informed that the document size cover is opened and used (corresponding to FIGS. 14E to 14F). Then, a plurality of documents are placed side by side on the document table 20 (step S33, corresponding to FIG. 15) and waits for the “start” key to be pressed (step S35).
Note that the document size detection unit 31 can detect the presence or absence of a document on the document table 20 even if it cannot correctly detect the size of the documents arranged on the document table 20.

When the “start” key is pressed (Yes in step S35, corresponding to FIG. 16A), the control unit 41 starts scanning and reading a document with the maximum readable area as a reading area (step S37) (step S39, FIG. 16). 16B). When the reading is completed (Yes in step S41), the control unit 41 controls the clipping unit 25 to crop the image data of each document (step S43).
Then, transfer of the read image data of the document to the memory is started (step S45). In this embodiment, the data is transferred to a USB memory connected to the USB connector 71. However, this is only an example. Similarly to the standard size document, the multi-crop scan is transferred to the image forming apparatus 12 via the image output unit 27 in the case of copying. In the case of a scanner, there is also a mode in which the data is transmitted to an external device connected to the network via the communication unit 45. In the case of image filing, it is transferred to the storage unit 43 and stored. In the case of a facsimile, image data is transmitted via the communication unit 45 and the public line.
When the transfer of the image data is completed (Yes in step S45), the user is notified of the transfer completion (step S47, corresponding to FIG. 16C), and the process ends.

≪Function of document size detector in multi-crop scan≫
Since the document size detection unit 31 assumes detection of a standard size document, if a plurality of documents are placed side by side in the case of multi-crop scanning, the document size of each document cannot be detected correctly.
FIG. 19A is an explanatory diagram of one mode in which the document size detection unit 31 detects a plurality of documents placed on the document table 20.
FIG. 19B is an explanatory diagram showing an aspect different from FIG. 19B.
In the case of FIG. 19A, the detection beam by the document size detection unit 31 has the same pattern as the B4 size of FIG. However, the size of each document placed on the document table 20 is different from the B4 size. Furthermore, the detection beam pattern corresponding to FIG. 19B (FIG. 9 shows the detection pattern corresponding to FIG. 19B) does not match any of the patterns shown in FIG.
In the above-described embodiment, since the multi-crop is selected, the control unit 41 sets the maximum area that can be read regardless of the detection beam pattern obtained by the document size detection unit 31 as the reading area.

As a modification, for example, when a detection beam pattern corresponding to the B4 size is obtained as shown in FIG. 19A, the control unit 41 may use an A3 size that is one size larger than that as the reading area of the multi-crop scan. That is, the control unit 41 determines a reading area corresponding to an original size that is at least one size larger than the original size detected by the original size detecting unit 31 as a reading area for batch scanning. In this way, while the area where the originals are arranged is set as the reading area, it is possible to avoid unnecessary scanning of the area where the original is not placed (Embodiment 10).
As another aspect, for example, as shown in FIG. 19B, when a detection beam pattern that cannot be a standard-size document is obtained, a multi-crop scan may be performed. In particular, this is the case where a pattern in which the beam D04 is detected in FIG. 19B and a beam having a larger size (D05 to D07) is not detected is obtained. In that case, the control unit 41 may determine that a plurality of documents are arranged on the document table 20 and perform multi-crop scanning. That is, control is performed so that the multi-crop processing is performed when the detection pattern by the document size detection unit 31 does not correspond to any of the predetermined standard document sizes. Alternatively, the control unit 41 may cause the operation display unit 51 to display a message for confirming whether or not to execute the multi-crop scan (Embodiment 11).
In the case of multi-crop, the document size detection unit 31 cannot detect the document size correctly, but can detect the presence or absence of the document on the document table 20. Therefore, if the detection beam pattern is in a state where no document is placed on the document table 20, the “start” key is disabled and control is performed so as not to start the multi-crop scan even if the “start” key is pressed. May be.

≪Mode of performing multiple batch scans≫
20A to 20B, FIG. 21, FIG. 22A to FIG. 22C, FIG. 23, and FIG. 24A to FIG. 24E are operations when the continuous shooting multi-crop of the digital multi-function peripheral 10 is selected and an original is read by a plurality of batch scans. It is explanatory drawing which shows a procedure.
When continuous shooting multi-crop is executed in this embodiment, “multi-crop” is selected from the standby state through the screens of FIGS. 11A, 11B, and 14A to 14F. However, single-shot multi-crop is selected at that stage. After that, when the user touches the “document count” key on the screen of FIG. 20A, it is assumed that the control unit 41 selects the continuous shooting multi-crop in response to the operation. Then, a check mark is displayed on the “document number count” key to notify the user that a multi-crop including the document number count, that is, a continuous multi-crop is selected (see FIG. 20B).
In other words, the “multi-crop” key accepts selection of single-shot multi-crop processing, and the “document number count” key accepts selection of continuous-shot multi-crop processing. In this embodiment, the continuous shooting multi-crop is selected in combination with the “multi-crop” key and the “number of originals count” key. However, as another aspect, “single-shot multi-crop” and “continuous-shot multi-crop” are completely different operations. You may make it prepare as a key and select either.
The user arranges a plurality of documents to be subjected to multi-crop scanning on the document table 20.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory view showing a state in which four to four documents 20b for multi-crop scanning are placed on the document table 20, and is the same as FIG.

When the user presses the “start” key (see FIG. 22A), in response to the operation, the control unit 41 controls the scanning unit 21 and the document reading unit 23 to determine a reading area for multi-crop scanning. The four originals 20b of ~ 4 are scanned together and read. Further, during reading, as shown in FIG. 22B, a message “The document is being read. (P.1)” and an operation key “Cancel reading” are displayed. “(P.1)” in the message indicates the first batch scan.
When the first batch scan is completed, the cutout unit 25 cuts out images corresponding to documents 1 to 4. Based on the document cutout by the cutout unit 25, the control unit 41 reads “four originals (total: four)” and the “reading end”, “operation change”, and “start” An operation key is displayed on the operation display unit 51 to prompt a user operation (see FIG. 22C).

When the user places four documents 5 to 8 to be subjected to the next multi-crop scan on the document table 20 (see FIG. 23) and presses the “start” key (see FIG. 24A), in response to the operation. The control unit 41 starts the next batch scanning. That is, the scanning unit 21 and the document reading unit 23 are controlled to determine a reading area for multi-crop scanning, and the four documents 20b are scanned collectively and read. Further, during reading, as shown in FIG. 24B, a message “A document is being read. (P.2)” and an operation key “Reading stop” are displayed. “(P.2)” in the message indicates the second batch scanning.
The control unit 41 handles the image data obtained by the first batch scan and the image data obtained by the second batch scan as a series of image data.
When the second batch scanning is completed, the cutout unit 25 cuts out images corresponding to four documents of 5 to 8. Based on the document cutout by the cutout unit 25, the control unit 41 reads “4 originals read (total: 8 sheets)” and “reading end”, “operation change”, and “start”. The operation keys are displayed on the operation display unit 51 (see FIG. 24C).
Here, “4 originals read” means that there were 4 originals read in the second batch scan, and “(total: 8)” means the first time. When a series of batch scans are performed from the batch scan, a total of 8 originals are read.

As described above, the control unit 41 causes the operation display unit 51 to display the number of documents cut out in each batch scan and the number of documents cut out from the first time. Display is performed every time batch scanning is executed.
When the user touches the “reading end” operation key (see FIG. 24D), the control unit 41 reads the image data of a total of eight documents read and cut out by the two batch scans performed so far. The data is stored in a USB memory connected to the USB connector 71. When the writing to the USB memory is completed, the control unit 41 displays a message “Data writing is complete (P.2)” on the operation display unit 51 (see FIG. 24E).
As shown in FIG. 25A, the control unit 41 saves the image data corresponding to the cut out eight originals in the USB memory as eight files stored in one folder. The file names given to the eight files include date and time information when the first batch scan is executed. Furthermore, the information which shows the relationship of eight files is included. Of the eight files shown in FIG. 25A, the first file name “image20150123_0925_0001.pdf” will be described. Of these, “20150123” represents the date of January 23, 2015, followed by “0925”. Represents the time of 9:25. Eight files are read by continuous shooting multi-crop and have the same date and time information. And the serial number of 0001-0008 which shows those relevance is attached | subjected to the end of the file name of each file.
In addition, the names of the folders and the date and time when the first batch scan is performed are also attached to the folder names (Twelfth Embodiment).

FIG. 25B is an explanatory diagram showing another aspect of FIG. 25A in which image data of a read original is stored in a USB memory. In FIG. 25A, image data of each document cut out by batch scanning is stored in one newly created folder, whereas in FIG. 25B, each file is stored without creating a new folder. The However, the eight file names include date and time information when the first batch scan is executed, as in FIG. 25A. Furthermore, the information which shows the relationship of eight files is included. Even with only the file names, the same date and the same time are given, so the relationship between the eight files can be understood. Since the information on the time when the first batch scan is performed is information at the time when the multi-crop scan is started, it is considered that the user's impression is more likely to remain than the second and subsequent batch scans. That is, it is considered that the contents of the file can be easily remembered from the time information attached to the file name.
In addition, the serial number attached | subjected to the tail of each file in FIG. 25A and FIG. 25B is only one aspect | mode of the information which shows relevance. This is the same as described for FIGS. 17A and 17B.
As described above, in the continuous shooting multi-crop, images of each original read by a plurality of batch scans are handled as a series of image data so as to be distinguishable from other image data.
On the other hand, in the case of single-shot multi-crop, each document image read by each batch scan is handled as a series of image data, but what is image data read by other batch scans including the previous one? Treat with distinction.

≪Processing sequence for continuous shooting multi-crop≫
The processing when the control unit 41 executes the multi-crop scan described above will be summarized and described.
FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the control unit when continuous shooting multi-crop is selected. As shown in FIG. 26, the control unit 41 causes the operation display unit 51 to display a screen for allowing the user to select a scan condition and a multi-crop (corresponding to step S51 and FIGS. 14A to 14D). Then, the user is notified that the document size cover is opened for use (corresponding to FIGS. 14E to 14F). Further, the “document number count” key is touched to select continuous shooting multi-crop (corresponding to FIGS. 20A and 20B), and a plurality of documents are placed side by side on the document table 20 (corresponding to steps S53 and FIG. 21). It waits for the “start” key to be pressed (step S55).
When the “start” key is pressed (Yes in step S55, corresponding to FIG. 22A), the control unit 41 starts scanning and reading a document with the maximum readable area as a reading area (step S57) (step S59). Then, it waits for the end of the batch scanning (step S61, corresponding to FIG. 22B).

When reading is completed, the cutout unit 25 controls to cut out the image data of each document (step S63), and the cutout result is displayed on the operation display unit 51 (corresponding to step S65 and FIG. 22C). Then, the process waits until the “reading end” key is pressed (step S67) or the “start” key is pressed (step S55 after returning through No in step S67).
When documents to be read next are placed on the document table (corresponding to FIG. 23) and the “start” key is pressed (Yes in step S55, corresponding to FIG. 24A), the control unit 41 reads the maximum readable area. A region is set (step S57). Then, the second batch scanning is performed (corresponding to step S59 to step S65, FIG. 24B).
Then, the “reading end” key is pressed (step S67) or the “start” key is waited again (corresponding to step S55, which returns after No in step S67, FIG. 24C).

When the “reading end” key is pressed, the reading ends (Yes in step S67, corresponding to FIG. 24D).
Then, the cutout unit 25 is controlled to cut out the image data of the last read original (step S69), and transfer of the read original image data to the memory is started (step S71). In this embodiment, the data is transferred to a USB memory connected to the USB connector 71. However, this is only an example. Similarly to the single-shot multi-crop, continuous shooting multi-crop is transferred to the image forming apparatus 12 via the image output unit 27 in the case of copying. In the case of a scanner, there is also a mode in which the data is transmitted to an external device connected to the network via the communication unit 45. In the case of image filing, it is transferred to the storage unit 43 and stored. In the case of a facsimile, image data is transmitted via the communication unit 45 and the public line.
When the transfer of image data is completed (Yes in step S71), the transfer completion is notified to the user (step S73, corresponding to FIG. 24E), and the process is terminated.

≪Photo Multi Crop (Reversal Multi Crop) ≫
As described above, in the case of normal multi-crop scanning, that is, non-inverted multi-crop scanning, scanning is performed with the document cover opened so that the area outside the document is read black with respect to the background color of the document with white or light density. . The cutout unit 25 recognizes the boundary of each document based on the light background color of the document and the black contrast of the area outside the document, and cuts out an image corresponding to the document.
However, depending on the type of document, there are some that have dark edges. If it is assumed that the document has a rectangular shape, it is possible to correctly cut out even a document having a dark edge locally, but if there are many dark parts, it may not be cut out well.
A typical example of a document having a dark edge is a borderless photo document in which a night scene is photographed. Even in the case where the same night view is taken, if there is a border, the edge of the document is white, so the clipping unit 25 can cut out each document from the image read with the document cover 33 opened. However, in the case of a borderless photograph, the contrast between the night view and the area outside the document is not sufficient.
For a document with a dark edge such as a borderless photograph in which a night scene is photographed, it is better to read the document with the document cover 33 closed so that the area outside the document becomes white. The lower surface of the document cover 33 is a white surface. This is because, when a standard-size document is read, even if the document cover 33 (document pressing), which is an area outside the document, is read, there is no sense of incongruity with a white or light ground document.

Therefore, unlike a normal multi-crop, a multi-crop function for a document with a dark edge may be provided so that the user can select according to the document.
In this embodiment, the multi-crop function for a document having a dark edge is called “photo multi-crop” or “inverted multi-crop”. In the normal multi-crop (non-inverted multi-crop), the user is notified to use the document cover 33 with the document cover 33 open (see, for example, FIGS. 14E and 14F). The point is to notify the user to use it. The cutout unit 25 recognizes the boundary of each document based on the contrast between the dark ground color of the document and the light color of the outside region of the document, and cuts out an image corresponding to the document. In this case, the clipping unit 25 may perform the clipping after inverting the shade of the image obtained by the collective scanning. The image of each cut out original is again inverted and stored in the memory. By doing this, the area outside the document becomes a black color or a dark density color in both the inverted multi-crop and the non-inverted multi-crop, so that the image can be cut out by the same processing.
FIG. 27A shows an example of an image read by batch scanning with a normal multi-crop. This is an example in which a photo document with a plurality of borders having a low edge density is read with the document cover open.
FIG. 27B shows an example of an image read by batch scanning with a photographic multi-crop. This is an example of an image obtained by reading a plurality of borderless photo originals having a high density of the edge portion in a state where the original cover is closed.
28A to 28D are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of an operation procedure when a photographic multi-crop scan is performed in the digital multi-function peripheral 10.

When the photo multi-crop is selected, the screen from the standby state is changed to the state in which the screen of FIG. 14C is displayed through FIGS. 11A, 11B, 14A, and 14B. In the screen of FIG. 14C, a “photo multi-crop” key is arranged to the right of the “multi-crop” key.
When the user touches the “photo multi-crop” key (see FIG. 28A), in response to the operation, the control unit 41 displays a check mark indicating that “photo multi-crop” has been selected on the “photo multi-crop” key. Let Then, a message “Please close and use the document retainer” is displayed on the operation display unit 51 together with the “OK” key (see FIG. 28B).
When the user reads the message “Please close and use the document holder” and presses the “OK” key (see FIG. 28C), the control unit 41 erases the message in response to the operation (see FIG. 28D). .
The user arranges a plurality of documents to be subjected to multi-crop scanning on the document table 20 and closes the document cover 33. When the user presses the “start” key, the control unit 41 starts a batch scan of the photographic multi-crop.
As shown in FIG. 27B, the cutout unit 25 recognizes and cuts out the boundaries between the originals based on the dark color edges of the originals and the white contrast of the areas outside the originals.
Since the control unit 41 can acquire the open / closed state of the document cover 33 by the cover open / close sensor 35, the “start” key is disabled so that batch scanning cannot be started while the document cover 33 is opened. (Embodiment 13).
Alternatively, when the “start” key is pressed while the document cover 33 is open, the start of batch scanning is suppressed, and a message is displayed prompting the user to close the document cover 33 and press the “start” key again. You may display on the part 51 (Embodiment 14).
Other operation procedures are the same as those in the normal multi-crop scan.

≪Different aspects of photo multi-crop selection≫
In the above-described example, a “photo multi-crop” key is prepared separately from the “multi-crop” key, and the user touches the “photo multi-crop” key to select a photo multi-crop function. Here, an example of selecting a photo multi-crop by an operation procedure different from the above-described example will be described.
FIG. 29A to FIG. 29I are explanatory diagrams showing different examples of operation procedures for performing a photographic multi-crop scan in the digital multi-function peripheral 10.
Similar to the above-described example, when selecting a photo multi-crop, the screen of FIG. 29A is displayed from the standby state through FIGS. 11A, 11B, 14A, and 14B. In the screen of FIG. 29A, there is a “multi-crop” key but no “photo multi-crop” key, and the photo multi-crop is included in “multi-crop”.
When the user touches the “multi-crop” key (see FIG. 29B), in response to the operation, the control unit 41 displays a check mark indicating that “multi-crop” has been selected on the “multi-crop” key. Then, operation keys for “light original” and “dark original” are displayed on the operation display unit 51 together with a message “Please select the type of original” to prompt the user to select one of the original types. .
Here, when the user touches the “thin original” key (see FIG. 29D), the control unit 41 determines that the normal multi-crop mode is selected based on the operation. Then, the message “Please open and use the document holder” is displayed on the operation display unit 51 together with the “OK” key (see FIG. 29E).

When the user reads the message “Please open the document holder and use it” and presses the “OK” key (see FIG. 29F), the control unit 41 erases the message in response to the operation.
Thereafter, the operation procedure described in FIG. 15 and FIGS. 16A to 16C is the same.
On the other hand, when the user touches the “dark original” key on the screen of FIG. 29C described above (see FIG. 29G), the control unit 41 determines that the photo multi-crop mode has been selected based on the operation. Then, a message “Please close and use the document holder” is displayed on the operation display unit 51 together with the “OK” key (see FIG. 29H).
When the user reads the message “Please close and use the document holder” and presses the “OK” key (see FIG. 29I), the control unit 41 erases the message in response to the operation.
Thereafter, the operation procedure of the photographic multi-crop described above is the same.

As mentioned above,
(I) An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a scanning unit that collectively scans a plurality of documents placed on a document table, an image reading unit that reads an image of each scanned document, and each document from the scanned image. A control unit that controls the scanning unit, the image reading unit, the clipping unit, and the image output unit, and a control unit that controls the scanning unit, the image reading unit, the cropping unit, and the image output unit. , Single-shot multi-crop processing that treats each document image read by a single batch scan as a series of image data and outputs the image data in a distinguishable manner from other batch scan images, and a plurality of batch scans In addition, continuous multi-crop processing that handles images of each original as a series of image data can be switched and executed.
In the present invention, when the document table reads the image of the document, the document reading unit reads the image of the document placed on the document table. The specific mode is, for example, an area where a transparent glass or transparent resin plate is placed in the horizontal direction, and the document is placed on the plate with the surface to be read facing down. The original reading unit reads an image by scanning the original upward from below the plate. However, the essence of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the present invention includes an apparatus in which the surface to be read is placed on an opaque or transparent document table and the document is scanned from above the document table.
The original is generally a flat sheet, but is not limited thereto, and may be uneven or may be a three-dimensional object.
The multi-crop processing is a method in which a plurality of originals are simultaneously placed on the original platen, and batch scanning is performed to cut out images of the respective originals. The process of sequentially replacing and reading one sheet at a time is not included in the batch scanning.
To cut out an image of a document is to perform trimming by extracting an image region corresponding to each document from the entire reading area read by batch scanning. In multi-crop processing, each document is extracted from the entire reading region. A plurality of corresponding image regions are extracted.

Furthermore, the preferable aspect of this invention is demonstrated.
(Ii) An operation key for accepting selection by a user of single-shot multi-crop processing and an operation key for accepting selection of continuous-shot multi-crop processing may be further provided.
In this way, single-shot multi-crop processing and continuous multi-crop processing are selected based on the user's will to place a plurality of documents on the document table, so that image data for a batch scan and batch scan before and after that Whether or not the image data is related to the image data is accurately selected.

(Iii) In the case of performing continuous shooting multi-crop processing, the image processing apparatus may further include a display unit that displays the number of documents read by each batch scan and the total number of documents read by a series of batch scans. Good.
In this way, the user can check the number of documents associated as a series of image data so far during the execution of the collective scanning related to the continuous multi-crop processing. Based on the display, the user can more accurately determine whether to continue the collective scanning or end the continuous multi-crop process.

(Iv) When executing continuous shooting multi-crop processing, the control unit causes the display unit to display an operation key for receiving an instruction to start the next scan every time each batch scan is performed, and the operation key is operated. In this case, image data of each original may be obtained by executing the next batch scan, and the obtained image data and image data obtained by the previous batch scan may be handled as a series of image data.
In this way, the user instructs the user to continue the batch scan while confirming the display of the number of documents read in each batch scan and the total number of documents read in a series of batch scans. Can do.

(V) Each time the next batch scan is executed, the control unit displays an operation key for accepting an instruction to end the continuous shooting multi-crop process on the display unit, and when the operation key is operated, Image data obtained by one batch scanning may be output to the image output unit as a series of image data.
In this way, the user confirms the display of the number of documents read in each batch scan and the total number of documents read in a series of batch scans, and does the user give an instruction to continue the batch scan? It is possible to select and instruct whether to end the multi-crop processing and output a series of image data.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention include combinations of any of the plurality of embodiments described above.
In addition to the embodiments described above, there can be various modifications of the present invention. These modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

10: Digital multifunction peripheral, 11: Image reading device, 12: Image forming device, 20: Document table, 20a: Corner mark, 20b: Document, 21: Scanning unit, 23: Document reading unit, 25: Cutting unit, 27: Image output unit 31: Document size detection unit 31a: Light emitting element 31b: Document table top surface 31c: Slit 31d: Light receiving element 33: Document cover 35: Cover open / close sensor 41: Control unit 43: Storage , 45: communication unit, 51: operation display unit, 51a: display unit, 51b: operation key, 61: image receiving unit, 63: image forming unit, 65: sheet feeding unit, 67: sheet conveying unit, 69: sheet Output unit 71: USB connectors D01, D02, D03, D04, D05, D06, D07: light emitting elements, F: fingers

Claims (3)

A scanning unit that collectively scans a plurality of documents placed on a document table;
An image reading unit that reads an image of each scanned document;
A cutout unit that cuts out an image of each document from the scanned image;
An image output unit that outputs an image of each clipped document;
A control unit that controls the scanning unit, the image reading unit, the cutout unit, and the image output unit ;
A display unit ,
The control unit treats an image of each document read by one batch scan as a series of image data, and outputs the image data so as to be distinguishable from other batch scan image data, and a plurality of batch operations. Ri executable der an image of each document by switching the continuous multi-cropping process handled as a series of image data read by the scanning, when performing continuous shooting multi cropping process, read by each round of batch scanning document And the total number of documents read in a series of batch scans are displayed on the display unit. A scanning unit that collectively scans a plurality of documents placed on a document table;
An image reading unit that reads an image of each scanned document;
A cutout unit that cuts out an image of each document from the scanned image;
An image output unit that outputs an image of each clipped document;
A control unit that controls the scanning unit, the image reading unit, the cutout unit, and the image output unit;
A display unit,
The control unit treats an image of each document read by one batch scan as a series of image data, and outputs the image data so as to be distinguishable from other batch scan image data, and a plurality of batch operations. by switching the continuous multi-cropping process dealing with images of the document read by the scan as a series of image data is executable, when performing continuous shooting multi cropping process, the next each time to perform each batch scanning An operation key for receiving an instruction to start scanning is displayed on the display unit. When the operation key is operated, the next batch scan is performed to obtain image data of each document, and the obtained image data and the previous batch are obtained. An image reading apparatus that handles image data obtained by scanning as a series of image data. A scanning unit that collectively scans a plurality of documents placed on a document table;
An image reading unit that reads an image of each scanned document;
A cutout unit that cuts out an image of each document from the scanned image;
An image output unit that outputs an image of each clipped document;
A controller that controls the scanning unit, the image reading unit, the cutout unit, and the image output unit,
The control unit is capable of executing a continuous shooting multi-crop process in which images of each original read by a plurality of batch scans are handled as a series of image data. When the continuous shooting multi-crop process is executed, the user ends reading. An image reading apparatus that allows the batch scan to be repeatedly executed until an instruction is received, and that handles a document image read by repeating the batch scan as a series of image data .