JPH05205103A - Method and device for recognizing and unifying picture direction - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exactly and speedily confirm the picture direction matching by preventing the mismatching when a mismatching state is confirmed by judging the picture direction matching of the second picture for the picture direction of the stored first picture information. CONSTITUTION:A document is set to a document table in a step S 181, and a document number counter CNT is initialized to zero in a step S 182. A white document judgement flag is set to zero in a step S 183. In a step S 184, the only one document is carried to be set at the prescribed position on a contact glass, and the reading operation of the document is performed in a step S 185. A space of an edge section of the read picture information is detected in an edge section detecting process step S 186. Whether or not a document is a white document is judged in a step 187, and if it is not, the direction confirmation routine of a S 188 confirms the direction using the direction confirmation routine of the S 188. With the right directivity, the normal copy operation is performed. In case of a blank paper, the document is inverted to read the document again. In case of a double-sided blank paper, the picture data is cancelled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image orientation recognition / unification method and an image orientation recognition / unification apparatus in copying machines, facsimiles, printers, OCRs and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various document image processing apparatuses have been proposed. Among these, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-251818
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4 publication, a character image is cut out from image information of a document read by a scanner, a feature amount of the cut out character image is extracted, and the extracted feature amount is converted according to a rotation angle of the character to change. Recognize rotated characters by comparing and collating subsequent feature amounts with a dictionary, and if the rotation angle of a character is not known in advance, character images that have been cut out are recognized as rotated characters with two or more different angles. Has been proposed to determine the rotation angle of a character.

On the other hand, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-105266, an appropriate number of character images are vertically cut out from the image information of a document read by an image scanner (from the line head to the line end of the read document image). (The width is cut out so that the width from the end of the line to the beginning of the line is equal), and at this time, the number of black pixels included in the specified width from the beginning of the line to the end of the line is within the specified width from the end of the line to the beginning of the line. By using the property that the number of black pixels is larger than the number of black pixels included in, the top and bottom (vertical relation) of the document image is determined, and when the top and bottom of the document image are determined to be reversed, the image rotation means A technique has been proposed in which an image is rotated to make the top and bottom normal.

[0004]

When there is a possibility that a small number of upside down originals are mixed in a large number of originals,
It is desirable to automatically search this upside-down original document, confirm the matching of the image directionality, and further perform the recovery when there is a mismatch.

In such a case, the former of the above-mentioned prior arts confirms the directionality by matching the direction of the input character with the reference character direction (image direction) preset in the device. Therefore, when there are many input document images (in most cases, a series of originals are aligned in one direction in most cases), the originals are temporarily moved in a direction different from the standard character direction set in advance in the device. If the input (set direction to scan) is made, the majority of the originals are judged to be inconsistent (conversely a small number of upside-down originals are judged to be inconsistent), which not only annoys the operator's hand, but is also useless. It was also subjected to image rotation processing. In this case, particularly in an image forming apparatus equipped with an automatic document feeder, it is expected that the processing speed, that is, the productivity will be significantly reduced.

In the latter case, the cutout portion of the character image, the image memory portion for storing the cutout character image, the counting portion for counting the number of black pixels in the character image, and the counted number of black pixels in the left and right end regions Since various components such as a black pixel number comparison unit for comparing the character direction are required, the character direction recognition processing process and processing configuration are still complicated, and there is a point to be improved in response speed in terms of processing speed. Was there.

Further, in the above-described character direction recognition method, the top-bottom (top-bottom relationship) of the document image is determined by the number of black pixels in the left and right end regions that are evenly cut out, and thus the top-bottom determination may be erroneous. is there. For example, in a document image (horizontal writing) whose top and bottom is correct, when many characters such as Chinese characters having a large number of pixels per character exist in the right end region (from the end of the line to the beginning of the line) of the document image, the number of pixels in the predetermined region is large. The edge area is erroneously recognized as the left edge area (from the beginning of the line to the end of the line). In this case, it is determined that the top and bottom of the document image are reversed, and the rotation process of the document image is performed.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and can easily, accurately and swiftly confirm the image directionality matching between a large number of document images, and is appropriately applied to machines of various hierarchies (segments). It is an object of the present invention to provide an image orientation recognition / unification method and an image orientation recognition / unification apparatus with high image orientation recognition accuracy.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above objects are detected in a method of recognizing and unifying image directions between a plurality of pieces of image information, and a first detecting step of detecting predetermined image information in a first image information page area. A first recognition step of recognizing the image direction of the first image information from the image information data, a storage step of storing the image direction of the recognized first image information, and predetermined image information in the second image information page area are stored. A second detection step of detecting,
A second recognizing step of recognizing the image direction of the second image information from the detected image information data; a determining step of determining the image direction consistency of the second image information with respect to the image direction of the stored first image information; When it is confirmed that the first image information and the second image information are not aligned in the image direction in this determination step,
A recovering step for avoiding an inconsistent state, and the first means for performing image direction recognition and image direction unification by sequentially performing the above steps.

Further, the above-mentioned object is, in an image direction recognition / unification apparatus for a plurality of image information, first detecting means for detecting predetermined image information in a first image information page area, and first detecting means from the detected image information data. First recognition means for recognizing the image direction of the first image information, storage means for storing the image direction of the recognized first image information, and second detection for detecting predetermined image information in the second image information page area. Means, second recognizing means for recognizing the image orientation of the second image information from the detected image information data, and determination for determining image orientation consistency of the second image information with respect to the image orientation of the stored first image information. This is achieved by the second means including a means and a recovery means for avoiding the mismatched state when the image direction mismatched state of the first image information and the second image information is confirmed by the determination means.

[0011]

In the present invention, the image direction recognition between a plurality of image information
In the unifying method, predetermined image information in the first image information page area is detected, and the first image information is detected from the detected image information data.
The image direction of the image information is recognized, the recognized image direction of the first image information is stored, and the predetermined image information in the second image information page area is detected, and the second image is detected from the detected image information data. The image orientation of the information is recognized, the image orientation matching of the second image information with the image orientation of the stored first image information is determined, and the image orientation mismatch state between the first image information and the second image information is determined. When confirmed, avoid inconsistent states.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described by itemizing with reference to the drawings. In order to make the explanation easier to understand, the separated items are shown as a table of contents.

1. Schematic configuration of a digital copying machine according to an embodiment 1.1 Overall configuration 1.2 Scanner section 1.3 Writing section 1.4 Photoconductor section 1.5 Developing section 1.6 Paper feeding section 1.7 Automatic document feeder ( ADF) 1.8 Sorter stapler (III) 1.9 Electrical equipment control section 1.9.1 Sequence control 1.9.2 Image data processing 1.9.3 Application unit 1.9.3.1 About APL1 1. 9.3.2 About APL2 1.9.3.3 About APL3 1.9.3.4 About APL4 1.9.3.5 About APL5 1.9.3.6 About display 1.9.4 Fax operation 1.9.5 Image processing unit 1.9.5.1 Shift, variable magnification, rotation, reverse scan, mirroring 1.9.5.2 Shift 1.9.5.3 Variable magnification 1.10 Human body detection sensor 2 ． Image orientation judgment 3. Recognition of image direction by detection of edge blank area 3.1.1 Detection of maximum margin in page area of output image information and recognition of image direction from detected data 3.1.2 Original size and original setting direction (image information Direction) to determine the reference 2 end face and recognize the image direction from the maximum margin area of the reference 2 end face 3.1.3 When a large number of originals are detected, the maximum end face margin in the page area is detected regarding the image information of the second page transition, Confirm the matching of the image directionality with the start page image information 3.1.4 Recover when the image directionality NG is detected in the case of a large number of originals 3.1.4.1 Only the warning display after image formation 3.1.4. 2 Copy interruption and warning display when directionality is different in original scanning 3.1.4.3 Mismatch in edge margin area 3.1.5 Correspondence when identification is not possible 3.1.5.1 Predetermined predetermined Image formation / warning display in direction 3.1. 5.2 Image formation / warning display unified with the identified predetermined reference image information direction 3.1.5.3 Image interruption / warning display 3.1.6 Blank original support 3.1.7 Multiple originals Image directionality NG detection (when image processing cannot be performed when the edge margin area mismatch is detected by margin recognition) 3.2.1 Detects the maximum edge margin in the page area of the output image information, and detects it from the detected data Staple position determination 3.2.2 Staples on the detected maximum end face margin 3.2.3 Determine the reference 2 end face from the document size and the document setting direction (image information direction), and staple from the maximum margin area of the reference 2 end face Position determination 3.2.4 Image direction recognition from maximum edge margin data,
Check the image orientation consistency by comparing with the standard staple position data 3.2.5 Recognize the image orientation from the maximum edge margin data,
Image orientation N by comparison with reference staple position data
G Recover 3.2.6 When an image exists at the stapling position determined from the maximum end face margin data 3.3.1 Selection control of image direction identification detection according to the image forming mode 3.3.2 After completion of sorting operation , When the manual stapling instruction is input, the staple position N based on the end surface margin data
In case of G 4. Image direction recognition based on layout judgment 4.1.1 Image direction recognition based on layout judgment of entire image 4.1.2 Image blank area detection method during layout judgment 4.2.1 Image direction recognition based on layout judgment [image information direction Combination of data (original setting direction) and image information output size data (original size)] 4.2.2 Recognition of image direction from corner margin data in page area of output image information based on layout judgment 4.2.3 Multiple sheets When manuscript, check the matching of image directionality with other image information based on layout judgment (unification of image direction) 4.2.4 From multiple sheets of manuscript, from the margin data of corner area in page area of reference output image information based on layout judgment to other Confirmation of matching of image directionality with image information (unification of image direction) 4.2.5 Predetermined standard when a large number of sheets and vertical / horizontal originals are mixed Matching of image directionality based on layout judgment for image information (unification of image direction) 4.2.6 Recovering when image directionality NG is detected when a large number of originals (corner margin area mismatch) 4.2.7 Identification Correspondence at the time of impossible 4.2.8 Correspondence to blank originals 4.2.9 Correspondence at the time of image directionality NG detection when a large number of originals (when image processing cannot be supported at the time of detecting the mismatch of the corner margin area based on the layout judgment) 3.1 Staple position determination based on layout judgment (judgment based on document setting direction and document size) 4.3.2 Staple position determination based on corner margin data in page area of output image information based on layout judgment (staple to proper corner) 4 3.3.3 Staples on the detected corner margins 4.3.4 When a large number of originals are used, based on the layout judgment,
Detect the common corner margin of each output image information and determine the staple position 4.3.5 Check the image direction consistency by comparing the corner margin based on the layout judgment with the standard staple position data 4.3.6 Layout judgment Image directionality N by comparing the corner margins based on
G Recover 4.3.7 When there is an image at the staple position based on the common corner margin data based on the layout judgment 4.3.8 When multiple sheets / horizontal and horizontal originals are mixed, the image orientation is matched based on the layout judgment, Staple position determination 4.4.1 Selective control of image direction identification detection according to image forming mode 4.4.2 Staple position NG based on end face margin data when manual step instruction is input after completion of sort operation
In case of 5. Image direction recognition detection based on character direction determination 5.1.1 Image direction recognition within output image information page based on character recognition 5.1.2 When a large number of documents are printed, reference output image information based on character recognition and other image information 5.1.1 Matching of image directionality (unification of image direction) 5.1.3 Identification and detection method for portrait original and landscape original [Identification detection based on original size / direction data, character direction data, and line direction data (all types: (Vertical writing / horizontal writing can be supported)] 5.1.4 When a large number of sheets / vertical / horizontal documents are mixed, the matching of the image directionality based on the character direction recognition with respect to the predetermined reference image information is checked. 5. When recovering image directionality NG (mismatch in character direction) 5.1.6 Correspondence when image directionality NG is detected when a large number of documents (when image processing is not supported) 5.1.7 Blank document support 5.1 .8 Handling when identification is not possible 1.8.1 Image formation / warning display in a predetermined direction determined in advance 5.1.8.2 Image formation / warning display unified in the identified predetermined reference image information direction 5.1.8. 3 Image interruption / warning display 5.2.1 Staple position determination by character recognition 5.2.2 Comparison between character string direction data and standard staple position 5.2.2 Predetermined standard when multiple sheets / vertical / horizontal originals are mixed Image information direction is identified from the character direction recognition data for the image information, and the alignment of the image direction is confirmed by comparison with the reference stapler position data. 5.2.4 Consistency between the character string direction data and the reference staple position Recover when NG 5 3.1. Selection control of image direction identification detection according to image forming mode 5.3.2 When the manual stapling instruction is input after the completion of the sorting operation, the staple position N based on the character direction data
In case of G 5.3.2.1 Warning display 5.3.2.2 Staple prohibition 6. Image direction recognition by detecting punch holes and staple holes 6.1.1 Image direction recognition based on original document punch hole detection 6.1.2 Image direction recognition based on original document staple hole detection 6.1.3 When multiple originals are used, Detecting punch holes or staple holes in the document and confirming the consistency of the image directionality with the reference image information 6.1.4 Recovering when the image directionality NG is detected in the case of multiple document documents 6.1.4.1 Image formation Post-warning display only 6.1.4.2 If the orientation is different during document scanning, copy is interrupted and a warning is displayed 6.1.4.3 Image rotation processing and document reverse scanning 6.1.5 Correspondence when unrecognizable 6.1 5.5.1 Image formation / warning display in a predetermined predetermined direction 6.1.5.2 Image formation / warning display unified to the predetermined predetermined reference image information direction 6.1.5.3 Image interruption / warning display 6.1.6 Blank paper Correspondence 6.1.7 Correspondence at the time of document orientation NG detection in case of many documents (when image processing is not supported) 6.2.1 Staple operation control based on document punch hole detection data (staple position determination-document punch hole side) 6.2.2 Staple operation control based on original staple hole detection data (staple position determination-staple on original staple hole side) 6.2.3 Based on original staple hole detection data, confirm execution of stapling after job completion and When stapling is confirmed, stap operation is interrupted by stap prohibition input 6.2.4 Image information direction is identified from the punch hole or staple hole data of the original, and the consistency of the image direction is confirmed by comparing with the standard staple position data 6.2 .5 By comparing the image direction based on punch hole detection with the standard staple position data Image direction NG recovery 6.2.6 When an image exists at a punch hole position based on punch hole detection 6.3.1 Selection control of punch hole or staple hole identification detection of a document according to the image forming mode 6.3 2.2 Detecting punch holes in the document and erasing punch holes when forming an image on the recording sheet 6.3.3 Detecting staple holes in the document and erasing staple holes when forming an image on the recording sheet 6.3.4 Sorting operation After completion, when the manual stapling instruction is input, when the staple position is NG based on various data 7. A detection method for efficiently performing image orientation by performing detection in the order of margin detection, layout detection, and character recognition detection . 1. Schematic Configuration of Digital Copier according to Embodiment 1.1 Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the digital copier, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view of a writing unit in the digital copier.

First, a schematic structure of a digital copying machine will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, the digital copying machine includes a copying machine body (I) and an automatic document feeder [ADF].
II, a sorter with a stapler, a sorter stapler (III), and a double-sided reversing unit (IV). The copying machine body (I)
Includes a scanner unit, a writing unit, a photoconductor unit, a developing unit, a paper feeding unit, and the like. The configuration and operation of each unit will be described below.

1.2 Scanner Unit The scanner unit is equipped with the first mirror that is equipped with the reflecting mirror 1, the light source 3, and the first mirror 2 and moves at a constant speed, and the second mirror 4 and the third mirror 5. Then, it has a second scanner that moves following the first scanner at half the speed of the first scanner. An original document (not shown) on the contact glass 9 is optically scanned by the first scanner and the second scanner, and the reflected image is guided to the lens 7 through the color filter 6 and then on the one-dimensional solid-state image sensor 8. Image.

A fluorescent lamp, a halogen lamp or the like is used as the light source 3, and a fluorescent lamp is generally used because of its stable wavelength and long life. In this embodiment, the reflecting mirror 1 is attached to one light source 3, but two or more light sources 3 may be used. Since the solid-state image sensor 8 has a constant sampling clock, the fluorescent lamp will adversely affect the image unless it is lit at a higher frequency.

Generally, the solid-state image pickup device 8 is C
CD is used. Since the image signal read by the solid-state image sensor 8 is an analog value, it is analog / digital (A / D) converted, and various image processings (binarization, multi-value conversion, gradation processing, Magnification processing, editing processing, etc.) is performed and converted into a digital signal as a set of spots. In order to obtain color image information, in the present embodiment, a color filter 6 that transmits only necessary color information is arranged so that it can be taken in and out along the optical path guided from the document to the solid-state image sensor 8. Color filter 6 according to the scanning of the document
It is possible to make various kinds of copies by taking out and putting in and using the functions such as multiple transfer and double-sided copy each time. Also, R (red), G (green),
There is a case where a color original is read using a 3-line CCD or the like in order to obtain three pieces of B (blue) information at the same time.

1.3 Writing Unit Image information after image processing is written on the photoconductor drum 40 in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of laser light in the optical writing unit. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view showing the writing unit. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 20 is converted into a parallel light flux by the collimator lens 21 and shaped into a constant light flux by the aperture 32. The shaped laser light enters the polygon mirror 24 in a form compressed by the first cylinder lens 22 in the sub-scanning direction. The polygon mirror 24 has an accurate polygonal shape and is rotated in a certain direction at a constant speed by a polygon motor 25. This rotation speed is determined by the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 40, the writing density, and the number of faces of the polygon mirror 24. The reflected laser light incident on the polygon mirror 24 is reflected by the polygon mirror 2.
It is deflected by the rotation of 4. The deflected laser light is f
The θ lenses 26a and 26b sequentially enter. fθ lens 2
Reference numerals 6a and 26b denote scanning lights with a constant angle for the photoconductor drum 40.
The photosensitive drum 40 is converted so as to scan at a constant speed.
An image is formed so that the light spot becomes the minimum light spot, and a face tilt correction mechanism is also provided.

The laser light that has passed through the fθ lenses 26a and 26b is guided to the synchronization detection light entrance portion (synchronization detection plate) 30 by the synchronization detection mirror 29 outside the image area, propagated to the sensor portion by the optical fiber, and then in the main scanning direction. Sync detection is performed as a reference for cueing, and a sync signal is output. The image data for one line is output after a fixed time after the synchronization signal is output, and one image is formed by repeating this process.

In FIG. 2, 27 is a mirror and 31 is a mirror.
Is a lens holding unit.

1.4 Photosensitive Member A photosensitive layer is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 40.
As a photosensitive layer having sensitivity to a semiconductor laser (wavelength 780 nm), an organic photoconductor (OPC), α-Si, Se-T
e and the like are known, and the organic photoreceptor (OPC) is used in this embodiment. Generally, in the case of laser writing, there are two types, a negative / positive (N / P) process of shining light on the image part and a positive / positive (P / P) process of shining light on the background part. N / P process is adopted.

The charging charger 41 is of the scorotron type having a grid on the photoconductor side, and is a photoconductor drum 40.
The surface of the image forming device is uniformly (-) charged, and the image forming portion is irradiated with laser light to reduce the potential of the portion. Then, the background portion of the surface of the photosensitive drum 40 has a potential of about −750 to −800 V and the image portion has a potential of about −500 V, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. This is the developing device 42a, 4
In 2b, a bias voltage of -500 to -600 V is applied to the developing roller, and toner charged in (-) is attached to visualize the electrostatic latent image.

1.5 Developing Section The apparatus of this embodiment includes two developing units, a main developing unit 42a and a sub developing unit 42b. In the case of a single black color, the sub-developing device 42b and the toner replenishing device 43b are removed. In this embodiment having two developing devices, the main developing device 4
The black toner is put into the toner replenishing device 43a paired with 2a, and the color toner is put into the toner replenishing device 43b paired with the sub-developing device 42b. Selective development is performed by changing the position.

By using such a developing device, color information can be read by switching the color filter 6 of the scanner, and the multi-transfer and double-sided copying functions of the paper conveyance system can be combined to perform multifunctional color copying and color editing. Becomes Development of three or more colors can be achieved by a method of arranging three or more developing devices around the photosensitive drum 40, a revolver system of rotating and switching three or more developing devices, and the like.

The image visualized by the developing devices 42a and 42b is transferred onto the surface of the paper synchronously sent to the photosensitive drum 40 from the back surface of the paper by a (+) charge by the transfer charger 44. It The transferred paper is AC-eliminated by a separation charger 45 which is held integrally with the transfer charger 44, and separated from the photosensitive drum 40. The toner remaining on the photoconductor drum 40 without being transferred to the paper is scraped off from the photoconductor drum 40 by the cleaning blade 47 and collected in the attached tank 48. Further, the potential pattern remaining on the photoconductor drum 40 is erased by irradiating it with light from a charge eliminating lamp.

A photo sensor 50 is provided at a position immediately after the development. The photo sensor 50 is composed of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and detects the reflection density on the surface of the photosensitive drum 40. This is a fixed pattern in the optical writing part (eg black or halftone dot pattern)
Is written in a position corresponding to the photosensor reading position, and the image density is judged from the ratio of the reflectance of the pattern portion after development and the reflectance of the photosensitive drum 40 other than the pattern portion. Give a signal. Further, it is possible to detect that the remaining amount of toner is insufficient by utilizing the fact that the density does not increase even after replenishment.

1.6 Paper Feeding Unit In the present embodiment, a plurality of cassettes 60a, 60b, 60c are provided, and the paper once transferred can be passed through the re-feeding loop 72 for double-sided copying or re-feeding. .

When one of the cassettes 60a, 60b and 60c is selected and then the start button is pressed, the paper feed rollers 61 (61a, 61b and 61c) in the vicinity of the selected cassette 60 are selected. ) Rotates and is fed until the leading edge of the paper hits the registration roller 62. Although the registration roller 62 is stopped at this time, the registration roller 62 starts rotating at the timing of the image position formed on the photoconductor drum 40, and feeds the paper to the peripheral surface of the photoconductor drum 40. After that, the toner image is transferred to the paper at the transfer unit, suctioned and conveyed by the separation / conveyance unit 63, and the transferred toner image is transferred onto the paper surface by a fixing roller composed of a pair of a heat roller 64 and a pressure roller 65. Establish.

The paper thus transferred is guided by the switching claw 67 to the paper exit on the sorter (III) side during normal copying. On the other hand, during multiple copy, the switching claws 68, 69
The direction is changed by and the sheet passes through the lower sheet re-feeding loop 72 without being discharged to the sorter (III) side, and is guided to the registration roller 62 again.

The case of double-sided copying will be described. The switching claw 67 guides the paper downward, and the next switching claw 69 guides the paper to the tray 70 further below the re-feed loop 72. Then, by reversing the roller 71, it is fed again in the opposite direction, and the switching pawl 69
Is guided to the sheet re-feeding loop 72 and fed to the registration roller 62.

1.7 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF) The original placed on the original table 100 is called by the calling roller 104. The called originals are pressed against each other, and pull-out rollers 105, 106 and a separation belt 1 wound around the pull-out rollers 105.
Double feeding is prevented by the action of 07, and the single guide plate 10
Sent along 8. The document fed along the guide plate 108 is fed to the contact glass 9 by the belt conveying device 125.
Is sent to a predetermined exposure position and stopped.

The belt transport device 125 is a drive roller 10.
The belt 10 is wound around the driven roller 110 and the driven roller 110, the insertion position of the document is set by the fixed roller 111, and the document is pressed against the contact glass 9 by the pressure roller.
Have two. Hereinafter, description of known operations will be omitted.

1.8 Sorter Stapler (III) Entrance guide plates 1101 and 1102 are provided at the receiving port A on the copy discharged from the copying machine, and for conveying on the copy following the entrance guide plates 1101 and 1102. A switching claw 1103 is provided. The path above the switching claw 1103 has an inlet guide plate 1101 and a guide plate 111.
0, 1114, transport roller 1108, driven roller 1109,
The upper transport unit 1100 is provided with a discharge roller 1111, a driven roller 1115, and a proof tray 1116. Further, the path below the switching claw 1103 is a slanting portion guide plate 1205, a slanting portion driven guide plate 1217, a lower conveyance portion guide plate 1308, and driven guide plates 1309 and 131.
0, oblique receiving roller 1201, oblique roller 1202,
Oblique part discharge roller 1203, driven rollers 1214, 121
6, a ball 1215, conveyance rollers 1301 and 1302, driven rollers 1305 and 1306, and an inclined portion 1200 that follows the path of the deflection portion B.

The deflection claw 1312 and the deflection portion discharge roller 130 are provided at positions corresponding to the respective bins 1350 of the deflection portion B path.
4 are provided respectively, and the driven roller 1307 is in pressure contact with the deflecting portion discharge roller 1304 and the copy vertical conveyance path. The transport roller 1108 and the discharge roller 1111 are driven by a proof motor 1117, and the oblique receiving roller 1201, the oblique roller 1202, and the oblique discharging roller 1 are provided.
A drive motor 1313 drives 203, the conveyance rollers 1301 and 1302, and the deflection portion discharge roller 1304.

The description of the post-processing unit such as the stapler mechanism and the punch mechanism and the double-sided reversing unit will be omitted. Further, 46 is a separation claw, 80 is a main motor,
81 is a fan motor.

1.9 Electrical Equipment Control Section FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are block diagrams showing the control unit of the copying machine, and FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b) are control block diagrams of the entire copying system. In FIG. 4, the control unit has two CPUs. The CPU (a) 200 controls the sequence and the CPU (b) 201 controls the operation. CPU (a) 200 and C
PU (b) 201 is a serial interface (R
S232C). 4, 202 is an image control circuit, 203 is a signal switching gate array, 204 is an operation unit unit, 205 is an editor, 206 is a scanner control circuit, 207 is a page memory, 208 is an image processing unit, and 209 is a calendar I.
C and 210 are application systems, and 211 is a laser beam scanner unit.

In FIG. 5, the same parts as those described above are designated by the same reference numerals, 220 is a main control plate, 221 is a paper feed control plate, 222 is a sorter control plate, 223 is a double-sided control plate, 22
Reference numeral 4 is an ADF control plate.

1.9.1 Sequence Control First, sequence control will be described. The sequence sets and outputs conditions related to the paper transport timing and image formation.The paper size sensor, paper transport sensors such as paper discharge detection and registration detection, duplex units, high-voltage power supply units, relays, solenoids, motors, etc. A driver, sorter unit, laser unit, scanner unit, etc. are connected.

Regarding the sensor, a paper size sensor that detects the size and direction of the paper loaded in the paper feed cassette and outputs an electric signal according to the detection result, a sensor related to paper conveyance such as registration detection and paper discharge detection, an oil end, There is input from a sensor that detects the presence or absence of supply such as toner end, and a sensor that detects machine abnormality such as door open and fuse blown.

Further, in the duplex unit, a motor for aligning the width of the paper, a paper feed clutch, a solenoid for changing the conveying path, a paper presence / absence detection sensor, a side fence home position sensor for aligning the paper width, a paper There are sensors related to the conveyance of the.

The high-voltage power supply unit applies predetermined high-voltage power to the outputs of the charging charger, the transfer charger, the separation charger, and the developing bias electrode only by the duty obtained by the PWM control. The PWM control is controlled so that the feedback value of each high-voltage power output is converted into a digital value by A / D conversion and becomes equal to the target value. The drivers include a paper feed clutch, a registration clutch, a counter, a motor, a toner replenishing solenoid, a power relay, and a fixing heater. It is connected to the sorter unit via a serial interface, and the paper is conveyed at a predetermined timing by a signal from the sequence and discharged to each bin.

To the analog input, a fixing temperature, a photo sensor input, a laser diode monitor input, a laser diode reference voltage, a feedback value of an output value from various high voltage power supplies, and the like are input. On / off control or phase control of the heater is performed by an input from a thermistor in the fixing unit so that the temperature of the fixing unit becomes constant. The photosensor input is a photopattern input at a predetermined timing by a phototransistor, and by detecting the density of the pattern, the toner replenishment clutch is turned on / off to control the toner density. The toner end is also detected based on this density.

The analog input of the A / D converter and the CPU is used as a mechanism for adjusting the power of the laser diode to be constant. This is a preset reference voltage (this voltage is controlled in this embodiment so that the monitor voltages when the laser diode is turned on are matched.

Next, the operation-related control will be described. The main CPU (b) 201 controls a plurality of serial ports and the calendar IC 209. In addition to the sequence control CPU (a) 200, the operation unit unit 204, the scanner control circuit 206,
The application system 210, the editor 205, etc. are connected. The operation unit unit 204 has a display for displaying the operator's key input and the status of the copying machine,
The key input information is notified to the main CPU (b) 201 by serial communication. Based on this information, the main CPU (b) 201 determines whether the indicator of the operation unit unit 204 is turned on, turned off, or blinks, and serially transmits to the operation unit unit 204. The operation unit CPU turns on, turns off, and blinks the display according to the information from the main CPU (b) 201. Furthermore, the CPU that performs the sequence control at the start of copying by determining the operating conditions of the machine from the obtained information
(A) The information is transmitted to 200.

In the scanner section (scanner control circuit 206), information relating to scanner servo motor drive control, image processing, and image reading is serially transmitted to the main CPU (b) 201, and ADF (ADF control board 224).
And the interface processing of the main CPU (b) 201 is performed.

The application (application system 210) is an external device (fax, printer,
Etc.) and the main CPU (b) 201 is an interface, and exchanges preset information contents. The editor 205 is a unit for inputting an editing function, and stores image editing data (masking, trimming, image shift, etc.) input by the operator in the main CPU (b).
Serial transmission to 201. Calendar IC209 is
It stores the date and time, and the main CPU (b) 201
Since it can be called at any time, it is possible to control the power on / off of the machine by a timer by displaying the current time on the operation unit display and setting the on / off time of the machine.

1.9.2 Image Data Processing Next, the flow of image data processing will be described. The gate array 203 receives image data (DATA0 to DATA0) in the following three directions in response to a select signal from the CPU (b) 201.
7) and a sync signal are output.

1) Scanner control circuit 206 → image control circuit 202 In this case, an image signal continuously transmitted by 8-bit data from the scanner (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) is synchronized by the laser beam scanner unit 211. Signal PM
Synchronize with SYNC and output to the image control circuit.

2) Scanner control circuit 206 → application 210 In this case, an image signal continuously sent from the scanner as 8-bit data (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) is output in parallel to the application 210. The application 210 outputs the input image data to an output device such as a printer connected to the outside.

3) Application 210 → image control circuit 202 In this case, the application 210 is continuously transmitted as 8-bit data (however, it can be 4 bits or 1 bit) from an externally connected input device (fax or the like). The image signal is synchronized with the synchronization signal PMSYNC from the laser beam scanner unit 211 and output to the image control circuit.
In this case, when the image signal from the outside is 1 bit or 4 bits, it is necessary to perform a process of converting it into 8-bit data.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the image scanner section. The analog image signal output from the CCD image sensor 250 is an image preprocessor (IPP) 2
The signal processing circuit 252 inside 51 amplifies and corrects the light amount, and the A / D converter 253 converts the signal into a digital multilevel signal. This signal is subjected to correction processing by the shading correction circuit 254, and the image processing unit (I
PU) 255.

Image process unit (IPU) 25
A schematic block diagram of No. 5 is shown in FIG. The image signal applied to the IPU 255 is high-frequency emphasized by the MTF correction circuit 270, electrically scaled by the scaling circuit 271, and the γ conversion circuit 272.
Applied to. The γ conversion circuit 272 optimizes the input characteristics according to the characteristics of the machine. γ conversion circuit 272
The image signal output from is converted into a predetermined quantization level by SW1 of the data depth switching mechanism. This switching mechanism switches to the three data types shown in FIG.
The 4-bit conversion circuit 273 outputs 4-bit data,
The binarization circuit 274 converts the input 8-bit multi-valued data into binary data by a preset fixed threshold value, and outputs 1-bit data. Dither circuit 275
Is 1-bit data and creates an area gradation. SW1 is 3
DATA0-DATA by selecting one of the two data types
Output as 7.

Returning to FIG. 6 again, the scanner control circuit 206
Controls the fluorescent lamp ballast (lamp control circuit) 256, the timing control circuit 257, the electric scaling circuit of the IPU 255, and the scanner drive motor 258 in accordance with an instruction from the main CPU (b) 201. Fluorescent ballast 256
According to an instruction from the scanner control circuit 206, the fluorescent lamp 1 is turned on / off and the light amount is controlled. Scanner drive motor 2
A rotary encoder 259 is connected to the drive shaft of 58, and the position sensor 260 detects the reference position of the sub-scanning drive mechanism. The electric scaling circuit is the scanner control circuit 20.
According to the magnification on the main scanning side set by 6, the electrical scaling processing is performed.

The timing control circuit 257 outputs each signal according to the instruction from the scanner control circuit 206. That is, when reading is started, the CCD image sensor (C
The CD) 250 is supplied with a transfer signal for transferring data for one line to the shift register and a shift clock pulse for outputting the data in the shift register bit by bit. The pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK, the main scanning synchronization pulse LSYNC, and the main scanning effective period signal LGATE are output to the image reproduction system control unit.

This pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK is C
The signal is almost the same as the shift clock pulse given to the CD image sensor 250. Also, the main scanning synchronization pulse L
SYNC is almost the same signal as the main scanning synchronization signal PMSYNC output from the beam sensor of the image writing unit, but is output in synchronization with the pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK. The main scanning effective period signal LGATE becomes the high level H at the timing when it is considered that the output data DATA0 to DATA7 are effective data.

In this example, the CCD image sensor 2
50 outputs valid data of 4800 bits per line. The scanner control circuit 206 is the main CPU
(B) When receiving the reading start instruction from 201, the fluorescent lamp for illumination 1 is turned on, the scanner driving motor 258 is started, the timing control circuit 257 is controlled, and the reading of the CCD image sensor 250 is started. Further, the sub-scanning effective period signal FGATE is set to the high level H.
This signal FGATE becomes low level L after the time required to scan the maximum reading length (dimension in the A size longitudinal direction in this example) in the sub-scanning direction after being set to high level H.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the memory system of this apparatus. The image signal from the CCD 250 is output as 8-bit data through an image preprocessor (IPP) 251 having functions of shading correction, black level correction, and light amount correction. This data is a multiplexer (1)
Selected by (MUX1) 280, has spatial frequency high frequency enhancement (MTF correction) function, speed conversion function (magnification), γ conversion function, data depth conversion function (8 bit / 4 bit / 1 bit conversion) Image process unit (IPU) 2
It is processed at 55 and output to the printer PR through the MUX (3) 282. Reference numeral 281 is a MUX (2), and 283 is a memory device (MEM).

In a system having a frame memory for image data, the image data from the IPU 255 is temporarily stored in the memory device (MEM) 283 as shown in FIG.
When necessary, it is taken out from the memory device (MEM) 283 and output to the printer (PR). Also,
Image data from IPU255 is printed by printer (PR)
To the memory device (MEM) 283 while simultaneously outputting to the memory device (MEM) 283 and outputting the second and subsequent copies.
The method using image data from 83 was also common.

The present apparatus is configured so that the data flow shown in FIG. 11 is possible so that both the processed data and the raw data from the IPU 255 can be taken into the memory device 283. That is, the three multiplexers (MUX1, MUX2, MUX3) 280, 281, 2 of FIG.
The data flow can be changed by switching 82. For example, one scan of the scanner causes a plurality of I
When outputting a copy in which the parameters of the PU 255 are changed, it can be achieved by the following procedure. Set MUX (1) to A when scanning the scanner, and
(2) is set to B, MUX (3) is set to A, and the first sheet is output. At this time, the raw data enters the memory device (MEM) 283 through the MUX (2). For the second and subsequent sheets, MUX (1) is set to B, data from the memory device (MEM) 283 is put into the IPU 255, and is output to the printer (PR) through the MUX (3). At this time, the IPU parameter can be changed every time one copy is made.

When holding compact data such as 1-bit data, set MUX (2) to A and set I to I.
The output of the PU 255 is loaded into the memory device. In this case, the printer device switches to the binary data (1 bit) mode and copies. EXTIN and EXTOUT in FIG. 9 are an image data input signal from the outside and an output signal to the outside.

In FIG. 12, a compressor (COMP) 290 and an expander (EXP) 291 are arranged in a memory unit (Memory).
(Unit) 292 is inserted before and after so that compressed data other than the actual data can be stored. In this configuration, the compressor (COMP) 290 and the decompressor (EXP) 291 need to operate according to the speed of the scanner and the printer, respectively. Multiplexers MUX (4) 293 and MUX for storing actual data
(5) Set 294 to A and B to use compressed data. 295 is an error detector.

The memory unit 292 shown in FIG.
It has a configuration like 3. Data width converters 300 and 301 are provided at the input and output of a memory block (Memory Block) 302 in order to handle the three image data types of FIG. 14 and code data that is compressed data. Direct memory controller (DMC1, DM
C2) 303 and 304 write data to a predetermined address of the memory block 302 according to the number of packed data and the memory data width, and perform a read operation.

FIG. 14 shows the data type of image data as described above. Usually from a scanner,
Alternatively, the speed of image data to the printer is constant regardless of 8-bit data, 4-bit data, or 1-bit data. That is, the period of 1 pixel is fixed in the device. In this device, M of 8 data lines
It is defined as 1-bit data, 4-bit data, 8-bit data and MSB-filled from the SB side. The blocks for packing and unpacking this data into the data width (16 bits) of the memory block are the input data width converter and the output data width converter. By packing, the memory can be used according to the data depth, and the memory device can be effectively used.

In FIG. 15, a pixel process unit (PPU) 310 is arranged outside the memory unit 292 instead of the compressor (COMP) 290 and the decompressor (EXP) 291. The function of the PPU 310 is to perform logical operations between image data (for example, AND, OR, EXOR, N
The unit realizing OT) can calculate the memory output data and the input data and output the same to the printer, and the memory output and the input data (for example, scan data) can be calculated and stored in the memory unit 292 again. Switching between output destination printer and memory unit 292 is MUX
(6) 311 and MUX (7) 312. This function is generally used for image synthesis, for example, the memory unit 2
It is used for putting overlay data on 92 and overlaying the scanner data with the overlay data.

FIG. 16 shows a configuration for storing image data using an external storage device. When saving image data to a floppy disk
From XTOUT through the interface (I / F) 320, a file controller (File Control)
output to a floppy disk controller (FDC) 322 controlled by the L. er) 321 and stored in a floppy disk on a floppy disk drive (FDD) 323. Under the control of the file controller 321, there is a hard disk controller (HDC) 324 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 325, which can be read and written on the storage medium of the hard disk. A hard disk drive (HDD) 325 stores commonly used format data and overlay data so that they can be used as needed.

FIG. 17 shows a configuration in which 100% recovery can be performed when the processing speeds of compression and expansion cannot be met in time. The memory unit 292 receives the compressed data and image data at the same time as the scanner scans. The incoming data is stored in different memory areas, but the compressed data is directly input to the decompressor (EXP) 291 and decompressed. By the time all the data of one page is stored in the memory unit 292, the compressor (CO
When the processing time of the MP) 290 and the decompressor (EXP) 291 ends normally in time, only the memory area of compressed data remains and the area of raw data is canceled. if,
The error detection circuit (Error Detect) 295 is a compressor (COMP) 290 or an expander (EXP) 291.
When an error signal from is detected, the compressed data area is immediately canceled and raw data is adopted.

The memory management unit (MMU) 330 is
This is a unit for controlling the memory so that two input data and one output data can be simultaneously input / output to / from the memory unit 292. By testing the compression and decompression in real time, high speed and reliability and effective use of the memory area became possible. In this embodiment, the memory management unit (MMU) 330 enables dynamic allocation of the memory area.
You may have two memory units, one for raw data and one for compressed data.

The configuration of FIG. 17 is most suitable for applications such as electronic sorting in which a plurality of pages are stored and output to a printer in real time, in which both the number of stored pages and the printing speed must be compatible.

1.9.3 Application Unit A block diagram of the application unit will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b). This example is APL1 (file unit), APL2 (FAX unit), APL3
(ON / OFF printer unit), APL4 (LA
N), APL5 (image direction recognition unit), display (T /
S, LCD). First, the base part will be described. Since the engine I / F 340 sends the image data serially, the image data is converted into parallel here. Further, the parallel data in the page memory 341 is converted into serial data by the engine I / F 340 and sent to EXTIN. The control signal is serial and the engine I / F3
40 to the system bus via SCI (serial communication interface) 342. In this example, the page memory 341 has a size of one page of A3 and converts it into a BIT image, and also arbitrates the data speed of EXTIN and EXTOUT and the processing speed of the CPU. The scaling circuit 343 is a page memory 34.
In order to perform high-speed processing for enlarging or reducing the data on 1 in this circuit, the DMAC 344 is used to perform high-speed processing without going through the CPU 352. Rotation control is, for example, FAX transmission for A4 vertical document and A
In the case of 4 horizontal lines, the sending side automatically reduces the size by 71% and then sends it, which makes the receiving side difficult to see. In order to prevent this, when the size is the above, the transmission original is rotated by 90 degrees to be converted into A4 landscape and transmitted at the same size.

Another object is that when receiving and outputting, when the receiving size is A4 landscape and the cassette size is A4 portrait, the rotation control unit rotates the output image by 90 degrees and converts it to A4 portrait and outputs it. This eliminates the need to distinguish between vertical and horizontal cassettes.

The CEP 345 is a circuit having functions of image data compression, expansion, and through. Bus arbiter 3
Reference numeral 46 carries out processing of sending data from the AGDC 385 to the image bus and sending to the system bus. Timer 348
Has a function of generating a predetermined clock. RTC34
Reference numeral 9 is a clock that generates the current time. The console is a terminal for control, and in addition to reading and rewriting data inside the system, this terminal can also develop software using a debug tool which is one function of the internal OS. The ROM 350 has basic functions such as an OS. The RAM 351 is mainly used for working. This unit performs basic control of this system.

1.9.3.1 About APL1 SCSI 360 is HDD (hard disk) 325, O
It is an I / F for a DD (optical disk) 361 and an FDD (floppy disk) 323. ROM362 is SCSI
HDD 325, ODD361, FDD3 via 360
It contains software for controlling 23 and filing system.

1.9.3.2 APL2 is a unit for FAX control and includes the following parts. G4
The FAX controller 370 is a unit that controls the protocol for G4, and this unit is a unit that supports class 1, class 2, and class 3 of G4. Needless to say, ISDN is also supported and 2 in NET64.
B + 1D (64KBx2 + 16KB) line, so G4 / G4, G4 / G3, G3 / G3, G4 only, G3
Only one of them can be selected. G3FA
The X controller 371 is a unit that controls the protocol for G3, and in this part, the G3F by analog line is used.
It also has a AX protocol, a modem that converts digital signals to analog signals. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 372 has a function of dialing or receiving an incoming call from the other party when connecting to the other party using an exchange. SAF (Store and Forward) 373
Stores image data (including merge data, code data, etc.) when transmitting and receiving a FAX.

This unit is a semiconductor memory or HDD 3
25, ODD361, etc. are used. The ROM 374 contains a program for controlling the APL2. Further, the RAM 375 is used for these works and at the same time is made non-volatile by a battery. In this, the other party's telephone number, the other party's name, data for controlling the FAX function, etc. are stored, and the T / S of the display unit, It can be easily set using the LCD.

1.9.3.3 APL3 This is a control unit for an online printer and an offline printer. FDC (floppy disk controller)
Reference numeral 380 controls the floppy disk 381. Recent floppy has SCSI support,
Here, the SCSI and ST506 interfaces are supported. An SCI (Serial Communication Interface) 382 is used to connect to a HOST computer. The Centro I / F 383 is also similar to the SCI 382. The emulation card 384 performs the following functions. When looking at the printer from HOST, it is currently made by NEC,
It is sold by many manufacturers such as EPSON, and the way each of them is changed slightly. If the functions of these printers are not the same when viewed from the HOST, HO
The software used in ST may stop running.
In order to eliminate such a problem, an emulation card 384 is attached so that the software contained in the emulation card 384 can operate as a printer of each manufacturer when viewed from the HOST.

An AGDC (Advanced Graphics Display Controller) 385 stores the code data sent from the HOST in the CGROM 386 and the CG card 3.
FONT image in 87 page memory 341 at high speed
It will be deployed to. The ROM 388 contains software for controlling these. CGROM (Character Generator ROM) 389 is an FO corresponding to code data.
It contains NT data. The FONT format contains data such as outline FONT. The CG card 387 is an external CGFONT, and the contents are CG
It is similar to the ROM 386. Reference numeral 395 is a RAM.

1.9.3.4 A unit that controls the LAN for the APL4 . Here, the LAN controller 390 controls the currently operating LANs such as the Ethernet, omni, and star run. Naturally A
The PL2 (FAX) and APL4 (LAN) work in the background even when other APLs are operating. Three
Reference numeral 91 is a CPU.

1.9.3.5 APL 5 is a unit for identifying the image direction of the image read by the scanner. Reference numeral 400 is a page memory, 401 is an area memory, 402 is a database, 403 is a CPU, 404 is a ROM, and 405 is a RAM.

1.9.3.6 Display In this unit, LCD 410 and touch switch (T /
S) is controlled. The LCD 410 can display graphics and characters, and the CG 412 therein has ANK and kanji second-level codes built therein. The TSC 413 is a touch switch controller, which controls T / S. The T / S is divided by an X and Y grid, and the size of the switch used by the operator is TSC41.
It can be freely set by determining the number of grids for one key by 3. Further, the LCD 410 and the T / S have a two-layer structure, so that the key size and the key frame of the LCD 410 can correspond to each other. Also, 414 is a CP
U, 415 is SCI, 416 is ROM, 417 is RA
M, 418 are LCDC, and 419 is DPRAM.

FIG. 19 shows an example of the display. As fixed keys, there are a ten key 430 for setting the number of copies and the like, a start key 431 for starting copy, and user-settable function keys 432, 433, 434. This function key allows the user to freely set the mode. For example, the key 432 is assigned a sort mode, the key 433 is assigned a staple mode, the key 434 is assigned a double-sided mode, and the like. The display is the number of copies display 43
5 and the set number display 436 are fixed displays, and other displays are displayed on the LCD 410. Also, the LCD 41
Reference numeral 0 is a touch switch, and it becomes possible to select a mode by pressing an object displayed on the LCD 410.

Next, the operation of the APL will be described. 1.9.4 Fax Operation First, the fax operation will be described. This FAX is M
It has the functions of F, G2, G3 and G4 and the transmission density is 3.8.
5, 7.7, 15.4 lines / mm and 20 for G4
It is possible to perform density conversion with each other by supporting 0, 240, 300, 400 dpi and using the scaling function. In addition, memory transmission / reception, relay, confidential reception, polling, etc. can be realized using the SAF memory, and further, memory transmission, memory reception, reception output, etc. can be performed simultaneously while storing transmission originals in the memory. Will be described. By setting the manuscript and pressing the start key 431,
Dial the other party in the RAM 375 of the APL2 to call the other party. When it is known that the other party is a FAX, the document reading operation starts. If the start key 431 is pressed when there is no document, a display prompting the user to reset the document is displayed. By the document reading start operation, the scanner operates to read the document, and the data is output to the terminal of EXTOUT via the individual circuits in FIG. At this time, by selecting MUX (1) and MUX (3), the IPU
You can choose to use 255 or not
The internal functions of 255 can be freely selected by the program.
This signal enters the engine I / F 340 of FIG. 18 and stores it in the page memory 341 according to the bit size of the page memory 341 (EXTOUT is sent in a multi-value of 8 bits per pixel. Memory 341
Is compatible with 16 bits, and the bit configuration is different, so adjust here).

The data from the scanner is the page memory 34.
When entering 1, SA of APL2 while compressing this data
Accumulates in F memory. By transmitting the data from the scanner while accumulating in the SAF 373 in this way,
The following characteristics are obtained. Reading from the scanner is A4
One size can be read in about 2 seconds. In contrast,
It takes about 9 seconds to send an A4 size G3. Thus, the transmission time is about 4.5 times longer than the reading time. As in this embodiment, a copying machine, FA
In the device that can be used in combination with X, printer, etc.,
For example, if the next person wants to make a copy while sending a fax,
I want to finish the job of fax transmission quickly. However, FAX transmission may be sent faster or slower depending on the performance of the partner machine. As in the present embodiment, the read data is SAF373.
By transmitting while accumulating, it is possible to increase the apparent transmission speed. Further, since the transmitted document is stored in the SAF memory, the image can be correctly sent by resending and re-calling when an error occurs during transmission, the line is disconnected, or the like. In this way, the data stored in the SAF 373 is transferred to the G3 fax,
Or it can be accessed from the G4 fax unit.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of the IPU 255 shown in FIG. 20. In addition to the circuit shown in FIG.
40, marker editing circuit 441, outline circuit 44
2. The error spreading circuit 443 and the like are provided.

Next, the reception of image information will be described. Figure 2
2 (a) and 2 (b), the received image data is the modem 4
At 50 it is converted to a digital signal. This is DCR45
The raw data is corrected via 1, and further compressed and stored in the SAF memory 452. At this time, the reason why the DCR 451 restores the raw data and then compresses it again is that the normal received data includes an error on the line.
This is because if the data is accumulated in 2, it is impossible to distinguish between a hardware error and a data error. When recompressing, a memory efficient method is used. The data stored in the SAF memory 452 is printed out for each page (it is also possible to output after storing one file by setting the mode).

In order to output from the SAF memory 452, it is necessary that the page memory 341 shown in FIG. 18 is not used by any other APL and that a copying machine is available. When these conditions are met, the data in the SAF memory 452 is CEP3.
The data is expanded to the page memory while returning to the raw data via 45. Select the optimum paper size after the development is completed. At this time, the data in the page memory 341 is A4 portrait, and when the optimum paper is A4 landscape, the page memory 3 is controlled by rotation control.
The data of 41 is rotated by 90 degrees and is output to the selected paper. With this function, until now A4 landscape paper has been
It is now possible to display a vertical image and prevent margins from appearing. This function can rotate not only the received output but also the image information read by the other device by 90 degrees not only in the output mode but also in the transmission mode.
In the case of 4 portraits, up to now it was sent at 71% reduction, but by incorporating 90 degree rotation it is possible to send at the same size and it will be easier to see on the receiving side.

Here, instead of the SAF memory 452, H
When the DD 325 is used, it becomes possible by using the SAF memory 452 as a buffer and driving the HDD 325 via the SCSI interface of the APL1. The basic operation of the FAX has been described above.

1.9.5 Image Processing Unit 1.9.5.1 Shift, Magnification, Rotation, Reverse Scan, Mi
If describing the function of the image processing of the base portion of the mirroring Figure 18 at block becomes Figure 23. As shown in FIG. 23, the image processing unit 208 can access the bitmap page memory 207. In order to leave the original document image, it is desirable that the bitmap page memory 207 has a memory for two sheets of the maximum document size that can be copied. That is, the original image data of the original is set in A of the bitmap page memory 207 of FIG. 23, and the image data processed by the image processing unit 208 is set in B. The input to the image processing unit 208 is the image data (video) bus 50.
0 and the image processing command 501.

The image data bus 500 is an 8-bit data bus, and has 8 bits for each pixel, that is, 256 density gradations. The image processing command is input via the system bus from a system controller [CPU (b) 201 in FIG. 4] that controls a system not shown in this figure. A code is determined for each function of image processing, and for example, in the case of image shift, a shift code, a shift direction, and a shift dimension are transmitted from the system controller. In addition, the scaling function, the scaling command,
The X-axis scaling factor and the Y-axis scaling factor are sequentially transmitted. Of course, in the case of normal scaling, the X-axis scaling code and the Y-axis scaling code have the same value. In addition, a rotation angle code is added to the rotation command.

When reverse scanning is performed by the scanner, image mirroring is required. In this case, the mirroring command or the reverse scan command and the reference axis information at the time of mirroring are transmitted.

An explanatory diagram of the bitmap memory 207 is shown in FIG.
4 shows. In the read image data, 1 byte is assigned as an address for each pixel. The 1-byte data is the above-mentioned image density data. The byte size is
297m in the main scanning direction when the maximum document size is A3
m, the sub-scanning direction is 420 mm, and the resolution is 400 dpi, the main scanning direction is (297 / 25.4) × 400 = 46.
78 bytes In the sub-scanning direction, (420 ÷ 25.4) × 400 = 66
Therefore, in order to store the bitmap image for one A3 original, it is required to store 4678 × 6615 = approximately 30 Mbytes.

Here, for easy understanding, an array is defined for the main scanning direction, the sub scanning direction, and the density gradation of each bitmap, and the main scanning direction is X, the sub scanning direction is Y, and the density gradation is defined. Z and each bit is DIM (X, Y, Z). The point A shown in FIG. 24 is (0, 0, 0), and the point B is (46
78,0,0) and the point C is (6615,4678,0).

Next, the operation processing method of the image processing unit 208 in response to a command from the system controller will be described.

1.9.5.2 Shift First, when a shift command is received, the direction to shift and the mm size to shift are transmitted at the same time. Calculate the number of dots to shift from the mm dimension to shift. Based on the shift direction data, it is determined whether it is the forward direction in the main scanning X direction (direction in which the value of X in the array increases) or the backward direction, or the forward direction in the sub scanning Y direction, or the backward direction. When the above judgment is completed, the image processing operation is started. For example, main scan X
When a shift command of 25.4 mm is received in the forward direction, the number of shift dots is 400 dots. Then, the bit map data of the image is controlled by the DMA control in the image processing unit so that the bit map page memory A
To B. When transferred, the following processing is performed. A (X, Y, Z) = B (X + 400, Y, Z) X is processed from 0 to 4678-400, Y is 0
To 6615 are processed. Z is a byte DMA
In this case, since 0 to bit 7 are transferred at the same time, it need not be considered.

The shift amount from the system controller is determined as follows. In FIG. 28, when the image start position is X1, the X coordinate of the punch or staple position is 20 mm.
If the punch hole diameter is 6 mm, and if X1> (20 + 6/2) mm, the punch hole and the image do not overlap, so there is no need to shift. When X1 ≦ (20 + 6/2) mm 2, the punch hole and the image overlap. In this case, the image shift amount SFx is SFx = (20 + 6/2) −X1. This value is transmitted after the shift direction X-axis forward shift command. The same applies to staples.

On the other hand, when the image is spilled due to the SFx shift, that is, when the value of X2 in FIG. 28 is smaller than the shifted SFx. At this time, when the shift image is developed on the transfer paper, the image is cut off. In order not to cause image cutout, the original image must be reduced.

1.9.5.3 Scaling When a scaling process is received, for example, in the case of 50% reduction, even bytes for both X and Y are thinned and transferred from A to B. In the case of 99%, 0 to 98 of X and Y of A are transferred to B, and then 100 to 198 of X and Y of A are transferred to B. By doing so, one pixel out of 100 pixels is thinned out, resulting in 99% reduction. Similarly 98%
At this time, one pixel out of 50 pixels may be thinned out.

When performing enlargement, if the bits are enlarged as they are, the pixels become rough and become a mosaic shape. Therefore, in order to make this smooth (smoothing), interpolation or a spatial low-pass filter (after two-dimensional Fourier transform) is performed. It is common to perform processing such as high frequency attenuation and inverse Fourier transform). When an image is generated at the punch position and an image is cut off when the image is shifted and the image must be reduced, the magnification is determined as follows. If the original length of the original in the X-axis direction is Lx, then M (magnification) = (Lx− (20 + 6/2) / Lx. Normally, in order to keep the aspect ratio of the image constant, it is usual to change the magnification on both the X axis and the Y axis.

1.9.5.5.4 Rotation Rotation angle is transmitted in units of 90 degrees. In the case of 90 ° clockwise rotation, the pixel data at point A becomes the pixel at point B,
The pixel data of the image may be transferred from the memories A to B so that the pixel data of the point B becomes the pixel data of the point (4678, 4678). However, in this state, the number of pixels differs in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, so that in the case of 90 ° rotation, the pixels in the longitudinal direction (sub-scanning direction) overflow from the memory. However, since it also overflows from the transfer paper, this state may be left as it is when the reduction processing is not performed. However, in the case of reduction, the memory for the sub-scanning direction × the sub-scanning direction is required for the B page memory. Is becoming.

When the rotation angle is 180 degrees, the A pixel corresponds to the C pixel. Therefore, the conversion is: A (X, Y, Z) = B (6615-X, 4678-Y,
Z).

1.9.5.5 Reverse scan and mirror
In the mirroring, it is possible to obtain an image in which the image is mirror-finished with respect to a normal copy. This is useful in the design department as one application of image processing, but the following applications are also possible.

Normally, the scanner reads the document data from the document reference position and develops it in the memory. However, if the document size is known, the document is read from the opposite side of the document reference and developed in the memory. FIG. 25 shows the image information developed in the memory in the above-described normal scan (a, b). The diagonal lines and arrows from the left to the right of the document indicate the main scanning direction. FIG. 26 shows a view when the document is reversely scanned and developed in the memory ((a), (b)). Both of the pixels scanned first are (0, 0, 0) of the page memory 207 shown in FIG.
Be deployed to. When the M line in FIG. 26 is assumed to be a mirror and mirroring is performed on the memory, the result is (c) in FIG. This is based on the mirror axis information received at the same time as the reception of the mirroring command or the reverse scan command, for example, Y
If it is the axis information, the memory shown in FIG. 24 is transferred by the following calculation formula. A (X, Y, Z) = B (4678-X, Y, Z) In the case of mirroring on the X axis, A (X, Y, Z) = B (X, 6615-Y, Z). Originally placed upside down, the original document is reverse scanned and mirrored, and the situation is shown in Figure 27 (a) to (c).
Shown in.

In this description, the data is temporarily taken into the memory and mirrored, but it is also possible to output the M line as a mirror axis at the same time as reading in real time.
Even in a low-cost device that does not have a page memory, the image can be rotated by 180 degrees by a simple process.

1.10 Human Body Detection Sensor As shown in the overall block diagram of FIG.
A human body detection sensor 225 is connected to the. This detects whether the operator of the copier is in front of the copier. The installation location is the operation section of the copier,
Or near the display unit, the document table, and the front side surface. The sensor 225 is a reflection type sensor that is combined with an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor. This sensor 22
5 is used, for example, to turn on / off the control of preheating of the copying machine (which lowers the fixing temperature to save power when the machine is not in use), guidance explanation control, voice guidance on / off, and determination of machine operation control. Be seen.

The determination as to whether or not there is an operator is made as follows. The reflection type human body detection sensor 225 is configured such that the reflection object is turned on within about 1 m from the sensor. If the output of the sensor 225 is directly used as an operator presence signal, even when a person passes in front of the copying machine,
Since the operator instantaneously detects the presence of the operator, if the sensor output is continuously on for a certain period of time, it is determined that the operator is present. This certain time is generally 5
It is from 00 msec to 800 msec. Further, this time may be made as software by a timer of the CPU, or signal delay may be made by hardware of the sensor 225.

2. Image direction determination The image direction determination method is as follows: -Detect the edge blank area to recognize the image direction-Recognize the image direction by the layout judgment-Character direction judgment, recognize the image direction by the character recognition means-Punch There is a method of recognizing the image direction by detecting holes and staple holes and recognizing the image direction by detecting end blank areas.
The APL5 and various functional hardware of the base unit shown in FIG. Hereinafter, each method will be described in detail.

3. Recognition of image direction by detecting edge blank area
In a certain format, for example, in-house reports, applications submitted to government offices, etc., the blank area of the end face is determined to some extent. Also, documents created with a word processor are printed out by a printer, and binding margins are set for documents such as left margin settings.
If these originals are used, the image direction can be determined by determining the maximum blank area on the end face.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a method for detecting the number of pixels from the document edge surface to the image start position in order to detect the blank area on the edge surface. First, a method of detecting the image start position in the main scanning direction will be described.

The counter 510 uses the comparator 511 to select the level at which the pixels of the CCD 250 recognize white.
During the period when the output of the comparator 511 is present, the counter 510
The pixel clock 512 input to is counted. On the other hand, the output of the comparator 511 is also connected to the latch of the counter, and the pixel clock 51 is output every time the pixel signal changes from white to black.
2 latches the count value, and the counter latch 513 stores the count value. At this timing, the count of the pixel clock 512 is reset. Further, the count value is reset by the input of the line synchronization signal (LSYNC) 514. With such a circuit, the position where the image starts can be detected from the end of the document, and the position information is stored in the counter 510.
Are stored in the counter latch 513 of each pixel clock unit. To detect the number of white pixels at the trailing edge of the document, the value of the counter latch 513 may be read at the output timing of the document trailing edge signal. As a method of detecting the sub-scanning direction, the sub-scanning counter 515 may count the number of continuous main scans when the counter latch 513 has a value of the number of pixels corresponding to the document size. This counting is performed at the document end surface and the end portion according to the document size, and each sub-scanning counter 515
Remember the value of. On the other hand, this circuit can also be used to determine whether or not an original has an image. If no black pixels are recognized in the document size area (latch output cannot be obtained), the document can be recognized as blank. By the above means, X1, X2, Y1 and Y2 in FIG. 28 are detected.

A method of detecting the location of the blank area will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 28B shows the waveform of the main scanning for outputting the document shown in FIG. 28A at the timing of the sub-scanning L. From this waveform, X1 and X2 shown in the figure are compared. As shown in the figure, if X1> X2, it can be determined that a blank exists in the sub-scanning direction on the reference point side, and the document direction can be determined. In addition to this, attention is paid to an arbitrary plurality of pixels in the vertical direction or a single pixel in the main scanning direction, the signal change with respect to the time axis in the sub scanning direction is stored, and Y1 and Y2 are compared. If Y1> Y2, it can be determined that the vertical installation is correct.

The method for detecting the document direction will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart. A description will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 30 using X1 and X2 stored in the counter latch 513 and Y1 and Y2 stored in the sub-scanning counter 515. In step S1, X1 and X2 are compared. If X1 is larger than X2, step S2
Proceed to. In step S2, Y1 and Y2 are compared. Y
If 1 is larger than Y2, the process proceeds to step S3, and it is determined that the top and bottom of the document are properly set in the vertically written document. If n in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4,
It is judged to be upside down in horizontal writing. If n is determined in step S1, the process proceeds to step S5, and Y1 and Y2 are compared in the same manner as in step S2. If Y1 is larger, it is determined that the document image is vertically written upside down (step S6). If not, it is determined that the document image is horizontally written upside down and placed normally (step S7). The judged images are shown in FIG. (A) is the image determined in step S3, similarly (b) is step S4, (c) is step S6, (d).
Is step S7.

By the above method, the document is written vertically, horizontally,
The top and bottom can be determined, and for example, when an original group in which the top and bottom are mixed in reverse is to be copied, it can be used as a means for issuing a warning or automatically aligning the top and bottom in one direction.

As post-copying processing, staple,
When punching, etc., the position and width of the top and bottom and the end blank area are accurate by the above means, so it is possible to perform stapling and punching while avoiding images (movement of staple punch position), punch position, staple position. It is possible to input information to the punch / stapling determination processing means, such as issuing a warning when the edge blank portion does not match the edge blank portion.

3.1.1 Within the page area of output image information
It has been described in the previous section for detecting an image orientation by detecting the maximum margin detect the edge margin area of the image orientation recognition document detection data or al. This makes it possible to detect the image direction of a formatted original image with a simple configuration, and based on the image information, the vertical writing, horizontal writing of the original,
It is possible to detect the vertical direction.

3.1.2 Original size and original setting direction
The image orientation is determined from the maximum margin area of the reference 2 end face by determining the reference 2 end face from the (image information direction). The image direction is detected by detecting the end margin area of the side, and the image direction of the document is recognized based on each detected document direction.

The contents will be described below. The binding margin position of a document that is usually used in an office is determined by the document size. For example, in the case of A4 size paper, the document size is 210 mm × 297 mm, but normally either side of 297 mm in the longitudinal direction is the binding margin position. Therefore, if the original is placed as shown in FIG. 28, X1
By comparing only X2 and X2, it is possible to determine the top and bottom of the original from the blank area of the original.

If the document is determined to be vertical by the known document size detection, the binding margin position is determined using X1 and X2 stored in the counter latch 513, and if the document size is determined to be horizontal, the sub By using Y1 and Y2 stored in the scanning counter 517, the binding margin position of the document is determined.

Now, a method for detecting the binding margin position of the original document from X1 and X2 of FIG. 28 detected by the above-described white area detection circuit on the original document will be described. This will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. In step S11, it is determined whether the document size is vertical or horizontal, and if it is vertical, the process proceeds to step S12. If it is horizontal, the process proceeds to step S13. Step S
12 compares X1 and X2. X1 is more X
If it is larger than 2, it is determined that the binding margin position of the document is on the reference position side (the document is placed in the correct direction),
On the contrary, if it is small, it is determined that the binding margin is on the side opposite to the reference position (the original is placed upside down). In step S13, Y1 and Y2 are compared. If Y1 is larger than Y2, it is determined that the binding margin is on the reference position side (the original is placed in the correct direction), and if it is smaller, the binding margin is on the side opposite to the reference position (the original is upside down). Be placed). By doing this, with a simple configuration,
The binding margin position of the formatted document image and the document image direction can be detected.

3.1.3 When multiple originals are printed, move the second page
Detects the maximum edge margin in the page area for line image information and confirms that the image directionality matches the start page image information.When a large number of originals are detected, the image direction is detected by detecting the edge margin area of each original. Then, it is determined whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document in the document group copied according to each detected document direction. The contents are described at the beginning of the above-mentioned "3. Image direction recognition by detecting end blank area". A flowchart of this process is shown in FIG.

In this process, X1> X in step S21.
If y is 2, y1> Y2 is determined in step S22, if n, horizontal writing is reversed in step S23, and counter b is incremented in step S24. If y in step S22, vertical writing is set up in step S25, and the counter a is incremented in step S21. If n in step S21, Y1> Y2 is determined in step S27, and if y, vertical writing is reversed in step S28, and the counter c is incremented in step S29. If the answer is n in step S27, the horizontal writing orientation is set in step S30, and the counter d is incremented in step S31.

From the count-up result, the counter for the number of originals in the vertical writing vertical direction, the counter for the number of originals in the horizontal writing vertical direction, the counter for the number of originals in the horizontal writing vertical direction, the counter for the number of originals in the horizontal writing vertical direction d 34, it is determined whether different original orientations are mixed in the multiple originals of one job according to FIG.
The type of orientation of the original is counted, that is, the original (image) orientation counter E is first cleared (step S
41). In step S42, it is checked whether or not the counter indicating the direction of each original (image) from a to d is 0. If 0, the original (image) directionality counter E is set to 1.
Add. In step S43, it is determined whether or not the original (image) directional counter E is 3, and if the original (image) directional counter E is 3, all originals (images) are in the same direction and different originals (images). It is determined that the document indicating the image direction does not exist in the multiple document group of one job (step S
44). If the value is other than 3, it is determined that there are originals with different originals (images) in the multiple originals group (step S45). This way, a simple device,
By the flow, it is possible to detect the directionality of each document in a group of many documents and to detect whether or not the documents having different document directions are mixed in the document group.

3.1.4 Image Directionality N for Multiple Originals
Recovering when G is detected 3.1.4.1 Warning display only after image formation When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the edge margin area of each original and copying is performed according to each detected original direction. It is determined whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document in the document group
As a result of the judgment, if there is a document whose image direction is different from that of the first document, a warning display is displayed on the operation unit so that documents with different image directions and copies of those documents can The operator is informed that there is a.

The contents will be described below. As shown in FIG. 35, when copying is completed in the flow of FIG. 34 (step S51) and it is determined that document directions are mixed (y in step S52), all document groups are input to the operation unit unit 204. Of the operation unit 204 after copying
If U is in the READY state (y in step S53),
A display request code is transmitted to display the following warning (step S54). -Documents that are written vertically, horizontally, or in the opposite orientation of the image are mixed. -Check the copy paper and align the image direction. FIG. 36 shows an example of the operation unit display. In this way, by displaying a warning to the operator that the orientations of the originals are mixed, if the operator makes a judgment on the copy group after image formation only by the normal cover and performs post-processing such as punching and stapling for copy binding. If there is a copy with a different image direction in the copy group for the original, the page is missing. In this embodiment, in order to prevent such missing pages, the operator is automatically notified that the copies with different image directions are mixed after the end of copying, and the operator himself checks the image directionality of the copy and confirms the image. By requiring alignment. This makes it possible to prevent missing pages.

3.1.4.2 When scanning a document, the directionality is
Copy interruption and warning display when different from each other When a large number of originals are detected, the image direction is detected by detecting the edge margin area of each original. If there is a document whose image direction differs from that of the original document, and if the result of the determination is that a document different from the image direction of the first document is about to be copied, the copy operation is interrupted. By displaying the warning display on the operation unit, the operator is informed that originals having different image directions are present in the original group and the original placement direction is changed.

The contents will be described below. The processing contents are shown in the flowchart of FIG. In this process, in the case of an original in the vertical writing direction (X1> X2), the flag a is used as the direction flag and the memory FLGDI in bytes is used.
If R is set to R (step S61), and if it is in the horizontal writing upside down direction (Y1 ≦ Y2 when X1> X2), the flag b is set (step S62). X1 Y1> Y2) Flag c (step S6
3) If horizontal writing is in the vertical direction (X1 ≦ X2, Y1 ≦
Y2) The flag c (step S63) is set, and the flag d is set if it is the horizontal writing vertical direction (step S64). The bit configuration of the byte-unit memory FLGDIR in which the flag is stored is as shown in FIG. a is 01H,
b is 02H, c is 04H, and d is 08H.

The operation flow of copying interruption and warning display output will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40. This FIG. 39,
The flowchart shown in FIG. 40 is performed every first scan of one document. FLGDIR in step S71
To clear. The subsequent steps up to step S72 are the same as those in FIG. When it is determined that the document directions are mixed, the copy interruption request flag is set in step S72. With this flag, the copy sequence control interrupts the development of a new original image in the memory, the feeding of a new transfer sheet, etc., and enters a sequence for stopping the copy operation.

At step S73, the directionality flag FLG is set.
The image direction counter is cleared according to the flag set in DIR. For example, if the flag c is set, the image direction counter c is cleared. This is to make this flow valid for the next document. In step S74, a warning display code is sent out to display a warning on the operation unit if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state.

FIG. 41 shows an example of the display on the operation unit. By detecting a mixture of document directions to the operator, stopping the copy operation, and displaying a warning, it is possible to obtain a unified copy in the image direction of the first sheet for the copy group imaged by the operator. . Especially when performing post-copy binding processing such as punching after copying, stapling, etc., normally, only the front cover is used to perform punching and stapling, and if there are copies of different image directions in the copy group with respect to the original, it will be omitted. Next page turns, and it looks bad. In this embodiment, in order to prevent such missing pages, the operator is automatically notified that originals having different image directions are mixed during copying, and the operator checks the image orientation of the originals to check the originals. It requires changing the installation direction and can prevent missing pages.

3.1.4.3 Mismatch of edge margin areas When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the edge margin areas of each original, and the copy group is detected from the detected original orientations. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document, when a document with a different image direction is detected, image rotation processing (inversion on memory) is performed. Execute-Reverse scanning of a document is performed to notify that there is a document with a different image direction or to recover the image directionality NG to obtain a copy with a uniform image direction. Less than,
The contents will be described. An operation flow at the time of performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) and the like by image processing will be described based on FIG. 42. In the case of a large number of originals, when the originals with different image directions are detected by detecting the maximum end face blank area of each original, the image processing mode is entered in step S81, and the process proceeds to step S82 after image processing. Step S8
In No. 2, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

FIG. 43 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.
An operation flow when the document is reversely scanned will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of a large number of originals, if the originals having different image directions are detected by detecting the end margin areas of the respective originals, the original reverse scan mode is entered in step S91, the image orientation is corrected by the reverse scan, and step S91 is executed.
Proceed to 92. In step S92, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

FIG. 45 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.
The above-described processing is of course effective even when double-sided image formation (double-sided copying) is targeted.

As described above, the image direction is detected by detecting the edge margin area of each original, and when the number of originals is larger than each detected original direction, the reference image direction is determined from the edge margin area detection data. When it is identified that the image direction of the original (first original) is different from that of the original, the operator is informed that there are originals with different image directions by performing warning display, image rotation processing, reverse document scanning, etc. In addition, by recovering the image directionality NG, it is possible to obtain a copy in which the image direction is unified and to prevent missing pages.

3.1.5 Correspondence at the time of unidentification 3.1.5.1 Image shape in a predetermined direction determined in advance
Composing / Warning display When a large number of originals are being scanned, the image direction is detected by detecting the edge margin area of each original, and the image direction and the image direction of the first original in the copy group are detected from the detected original directions. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not different originals exist, when it is recognized that the image direction cannot be identified, an image is formed in a predetermined direction and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. It is informed that an original whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the original are present in the original group and the copy group.

The contents will be described below. First, X1, X2 in FIG. 28 detected by the white area detection circuit on the document.
A method of detecting the document direction from Y1 and Y2 will be described. X1, stored in the counter latch 513 shown in FIG.
The flow of FIG. 46 will be described using X2 and Y1 and Y2 stored in the sub-scanning counter 515. X1, X2, Y
When detecting 1, 1, Y2, when any of X1, X2, Y1, Y2 cannot be recognized, "-1" is stored in the counter. In steps S101 and S102, X1, X
It is determined whether or not 2, Y1 and Y2 are recognized. If y is determined, it is determined that the image direction cannot be identified (step S110). In the case of n, it progresses to step S103. In step S103, X1 and X2 are compared. X1
Is larger than X2, the process proceeds to step S104. In step S104, Y1 and Y2 are compared. Y
If 1 is larger than Y2, the process proceeds to step S105, and it is determined that the top and bottom of the document are properly set in the vertically written document. If n in step S104, step S
Proceeding to 106, it is determined that the horizontal writing original is upside down. If n in step S103, the process proceeds to step S107, and Y1 and Y2 are compared in the same manner as in step S104. If Y1 is larger, it is determined that the original image is vertically written upside down (step S108).
9). The judged images are shown in FIG. 31 described above.
(A) is the original document judged in step S105, (b) is step S106, and (c) is step S10.
8, (d) is step S109, and (e) is step S1.
01 and S102. Based on the image information detection result, the state of each document is incremented by one for each document.

From the result of the count-up, the vertical writing vertical direction original number counter a, the horizontal writing vertical direction original number counter b, the horizontal writing vertical direction original number counter c, the horizontal writing vertical direction original number counter d, using the counter of the document number counter e whose image direction cannot be identified,
According to FIG. 48 and FIG. 49, it is determined whether or not originals of different directions are mixed in the multiple originals of one job, and whether or not originals whose image direction cannot be identified are mixed.

First, the image direction counter E for counting the types of document orientations is cleared (step S13).
1). In step S132, it is checked whether or not the counters indicating the respective document directions a to d are 0. If 0, 1 is added to the image direction counter E. Step S
In 133, it is checked whether or not the counter indicating the addition of the image direction recognition permission of e is 0. If not 0, 4 is subtracted from the image direction counter E.

In step S134, it is judged whether or not the image direction counter E is 3, and if the image direction counter E is 3, all the document directions are the same, and documents showing different document directions are It is determined that the document does not exist in the multiple document group of one job (step S136). If the value is a value other than 3, it is determined that there are originals with different original orientations or originals whose image orientation cannot be recognized in the multiple originals group, and the process proceeds to step S135. In step S135, it is determined whether or not the image direction counter E is> 0, and when the image direction counter E is> 0, it is determined that documents having different document directions are mixed in the multiple document group ( Step S13
7). If the image direction counter E is not> 0,
It is determined that there is a document whose image direction cannot be recognized in the group of many documents (step S138).

As shown in FIG. 47, when it is judged that the image direction cannot be identified in the flow of FIG. 46 (step S1).
21, y in S122), an image is formed in a predetermined direction, and if the CPU of the operation unit unit 204 is in the READY state after the copying of all document groups to the operation unit unit 204 is completed. (Y in step S123), a display request code is sent to perform the following warning display (step S124). The number of originals whose image orientation cannot be identified is known by the counter e. The warning display is as shown in FIG.

-The originals whose image orientation cannot be identified are mixed <e-sheets>. -Check the copy paper and align the image direction. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a missing page by displaying a warning to the operator that the image direction cannot be identified.

3.1.5.2 Predetermined reference image identified
Image formation / warning display with unified image information direction When multiple originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the edge margin area of each original, and that information is used as the reference image direction information. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether the image orientation is different from the image orientation and aligns the image orientations, when the image orientation of the reference page is recognized as unidentifiable,
The next page is determined as the reference image direction page, and the image directions are aligned based on the information on that page. By displaying a warning display of the above items on the operation unit, the operator is notified of the presence of a document whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the document.

The contents will be described below. FIG. 51
In step S141, first, the number of pages of the reference document is counted. Flag D of FLGDIR, which will be described later
The page counter m is cleared before the first original is scanned. F when reading the first original
Since the flag D of LGDIR is OFF, the page counter m is counted by one. Next step to step S
The process up to 142 is the same as that described later with reference to FIG.
In the case of a vertically-oriented vertical document, the flag a is set as a direction flag in the byte-unit memory FLGDIR. The flag c is set in the flag d if it is the horizontal orientation. When the document direction is identified, the process proceeds to step S142, and when the flag D of FLGDIR is OFF, the flag D is set as a data flag in the byte unit memory FLGDIR and the reference direction data is stored. When the flag D is on (when the reference direction data is stored), the process proceeds to the next step. Byte-based memory FLGD in which flags are stored
The IR bit configuration is as shown in FIG. a is 0
1H, b is 02H, c is 04H, d is 08H, e is 10
H and D are 20H. When the CPUs of the copy end operation unit 204 of all the original document groups are in the READY state, a warning display code is sent to the operation unit 204 and the page counter m identifies which page is the reference original document. The page number of is also displayed. FIG. 53 shows an example of the operation unit. By doing so, it is possible to prevent a missing page by displaying a warning to the operator that the image direction cannot be identified.

3.1.5.3 Image interruption / warning display When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the end margin area of each original, and copying is performed according to each detected original direction. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document in the document group, if it is recognized that the image direction cannot be identified, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed. Is displayed on the operation unit to indicate that a manuscript whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the manuscript exist in the manuscript group and the copy group, and inform the operator to change the manuscript setting direction. .

The contents will be described below. FIG. 54
According to the above, in the case of a vertically-oriented original document, a flag a is set in the byte-unit memory FLGDIR (step S151). The flag c is set in the reverse writing direction (step S153), and the flag d is set in the horizontal writing upside direction (step S15).
4). In the case of a document whose image direction cannot be recognized, the flag e is set as the direction flag in the flag e (step S15).
5). Byte-based memory FLG in which flags are stored
The bit configuration of DIR is as shown in FIG. a is 01H, b is 02H, c is 04H, d is 08H, and e is 1
It is 0H.

The operation flow of copying interruption and warning display output will be described with reference to FIGS. 56, 57 and 58. The flow shown in these figures is performed every first scan of one original. FLGDIR is cleared in step S161. Thereafter, steps S170 to FIG.
Is the same as the explanation. If it is determined that the document directions are mixed, the copy interruption request flag is set in step S161-1 (FIG. 57). With this flag, the copy sequence control enters a sequence of stopping the copy operation by interrupting the development of a new original image in the memory, the feeding of new transfer paper, and the like. In step S161-2 (FIG. 57), the image direction counter is cleared according to the flag set in the direction flag FLGDIR. For example, if the flag c is set, the image direction counter c is cleared. This is to make this flow valid for the next document. However, regarding the flag e, since the value of the image direction counter e is used for warning display, it is cleared in step S171 after the warning display code is transmitted. Step S
In 170, a warning display code is sent out to display a warning on the operation unit if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state. FIG. 59 shows an example of the display of the operation unit.

3.1.6 Supporting blank originals When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the end margin area of each original, and the original direction is detected in the originals copied according to each detected original direction. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document, when the document is recognized as a blank sheet, the document is inverted by the document inverting unit, and then the image is re-imaged. It is conceivable to perform the reading operation and detect the image direction again for the read image.

The contents will be described below. In the ADF (II) reading operation shown in FIG. 1, if there is no image information in the image signal for one document for an arbitrary document, it is considered that the document is inverted. At that time, the automatic document feeder does not discharge the document, but reverses the document in the automatic document feeder and performs the reading operation by the scanner again. If the information of the read original is blank information again, it is considered that both sides are blank, the original is ejected without performing the copy copper operation, the image information related to this original is discarded, and the next original is printed. Performs read processing operation. The image direction is detected from the information of the read document again, and when the image direction is the same as the image direction of the series of documents, a normal image forming operation is performed based on the image information of the reversed document. . At this time, if the detected image direction is different from the series of image directions, the image formation is interrupted and confirmation is requested, or a warning is displayed. When the detected image direction is different from the series of image directions, the read image information is rotated on the memory to unify the image directions.

The above processing will be described with reference to the flows shown in FIGS. In step S181, the document is set on the document table 100, and in step S182 the document number counter CNT is initialized to zero. In step S183, the blank document determination flag is set to 0. Step S18
In step 4, only one original is conveyed and set at a predetermined position on the contact glass 9, and then in step S185, an operation of reading the original is performed. With respect to the read image information, the edge margin area of the document is detected in the edge margin area detection step S186. Step S187 is a blank sheet detection step, in which it is determined whether or not the read document is a blank document, and if it is not a blank document, the directionality is confirmed by the directionality confirmation routine of step S188. If the directionality is correct, a normal copy operation is performed in step S189, the value of the document number counter CNT is incremented by 1 in step S190, and the document is ejected from the document feeder in step S191. In step S192, the presence / absence of a remaining document is checked, and if the document remains, the process returns to step S183. If no document remains, the job is ended and the standby mode is entered.

If it is determined in step S187 that the document is blank, the blank document determination flag is determined in step S193. If the determination flag is 0, the process proceeds to step S196, the document is reversed, and the process proceeds to step S196.
In 197, the determination flag is set to 1 and step S185
Then, the original is read again. Step S193
If the determination flag FLG is 1, it is determined that both sides are blank documents, so that it is regarded as a slip sheet, and step S1 is performed.
When the process proceeds from step 94 to step S195, the image data is canceled, the process proceeds to step S189, the normal copy operation is performed, the document is ejected in step S191, and it is determined in step S192 that there is a remaining document. The process advances to step S183 to start processing the next original. If the directionality confirmation routine in step S188 determines that the directionality is not correct, the process proceeds to a recovery process routine in step S198, which will be described later, performs a predetermined recovery process, and then proceeds to the copy operation in step S189.

Next, the recovery processing routine of step S198 will be described. There are the following recovery processing routines. a. Interrupt the copy operation and display the warning display on the operation unit. B. Perform image rotation processing on memory c. Reverse scanning of originals Each item will be described below.

The operation flow of interruption of copying and warning display output will be described with reference to FIG. The flow shown in this figure is performed for each scan of one document. If a command is previously written in the ROM of the main body of the copying machine to interrupt the copy operation when the reference staple position and the detected image direction do not match in the staple mode (copy interrupt mode), it is indicated by step S201. As described above, the copy interruption request flag is set. With this flag, the copy sequence control enters a sequence of stopping the copy operation by interrupting the development of a new original image in the memory, the feeding of new transfer paper, and the like. When the copy interruption instruction is not written, step S201 is ignored and step S
Proceed to 202.

In step S202, the operation unit unit 2
In order to display a warning on the LCD 410 of No. 04, if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. FIG. 63 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.

The operation flow when the image rotation process (inversion on the memory) or the like is performed by the image process is the same as the flow shown in FIG. The warning display is also the same as in FIG.

The operation flow when the reverse scan of the original is performed is the same as in FIG. The warning display is also the same as in FIG.

When there is a document whose front and back are reversed when the code of a plurality of originals is present, if the code is executed as it is, a missing page will occur. In order to prevent this, it is possible to determine whether or not the original is a blank sheet, and if it is recognized that the original is a blank sheet, the original can be reversed in the apparatus to return the original to a state in which the document is not reversed. When it is recognized that the reversed original is a blank sheet again, it is determined that both the front and back sides are blank sheets, and the copy operation is stopped for this original to prevent the missing pages.

In addition to the above operations, the orientation of the orientation of the original is recognized to determine the orientation matching with other originals, and when there is an unaligned original, a warning display / copy operation is performed. Stop the image, rotate the image, scan the document backwards, etc. to notify that there is a document with a different image direction or recover the image direction NG to obtain a copy with a uniform image direction. It is possible to prevent missing pages.

3.1.7 Image Directionality N for Multiple Originals
Correspondence when G is detected ( when image processing cannot be supported when mismatch of edge margin areas due to margin recognition is detected) When a large number of originals are detected, the image is oriented by detecting the edge margin areas of each original, and each is detected. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document in the copy group rather than the document direction, when the document with the different image direction is detected, the image orientation If it is not possible to obtain a uniform copy of the image direction without a corrective action by the operator without a recovery function for NG, Aa) The number of sorts is greater than or equal to a predetermined number (optional) according to the number of sorts. In the case of), the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit to call the operator's attention. After the lapse of a predetermined time, if the operator takes no action, the copy operation is restarted. b) According to the number of sorts, when the number of sorts is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the copy operation is continued and only the warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B-a) When the human body detection sensor is ON, the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit to call the operator's attention. After the lapse of a predetermined time, if the operator takes no action, the copy operation is restarted. b) When the human body detection sensor is OFF, the copy operation is continued and only the warning display is displayed on the operation unit. In order to reduce the dead time of the machine, notify the operator that there are originals with different image orientations, request the operator to perform processing to unify the image orientations, and perform predetermined operations if there is no correspondence. Is done.

First, the copy operation flow for dealing with the number of sorts will be described with reference to FIG. The flow shown in this figure is performed every first scan of one document. If there is a document determined to have the image directionality NG with respect to the reference document in the copy document, as shown in step S231, a predetermined predetermined number of copies N (arbitrary) and the number of sorts set by the operator are compared by the comparison means. In comparison, if the set number of copies is larger than the predetermined number N, a command is written in advance in the ROM of the copying machine main body to interrupt the copy operation (copy interrupt mode), and the copy interrupt request flag is set. . With this flag, the copy sequence control enters a sequence of stopping the copy operation by interrupting the development of a new original image in the memory, the feeding of new transfer paper, and the like. Then, in step S232, a warning display as shown in FIG. 65 is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. On the other hand, when the operator takes some action and presses the start key 431 again, the copy operation is restarted.

On the other hand, when the operator is not in front of the copying machine and cannot respond to the warning, a timer in the main body for monitoring the elapsed time (TIME) after the interruption of copying. Is determined by P
If no action is taken even after waiting the SET time, the copy operation is restarted. If the number of sort copies set by the operator is equal to or smaller than the predetermined number N in step S231, step S232 is ignored and the copy operation is continued.

After the copying is completed, in step S233, if the operation unit is in the copy reception READY state, a warning display copy is made on the operation unit so as to display a warning to inform the operator that a document having a different image orientation exists. Is issued and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. FIG. 66 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.

Next, the operation flow of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225 will be described with reference to FIG. The flow shown in this figure is performed every first scan of one document. If there is a document determined to have the image orientation NG with respect to the reference document among the copied documents, step S
As indicated by reference numeral 241, when the human body detection sensor 225 is ON, an instruction is written in advance in the ROM of the copying machine body to interrupt the copy operation (copy interrupt mode), and the copy interrupt request flag is written to the memory. And the transfer of new transfer paper are interrupted, and the sequence for stopping the copy operation is started. Then, in step S242, a warning display prompting the operator to confirm (similar to FIG. 65) is displayed. On the other hand, when the operator takes some action and presses the start key 431 again, the copy operation is restarted.

On the other hand, if the warning cannot be dealt with, such as when the human body detection sensor 225 is operating on an object other than the operator, the elapsed time after the interruption of copying (TIME) is monitored. If the timer within the main body does not deal with waiting for a predetermined PSET time, the copy operation is restarted. Also, step S
In 241, if the operator is away from the copying machine (when the human body detection sensor is OFF), step S242 is ignored and the copying operation is continued.

After the completion of copying, in step S243, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is displayed on the operation unit to notify the operator that a document having a different image orientation exists. Is issued and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. The warning display on the operation unit is the same as in FIG. 66.

By doing so, the following effects can be obtained.
In the copy operation using the sorter, the image direction N
When it is recognized that the G document exists, when the number of copies that can be easily corrected after copying is small according to the number of sorts, the copy operation is performed without interruption and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copy is completed. This makes it possible to prevent missing pages.

On the other hand, when a large number of sorts are difficult to correct later, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit, whereby it becomes possible to prevent missing pages. If the number of copies is large and the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation section, and if no action is taken even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is automatically restarted, and the machine is stopped for a long time. Also, it becomes possible to save unnecessary occupation time by the current job. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed. Is automatically notified, and the operator is requested to confirm the image direction of the copy by himself, which makes it possible to prevent missing pages.

In the copying operation of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225, when it is recognized that there is a document in the image direction NG, the output of the human body detection sensor 225 is output according to the output signal of the human body detection sensor 225. Is OFF (when the operator is not in front of the copier),
By performing the copy operation without interruption and displaying a warning on the operation unit after the copy operation is completed, the image can be displayed when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation. It is possible to prevent missing pages by automatically notifying that the direction NG originals (copies) are mixed and requesting the operator himself to confirm the image direction of the copies.

On the other hand, the output of the human body detection sensor 225 is ON.
In the case of, it is possible to prevent the missing pages by interrupting the copying operation and displaying a warning on the operation unit. Further, when the output of the human body detection sensor 225 is ON, the copying operation is interrupted, a warning is displayed on the operation unit, and if no action is taken after a predetermined time, the copying operation is automatically restarted. However, it is possible to save unnecessary machine down time and unnecessary occupation time by the current job. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed. Automatically, and request that the operator confirm the image orientation of the copy himself.
This makes it possible to prevent missing pages.

3.2.1 Within the page area of output image information
It detects the maximum edge margins, when the staple number of sheets document maximum edge margin which is stapling position determined 3.2.2 detection from the detection data, and detects the image orientation by detecting the end margin areas of the document The stapling position is determined from the detected image data. Although the contents are as described above, they are also effective in the case of targeting double-sided image formation (double-sided copying). By doing this, it is possible to prevent miss staples in advance.

3.2.3 Original Size and Original Setting Direction
The reference 2 end surface is determined from the (image information direction), and the staple position is determined from the maximum margin area of the reference 2 end surface. Any two of the four sides of the original are set as the binding margin portion in advance depending on the original size, and any two of the originals are set. The image direction is detected by detecting the end margin area of the side, the image direction of the document is recognized based on the detected document direction, and the stapling position is determined.

The contents will be described below. The binding margin position of a document that is usually used in an office is determined by the document size. For example, in the case of A4 size paper, the document size is 210 mm × 297 mm, but normally either side of 297 mm in the longitudinal direction is the binding margin position. Therefore, if the original is placed as shown in FIG. 28, the top and bottom of the original can be determined from the blank area of the original by comparing only X1 and X2.

When the original is judged to be vertical by the original size detection, the binding margin position is judged using X1 and X2 stored in the counter latch 513 shown in FIG. 29, and the original size is judged to be horizontal. In the case, the sub-scanning counter 51
Using the Y1 and Y2 stored in 5, the binding margin position of the document is determined. The method of detecting the binding margin position of the document from X1 and X2 of FIG. 28 detected by the white area detection circuit on the document described above is the same as in FIG.

The binding margin position of the original is detected by the above method, and the flow shown in FIG. 68 is executed. When the copying is completed (y in step S261), the document binding margin position of the copy group is determined from the document binding margin position data (step S262). In the staple mode (y in step S263), the staple position is determined from the result of the document binding margin position determination of the copy group (step S26).
4) The stapler is operated and stapled (step S265). After stapling, the standby mode is entered (step S266). When the staple mode is not set, the standby mode is directly entered.

The above-mentioned processing is for double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).
It is also effective when targeting. By doing so, the stapling position is determined by detecting the binding margin position of the formatted document image and the document image direction with a simple configuration, and post-processing after copying is efficiently performed. You can

3.2.4 Image from maximum edge margin data
Orientation is recognized and image direction consistency is confirmed by comparing with the standard staple position data.When a large number of documents are detected, the image direction is detected by detecting the margin area of each document, and the detected image data and the standard staple position are detected. The method of confirming the consistency in this case is as described above. Note that this is also effective when the target is double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, by determining the consistency between the image direction detected from the maximum end face margin data and the reference staple position, miss staple can be prevented in advance.

3.2.5 Image from maximum edge margin data
Image directionality by recognizing direction and comparing with standard staple position data NG recovery Detects image direction by detecting edge margin area of each document when multiple originals are detected, and staple position is detected by each detected image data. In the image forming apparatus that determines the above, when the reference staple position data and the detected image direction do not match, a) the copying operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit. B) The copying operation is continued and the stapling operation is performed. Prohibition c) Image rotation processing (reversal on memory) d) Reverse scanning of the document is performed to prevent the occurrence of miss staples.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as in FIG. 63. An operation flow for continuing image formation and stapling inhibition will be described with reference to FIG. The flow shown in this figure is performed every first scan of one document. When the staple mode is set by the input from the operation unit, the staple request flag is set. At this time, when it is determined that the image direction detected from the maximum margin detection data does not match the reference staple position, the staple request flag is turned off as shown in step S281. With this flag, the copy sequence control enters the normal copy operation sequence from the staple mode. Note that the staple mode is on /
After the off state is confirmed once, it is sufficient to start from step S281 for the second and subsequent documents. Step S28
In No. 2, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

The operation flow when the image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) or the like is performed by the image processing is the same as that in FIG. The operation flow when reverse scanning of the original is performed is the same as in FIG. Although not mentioned above, a) to d) are also effective in the case of double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, when it is determined that the image direction detected from the maximum margin detection data and the reference staple position do not match, a warning is displayed, copy operation is stopped, image rotation processing, document reverse scanning, and staple mode automatic is performed. By performing release or the like, miss staple can be prevented in the staple mode.

3.2.6 Determined from maximum end surface margin data
When a large number of sheets document when the image exists on the staple position, and detects the image orientation by detecting the end margin areas of the document, an image forming apparatus for determining a stapling position by each of the detected image data When there is an image at the determined stapling position in a., A) The copying operation is interrupted and the warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B) The image formation is continued and the stapling is prohibited. C) The image processing shifts / changes. Double (reduce), etc. d) Change the staple position e) Automatically cancel the staple mode (default), etc.
The stapling prevents the copy original from being damaged.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow of interruption of copying and output of warning display will be described with reference to FIG. The flow shown in this figure is performed every first scan of one document. If an instruction has been written in advance in the ROM of the main body of the copying machine to interrupt the copy operation when an image exists at the staple position in the staple mode, the copy interrupt request flag is set as shown in step S311. . With this flag, the copy sequence control enters a sequence of stopping the copy operation by interrupting the development of a new original image in the memory, the feeding of new transfer paper, and the like. When the copy interruption command is not written, step S311 is ignored and step S311 is ignored.
Go to 312. In step S311, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

The operation flow for continuing image formation and stapling inhibition will be described with reference to FIG. The flow shown in this figure is
It is performed every first scan of one original. When the staple mode is set by the input from the operation unit, the staple request flag is set. At this time, if it is determined from the maximum margin detection data that an image exists at the staple position, the staple request flag is turned off as shown in step S321. With this flag, the copy sequence control enters the normal copy operation sequence from the staple mode. After the staple mode is turned on / off once, the flow of step S321 may be started for the second and subsequent originals. In step S322, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

Sequence / magnification (reduction) by image processing
An operation flow for performing the above will be described with reference to FIG.
When the staple mode is set, the staple request flag is set. At that time, if it is determined from the maximum margin detection data that an image exists at the staple position,
In step S331, the image processing mode is entered. In step S332, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

The operation flow for changing the staple position will be described with reference to FIG. When the staple mode is set, the staple request flag is set.
At that time, if it is determined from the maximum margin detection data that an image exists at the staple position, the staple position is changed to the staple position change mode in step S341, and the position of the staple is changed to staple outside the image area. Step S3
At 42, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is transmitted, and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

The operation flow when the staple mode is automatically released (default) will be described with reference to FIG. When the staple mode is set by default, the staple request flag is set. then,
When it is determined from the maximum margin detection data that an image exists at the staple position, the staple request flag is turned off as shown in step S321. With this flag, the copy sequence control enters the normal copy operation sequence from the staple mode. After the staple mode is turned on / off once, the flow of step S321 may be started for the second and subsequent originals. In step S322, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. The above-described processing is also effective when the target is double-sided image formation (double-sided copying). FIG. 74 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.

As described above, when the image exists at the determined stapling position, the copy operation is stopped / warning is displayed,
By shifting / magnifying the image, changing the staple position, automatically canceling the staple mode, etc., it is possible to prevent the image from being damaged by the staple in the staple mode.

3.3.1 Image according to image forming mode
Selective control of direction identification detection When a large number of originals are used, the normal image In the forming mode (not including the post-processing), the image direction identification detection is disabled and the reduction of the copy work efficiency is prevented.

The contents will be described below. Image orientation is detected by detecting the margin area of the document,
In order to identify and detect the image direction based on the detected image data, it is necessary to perform work such as image processing. Then, the work has to be performed every time each original is scanned, which takes a very long time, and is inefficient in the case of a normal copy work. Therefore, in the case of a normal copy work, the copy work is performed without passing through the image direction recognition detection unit, and it is determined in step S351 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 75 whether or not to detect the image direction identification. When post-processing such as stapling and punching is performed, the direction identification detection is performed unconditionally, and the direction identification flag is set. When the direction identification flag is set, the process proceeds to the image direction identification detection mode of step S352. After the copying is completed, the process proceeds to the stapling mode (post-processing mode) in step S354, and after the processing is advanced to the standby mode in step S355 to wait for a key input instruction from the operator. When the direction identification flag is off, the process proceeds to the normal copy mode of step S353, and after the copying is completed, the process proceeds to the standby mode of step S355 and waits for a key input instruction from the operator.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus for detecting the image direction by detecting the marginal area of the document, the image direction is identified in the normal image forming mode (excluding post-processing). By disabling the detection, it is possible to prevent the efficiency of the copying work from being lowered.

3.3.2 After the sort operation is completed, the manual
Le when stapling instruction input, when many sheets the document when the staple position NG on the basis of the end face extra white data, detects the image orientation by detecting the end margin areas of each original, staple positions by each of the detected image data In the image forming apparatus that determines, when the manual stapling instruction is input after the sorting operation is completed, when it is determined from the detected image data that the image direction of the document is inconsistent, and the image is formed at the determined stapling position. When it is judged that it exists, a) display a warning display on the operation unit, b) prohibit stapling, etc.
The stapling prevents the copy original from being damaged.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow of warning display output will be described with reference to FIG. After the copying work and the sorting work are completed, the staple counter K is cleared. Then, the READY mode is entered, and the staple flag S is set during the copying / sorting work and when the operator inputs a stapling mode before the work is started. When the copying and sorting work is completed, the machine once enters the READY mode and waits for the next command. If the staple flag S is set, the staple mode is directly entered. The staple mode is also entered by the operator's key input, and the staple counter K is counted by one. If the image directions of the copy originals are inconsistent, or if an image exists at the stapling position, as shown in step S361, the process proceeds to step S362 and a staple interruption code is issued.

In step S363, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. Then the READY mode is entered again, and the next command waiting state is entered. When the staple key is turned on again, the staple count K becomes 1 more.
Counted and go to staple operation mode by flow. FIG. 77 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.

The operation flow of stapling inhibition will be described with reference to FIG. After the copy work and the sort work are completed, the staple flag S is set when the machine is in the READY mode state or when the staple mode input instruction is given by the operator during the copy / sort work.

The machine is set to 1 after the copy / sort work is completed.
Then, the READY mode is entered and the next command waiting state is entered.
If the staple flag S is set, the staple mode is directly entered, and the staple mode is also entered by a key input by the operator. If the image directions of the copy originals are not aligned, or if the image exists at the staple position, step S3 is performed as shown in step S371.
72, the staple prohibition code is issued. In step S373, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. Then the READY mode is entered again, and the next command waiting state is entered. FIG. 79 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.

In this way, when the image directions of the copy originals are inconsistent or when an image exists at the staple position, a warning is displayed, stapling is prohibited, etc. to prevent the image from being damaged by the staple. You can

4. Image Direction Recognition by Layout Judgment As described above, in a device that cuts out characters and judges the top and bottom, the judgment takes time, and real-time control requires considerable cost. Therefore, unless it is an image processing apparatus having a large shift, it is difficult to put it into practical use. Therefore, as a simple method of recognizing the vertical direction, there is a method of determining the layout of a page character string without cutting out characters.
In this method, characters are written horizontally and fixed from the left, and the top and bottom of the sentence are determined by determining the sentence end position.

4.1.1 For determining the layout of the entire image
Image direction recognition by the following methods are available as a simple method for recognizing the vertical direction. This method determines the layout of the page character string without recognizing the character. That is, the top and bottom of the sentence are determined based on the determination of the blank area at the beginning of the sentence and the blank area at the end of the sentence. The line segmentation can be determined by, for example, a black-and-white pattern in the main scanning direction called by a scanner. If one line after the filtering process described later has a white pattern, it can be determined as a line feed portion.

The rotation of the image is controlled, that is, the image is stored in a pixel unit in the memory so that the layout can be determined depending on whether the type of document is a vertical writing document, a horizontal writing document, or whether the document is placed vertically or horizontally. It is necessary to switch between main scanning and sub scanning. By performing such image rotation, it is possible to make a good determination even for a vertically-written document, a horizontally-written document, a vertically placed document, and a horizontally placed document (rotation of a filter in the following embodiments). In addition, in order to determine the length of the line, it is sufficient to recognize the start point of the continuous white pattern of the cut-out line. As shown in FIG. 80, when it is obtained from the line segmentation result, it can be determined that the line end positions are all on the right side,
It can be judged that the image is upside down. In the above example, only the case where the original paper is written in the vertical direction has been described, but when the paper direction is horizontal, the image is rotated as described above and the same determination can be made.

Next, the actual judgment method will be described in detail. First, a method of cutting out a line will be described. Usually, the manuscript has a larger space between lines than between characters. Images closer to each other by the image filter in the image processing stage are processed as a large dot cluster. Image mosaicing is a similar process. In the mosaic processing, for example, a large dot block is composed of 200 dots × 200 dots (200 × 200 dots).
200 filters), the average density of each pixel contained therein is calculated to obtain a density of 20 × 20 of a large lump. That is, this is a process of averaging the densities of the peripheral pixels.

Row segmentation is an application of the above mosaic processing. For example, prepare a filter of 50 dots x 50 dots, centering on a pixel at one point, and surrounding 50 dots x 5
If an image exists in a pixel of 0 dot, the density of that pixel is set to black. On the contrary, if there is no image in the surrounding pixels, it is white. In other words, the image of the original image is filtered and expressed in binary. Normally, the value read by the scanner is read in several tones. When the number of gradations is 256, one pixel is represented by 8 bits (1 byte), 0 is the white with the highest reflectance, and 255 (OFFH) is black, where the reflected light does not return to the sensor. Data when expressed in binary with a filter of × 50 is 0 or OFF
It shows H. FIG. 83 is a visual representation of what is developed by the above image processing and which is expanded on the bitmap memory of one page.

If the number of pixels of the filter is reduced, the influence of the surrounding image is eliminated, and the characters are cut out as shown in FIG. 84 instead of the line cutout as shown in FIG.
On the other hand, if the number of pixels of the filter is set to a large value, the space between the lines cannot be recognized, and only the portion where there is no character in the line is determined to be white as shown in FIG. Further, if the number of pixels of the filter is increased and the number of dots becomes equal to or larger than the line feed width, in the case of a full-text original, as shown in FIG. In other words, a filter smaller than the space between the lines and larger than the space between the characters is necessary to successfully cut out the lines. Also, to know the rough layout, a filter larger than the line spacing and smaller than the line feed width is required.

Furthermore, in order to ensure line segmentation, a square filter is used in the above description, but when only horizontal writing characters are supported, a horizontally long rectangular filter can be used to accurately segment lines. it can. For example 60
With a dot × 30 dot (horizontal × vertical) (FIG. 87) filter, if the resolution is 15 dots / mm, then 2 mm
You can recognize up to the line spacing. At this time, even if there is a space of about 4 mm between the characters, they are connected to the adjacent character, and it can be determined that they are one line.

Even if a rectangular filter such as 60 dots × 30 dots is used, the line cannot be cut out well (in the case of a vertically written manuscript such as a textbook in Japanese). , Reverse, 30 dots x 60
The dot filter applies image processing to the original image. By doing so, it is possible to cut out vertical lines even in a vertically written document.

Next, a method for recognizing the original image direction will be described. As described above, by changing the number of dots in the vertical and horizontal directions of the filter, it is possible to determine whether the document is a vertical writing document or a horizontal writing document.
However, it cannot be determined whether the read original is placed correctly. Judgment as to whether the top and bottom are properly placed is performed as follows.

As shown in FIG. 87, when a horizontally long filter is used, it is confirmed whether the pixel of each Y-axis bit at the X-axis (main operation direction) address is OFFH. At this time,
Instead of checking every bit on the Y axis,
For example, if the filter is 60 × 30, it may be checked every 15 dots. There is no need to check every pixel on the X-axis. Check any pixel from the Xmin point where the image on the X-axis begins. 1 for horizontal writing 1 for paragraph
In order to provide a character space, if it is a 60 × 30 filter, it checks about 4 times the number of horizontal dots (240 dots) every 30 dots to see if the pixel is 0 or OFFH. Similarly, 240 dots may be checked in the original reference direction from the X-axis maximum value, Xmax pixel. It is possible to determine whether the end of the line is on the Xmin side or the Xmax side from the dot information on the Y axis of Xmin and Xmax on the X axis.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 88, X
The number of black level (OFFH) pixels checked on the min side and the number of black level pixels checked on the Xmax side are compared (step S381). When the number of black pixels that can be detected on the Xmin side is larger than that on the Xmax side, it can be determined that the Xmin side is the writing position (step S382). Conversely, when the number of black pixels on the Xmax side is large, it can be determined that the Xmax side is the writing position (step S383), and it is possible to determine that the top and bottom of the document are reversed. As described above, by performing image processing, it is possible to determine whether the document is written vertically or horizontally and whether the document is upside down.

On the other hand, with respect to a vertically long original, the text is usually written horizontally. When the document size detecting means detects that the portrait document is set on the document table in the portrait direction, the discrimination time can be shortened by preferentially selecting the filter of 60 × 30 landscape orientation. Conversely, if it is set in the horizontal direction, rotate the filter 90 degrees and
Set to 0x60. By the way, when the number of black pixels on the Xmax side and the number of black pixels on the Xmin side are equal by the processing of the flow of FIG. 88, that is, when the characters are written tightly on the entire surface of the original in the case of the original, the writing start position is determined. It will be impossible. In such a case, detection can be performed by the following method.

As shown in FIG. 86, the address of the black pixel closest to the X-axis and Y-axis reference points and the point closest to the X-axis Y-axis reference point and the diagonal point (point A) are the closest. The address of the black pixel is detected, and the distance from each corner is calculated. Usually, the distance from the corner is larger at the writing position, so L1 in the figure
And L2 are compared, and if L1 ≧ L2, the vertical direction is L2>
If it is L1, it can be easily determined that the direction is the upside-down direction (step S384 in FIG. 88). This is determined based on the result of cutting out a line, that is, the character string occupation area, but the same processing can be performed with the character occupation area (character arrangement section occupation area) as a result of further finer filtering as shown in FIG. Become. Since the line spacing is wider than normal character spacing,
It is possible to determine whether to write vertically or horizontally depending on the distances between the character arrangement sections on four adjacent sides. For the distance between adjacent character arrangement sections, the center of gravity of each character array section is obtained by image processing, and the distance between center of gravity (generally the center of gravity is also called the centroid) may be applied to each character array section.

FIG. 89 compares the average value Xave of the distances between the centers of gravity of the character array sections in the X-axis direction with the average value Yave of the distances between the centers of gravity of the character array sections in the Y-axis direction. The flow which judges horizontal writing is shown. Step S39
In 1, if Xave <Yave, it can be determined to be horizontal writing, and if not, vertical writing can be determined. From such processing and document size, it is possible to determine the vertical direction, writing method (vertical writing, horizontal writing), and document direction (vertical orientation, horizontal orientation), and 16 types of original image can be recognized.

4.1.2 Image blank when determining layout
Area Detection MethodThe above example was to judge the top and bottom of the image and the direction.However, when considering staples and punches, it is also important to judge whether or not there is an image on the staple portion or punch portion of the transfer paper. Come on. When stapling at one place, stapling should be done at one of the four corners of the transfer paper, or
In the case of two or more staples, it is one of the four sides of the transfer paper. By taking the AND of each white area of a plurality of originals, a blank area common to the originals of one job can be obtained.

In the case of stopping at one place, a triangular pattern is prepared as a blank area pattern as shown in FIG. 81, and the lengths of two sides of this triangular pattern, X1 and Y1, are determined by the blank area of each original. Then, the lengths of Xmin and Ymin are calculated, and it is determined whether or not a straight line connecting Xmin and Ymin lies within the staple range.

In the case of two-side stop or punch, the blank area pattern is compared with the blank area of the rectangular pattern original image as shown in FIG. The length of the rectangle in the vertical direction (Y-axis length Y) is the same as the length of the original in the vertical direction,
The blank area of each document is indicated by the value of X1. Xmin
Thus, it becomes possible to detect a blank area common to the originals of one job.

4.2.1 Images Based on Layout Judgment
Direction recognition [combination of image information direction data (original setting direction) and image information output size data (original size)] 4.2.2 Output image information page based on layout judgment
Image direction recognition from the margin data in the corner area in the image area It is possible to confirm the matching of the sex and obtain a copy having a unified image direction.

The contents will be described below. The document whose image direction has been determined follows the above-described copy interruption and warning display output operation flow shown in FIG. The warning display is the same as in FIG. Further, the present embodiment is of course also effective in the case of targeting double-sided image formation (double-sided copying). In this way, the image direction is detected based on the layout judgment (from the document setting direction and the document size), or by detecting the corner blank area in the page area based on the layout judgment, and the detected document direction is changed according to the detected document direction. By determining whether the copy image direction is different from the reference image direction and confirming the matching of the image directionality, it is possible to notify that there are documents with different image directions and obtain a copy with a uniform image direction. It is possible to prevent missing pages.

4.2.3 Layout of multiple sheets of original
Verification function of images direction with the other image information based on the cross (Orientation unity) 4.2.4 when many sheets original group based on the layout determined
Quasi output image directionality of confirmation matching with the image information of the page area other image information from the corner margin data (image orientation unity) when many sheets document, based on the layout determined in each document, or a reference output based on the layout determined The image direction is detected by detecting the corner blank area in the page area of the image information, and it is determined whether or not the image direction of the reference document in the copy group is different from the detected document direction. , Check the alignment of the image orientation. When the image orientation mismatch state is confirmed, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit, so that a copy with the unified image orientation can be obtained.

The contents will be described below. When a large number of originals are used, the image orientation is detected based on the layout of each original or by detecting the corner blank area within the page area of the standard output image information based on the layout determination, and the image orientation is detected, and copying is performed from each detected orientation of the original. It is determined whether or not the image direction of the reference document is different from the image direction of the group, and the matching of the image directionality is confirmed. At that time, the reference image can be a) using the reference output image information as the first output image information (start page), or b) using any page as the output image information depending on the number of documents. The arbitrary means that the operator may set it by himself or may write it in the ROM so as to automatically determine the page of the reference original according to the number of originals. The document whose image orientation has been determined follows the copy interruption and warning display output operation flow shown in FIG. 62, as described above. FIG. 90 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit. Of course, the above-mentioned processing is also effective in the case of double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, based on the layout judgment,
Alternatively, the image direction is detected by detecting the corner blank area in the page area of the reference output image information based on the layout judgment, and whether the copy image direction is different from the reference image direction is detected from each detected document direction. Judge,
By confirming the matching of the image orientation, it is possible to notify that there are originals with different image orientations, to obtain a copy with a uniform image orientation, and to prevent missing pages.

4.2.5 When a large number of sheets and originals are mixed,
Verification function of the image orientation based on the layout determined with respect to the reference image information of a constant (Orientation unity) when many sheets document, based on the layout determined in each document, or a reference output image data within the page area based on the layout determined By detecting the corner blank area, the image direction is detected, and it is judged from the detected document direction whether the image direction of the reference document differs from that of the reference document in the copy group, and the image directionality is matched. Confirm. When the image orientation mismatch state is confirmed, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit, so that a copy with the unified image orientation can be obtained.

The contents will be described below. As shown in FIG. 91 and FIG. 92, the manuscript is written vertically in the horizontal orientation (vertical orientation in the paper direction, alphanumeric writing), in horizontal orientation (horizontal orientation in the paper orientation,
There are four types: alphanumeric writing), vertical manuscript vertical writing (paper orientation portrait, Japanese writing), and horizontal manuscript vertical writing (paper orientation landscape, national writing). When many originals are stacked, it is possible that the above four types of originals are mixed. However, it is considered that there is no mixture of vertically and horizontally written originals. Therefore, (1) when vertically and horizontally originals and horizontally and horizontally originals are mixed (2) vertically and vertically It is considered that there are two types of cases where the writing is mixed. The above four types of originals can be identified by including the top and bottom of the image using layout determination.

When the portrait original and the landscape original are mixed, the reference image information is determined and the reference image information is
Unify the image orientation of each original. The following A, B, C, etc. can be considered as a method of determining the reference image information.

A. When the image information of the document corresponding to the cover is used as the reference image information a) When the cover is a portrait original, the portrait document is the reference image information b) When the cover is a landscape document, the landscape document is the reference image information In the automatic document feeder (ADF) II shown in FIG. 1, the document is set such that the document surface faces up and the reverse sheet is fed from the bottom sheet. Become. Therefore, when all the pages of the loaded document are stored in memory and the image information of the document corresponding to the front cover is confirmed, the image direction of the document is unified using the image information as reference image information. There is also a type of automatic document feeder in which the document surface is set face down and the sheets are fed from the first sheet. Since the image information of the original corresponding to the cover can be recognized first, the image information is used as the reference image information and then Unify the image orientation of fed documents.

The automatic document circulating and feeding device (RDH) ejects the first document after copying it, and at the same time, feeds the second document and returns the first document to the top of the document stacker. The copy is finished page by page while repeating preparations for the next feeding. With the original face up and the reverse feed from the bottom sheet, RDH recognizes the image information of the original while idly feeding the original once, and confirms the image information of the original corresponding to the cover page, and then uses that image information as the reference. Unify the image orientation of the originals fed as image information. In the RDH in which the document surface is set face down and the first sheet is fed, the image information of the document corresponding to the front cover can be recognized first. Therefore, the image information is used as the reference image information, and the image direction of the document fed thereafter is set. Unify.

B. When the ratio of portrait original to landscape original is detected and the original with a high ratio is used as the reference image information a) When the proportion of portrait original is large, portrait original is used as the reference image information b) When the proportion of landscape original is large, landscape original In the case of an automatic document feeder (ADF) that uses as the reference image information, all pages of a stacked document are stored in memory, the numbers of vertical documents and horizontal documents are respectively counted, and the ratio of vertical documents to horizontal documents is detected.

In the case of the automatic original circulating paper feeder (RDH), the number of vertical originals and horizontal originals is counted while the originals are idly fed, and the ratio of vertical originals to horizontal originals is detected. C. When manually selecting the reference image information, for example, whether a vertical document is used as the reference image information or a horizontal document is used as the reference image information: For manual selection, But
Setting method for setting horizontal document as reference image information (can be set for each of horizontal and vertical documents, and can be set for only one of them.) B) Vertical document horizontally or horizontally There is a method of manually selecting which one of horizontal document writing, vertical document vertical writing, and horizontal document vertical writing is used as the reference image information (which can be selected and set each time copying is performed).

Next, how the originals are aligned when the reference image information is determined will be described. (1) When Vertical Document Horizontal Writing and Horizontal Document Horizontal Writing are Mixed (see FIG. 91) When the vertical document is determined as the reference image information, the horizontal document aligns the upper end surface with the left end face of the vertical document. When the horizontal document is determined as the reference image information, the vertical document aligns the right end face with the upper end face of the horizontal document. (2) Vertical Document Vertical Writing and Horizontal Document Vertical Writing are Mixed (see FIG. 92) When the vertical document is determined as the reference image information, the horizontal document aligns the upper end face with the right end face of the vertical document. When the horizontal original is determined as the reference image information, the upper end of the vertical original is aligned with the left end of the horizontal original.

As shown in FIG. 93, in order to unify the image orientation of the recording paper, the image information read in the page memory is 180 °.
It is done by rotating. For example, the above (1)-
If you have both horizontal and horizontal originals,
A case where the portrait original is determined as the reference image information will be described. When the vertical document horizontal writing as shown in (a) is the reference image information, the left end face of the vertical document and the upper end face of the horizontal document are aligned as shown in (1) of FIG. According to the layout judgment, when the document is a vertical document horizontally written and the top and bottom are reversed as shown in (b), the image is rotated by 180 °. If the original is recognized as horizontal writing and the top and bottom of the image are as shown in (c), the reference image in (a) can be directly matched, but (d)
In such a case, the image is rotated by 180 ° to match the reference image information of (a). Note that FIG. 94 shows the relationship between each reference image and the staple position and punch position.

Next, the operation flow will be described with reference to FIG. After the copying is completed, the image direction consistency is confirmed in step S421. RE when consistency is OK
Enter ADY mode. When the consistency is NG, a warning is displayed on the operation unit in step S422. If the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state, a warning display code is sent and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.

Although not described above, the present case is of course also effective in the case of double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

When the operator performs post-copy binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, usually, only the front cover is used to perform punching and stapling, and the copy group is different. If there is a copy in the image direction, it will be missing pages and pages will turn over, resulting in poor appearance.
In this embodiment, in order to prevent such a missing page, the consistency of the image orientations is confirmed by the layout judgment, and if there are unmatched originals, the image orientations are unified by the image processing or the like, and the stapling is performed.・ It is possible to prevent missing pages during post-processing such as punching.

4.2.6 Image Directionality N for Multiple Original Documents
Recover when G is detected ( mismatch of corner blank areas) When a large number of originals are detected, the image direction is detected by detecting the blank area based on the layout judgment of each original, and the image is detected first in the copy group from each detected original direction. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the document, when a document having a different image direction is detected, a) the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B) Image rotation processing (reversing on memory) c) Notifying that there is a document with a different image direction by performing reverse scanning of the document, recovering the image directionality NG, and performing image direction To obtain a unified copy of. Less than,
The contents will be described. The operation flow for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as in FIG. 63. FIG. 42 shows the operation flow when performing image rotation processing (inversion on memory) by image processing.
Is the same as. The warning display is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when reverse scanning of the original is performed is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as in FIG. Although not mentioned above, a) to c) are for double-sided image formation (double-sided copying)
Of course, it is also effective when targeting.

As described above, when it is determined that the image direction detected from the maximum margin detection data and the reference staple position do not match, warning display / copy operation stop, image rotation processing, document reverse scanning, etc. are performed. Informs that there are documents with different image orientations, and
By recovering G, it is possible to obtain a copy having a uniform image direction, and it is possible to prevent missing pages.

4.2.7 Unidentifiable Correspondence In the case of a large number of originals, the image direction is detected by detecting the margin area based on the layout judgment of each original, and the original group copied from each detected original direction In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document, if the reference document is recognized as the image direction unidentifiable, a) The image is formed in the specified direction and the warning is displayed on the operation unit. B) The next page or the subsequent page is used as the reference direction original to unify the image direction to form the image and display the warning. C) Stop the image formation. By displaying a warning display on the operation unit or the like, it is informed that a manuscript whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the manuscript exist in the manuscript group and the copy group.

The contents will be described below. The flowchart for forming an image direction in a predetermined direction and displaying a warning on the operation unit is similar to the flowchart in FIG. 47.
The display contents are the same as those in FIG.

The operation flow for forming the image by unifying the image direction with the next page or the subsequent page as the reference direction original, and outputting the warning display will be described with reference to FIGS. 96 and 97. In FIG. 96, the number of pages of the reference document is counted in step S471. The FLGDIR reference direction data flag D and the page counter m, which will be described later, are the first
Cleared before the first document is scanned. When reading the first original, the FLGDIR flag D is OF
Since it is F, the page counter m is counted by one. In FIG. 97, the image direction is detected by detecting the blank area based on the layout judgment of each document, and the state of each document is incremented by one for each document based on the image information detection result. Vertical writing upside down original number counter a, horizontal writing upside down original number counter b, vertical writing upside down original number counter c, horizontal writing upside down original number counter d, image direction unidentifiable original The counter of the number counter e is used. In the case of a vertically-oriented original document, the flag a is set in the byte-unit memory FLGDIR as a direction flag, and if the horizontally-oriented upside-down direction is set, the flag b is set. Flag c, flag d if horizontal writing is in the normal direction
(Step S481). When the document direction is identified, the process proceeds to step S482, and FLGDI
When the flag D of R is OFF, the flag D is set in the byte-unit memory FLGDIR as the reference direction data flag, and the reference direction data is stored. When the flag D is on (when the reference direction data is stored), the process proceeds to the next step. When the image direction cannot be identified, the flag e is used as a direction flag to store the memory FLGD in byte units.
It is set to IR (step S483).

The bit configuration of the memory FLGDIR is as shown in FIG. 52 described above. a is 01H, b is 02
H, c is 04H, d is 08H, e is 10H, D is 20H
Is.

If the CPU of the operation unit is in the READY state after the copying of all the document groups is completed, a warning display code is sent to the operation unit. Since the page counter m identifies which page is the reference document, the page number of the reference document is also displayed. The display contents of the operation unit are the same as those in FIG.

An operation flow for interrupting image formation and displaying a warning display on the operation unit will be described with reference to FIG. The image direction is detected by detecting the blank area based on the layout judgment of each document, and if the document information contains mixed document directions or there is a document whose direction cannot be identified, according to the image information detection result. The flow proceeds to step S491 and the code interruption request flag is set. Step S
In 492, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. The display contents of the operation unit are the same as those in FIG.

As described above, it is possible to prevent missing pages by warning the operator that the image direction cannot be identified. Further, by displaying a warning to the operator about the number of originals whose image directions cannot be identified and the originals used as a reference when forming a copy image, post-processing after copying becomes easy.
Further, when the originals are mixed and there is an original whose orientation cannot be recognized, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed, whereby it is possible to prevent the missing pages.

4.2.8 Blank Original Support When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the margin area based on the layout judgment of each original, and the original direction of each copied original is detected from each detected original direction. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document in which the image direction of the first document is different from the image direction of the first document, when recognizing that the document is a blank sheet, after reversing the document by the document reversing unit, It is considered that the image reading operation is performed again and the image direction is detected again for the read image.

In the ADF (II) reading operation shown in FIG. 1, if there is no image information in the image signal of one sheet for an arbitrary document, it is considered that the document is inverted. At that time, the automatic document feeder does not discharge the document, but reverses the document inside the automatic document feeder and performs the reading operation by the scanner again.

If the information of the read original is blank information again, both sides are considered to be blank, the original is ejected without performing the copying operation, and the image information on this original is discarded. The document reading process is performed. The image direction is detected from the information of the read document again, and when the image direction is the same as the image direction of the series of documents, a normal image forming operation is performed based on the image information of the reversed document. . At this time, if the detected image direction is different from the series of image directions, the image formation is interrupted and confirmation is requested, or a warning is displayed. When the detected image direction is different from the series of image directions, the read image information is rotated on the memory to unify the image directions.

The above processing is similar to that shown in FIGS. 60 and 61, and step S186 in FIG. 60 may be referred to as "blank area detection based on layout determination".

The operation flow for interrupting copying and outputting warning display is the same as in FIG. Also, the warning display content is shown in FIG.
Is the same as. The operation flow when performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) by image processing is the same as in FIG.
The contents of the warning display are the same as in FIG. The operation flow when reverse scanning of the original is performed is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG.

In the case of a code for a plurality of originals, when there is an original whose front and back are reversed, if the code is executed as it is, a missing page will occur. In order to prevent this, it is possible to determine whether or not the original is a blank sheet, and if it is recognized that the original is a blank sheet, the original can be reversed in the apparatus to return the original to a state in which the document is not reversed. When it is recognized that the reversed original is a blank sheet again, it is determined that both the front and back sides are blank sheets, and the code operation is stopped for this original to prevent the missing pages.

In addition to the above operations, the directionality of the original direction is recognized to determine the directionality matching with other documents, and if there is a document that is not aligned, a warning display / code operation is performed. Stop, the image rotation process, the document reverse scan, etc. to notify that there is a document with a different image direction, or recover the image direction normal NG, and obtain a code with a uniform image direction. Also, it is possible to prevent missing pages.

4.2.9 Image Directionality N for Multiple Originals
Correspondence when G is detected ( when image processing cannot be supported when a discrepancy is detected in the corner blank area based on the layout judgment ) When a large number of originals are detected, the image orientation is detected by detecting the blank area based on the layout judgment of each original. When a document with a different image direction is detected in the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document in the copy group from the detected document direction of , If there is no recovery function for the image directionality NG and it is impossible for the operator to obtain a uniform copy of the image direction without any corrective action, Aa) The number of sorts is predetermined according to the number of sorts. When the number of copies is greater than or equal to (arbitrary), the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit to call the operator's attention. After the lapse of a predetermined time, if the operator takes no action, the copy operation is restarted. b) According to the number of sorts, when the number of sorts is less than or equal to a predetermined number, the copy operation is continued and only the warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B-a) When the human body detection sensor 225 is ON, the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit to call the operator's attention. After the lapse of a predetermined time, if the operator takes no action, the copy operation is restarted.

B) When the human body detection sensor 225 is OFF,
The copy operation is continued and only the warning display is displayed on the operation unit. In order to reduce the dead time of the machine, notify the operator that there are documents with different image orientations, request the operator to take measures to unify the image orientations, and perform prescribed actions if there is no response. Is done.

The contents will be described below. A above
The copy operation flow for dealing with the number of sort copies corresponding to is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as those in FIGS. 65 and 66. The operation flow of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225 corresponding to the above B is shown in FIG.
Is the same as. The contents of the warning display are the same as those in FIG. 66.

The following effects are produced in this embodiment. That is, in the case corresponding to the above A, when it is recognized that a document in the image direction NG exists in the copy operation using the sorter, the number of copies that can be easily corrected after copying is determined according to the number of sorts. When the number is small, the copying operation is performed as it is without interruption, and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copying is completed, whereby it becomes possible to prevent missing pages. On the other hand, when there are many sort copies that are difficult to correct later,
By interrupting the copy operation and displaying a warning on the operation unit,
It is possible to prevent missing pages. If the number of copies is large and the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation section, and if no action is taken even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is automatically restarted, and the machine is stopped for a long time. Also, it becomes possible to save unnecessary occupation time by the current job. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG
Automatically notify that the originals (copies) are mixed,
The operator requested that the image direction of the copy be confirmed by himself, and it was possible to prevent missing pages. In the copying operation of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225, the image direction N
When it is recognized that the G document is present, the human body detection sensor 225 responds to the output signal of the human body detection sensor 225.
When the output of is off (when the operator is not in front of the copier), the copying operation is performed without interruption, and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copying operation is completed, so that the operator can perform post-imaging processing. When performing post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on copy groups,
Image direction NG Automatically notifies that there are mixed originals (copies), requests the operator himself to confirm the image direction of the copy, and makes it possible to prevent missing pages.

On the other hand, the output of the human body detection sensor 225 is ON.
In case of, it is possible to prevent missing pages by interrupting the copying operation and displaying a warning on the operation unit. Further, when the output of the human body detection sensor 225 is ON, the copying operation is interrupted, a warning is displayed on the operation unit, and if no action is taken after a predetermined time, the copying operation is automatically restarted. ,
It is possible to save unnecessary down time of the machine and unnecessary occupation time of the current job. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed. The operator is automatically notified of this, and the operator is requested to confirm the image direction of the copy by himself, enabling the prevention of missing pages.

4.3.1 Based on layout judgment
Determination of the pull position (determined from the document setting direction and document size) 4.3.2 Output image information page based on layout determination
Staple position is determined from the corner margin data in the page area (stapling to appropriate corners) 4.3.3 When multiple originals are stapled in the detected corner margins, the corner margin area of each original is detected based on the layout of each original. By doing so, the image direction is detected, the stapling position is determined from the detected image data, and stapling is performed.

The contents will be described below. As the stapling position determination method based on the layout determination, the stapling position is determined based on the layout determination and the original setting direction / original size. You can think of the street. Then, as shown in the flow of FIG. 99, the data of the staple position determined by the above method determines one of the following two steps in step S571.

A) Standby mode: It is transmitted to the operation unit and waits for the next instruction input by the operator. B) Staple mode: It is transmitted as an operation instruction signal to the staple position changing mechanism. The stapling mechanism is controlled based on the operation, and after the stapling operation is completed, the process proceeds to the standby mode (step S572) and waits for the next instruction input. It should be noted that the present embodiment is also effective when a double-sided image formation (double-sided copying) is targeted.

In this way, miss staples can be prevented in advance by detecting the image orientation from the document setting direction, document size, corner margin data, etc., and determining the staple position based on the layout determination.

4.3.4 Layout of multiple sheets of original
Based on the cross-sectional detects common corner margin of each output image information, when a large number of sheets document stapling position determination, detects the image orientation by detecting the common corner margin of each output image information based on the layout determined, The stapling position is determined from the detected image data.

The contents will be described below. The common margin portion of each image is detected based on the layout determination, and the staple position is determined based on the image data. As shown in the flow of FIG. 99, the determined staple position data is determined in step S571 to be one of the following two steps. A) Standby mode: It is sent to the operation unit and waits for the next instruction input by the operator. B) Staple mode: It is sent as an operation instruction signal to the staple position changing mechanism. After controlling the stapling mechanism, after the stapling operation is completed, the process proceeds to the standby mode (step S572) and waits for the next instruction input. It should be noted that the present embodiment is also effective when a double-sided image formation (double-sided copying) is targeted.

As described above, based on the layout judgment,
Miss staples can be prevented in advance by detecting the common corner blank portion of each output image information and determining the staple position.

4.3.5 Code based on layout judgment
Image direction consistency is confirmed by comparing the corner area and the standard staple position data.When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the common corner margin area of each output image information based on the layout judgment. Checking the consistency between the image data and the reference staple position is performed. In this case,
This is also effective when the target is double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, by determining the consistency between the corner margin portion and the reference staple position data based on the layout determination, the miss staple can be prevented in advance.

4.3.6 Coding based on layout judgment
Image directionality NG recovery by comparing the corner margins with the standard staple position data. When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the common corner margin of each output image information based on the layout judgment, and each is detected. In the image forming apparatus that determines the staple position based on the image direction data, when the reference staple position and the detected image direction data do not match, a) the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B) the copy operation To prevent the stapling operation. C) Image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) d) Reverse scanning of the document is performed to prevent mis-stapling.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display is the same as in FIG. FIG. 100 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit. The operation flow for continuing image formation and prohibiting stapling is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. 63.
The operation flow when performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) by image processing is the same as in FIG. The warning display content is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when reverse scanning of the original is performed is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. These processes are also effective in the case of double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, when it is determined that the image direction detected from the margin detection data by the layout determination and the reference staple position do not match, warning display, copy operation stop, image rotation processing, document reverse scanning, etc. are performed. By doing so, it is possible to notify that there is a document with a different image direction, recover the image directionality NG, obtain a copy with a uniform image direction, and prevent missing pages. 4.3.7 Common corner margin based on layout judgment
When a large number of sheets document when an image is present in Suthep Le position by the data, detects the image orientation by detecting the common corner margin area based on the layout determined in each document, determines the stapling position by the respective detected image data When an image is present at the determined stapling position in the image forming apparatus, a) the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B) The copying operation is continued and stapling is prohibited. C) Image processing To shift / magnify (reduce), etc. d) To change the staple position e) To automatically release the staple mode (default) so that the staples do not fall into the image,
The stapling prevents the copy original from being damaged.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display is the same as in FIG. The operation flow of image formation continuation and stapling prohibition is shown in FIG.
The same as 1. Image processing shifts / scales (reduces)
The operation flow for performing the above is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when changing the staple position is the same as in FIG. 73. The operation flow when the staple mode is automatically released (at the time of default) is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as in FIG. 77. These processes are also effective in the case of double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, when the image exists at the determined stapling position, the copy operation is stopped / warning is displayed,
By shifting / magnifying the image, changing the staple position, automatically canceling the staple mode, etc., it is possible to prevent the image from being damaged by the staple in the staple mode.

4.3.8 When multiple sheets of mixed originals and portraits and landscape originals are mixed,
Image orientation is matched based on the printout determination, and staple position is determined.When multiple sheets of originals are detected, based on the layout determination of each original or by detecting the corner blank area in the page area of the reference output image information based on the layout determination. , Image orientation is detected, it is determined whether the image orientation of the reference document in the copy group is different from the image orientation of each detected document, the image orientation is confirmed, and the staple position is determined. I do. When the image orientation mismatch condition is confirmed,
By interrupting the copy operation and displaying a warning display on the operation unit, the operator is alerted to prevent the copy original from being damaged by the miss staple. The contents are the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 91 and 92.

The standard stapling positions (or standard punching positions) of the aligned recording sheets are the following (1) and (2) 4 respectively.
Streets are conceivable (see FIG. 94). (1) -Vertical document horizontal writing is the reference image information (a) Single-point binding → Staple position at upper left corner (b) Multiple-point binding (punch) → Left end face is staple position When horizontal document horizontal writing is reference image information ( A) 1-point binding → Staple position at upper right corner (b) Staple position at multiple points (punch) → Staple position at right end face (2) -When vertical document vertical writing is reference image information (b) 1-point binding → right upper corner Staple position (B) Staple position at multiple points (Punch) → Staple position on the right end face When horizontal document horizontal writing is reference image information (A) Staple position at the upper left corner → Staple position at the upper left corner (B) Staple position (Punch) → Left end face The unification direction of the images for which the staple position is aligned is determined by the recording paper post-processing device (sorter stapler, finisher) installed in the copier body. Therefore, since the staple (punch hole) position of the discharged recording paper is determined, it is determined that the discharged recording paper can be stapled (punched) at the reference staple (punch hole) position of the discharged recording paper.

The operational flow will be described with reference to FIG. After completion of copying, it is determined in step S581 whether the staple mode is set. If the staple mode is set, the image direction matching is confirmed in step S582. When the consistency is OK, the staple is activated and then the READY mode is entered. Consistency N
If it is G, stapling is prohibited in step S583, and the flow advances to step S584. Step S584
Then, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out,
A warning is displayed to ask the operator for confirmation. Although not mentioned above, the present case is of course also effective when applied to double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

4.4.1 Image according to image forming mode
Selective control of direction identification detection In the case of a large number of originals, in an image forming apparatus that detects the image direction by detecting the common corner margin area based on the layout judgment of each original, and determines the staple position based on the detected image data. In the normal image forming mode (not including the post-processing), the image direction identification detection is disabled and the reduction of the copy work efficiency is prevented.

The contents will be described below. Detect the common corner margin area based on the layout of the original,
In order to identify and detect the image direction based on the detected image data, it is necessary to perform work such as image processing. Then, the work has to be performed every time each original is scanned, which takes a very long time, and is inefficient in the case of a normal copy work. Therefore, in the case of a normal copy work, the copy work is performed without passing through the image direction recognition detection unit to improve the efficiency of the copy work. The contents of this process are the same as the flow shown in FIG.

In this way, in the image forming apparatus that detects the image direction by detecting the common corner margin area based on the layout determination of the document, and determines the staple position based on the detected image data, the normal image formation is performed. In the mode (not including the post-processing), the image direction identification detection is disabled and the copy work efficiency can be prevented from lowering.

4.4.2 After the sort operation is completed, the manual
When the stapling position is NG based on the edge margin data when inputting a single step instruction When a large number of originals, the image direction is detected by detecting the common corner margin area based on the layout judgment of each original, and each detected image data In the image forming apparatus that determines the staple position by the manual operation, when the manual step instruction is input after the sort operation is completed, when the detected image data determines that the image orientation of the document is inconsistent, and the determined staple position is determined. When it is determined that there is an image in a, a) a warning display is displayed on the operation unit, b) stapling is prohibited, and the operation is performed to prevent mis-stapling.
It is possible to prevent the copy original from being damaged by stapling.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow of warning display output is the same as in FIG. The contents of the warning display are the same as in FIG. The operation flow for prohibiting stapling is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. 79.

As described above, when the image orientation of the copy original is inconsistent, or when an image exists at the staple position, warning display, stapling prohibition, etc. are performed to prevent image damage due to miss staples. Can be prevented.

5. Image direction recognition by character direction determination The top and bottom judgment of the detected image data is performed by the image top and bottom judgment device.
This is done for the image memory. As the image memory, an image memory (page memory, arbitrary area memory) which is included in a single unit is used, but an image memory of another unit may be used. For example, the SAF memory described in the FAX unit or the page memory required for compression / expansion when reading the scanner may be used. here,
A method of determining the vertical direction of the image will be described. Generally, as a highly accurate judgment, character recognition is performed using OCR technology.
There is one that determines the top and bottom of the manuscript. In other words, cut out one character, one character in each manuscript, pattern the character,
This is a method of comparing the characteristics of the pattern with the character pattern information stored in the database to determine the character. Neuro and fuzzy techniques are often used to determine characters. If the character pattern cannot be determined without rotating the read and cut character pattern by 180 degrees, it is determined that the original is placed upside down. In this case, the top and bottom judgment is made more accurate by performing not only one character but several characters.

Next, the character direction recognition method will be described. Cut out the characters in an arbitrary character string from the original read by the scanner. At this time, the characters cut out in the vertically-written original are rotated 90 degrees with respect to the horizontally-written original. In addition, characters cut out depending on the direction in which the original is set, such as when the orientation of the original is uneven, are 0 degrees, 90 degrees, and 1
It may be rotating at various angles, such as 80 degrees and 270 degrees. As described above, in order to recognize rotated characters, the method of extracting features while rotating the image of the input character at various angles and comparing and collating with the dictionary corresponding to the regular angle, or various rotation angles There is a method of preparing a plurality of dictionaries according to the above and comparing the features of the input image with the plurality of dictionaries.

An example of character direction recognition is shown in FIGS.
It is described based on 6. FIG. 102 shows a schematic flow of one embodiment of the character recognition method. A character image is input (step S601), and its characteristics are extracted (step S602). Here, the feature extraction is performed by extracting the contour of the input character image and adding the direction code shown in FIG. 103 to the contour portion. Next, with respect to the direction code added to the contour portion of the input character image, a direction code-based histogram is generated as shown in FIG. (Step S603). This represents the characteristic amount H of the input character itself. Next, the histograms are rearranged according to the rotation angle of the input character to generate a histogram corresponding to the rotation of the input character (step S604). This is called a rotation histogram. This rotation histogram is collated with a dictionary (steps S605 and S6).
06) The recognition result is output (step S608). If they do not match in step S606, the value of the rotation control register is changed (step S607), the histogram of the cut-out character is rotated 90 degrees to generate a rotation histogram again (step S604), and the recognition dictionary collation (step S6) is performed.
05) is executed.

FIG. 105 shows an example of the hardware configuration for implementing the character recognition method. Reference numeral 206 is a scanner control circuit (scanner), and 255 is an image of APL5 including an image memory for storing an input image from the scanner 206.
A processing unit (IPU) 255, which recognizes the character direction.

The IPU 255 is an input section 600 for handling image data with the scanner 206 and a rotation information register 6 for storing how much the original character image is rotated.
01, a recognition unit 602 for recognizing characters.

The recognition unit 602 cuts out a character image from the binary image information of the document read by the scanner 206, and performs a pre-processing unit 603 for performing normalization such as noise removal.
Feature extraction unit 60 for extracting the features of the normalized character image
4, a histogram generation unit 605 that generates a histogram of the extracted features, a rotation histogram generation unit 606 that rearranges the generated histograms according to the rotation angle of the rotation information register 601, and generates a rotation histogram.
The generated rotation histogram is composed of a dictionary matching unit 607 that determines a candidate character by performing dictionary matching, a recognition result output unit 608, and a dictionary 609 that stores a standard histogram for each character in the case of no rotation. .. The rotation histogram generation unit 606 further includes a conversion unit 610 and a calculation unit 611.

For example, a direction code corresponding to each angle of the character "sentence" is shown in FIG. When a character is read in the direction as shown in FIG. 7B, the feature extracting unit 604 converts the direction into a direction code as shown in FIG. To do. In this state, the rotation information register 601 contains 0 degree information, and the output information of the histogram generation unit 605 and the rotation histogram generation unit 606 match. This data is compared with the information in the standard histogram dictionary 609. However, the character "sentence" is 9
Since it is read by being rotated by 0 degrees, the judgment result of the dictionary matching unit 607 cannot be judged. In this case, the value of the rotation information register 601 is rewritten, the histogram generation unit data is again converted into the rotation histogram data with the value of the rotation information register 601, and the rotation histogram data is compared with the dictionary 609. Such an operation is repeated until the dictionary collation unit for comparing the data with the dictionary 609 determines a match. However, if there is no match even after rotating by 270 degrees, the determination is impossible, and the same determination is performed with the cut out next character. By the above method, the character direction data is set in the rotation information register 601.

A method of generating rotation histogram data by using the value of the histogram generation unit 605 and the information of the rotation information register 601 will be described. In FIG. 106, for example, comparing the case where the rotation angle is 0 degrees shown in (a) and the case where the rotation angle is 90 degrees shown in (b), the direction code 1 at 90 degrees is the direction code 7, and the direction code 7 is the direction. It is possible to convert the code 2 to the same direction code as when the rotation angle is 0 degrees by replacing the code 2 with the direction code 8 by adding 6 to it. However, when the result of adding 6 exceeds 8, the direction code obtained by subtracting 8 from the result is replaced. This conversion is expressed by the following calculation formula. D = MOD (d + c-1) +1 d: Direction code before conversion c: Constant depending on rotation angle (0 at 0 degree, 6 at 90 degree,
It is 4 at 180 degrees and 2 at 270 degrees. D: Direction code after conversion In addition to the processing up to character direction determination above, the following application is also possible by using the document size detecting means which is a known technique.

In Japan, horizontal writing (alphanumeric writing),
Vertical writing (Japanese writing) exists, and the paper orientation also has portrait orientation and landscape orientation. These combination types and the scanner 206
This is to determine the upside-down direction when the original is placed on.
As shown in FIG. 107, the input means used for the determination are the document size, the direction angle of the line cutting block output at the time of character determination, the character direction angle output by the character direction determination, and the position of the angle between the character and the line. The phase difference is used. If the above combination is applied to the A4 document size, the scanner 20
A4 is placed in the vertical direction on the document setting table of 6, that is, a in FIG.
The installation directions from h to h and the lateral direction, that is, the installation directions from i to p in FIG. 108 can be considered. Further, as described above, vertical writing, horizontal writing, and upside down may be considered. Such 16 kinds of original states are judged by the table of FIG. 107 and the original states a to p are output.

5.1.1 Output image information based on character recognition
Recognizing the image direction within the report page The image direction within the output image information page based on the original character recognition judgment is detected, the matching of the image directionality is confirmed, and a copy with a uniform image direction is obtained.

The contents will be described below. There are three possible means / methods for character recognition depending on the configuration of the copying system. (A) In case of a digital copying machine having an area memory At this time, a predetermined area or an area which is not a background portion of the image data is automatically recognized by prescan, and the range is taken into the area memory to extract characters. Then, the character recognition. (B) Digital copier having a page memory (full memory) In this case, in the case of the page memory, a character is extracted from the page read during the reading scan and character recognition is performed. (C) Analog copier or case without sufficient memory capacity At this time, an automatic document feeder (ADF) having a reading means capable of reading only a predetermined range, an area memory, and a CPU for recognition is used. By doing so, by reading the image during the transportation of the original, the area where the predetermined area or the area of the image data that is not the background area is automatically recognized is taken into the area memory and the character is extracted to perform the character recognition. ..

A document whose image orientation has been determined follows the above-mentioned copy interruption and warning display output operation flow shown in FIG. Further, the warning display shown in FIG. 65 is displayed. Further, the present embodiment is of course also effective in the case of targeting double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, the image direction is detected based on the character recognition (from the document setting direction and the document size), and it is determined whether the copy image direction is different from the reference image direction depending on each detected document direction. By making a judgment and confirming the matching of the image directionality, it is informed that there are originals with different image directions, a copy with a uniform image direction can be obtained, and missing pages can be prevented.

5.1.2 Based on character recognition when a large number of originals
From the reference output image information brute, the verification function of the image orientation of the other image information (image orientation unity) when many sheets document, detects the image orientation based on character recognition of the document, from each detected document orientation It is determined whether or not the image direction of the reference document is different from the image direction of the copy group, and the matching of the image directionality is confirmed. When the image orientation mismatch is confirmed, the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit to obtain a copy with a unified image orientation.

The contents will be described below. When multiple originals are detected, the image orientation is detected based on the character recognition of each original,
From each detected original direction, it is determined whether the copy image direction is different from the reference image direction, and the matching of the image directionality is confirmed. At that time, there are two possible methods: a) the reference output image information is the first output image information (start page), and b) the output image information is an arbitrary page depending on the number of documents. The arbitrary means that the operator may set it by himself or may write it in the ROM so as to automatically determine the page of the reference original according to the number of originals. The document whose image orientation has been determined follows the copy interruption and warning display output operation flow shown in FIG. Further, the same warning display as in FIG. 90 described above is displayed. Although not mentioned above, double-sided image formation (double-sided copying)
Of course, it is also effective when targeting.

As described above, the image orientation is detected based on the character recognition, and it is determined whether or not the copy image orientation is different from the reference image orientation based on each detected document orientation, and the matching of the image orientation is confirmed. By doing so, it is possible to notify that there are originals with different image directions, obtain a copy with a uniform image direction, and prevent missing pages.

5.1.3 Detection of Discrimination between Vertical Original and Horizontal Original
Method [ Identification Detection Based on Original Size / Direction Data, Character Direction Data, and Line Direction Data (All Types: Applicable to Vertical Writing / Horizontal Writing)] Original size / direction data obtained by original size detecting means and original It is conceivable to detect the image direction and the line direction in the output image information page based on the character recognition determination, and to detect whether the document is vertically or horizontally or vertically and horizontally written.

The contents will be described below. Figure 10
7. As shown in FIG. 108, even if the original size is the same, a
The distinction can be made in 16 ways from ~ p. However,
The character recognition alone makes no distinction between the three parameters of the character direction, the line direction, and the phase difference between the characters and the lines in FIG. It is possible. However, by adding the document size detection data to the reference data, that is, by adding two parameters, the document size and the document direction can be identified, and thus a and i, b and j, etc. can be distinguished. Becomes

As described above, by detecting the document size and direction in addition to the character direction and line direction by character recognition, it is possible to distinguish not only the image direction but also the vertical document or the horizontal document. , More accurate identification is possible. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately determine the consistency between individual documents and unify the image directions.

5.1.4 When a large number of pages and mixed vertical and horizontal originals are mixed,
Vertical document horizontally as the reference image information of a constant in character side image direction of the alignment confirmation document based on direction recognition shown in FIG. 109 (paper direction Vertical, alphanumeric writing), landscape original horizontal (paper direction Horizontal, There are four types: alphanumeric writing), vertical manuscript vertical writing (paper orientation portrait, Japanese writing), and horizontal manuscript vertical writing (paper orientation landscape, national writing).

When a large number of originals are stacked, it is possible that the above four types of originals are mixed. However, it is considered that the vertically and horizontally written originals are not mixed, so here is an example of mixed loading: (i) Vertical originals and horizontal originals and horizontal originals and horizontal originals are mixed (ii) Vertical originals Vertical writing and horizontal originals There are two types of vertical writing. The above-mentioned four types of originals can be identified including the top and bottom of the image using the character recognition means for recognizing the character direction and the document size detection means. When the portrait original and the landscape original are mixed, the reference image information is determined and the image directions of the originals are unified with respect to the reference image information. The method of determining the reference image information is as described above. The reference stapling position (or reference punching position) of the aligned recording sheets is also as described above.

5.1.5 Image Directionality N for Multiple Documents
G detected during recovery (not match the character direction) when many sheets document, detects the image orientation based on character recognition of the document, each of the detected image orientation and image of the first document from the document orientation in the copy group In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document with a different direction, when a document with a different image direction is detected, a) the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B) Image Rotate (reverse on memory) c) Notify that there are originals with different image directions by performing reverse scanning of the originals, etc., or recover the image orientation MG to make a copy with a uniform image orientation. The gain is done. The copy interruption and warning display output operation flow is the same as in FIG. The warning display content is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) by image processing is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as in FIG. 63. The operation flow when reverse scanning of the original is performed is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as those in FIG. Of course, these processes are also effective in the case of double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

As described above, when it is determined that the image orientation detected by character recognition and the reference staple position do not match, warning display / copy operation is stopped, image rotation processing, document reverse scanning, etc. are performed. By notifying that there are originals with different image directions and recovering the image directionality NG, it is possible to obtain a copy with a uniform image direction and to prevent missing pages.

5.1.6 Image Directionality N for Multiple Originals
When G is detected (when image processing is not supported ) When a large number of originals are used, the image orientation is detected based on the character recognition of each original, and the image orientation of the first original in the copy group is determined from the detected original orientations. In an image forming apparatus that determines whether or not a document having a different image direction exists, when a document having a different image direction is detected, the image directionality NG cannot be recovered, and the operator does not have to take any action. When it is impossible to obtain a copy having a uniform image direction, a) -1 According to the number of sorts, when the number of copies exceeds a predetermined number, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. Furthermore, if the operator does not take any measures after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is restarted. a) -2 When the number of copies is equal to or smaller than a predetermined number, the copy operation is continued and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. b) -1 When the human body detection sensor is ON, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. Furthermore, if the operator does not take any measures after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is restarted. b) -2 When the human body detection sensor is OFF, the copy operation is continued and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. In order to reduce the dead time of the machine, notify the operator that there are documents with different image orientations, request the operator to take measures to unify the image orientations, and perform prescribed actions if there is no response. Is done.

In this case, the operation flow corresponding to the number of sorts is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. A warning display as shown in FIG. 110 is also displayed. The operation flow of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225 is the same as in FIG. Further, the same warning display as that shown in FIGS. 65 and 110 is output.

In the copying operation using the sorter, if it is recognized that there is a document in the image direction NG, if the number of copies that can be easily corrected later is small according to the number of sorts, it is kept without interruption. By making a copy and displaying a warning on the copy end operation section, it is possible to prevent missing pages. On the other hand, when a large number of sorts are difficult to correct later, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit to prevent missing pages. Furthermore, after the copy operation is interrupted by a large number of copies and a warning is displayed on the operation unit, if no action is taken even after a predetermined time, the copy operation is automatically restarted,
Machine downtime and current jobs can save wasted time. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed. Automatically, the operator is requested to confirm the image direction of the copy by himself, and it is possible to prevent missing pages.

In the copying operation of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225, when it is recognized that there is a document in the image direction NG, the human body detection sensor 225 output is turned off according to the output signal of the human body detection sensor 225. When the operator is not in front of the copier, copying is performed without interruption and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copying is completed so that the operator can punch and staple the copy group after image formation. When performing post-binding processing such as copying, automatically notify that the image direction NG original (copy) is mixed, request the operator to confirm the image direction of the copy, and prevent missing pages. Made possible. On the other hand, the human body detection sensor 22
When the 5th output is ON, it is possible to prevent a missing page by interrupting the copy operation and displaying a warning on the operation unit. Further, when the human body detection sensor output 25 is ON and the copying operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit, if no action is taken even after a predetermined time has elapsed, the copying operation is automatically restarted. , Wasted machine downtime, and current jobs save wasted occupation time. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed. Automatically, the operator is requested to confirm the image direction of the copy by himself, and it is possible to prevent missing pages.

5.1.7 Blank multi-page originals When a large number of originals are detected, the image direction of each original is detected from the recognition of the character direction by the character recognizing means, and the originals are copied in the copied original group according to each detected original direction. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the first document, when recognizing that the document is a blank sheet, after reversing the document by the document reversing unit,
It is possible to read the image again and detect the image direction again for the read image. The contents are the same as those in FIGS. 42, 44, 60, 61 and 62 described above.
43 and the warning display examples of FIGS. 43, 45, and 63. However, in FIG. 60, step S
"Document reading / character direction recognition" may be performed at the portions 505 and S506.

5.1.8 Correspondence at the time of unidentification 5.1.8.1 Image shape in a predetermined direction
Composed / Warning display When a large number of originals are detected, the image orientation of each original is detected from the character orientation recognized by the character recognizing means, and the image orientation of the first original in the originals copied is detected according to the detected original orientation. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether there are originals with different image directions, if it is recognized that the image direction cannot be identified, an image is formed in a predetermined direction and a warning is displayed on the operation unit. By displaying the image, it is notified that a document whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the document exist in the document group and the copy group.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow of warning display output will be described with reference to FIGS. 111 and 112. When copying is started by the copy start button on the main body (step S611), the value of the counter e is set to 0.
(Step S612). The value of the value of the counter e will be described later. When the copying is started, the original direction is read and the image direction is detected by the character direction recognition (step S613). When the image direction is detected by the character direction recognition, it is determined whether the character direction can be identified (step S614).

If the character direction cannot be identified in step S614, counter e = counter e + 1 is set (step S615), and 1 is added to the value of counter e. Counter e
The value of is the number of originals whose character direction cannot be identified. At the start of copying in step S612, the value of the counter e is set to 0. By adding 1, the number of documents whose character direction cannot be identified after the copying is completed can be known from the value of the counter e. If the character direction can be identified in step S614, the matching of the image directions is confirmed. If the image directions are matched, the image is copied as it is. If the image directions are not matched, the image data is rotated. Copies (step S619).

After the copy is completed (step S616), the value of the counter e is determined in step S617. When the value of the counter e is 0, the READY mode is set and the next copy start is waited. When the value of the counter e is not 0, a warning display code is sent out in order to display a warning on the operation unit, and if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state (step S618), a warning display is issued to request confirmation from the operator. Has been done. The contents displayed on the operation unit are the same as those in FIG. As described above, by displaying a warning to the operator that the image direction cannot be identified, it is possible to prevent missing pages.

5.1.8.2 Predetermined reference image identified
Image formation / warning display by unifying image information direction When multiple originals are used, the image recognition method detects the image direction of each document by recognizing the character direction and uses that information as the reference image direction information. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not the image direction is different and aligns the image directions,
When the image direction of the reference page is recognized as unidentifiable, the next page is determined to be the reference image direction page, and the image directions are aligned based on the information of the page. By displaying a warning display of the above items on the operation unit, the operator is informed that there is a document whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the document.

The contents will be described below. Equipped with an automatic document feeder that sets the document side facing down and feeds the document from the first sheet (original equivalent to the cover) of the bottom sheet,
When the image orientation of the first page, which is the reference image information, cannot be determined by the character orientation confirmation by the character recognition means, taking an image forming apparatus that aligns the image orientation with the image information of the document corresponding to the cover as the reference image information. The operation flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 113, 114, and 115.

Copy start button (start key 43
When the copy is started according to 1) (step S62)
1), the value of the page counter m is initialized to 1 (step S622), and the value of the counter a is initialized to 0 (step S623). The value of the page counter m and the value of the counter a will be described later. When the copying is started, the image direction is detected by reading the document and recognizing the character direction (step S624). The value of the counter a represents whether or not the reference image information is determined. When the value of the counter a is 0, the reference image information is not determined, and the value of the counter a is 0. If not, it means that the reference image information has been determined. The value of the counter a is initially 0 (step S623), and when the reference image information is determined in step S633, the value of the counter a is incremented by one. In step S625, it is determined whether or not the value of the counter a is 0, and when the value of the counter a is 0, step S62.
6. If the value of the counter a is not 0, go to step S63.
Go to 1.

In step S626, it is determined whether the character direction cannot be identified. In step S626, when the character direction cannot be identified, the page counter m = page counter m + 1 is set (step S627), 1 is added to the value of the page counter, and the copy is performed as it is. The value of the page counter m is a value indicating the number of pages of the original document in which the character direction cannot be identified. By adding 1 to the value of the page counter m each time a is found, it can be seen that the character direction could not be identified up to m originals.

If the character direction can be identified in step S626, the image information of the m-th original is used as the reference image information, and the matching of the image directions is confirmed. If the image directions are matched, the image is copied as is. If the image directions are not matched, the image data is rotated and copied (step S632). Then, in step S633, the counter a = a
It is set to +1 and 1 is added to the value of the counter a.

After the copying is completed (step S628), it is judged at step S629 whether or not the value of the page counter m is 1, and when the page counter m = 1, the READY mode is set and the next copy start is waited. When the page counter m = 1, the document image information corresponding to the front cover is the reference image information. If the page counter m is not 1, a warning display code is sent out if the operation unit is in the code receiving READY state to display a warning (step S630), and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. The contents displayed on the operation unit are the same as in FIG. By doing so, the operator is warned that the image direction cannot be identified, and it is possible to prevent missing pages.

5.1.8.3 Image interruption / warning display In the case of a large number of originals, the image direction of each original is detected from the recognition of the character direction by the character recognition means, and the copy is made according to each detected original direction. When it is recognized that the image direction cannot be identified by the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from that of the first document in the document group, the copying operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed. By displaying it on the operation unit, it is shown that a manuscript whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the manuscript exist in the manuscript group and the copy group, and the operator is informed to change the manuscript setting direction.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow of image formation interruption / warning display output will be described with reference to FIGS. 116 and 117. When the copy start is started by the copy start button (step S641), the original direction is detected and the image direction is detected by the character direction recognition (step S642). In step S643, it is determined whether the character direction cannot be identified, and the character direction can be recognized. The matching of the image directions is confirmed. If the image directions are matched, the image is copied as it is, and if the image directions are not matched, the image data is rotated and copied (step S648). If the character direction cannot be identified in step S643, the copy operation is stopped (step S644), and a warning display code is sent to the operator if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state to display a warning on the operation unit. A warning is displayed to request confirmation (step S645). The contents displayed on the operation unit are the same as in FIG.

After the warning is displayed, when the copy start button is turned on, the document whose stopped character direction on the contact glass 9 cannot be identified is copied as it is (step S646), and the warning is displayed on the operation unit. In order to perform the above, if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. After the copy is completed (step S647), RE
ADY mode is entered, and the next copy start is awaited. After the warning is displayed in step S645, when the ADF is opened / closed, it is determined that the original document stopped on the contact glass 9 is removed, the READY mode is set, and the next copy start is awaited. 118 and 1
19 shows a warning display example.

As described above, the operator detects that the originals are mixed and the orientations of the originals are not recognizable, and the operator stops the copying operation and displays a warning. A uniform copy can be obtained in the image direction of the eye. Especially when performing post-copy binding processing such as punching after copying and stapling, usually only the front cover is used to perform punching and stapling. Turns over and looks bad. In order to prevent such a missing page, the present invention automatically notifies the operator that originals having different rear image directions are mixed during copying, and the operator himself checks the image direction of the originals and sets the originals. Demanding that the direction be changed, it is possible to prevent missing pages.

5.2.1 Staple Position by Character Recognition
Detecting the image orientation of the document by recognizing a direction of the character and the character string for the paper original using the location determining character recognition,
The optimum post-processing (sorter / stapler, finisher, etc.) position is determined from the relationship between the paper and the character string.

The contents will be described below. As described above, when the direction of characters and character strings with respect to the paper of the original is recognized using the character recognition method, the relationship between the paper and the character string viewed from the normal character direction (0 °) is shown in the table of FIG. The number is limited to 4 types as shown in FIG. 109 from 16 types. At this time, depending on what kind of post-processing the user desires (sorter / stapler, finisher, etc.), the following limitation is usually imposed. (I) In the case of stapling in one place As shown in FIG. 120, the upper left corner is (a, b) in horizontal writing, and the upper right corner is (c, in vertical writing.
d) Determine the staple position.

(Ii) When stapling or punching holes at two locations In this case, as shown in FIG. 121, the left side band portion is (a, b) in horizontal writing, and the right side band portion is (c, d)
Determined as the staple position or punching position (in the figure, for staples).

The following three methods are conceivable as means / methods for character recognition depending on the configuration of the copying system. (A) Digital copier having an area memory A predetermined area or an area of the image data which is not a background area is automatically recognized by prescanning, and the range is fetched into the area memory to extract the characters. What recognizes.

(B) Digital copier having page memory (full memory) In the case of page memory, a character is extracted from the page read at the time of reading scan and character recognition is performed.

(C) An analog copying machine or an automatic document feeder (ADF) having a reading means capable of reading only a predetermined range, an area memory, and a CPU for recognition are used. As a result, by reading the image data while the document is being conveyed, a predetermined area or a range in which the area other than the background portion of the image data is automatically recognized is taken into the area memory to extract characters,
Character recognition.

The flow of the actual copy operation is as shown in FIG. When the operator presses the copy start key, the control CPU discriminates whether or not it is in the staple post-processing mode (step S651), and when it is not in the staple mode, a normal copy operation is performed (step S652). If it is in the staple mode, it is identified whether or not there is one designation (step S
653), and in the next step, the processing unit determines the processing position as shown in FIGS. 120 and 121 according to each case (steps S654 and S655).

As described above, since the optimum post-processing position is automatically determined from the direction of the characters / character strings of the document to be read by the character recognition, the operator's work and confusion for the post-processing can be avoided. Is possible. Further, since the operator does not need to specify the position depending on the case, there is an advantage that the operation is facilitated and the work is speedy and the time is saved.

5.2.2 Character string direction data and reference step
Detecting the image orientation of the document from the direction of the character and the character string for the paper original using the comparison character recognition with Puru position, optimal post-processing that is determined from the relationship between the sheet and the string (stapling, punching)
The consistency between the position and the post-processing position constrained by the hardware is checked.

As described above, in the sorter stapler, the operating position is limited to one position at the fixed corner position, and in the case of the finisher, the operating position is limited to a straight line on one end side. Therefore, in the related art, if the user's instruction input and the document setting direction are not in the correct positional relationship in order to save hardware, there is a possibility that post-processing may be performed at an incorrect position. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to the image direction recognizing means using the character recognizing method as described above, the post-processable position by hardware is compared with the optimum post-processing position determined based on the character string direction data. And a step of confirming the consistency of the positional relationship between the two. S / S
In this case, the stapling is performed in the shaded portion with respect to the paper direction as shown in FIG. At this time, the manuscript is shown in FIG.
In the case of vertical document horizontal writing such as 4 (a), it is aligned with the reference staple position. However, in the case of vertical document vertical writing as shown in FIG. The following is an example of the determination made on the actual CPU. As shown in FIG. 125, numbers 1 to 8 are assigned to the absolute staple positions when they are output on the tray of the sorter. When the staple position obtained as a result of character recognition is i, i = 4 in the case of FIG. 124 (a). Assuming that the staple position on the hard side is k, the staple position on the hard side is limited to 4 or 8 depending on the sheet direction due to the S / S restriction. In the case of FIG. 123, k = 4. Only when i = k is compared on the CPU, it is determined that the two match. In the case of FIG. 124 (b), i
= 3, and since i ≠ k, it is determined that they do not match. On the copy operation, the flow is as shown in FIG. This flow is the same as that of FIG. 122 from step S651 to S655, and the hardware constraint condition (step S656) and the consistency confirmation process (step S6) are performed in the subsequent process.
57, S658).

As described above, since the optimum post-processing position is automatically determined from the direction of the character or character string of the document to be read by the character recognition, the operator's work and confusion for the post-processing can be avoided. It becomes possible. Further, since the operator does not need to specify the position depending on the case, there is an advantage that the operation is facilitated and the work is speedy and the time is saved. Further, in this embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether or not the determination result conforms to the constraint condition by hardware, so that it is possible to prevent post-processing at an erroneous position.

5.2.3 When a large number of pages and originals are mixed,
Image information orientation identification from character Direction recognition data to the reference image information of a constant, and ensure alignment of the image direction 5.2.4 string direction data and the reference stapling position by comparison with the reference stapler position data
Detecting the image orientation of the document from the direction of the character and the character string for the paper original using the integrity NG when Rika bar a) imaging suspension or warning display character recognition, is determined from the relationship between the sheet and the string Optimal post-processing (staple, punch)
The consistency between the position and the post-processing position constrained by the hardware is checked, and if it is determined that the post-processing position does not match, the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit, so that the optimum stapling position and the copying machine The post-processing device indicates that the possible post-processing positions do not match, and informs the operator to change the document setting direction or the paper direction.

The contents will be described below. 12
7. As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 128, as a result of comparing the position that can be post-processed by hardware using character recognition with the post-processing position determined based on the character string direction data,
If it is determined that the positional relationship between the two is inconsistent, image formation is interrupted (step S659) and a warning message, such as "Cannot staple to the correct position. Please check the orientation of the paper or document," is displayed on the display. It is displayed (step S660). Note that steps S651 to S658 are shown in FIG.
22, the same as FIG. 126. When using a DF or the like, if the image formation is interrupted and a warning is displayed, the DF is also stopped. In this case, the DF process will be described separately.

As described above, since the optimum post-processing position is automatically determined from the direction of the character or character string of the original to be read by the character recognition, the operator's work and confusion for the post-processing can be avoided. It becomes possible. Further, since the operator does not need to specify the position depending on the case, there is an advantage that the operation is facilitated and the work is speedy and the time is saved. Further, in the present embodiment, when the judgment result does not meet the constraint condition by the hardware, the copying work is stopped, the operator is notified that the direction of the post-processing does not match, the original or paper setting direction is confirmed, and the setting direction is changed. Since it is required to do so, it becomes possible to prevent post-processing to an erroneous position.

B) Image rotation processing The character orientation is used to detect the image direction of the original from the direction of the characters and character strings on the original, and the optimum post-processing (staple, stapling, etc.) determined from the relationship between the paper and the character string is detected. punch)
The consistency between the position and the post-processing position constrained by the hardware is confirmed, and if it is determined that the post-processing position does not match, the optimum staple position and the post-processing device of the copying machine are rotated by rotating the image data captured in the frame memory. It is conceivable to match the post-processable position and perform the optimum post-processing.

The contents will be described below. When the data copying machine has a page memory, as shown in FIG. 127, since the image data can be taken into the frame memory prior to the image direction recognition, the position where the post-processing by hardware can be performed by using the character recognition. 128 and the post-processing position determined based on the character string direction data, it is determined that the positional relationship between the two is inconsistent.
As shown in the flow of 1., the necessary rotation angle is calculated by using the direction data obtained by the image direction recognition means and the direction data of the post-processing device, and the image data on the memory is rotated (step S662). After that, copy execution and post-processing are executed (step S663).

As described above, since the optimum post-processing position is automatically determined from the direction of the characters / character strings of the original to be read by the character recognition, the operator's work and confusion for the post-processing can be avoided. It becomes possible. Further, since the operator does not need to specify the position depending on the case, there is an advantage that the operation is facilitated and the work is speedy and the time is saved. Further, in the present embodiment, when the determination result does not meet the constraint condition of the hardware, the image data is rotated so as to match the direction of the post-processing, so the original document (paper) by the operator
It is possible to staple at the optimum post-processing position without changing the set.

C) Reverse scanning of original document Using character recognition, the image direction of the original document is detected from the direction of characters and character strings on the original paper sheet, and the optimum post-processing (staple, staple, etc.) determined from the relationship between the paper sheet and the character string is detected. punch)
If the consistency between the position and the post-processing position constrained by the hardware is confirmed and it is determined that the post-processing position does not match, the optimal staple position and post-processing of the copying machine will be performed under limited conditions even without a frame memory. If the device automatically matches the post-processable position and performs post-processing, and if it is determined that the device cannot be restored, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit. , The stapling optimum position and the post-processing position possible by the post-processing device of the copying machine do not match, and the operator is informed to change the document setting direction or the paper direction.

The contents will be described below. 12
As shown in FIG. 7, as a result of comparing the position that can be post-processed by hardware using character recognition with the post-processing position determined based on the character string direction data, it was determined that the positional relationship between the two is inconsistent. In this case, even if the digital copying machine does not have a page memory, since it usually has a line buffer for several lines, the paper orientation is set correctly as shown in the flow of FIG. 129 (step S6).
64), the reference staple position and the optimum post-processing position are 1
If it is deviated by 80 ° (y in step S665), the reading operation is not performed during the normal scan, and the image is inverted in the main scanning direction while returning at the reading speed when returning (step S666), and the image forming process is performed correctly. Post-processing can be performed on the position (step S667).
In other cases, the image formation is interrupted (step S66).
8) For example, a warning such as "Cannot staple to the correct position. Please check the orientation of the paper or document" is displayed on the display unit (step S669). If you are using DF, etc.
Also stop. In this case, the DF process will be described separately.

As described above, since the optimum post-processing position is automatically determined from the direction of the character or character string of the document to be read by the character recognition, the operator's work and confusion for the post-processing can be avoided. It becomes possible. Further, since the operator does not need to specify the position depending on the case, there is an advantage that the operation is facilitated and the work is speedy and the time is saved. Further, in this embodiment, if the determination result does not meet the constraint condition by hardware, it is considered that the erroneous setting is most likely to occur 1.
Since the image data is apparently rotated so as to match the post-processing direction with respect to a setting error of 80 °, staples can be placed at the optimum post-processing position without the need for the operator to change the original (paper) set. It will be possible. In the case of any other wrong setting, the copying operation is stopped, the operator is notified that the post-processing direction does not match, and it is requested to check the original or paper setting direction and change the setting direction. It is possible to prevent post-processing of the position.

5.3.1 Image according to image forming mode
Selection control of direction identification detection Using the character recognition means, the image direction is detected by recognizing the character direction, and in order to identify and detect the image direction from each detected image data, work such as image processing is performed. There must be. Then, the work has to be performed every time each original is scanned, which takes a very long time, and is inefficient in the case of a normal copy work. Therefore, in the case of a normal copy work, the copy work is performed without passing through the image direction recognition detection unit to improve the efficiency of the copy work. The processing contents are the same as those in the flowchart of FIG.

5.3.2 After the sort operation is completed, the manual
Le when stapling instruction input, Figure 130 the operation flow when 5.3.2.1 warning display warning display output stapling position NG on the basis of the character Direction data will be described with reference to FIG. 131. When the stapling key is turned on and copying is started (step S681), the image direction is judged from the recognition of the character direction by the character recognition means for each original document, and the consistency of the image directions is confirmed. If the image orientations are not consistent, the image data is rotated and copied, and the copy is terminated (step S682). After copying, the stapler is activated (step S683), and R
The EADY mode is set. When the staple key is not turned on, the copy is started (step S68).
4) The image direction is judged from the recognition of the character direction by the character recognition means for each original, and the copy is completed while confirming the consistency of the image directions, and the copy is completed (step S685). After the copying is completed, if the staple key is not turned on, the stapler does not operate and the READY mode is set. After the copying is completed, even if the staple key is turned on, if the recording paper does not remain in the bin, the stapler does not operate and the READY mode is set. This is performed regardless of whether the image directions are consistent (step S686) or not (step S687). After the completion of copying, when the staple key is turned on (manual stapling), the alignment in the image direction is maintained, and when the recording paper remains in the bin, the stapler operates (step S688),
It becomes READY mode.

During manual stapling, when the image orientation is not consistent, the stapler does not operate even if the recording paper remains in the bin, and a warning is displayed on the operation panel (step S689).

5.3.2.2 Staple Prohibition The flow of the staple prohibition operation will be described with reference to FIG. During manual stapling, if the image orientation is not consistent, the stapler operation is prohibited even if the recording paper remains in the bin, and a warning is displayed on the operation panel (step S691). Further, FIG. 133 shows an example of the warning display.

6. Image by detecting punch holes and staple holes
Image direction recognition The image direction can be recognized by recognizing the pattern of the binding portion such as punch holes and staple holes. So, first,
A method of recognizing a punch hole pattern and detecting an image direction will be described. The punch hole is a round hole having a substantially constant diameter (a commonly used hole is 6 mm) according to its standard. By image recognition, two or more circular images having a diameter of about 6 mm are detected. In this case, it is not necessary to recognize all the document image information. The punch hole exists within about 20 mm from the edge of the document. Therefore, the image to be recognized is specified as a range within 20 mm from each side of the four sides of the document shown in FIG. If there is a punch image,
There are always two or more round hole images in 34 a, a, u, d. For example, if only one round image having a diameter of about 6 mm is recognized in the area A, this image is not recognized as a punch hole. With the above method, the recognition determination time can be shortened and the amount of image memory can be reduced.

Further, in order to further improve the accuracy of the judgment result of the positions of two or more round holes, the following calculating means is used. As shown in (a) of FIG. 135, each center coordinate of the round hole is calculated, and the calculation result is, for example, A (Xa, Ya), B (X
b, Yb) and C (Xc, Yc). Further, the maximum image length is XL, YL based on the size of the original.

When the main scanning direction of the scanner is the Y-axis direction and the sub-scanning direction is the X-axis direction, the output waveform in the main scanning direction at the time point Xa is as shown in FIG. Where V1
Is the punch hole detection level, V2 is the white part level on the document, V
3 is the black level on the original. Since V1 and V2, V3 are clearly at different signal levels, the discrimination is easy. It is possible to calculate each coordinate of the punch hole from such a waveform. Regarding the coordinates of each hole, the X coordinate is between Xmm and X-20 mm from the above-mentioned image range. With this coordinate information, it is possible to detect the coincidence of the X coordinate and the coincidence of the Y coordinate of the holes of A, B, and C, and if they are substantially coincident, it can be recognized as a punch hole. In the example of FIG. 135, the image direction is determined from the fixed information when Xa and Xb are opened on the left end face and the upper part as shown in FIGS. 136 (a) and 136 (b).

The flow of the punch hole detecting method will be described with reference to FIGS. 135, 139 and 140. Step S7
In 01 and S702, the image coordinate P (i, j) is set in the upper left corner of the document. In step S703, it is determined whether the signal level SGL read by the CCD is equal to the punch hole level V1 shown in FIG. 135 (b). If they are equal to each other, after executing (min, man determination routine) of step S704 described later, the process proceeds to step S705. If they are not equal, S704 is skipped and the process proceeds to S705. Step S705
It is determined whether or not the value of the Y coordinate has reached the document edge. If not, the Y coordinate is incremented by 1 in step S718, the process returns to step S703, and the process is repeated until the Y coordinate j reaches yl. After reaching the end of the document, the X coordinate is advanced by 1 in step S706, and the above steps are repeated until the X coordinate at the right boundary of the area A shown in FIG. 134 is reached in step S707.

Steps S708 to S711 show scanning of the area c in FIG. Step S711
When the end of the area c is reached in step S712, the area e is skipped in step S712, and the area d is scanned in steps S713 to S716. When the end of the Y coordinate is reached in step S717, the X coordinate is advanced by 1 in step S721, and step S7
Returning to step 08, step S708 to step S717 and step S719 to step S721 are repeated, and the area C and the area D are alternately scanned until the X coordinate reaches the coordinate XL-s at the right end of the area C and the area D. Step S722
Steps S727 to S727 indicate scanning of the area. When the reading coordinate position reaches the lower right corner, the reading scanning ends.

Next, steps S704, S710 and S7.
15, (min, max determination routine) in S724 will be described. In this routine, the maximum and minimum values of the X and Y coordinate values of the outer circumference of the punch hole area are obtained. As shown in FIG. 143, since the punched holes are circular, if the maximum and minimum values of the outer circumference are obtained, other information such as the center value and radius can be easily obtained. When a plurality of punch hole areas are recognized, the maximum value and the minimum value of each of the continuous areas are obtained and written in the storage area.

Next, description will be made regarding FIGS. 141 and 142. Using the maximum value and the minimum value of the punch hole level area obtained according to FIGS. 139 and 140, it is determined whether or not each area is a punch hole. Steps S730 to S73
The shape of the punch hole level area is determined in step 6, and step S
The distance between two points is determined in steps 737 to S742.

In step S730, i is set at the head of the array storing the maximum and minimum punch hole area levels. When the shape determined at the punch hole area level is recognized as a punch hole shape, another array for storing the array is prepared, and the array variable m is initialized to 0 in order to write the array. Turn it into.

The center coordinates are obtained in step S731, and the radius is obtained in step S732, where Rx is the radius obtained from the X coordinate and Ry is the radius obtained from the Y coordinate. In steps S733 and S734, it is determined whether or not the radius is a value allowable as a punch hole. Here, r is the value of the reference radius, and δ is the allowable width of the reading error. If Rx and Ry are within the permissible range for punch holes in steps S734 and S735, the value of the area is set to the array Q.
(M) is written, the presence / absence of a region that has not been determined in step S736 is checked, and if there is a region, the array position is advanced in S743, and then the process returns to S731 and steps S731 to S736 are performed until the determination of all regions is completed. repeat.

Next, the routine advances to a routine for determining between the areas which are found to be acceptable as punch hole shapes. In step S737, the pointer is set to the array position in which the coordinate values of the two areas to be compared are stored, and the distance between the centers of the two is set to L in step S738. In step S739, it is determined whether the distance L is an allowable value. Where l is the center value of the distance,
ε is an allowable width. If this determination is OK, these combinations are determined as punch holes. 3 areas to judge
If there are more than one, the determination is repeated for all combinations in steps S741 to S746. 1. The reading optical system scans the original. 2. The coordinates (x, y) indicating the signal level V1 are obtained. 3. Maximum values xmax and ymax of x and y, minimum value xmi
Find n and ymin. 4. The center coordinate A (Xa, Ya) of the signal level V1 region,
B (Xb, Yb) and radii Ra, Rb are calculated. X0 = (xmax + xmin) / 2 Y0 = (ymax + ymin) / 2 R = (xmax-xmin) or R = (ymax-
ymin) 4. Ra and Rb are judged. Are Ra and Rb in γ-δ <R <γ + δ? (Γ is the radius of the hole, δ is the allowable value) 5. The center-to-center distance L is calculated. L = {(Xa-Xb) 2 + (Ya-Yb) 2} 1/2 6. Judge L. Is L in l-ε <L <l + ε? (L is the distance between two points, ε is an allowable value) If 7.5 and 6 are satisfied, it is recognized as a punch hole, and if not satisfied, it is not recognized. By using the same method, it is possible to deal with the case where the number of punch holes and the punch hole size are different. Further, when the hole of the staple mark is judged and the image direction is judged, it is performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned image direction judgment method by the punch hole detection.

The shape of the staple holes is within about 1 mm in diameter, the distance between the holes is determined by the standard, and the one generally used is about 10 mm. Further, since the stapling is applied to the end face or the corner of the paper, the pattern search may be performed for the image within 20 mm from the end face of the document image as in the punching. However, in the case of stapling, it becomes necessary to detect whether it is at the corner or the end face. As shown in FIG. 137, the original image is divided into four areas (a, u, o, and ki) on the end face portion and four areas (a, d, k, and k) on the corner portion. 10m radius when one 1mm image is detected in the corner
It is only necessary to detect another 1 mm image within m.
By doing this, the recognition time is shortened. The pattern search method is the same as for punch holes. The search target image is an even number of holes of two or more. The image direction is judged based on the detection result and the information fixed in the judging means. The information fixed in the judging means is shown in FIG. 138.

In the case of corner stop, the image direction is judged to be the direction a or b with respect to the staple hole. Also,
In the case of the edge stop, the image direction is determined as in c. The flow chart of the detection method is the same as in the case of punch hole detection.

6.1.1 Based on original punch hole detection
Image direction recognition A punch hole formed on a document is detected, and the image direction of the document is detected from the information of the hole. The contents will be described below. A method of recognizing the image direction using the above-mentioned punch hole detection routine will be described. When the document is a vertical document horizontally written as shown in FIG. 144, the punch hole positions are usually provided at the left end portion of FIG. 144A and the upper end portion of FIG. 144C. (B) and (d) are obtained by rotating (a) and (c) by 180 degrees. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, each image state will be referred to as follows. (A) Left punch upside down (b) Left punch upside down (c) Upper punch upside down (d) Upper punch upside down As described in the above-mentioned punch hole detection routine, FIG. 144 (e) The judgment can be made by checking which of A, B, C, and D has a punch hole. The processing procedure is shown in FIG. By doing so, the image direction of the formatted original image can be detected with a simple configuration. The image orientation can be determined by detecting the punched holes in the copy operation of the document having the punched holes.

6.1.2 Based on detection of staple holes in the document
Image direction recognition A staple hole existing on the original is detected, and the image direction of the original is detected from the information of the hole. The contents will be described below. A method of recognizing the image direction using the staple hole detection routine will be described. As in the case of the punch hole detection described above, when the document is the vertical document horizontal writing shown in FIG. 146, there are usually six possible stapling positions (a) to (f) in FIG. 146. (D) to (f)
Is obtained by rotating (a) to (c) by 180 degrees. The respective image states will be referred to as follows.
(A) Edge stop upside down (b) Edge stop upside down (c) Top edge stop upside down (d) Top edge stop upside down (e) Corner stop upside down (f) Corner stop upside down As described in the above-described staple trace detection routine, the determination can be made by confirming at which position (a) to (f) in FIG. 146 (g) the staple trace exists. The flow is shown in FIG. 147. As described above, the image direction of the formatted document image can be detected with a simple configuration. It is possible to determine the image direction by detecting the staple hole in the copy operation of the document having the staple hole.

6.1.3 Punching of originals when a large number of originals are printed
Detects holes or staple holes and confirms the consistency of image directionality with the reference image information.When a large number of originals are used, the image orientation is determined by detecting punch holes and staple holes in each original, and each detected original is detected. It is determined whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from that of the reference document in the copied document group depending on the direction. The contents will be described below. There are two possible reference images: a) image information of the start page b) image information of an arbitrary page depending on the number of documents. Here, the term "arbitrary" refers to either being set by the operator or being written in the ROM in advance.

Based on the image information detection result described in "Image direction recognition based on detection of punch hole or staple hole in original document", the state of each original document is incremented by one for each original document (FIG. 148). ..

From the count-up result, the counter number a for the left punch upside-down document direction a (step S771) and the document number counter b for the left punch upside-down direction (step S7).
72), the upper punch upside down document count counter c (step S773) and the upper punch upside down document count counter d (step S774) are used to execute the process shown in FIG.
According to the flow of No. 4, it is determined whether or not different original directions are mixed in the multiple originals of one job.

As described above, the image directionality of each original is detected based on the detection of punch holes or staple traces, and it is detected whether or not originals having different original directions are mixed in the original group. Is possible.

6.1.4 Image Directionality N for Multiple Original Documents
Recovering when G is detected 6.1.4.1 Only warning display after image formation When multiple originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting punch holes or staple holes. If there is a document whose image direction is different from that of the reference document, and if the result of the determination is that there is a document that differs from the image direction of the reference document, a warning is displayed on the operation panel. The display informs the operator that the originals having different image directions and the copies of the originals are present in the originals and the copies of the originals.

The contents will be described below. Fig. 35
34, if it is determined in the flow of FIG. 34 that the document orientations are mixed,
After copying all originals, CP of the operation unit
If U is in READY state: -There is a document with the punch hole position or upside down in the image direction. -Check the copy paper and align the image direction. A display request code is sent to display a warning such as. The contents of the operation display are the same except that the "vertical writing, horizontal writing" portion in FIG. 36 is set to "punch hole position".

6.1.4.2 Different directionality in original scan
When copy interrupt warned Display large number document may become, it detects an image direction by detecting the punched holes or staples holes in each document, in the copied original group by each detected document orientation, If it is determined whether or not there is a document whose image direction differs from that of the reference document, and the result of the determination is that a document different from the image direction of the reference document is about to be copied, the copy operation is interrupted. By displaying the warning display on the operation unit, the operator is instructed to change the original placement direction because there are originals having different image directions in the original group.

The contents will be described below. 14
In the case of an original document in the left punch upside-down direction according to No. 9, flag a
Is set as a direction flag in the memory FLGDIR in byte units (step S781), and if the left punch is upside down, the flag b is set (step S782). Similarly, if it is the upper punch upside down, the flag c ( Step S
783), if the upper punch is upside down, the flag d is set (step S784). The bit configuration of the byte-unit memory FLGDIR in which the flag is stored is shown in FIG.
It looks like. The copy interruption and warning display output operation flow is the same as in FIGS. 39 and 40. FIG. 150 shows an example of the display of the operation unit.

As described above, by detecting the mixture of the document directions to the operator, stopping the copy operation and displaying a warning, the operator can unify the image direction of the first copy for the copy group formed by the operator. You can get a copy.

6.1.4.3 Image rotation processing and manuscript
When scanning multiple documents in reverse scan , the image direction is detected by detecting punch holes and staple holes in each document, and the image direction of the reference document differs from the image direction in the copy group depending on the detected document direction. When an original with a different image orientation is detected in the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not a different original is present, the image orientation is changed by performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory), reverse scanning of the original, or the like. The presence of different originals is notified, or the image orientation NG is recovered to obtain a copy with a unified image orientation. The operation flow when performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) by image processing is the same as in FIG.
The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when reverse scanning of the document is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG.

As described above, the image direction is detected by detecting the punch hole or the staple hole of each original,
Depending on the detected original direction, when multiple originals are used,
When it is identified from the edge margin area detection data that the image direction of the reference image direction is different from the image direction of the original document (first original document), the warning image, image rotation process, document reverse scan, etc. are performed to determine the image direction. The operator is informed that different originals exist, and the image orientation NG is recovered to obtain a copy with a uniform image orientation, and it is possible to prevent missing pages.

6.1.5 Correspondence at the time of non-identification 6.1.5.1 Image shape in a predetermined direction determined in advance
Completion / warning indication When a large number of originals are detected, the image direction is detected by detecting punch holes or staple holes in each original, and the image direction of the reference original is included in the originals copied according to each detected original direction. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document having a different image direction, when it is recognized that the image direction cannot be identified, an image is formed in a predetermined direction and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. In this case, the fact that an original whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the original are present in the original group and the copy group is displayed.

The contents will be described below. Based on the image information detection result, the state of each document is incremented by one for each document. From the count-up result, the left punch upside-down document number counter a, the left punch upside down document number counter b, the upper punch upside down document number counter c, the upper punch upside down document number counter d, Counter for the number of documents whose image direction cannot be identified e
48 and FIG. 49, it is determined whether or not originals of different directions are mixed in a large number of originals of one job, and whether originals of which image direction cannot be identified are mixed. to decide. Hereinafter, it is as described above.

As shown in FIG. 47, when it is determined that the image direction cannot be identified in the flow of FIG. 151 (step S
791), if an image is formed in a predetermined direction and the CPU of the operation unit unit is in the READY state after the copying of all the document groups to the operation unit unit 204 is completed, the following warning is issued. Send the display request code to display. The number of originals whose image orientation cannot be identified is known by the counter e. -Some originals with unidentified image orientations are mixed. -Check the copy paper and align the image direction. The contents displayed on the operation unit are the same as those in FIG. As described above, it is possible to prevent missing pages by displaying a warning to the operator that the image direction cannot be identified.

6.1.5.2 Image formation / warning display unified with the identified predetermined reference image information direction When a large number of originals are used, the image orientation is detected by detecting punch holes or staple holes of each original. Using the information as the reference image direction information, it is determined whether the image direction of the document is different from the reference image direction, and the image forming apparatus that aligns the image directions recognizes that the image direction of the reference page is unidentifiable. In this case, the next page is determined to be the reference image direction page, and the image directions are aligned based on the information of that page. By displaying a warning display of the above items on the operation unit, the operator is informed that there is a document whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the document.

The contents will be described below. Figure 15
In step 2, first, in step S801, the number of pages of the reference document is counted. FLGDIR flag D and page counter m, which will be described later, are cleared before the first original is scanned. When reading the first original,
Since the flag D of FLGDIR is OFF, the page counter m is counted by one. The process from the next step to before step S802 is the same as the description of FIG. 151. In the case of a document in the left punch upside-down direction, the flag a is set as a direction flag in the memory FLGDIR in byte units, and if the left punch upside down is in the reverse direction, the flag b is set. The flag c is set, and the flag d is set if the upper punch is upside down. When the document direction is identified, the process proceeds to step S802, and FLGDI
When the flag D of R is OFF, the flag D is set as a data flag in the byte-unit memory FLGDIR and the reference direction data is stored. When the flag D is on (when the reference direction data is stored), the process proceeds to the next step. Memory F in bytes where the flag is stored
The bit configuration of LGDIR is as shown in FIG.
After copying all the originals, the CPU of the operation unit
In the EADY state, a warning display code is sent to the operation unit and the page counter m identifies which page is the reference document, so that the number of pages of the reference document is also displayed. The display contents of the operation unit are the same as those in FIG. 55. As described above, it is possible to prevent missing pages by displaying a warning to the operator that the image direction cannot be identified.

6.1.5.3 Image Discontinuation / Warning Display When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting punch holes or staple holes in each original, and a copy group is detected according to each detected original direction. In the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the reference document, if the image cannot be identified, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. In this case, it is indicated that a document whose image direction cannot be identified and a copy of the document exist in the document group and the copy group, and the operator is informed to change the document setting direction.

The contents will be described below. Figure 15
In the case of a document in the left punch upside-down orientation according to 3, the flag a
Is set as a direction flag in the memory FLGDIR in byte units (step S781), and if the left punch is upside down, the flag b is set (step S782). Similarly, if it is the upper punch upside down, the flag c ( Step S
783), if the upper punch is upside down, the flag d is set (step S784). In the case of a document whose image orientation cannot be recognized, the flag e is set as a direction flag and set in the flag e (step S811). The bit configuration of the byte-unit memory FLGDIR in which the flag is stored is as shown in FIG. The operation flow of the copy interruption and the warning display output is the same as that in FIGS. The contents of the warning display are the same as those in FIG.

As described above, the operator detects the mixture of the document orientations and the inability to recognize the document orientations, and the operator stops the copy operation and displays a warning, so that the operator can make a first copy of the copy group to be imaged. It is possible to obtain a unified copy in the image direction of the first sheet. 6.1.6 Blank document correspondence When a large number of documents are used, the image direction is detected by detecting punch holes and staple holes in each document, and the first document in the copied document group is detected according to each detected document direction. In an image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there is a document whose image direction is different from the image direction of the document, when the document is recognized as a blank sheet, the document is inverted by the document inverting means, and then the image reading operation is performed again. It is conceivable that the image direction is detected again for the read image.

In the reading operation of the ADF (II) shown in FIG. 1, as image information in the image signal of one sheet for an arbitrary document, image information other than the image information (punch hole, staple hole) of the binding portion as described above is used. When there is no image information or no image information at all, it is considered that the document is inverted. Instead of ejecting the document from the document automatic feeder, the document is reversed inside the document automatic feeder and the reading operation by the scanner is performed again. If the information of the original read again is blank information, both sides are blank, so it is considered as interleaving paper, the image data is canceled and the original is ejected, and the blank is ejected as the recording paper, and the next original is ejected. Read processing. The image direction is detected from the information of the read document again, and when the image direction is the same as the image direction of the series of documents, the normal image forming operation is performed based on the inverted image information.

At this time, if the detected image direction is different from the series of image directions, image formation is interrupted and confirmation is requested or a warning is displayed. The detected image orientation is
When it is different from the series of image directions, the read image information is rotated on the memory to unify the image directions.

The above processing is the same as that shown in FIGS. 42, 60, 61 and 62. However, the portion of step 186 in FIG. 60 is referred to as “punching hole detection”. The contents of the warning display are the same as those in FIGS. 43, 45 and 90.

In copying a plurality of originals, when there is an original whose front and back sides are reversed, when the copy is executed as it is, a missing page occurs. In order to prevent this, it is possible to determine that the original is a blank sheet, and at this time, invert the original in the apparatus to return the original to the state in which the front and back are not reversed. If this reversed original is blank again, both front and back sides are blank, so it is determined that the original is a slip sheet, and a blank page is discharged as a recording sheet for this original to prevent missing pages.

In addition to the above operations, by confirming the directionality of the document direction, it is determined whether the directionality with other documents is matched, and if there is a document that is not aligned, a warning display / copy operation is performed. Stop, image rotation processing, document reverse scanning, etc. to notify that there are documents with different image directions or recover the image directionality NG to obtain a copy with a uniform image direction. Also, it is possible to prevent missing pages.

6.1.7 Original Direction N for Multiple Originals
Correspondence when G is detected (when image processing is not possible ) When a large number of originals are detected, punch holes or staple holes of each original are detected, and the image direction of the first original in the copy group is determined from the detected original direction. In an image forming apparatus that determines whether or not there are originals with different image directions, if originals with different image directions are detected, recovery of the image directionality NG cannot be performed, and no corrective action is taken by the operator. If it is not possible to obtain a copy with a uniform image orientation, notify the operator that there are documents with different image orientations as follows, request the operator to take measures to unify the image orientation, and If not, the dead time of the machine is reduced by performing a predetermined operation.

A) -1 When the number of copies is equal to or larger than a predetermined number, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. Furthermore, if the operator does not take any measures after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is restarted. a) -2 When the number of copies is equal to or smaller than a predetermined number, the copy operation is continued and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. b) 1 When the human body detection sensor 25 is ON, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. Furthermore, if the operator does not take any measures after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is restarted. b) -2 When the human body detection sensor 225 is OFF, the copy operation is continued and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit.

The operation flow corresponding to the number of sorts is shown in FIG.
Is the same as. The contents of the warning display are shown in FIGS.
Same as 10. The operation flow of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225 is similar to that of FIG. The contents of the warning display are the same as those in FIGS. 65 and 110.

As described above, in the copying operation using the sorter, when it is recognized by the above-described processing that there is a document in the image direction NG, it is easy to correct it later according to the number of sorts. When the number of copies is very small, copying can be performed without interruption, and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copy is completed, which makes it possible to prevent missing pages. On the other hand, when there are many sort copies that are difficult to correct later, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit, so that it is possible to prevent missing pages. further,
If the number of sorts is large and the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation section, if no action is taken even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is automatically restarted, and the machine is wasted , And the wasteful occupation time of the current job can be omitted. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed. It is possible to prevent missing pages by automatically notifying that the copy is being done and requiring the operator to confirm the image direction of the copy.

When it is recognized in the copying operation of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225 that there is a document in the image direction NG, the human body detection sensor 225
When the human body detection sensor output is OFF according to the output signal of, that is, when the operator is not in front of the copying machine, the copying is performed as it is without interruption, and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copying is completed. When the post-copy binding processing such as punching and stapling is performed on the copy group after image formation, the operator automatically notifies that the image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed, and the operator himself / herself makes a copy. It is required to confirm the image direction and it is possible to prevent missing pages. On the other hand, when the output of the human body detection sensor is ON, the copying operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit, so that it is possible to prevent missing pages. Further, when the output of the human body detection sensor 225 is ON, the copying operation is interrupted, a warning is displayed on the operation unit, and if no action is taken after a predetermined time, the copying operation is automatically restarted. In addition, it is possible to save unnecessary machine down time and unnecessary occupation time by the current job. At the same time, by displaying a warning on the operation unit after completion of copying, when the operator performs post-binding processing such as punching and stapling on the copy group after image formation, image direction NG originals (copy) are mixed. It is possible to prevent missing pages by automatically notifying that the copy is being done and requiring the operator to confirm the image direction of the copy.

6.2.1 Based on Original Punch Hole Detection Data
Staple actuation control brute (stapled positioning - staples original punch hole side) during multiple document sheet, by detecting the image orientation by detecting the punched holes of each document to determine the stapling position from the detected image data It is possible to perform a stapling operation.

The contents will be described below. A staple position determination method based on punch hole detection is shown in FIG.
As shown at 54, a stapling operation is performed on the same end portion as the punch hole detected. That is, (a ') to (d') are respectively shown in (a) to (d) in the case of stopping at two positions, and (a "to (d) are shown in the case of stopping at one place. )-(D ") correspond. In this case, the respective positions may be in the shaded areas in the figure. The staple position data determined by the above method is shown in FIG.
As shown in the flow of 55, it is determined in step S821 which of the following two steps is performed.

A) Standby mode: It is sent to the operation unit and stands by until the operator inputs the next instruction. B) Staple mode: It is transmitted to the staple position changing mechanism as an operation instruction signal. Then, in the stapling mode, the stapling mechanism is controlled based on the operation signal, and after the stapling operation is completed, the process proceeds to the standby mode (step S822) and waits for the next instruction input.

As described above, by detecting the image direction based on the punch hole determination and determining the stapling position, it is possible to prevent miss staples in advance.

6.2.2 Document Staple Hole Detection Data
Staple operation control based on (the staple positioning - staples document staple holes side) during multiple document sheet, by detecting the image orientation by detecting the staple holes of each document, determines the stapling position from the detected image data However, it is possible to perform a stapling operation.

The contents will be described below. As a staple position determination method based on staple hole detection,
As shown in FIG. 156, the stapling operation is performed on the same end portion as the punch hole detected. That is, (a ') to (d') in (a) to (d) of the figure in the case of stopping at two places
However, in the case of stopping at one place, (a ″) to (d ″) correspond to (a) to (d) in the figure, respectively. In this case, the respective positions may be in the shaded areas in the figure. The staple position data determined by the above method is shown in FIG.
As shown in the flow 57, in step S831, it is determined which of the following two steps is to be performed.

A) Standby mode: It is sent to the operation unit and stands by until the operator inputs the next instruction. B) Staple mode: It is transmitted to the staple position changing mechanism as an operation instruction signal. Then, in the stapling mode, the stapling mechanism is controlled based on the operation signal, and after the stapling operation is completed, the process proceeds to the standby mode (step S832) and waits for the next instruction input. As described above, by detecting the image direction based on the staple hole determination and determining the staple position, the miss staple can be prevented in advance.

6.2.3 Original Staple Hole Detection Data
After the job is completed, confirm the execution of stapling and confirm the execution of stapling, and stop the stapling operation by stap prohibition input.When a large number of originals are detected, the image orientation is detected by detecting the staple holes of each original and In an image forming apparatus having a mode in which the stapling position is determined and the stapling operation is performed, after confirming the stapling operation execution after the recording operation is completed, and if there is a prohibition input,
The stapling operation is prohibited.

The contents will be described below. The operation flow will be described with reference to FIG. 158. In step S841, staple holes are detected, and in step S842, a copy operation is performed on a series of documents. After the completion of one job, the operator is requested to confirm the execution of the stapling operation in step S843. If there is a stapling key input, after stapling is executed, the recording paper is ejected in step S844, and the standby mode is entered in step S845. In response to a key input for stapling, the recording paper is discharged as it is and the standby mode is entered.

As described above, in the case where the stapling operation is in the default mode, by confirming the stapling operation with the operator before the stapling operation and receiving the stapling prohibition input, it is possible to prevent the miss stapling.

6.2.4 Original punch holes or stays
And specific image information direction identification from the pull hole data, using a check character recognition image orientation integrity detects an image direction of the document from the direction of the character and the character string with respect to the paper of the document by comparing the reference stapling position data, Optimal post-processing (staple, punch) determined from the relationship between paper and character strings
The consistency between the position and the post-processing position constrained by the hardware is checked.

The contents will be described below. For the sorter / stapler (S / S), only one place at a fixed corner position,
In the case of a finisher, the operating position is limited to a straight line on one end side. Therefore, in the prior art, if the user's instruction input and the document setting method are not in the correct positional relationship due to hardware restrictions, there is a possibility that post-processing will be performed at an incorrect position. Therefore, in the present invention, in addition to the image direction recognizing means using character confirmation as described in the above section, a position capable of post-processing by hardware and an optimum post-processing position determined based on the character string direction data are set. It has a comparing means for comparing and has a step of confirming the consistency of the positional relationship between the both.

In the case of S / S, FIG.
The stapling position is limited to the shaded area in (a) of 9. At this time, if the staple position determined from the image direction is the shaded position in FIG. 159 (b), it does not match the reference staple position, resulting in misalignment. An example of the actual judgment is as follows. As shown in FIG. 160, numbers 1 to 8 are assigned to the absolute staple positions when they are output on the tray of the sorter. Assuming that the staple position obtained as a result of punch hole recognition is i, i = 2 in the case of FIG. 159 (b). Assuming that the staple position on the hard side is k, the staple position on the hard side is limited to 6 to 8 depending on the sheet direction due to the S / S restriction. In the example of FIG. 159, k = 6 or 7 or 8. When i and k are compared with each other, it is determined that they match each other only when i = k. In the case of (b) in FIG. 159, i = 2, and i ≠ k, so it is determined that the two do not match. On the copy operation, the flow is as shown in FIG. That is, the punch holes are respectively recognized depending on whether or not one position is stopped, and the staple position is determined and the consistency is confirmed (steps S851 and S852). As described above, by detecting the punch holes, the optimum post-processing position is automatically determined from the direction of the original character / character string to be read, which avoids operator's work and confusion for post-processing. It will be possible. Further, since the operator does not need to specify the position depending on the case, there is an advantage that the operation is facilitated and the work is speedy and the time is saved. Further, in the present embodiment, it is possible to confirm whether or not the determination result conforms to the constraint condition by the hardware, so that it is possible to prevent the post-processing at the wrong position.

6.2.5 Image Method Based on Punch Hole Detection
Image directionality by comparing orientation and reference stapling position data NG recover Image forming apparatus for detecting image direction by detecting punch holes and determining stapling position by each detected image direction data when a large number of originals When the reference staple position and the detected image orientation data do not match in a., A) the copying operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit. B) The copying operation is continued and the stapling operation is prohibited. C) Image rotation Processing (reversal on memory) is performed. D) Mis-stapling is performed by performing reverse scanning of the document.

The operation flow for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. The operation flow for continuing image formation and prohibiting stapling is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. 63. The operation flow when performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) by image processing is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when reverse scanning of the original is performed is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG.

As described above, when it is determined that the image direction recognized by the punch hole detection and the reference staple position do not match, a warning display, a copy operation stop, an image rotation process,
By performing reverse scanning of the original, etc., it is possible to notify that there are originals with different image directions, recover the image directionality NG, and obtain a copy with a uniform image direction, and also prevent missing pages. Made possible

6.2.6 Punch based on punch hole detection
When there are images at the hole position, when there are many originals, the image direction is detected by detecting the punched holes based on the punched hole detection of each original, and the image formation is performed to determine the punched hole position based on the detected image data. When an image exists at the determined punch hole position in the device, a) interrupt the copy operation and display a warning display on the operation unit b) continue image formation and prohibit stapling c) shift by image processing・ Perform scaling (reduction), etc. d) Change the staple position e) Automatically release the staple mode (default), so that the staple is not applied to the image,
The stapling prevents the copy original from being damaged.

The operation flow for interrupting copying and outputting warning display is the same as in FIG. The operation flow for continuing image formation and prohibiting stapling is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when shifting, scaling (reducing), etc. by image processing is the same as in FIG. The operation flow when changing the staple position is the same as in FIG. 73.

FIG. 71 shows the operation flow when the staple mode is automatically released (default). The warning display contents are the same as in FIG. 77.

As described above, when an image exists at the determined stapling position, the stapling mode is changed by stopping the copy operation / warning, shifting / magnifying the image, changing the stapling position, and automatically canceling the stapling mode. In, it is possible to prevent the image from being damaged by the staple.

6.3.1 Original according to image forming mode
The punch holes or staple Ana識 by detecting detects the selection control punched holes or staples holes in your to a device having means for identifying image orientation in the normal image forming mode, the identification detection of punch holes or staple holes When the image forming mode including the post-processing is not activated, the punch hole or staple hole identification warning is activated. The contents are the same as the flow shown in FIG.

It is a waste of time and inefficiency to constantly operate these identification detection operations in an apparatus capable of identifying and detecting punch holes and staple holes. Therefore, by selectively controlling the punch hole or staple hole identification processing according to the image forming mode, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the copying action.

6.3.2 Detect and punch holes in originals
Punch hole erasure during image formation on recording sheet If a document has punch holes, the punch hole image on the corresponding recording paper is detected by detecting this and unnecessary traces of punch holes are recorded on the recording paper. Can be prevented.

The contents will be described below. FIG.
In the document shown in FIG. 2A, when two punch holes B and C are punched in the image area A, the image information in the punch hole area is recorded at the time of recording with respect to the image information captured in the memory. Is ignored as recording information, and writing on the photoconductor is not performed. As a result, the obtained image on the recording paper becomes an image of only image information without punch holes as shown in FIG. 162 (b), and a clear image can be obtained. In the other direction, if a method of recognizing a punch hole before writing on the memory is used, useless writing operation and writing at the time of writing can be performed without writing unnecessary punch hole information on the memory. Judgment operation can be omitted and processing speed is increased.

Presence of punch holes in the document When a copy operation is performed using a document, punch hole marks are recorded on the recording paper,
Although an unattractive image is created, in the present embodiment, punch holes are automatically recognized and the portion corresponding to the punch holes on the recording paper is not written to avoid unnecessary recording of image information. Only recorded images can be obtained.

6.3.3 Detect Staple Holes in Document
And, when the image forming time staple holes stearyl Puru hole erase original on the recording sheet is present, which erases the staple holes image on the recording sheet corresponding to the detection, unnecessary staple Anaato on the recording sheet Preventing being recorded is done.

The contents will be described below. FIG.
In the document shown in FIG. 3A, when there are two staple traces B and C in the image area A, the image information captured in the memory is recorded and the image information of the staple trace is recorded at the time of recording. Is ignored and writing on the photoconductor is not performed. As a result, the obtained image on the recording paper becomes an image of only image information without staple marks as shown in FIG. 163 (b), and a clear image can be obtained. Also, as another method, if a method of recognizing that there is a staple trace at a stage before writing to the memory is used, unnecessary writing operation and writing at the time of writing can be performed without writing unnecessary staple trace information to the memory. The judgment operation of can be omitted, and the processing speed can be increased.

When a copy operation is performed using a document having staple holes in the document, staple hole marks are recorded on the recording paper and an unattractive image is created. In this embodiment, however, the staple holes are automatically recognized. Thus, by not writing the portion corresponding to the staple holes on the recording paper, it is possible to avoid recording of unnecessary image information and obtain a recorded image of only necessary information.

6.3.4 After the sort operation is completed, the manual
Le when stapling instruction input, when many sheets the document when the staple position NG on the basis of various data, identifying the image orientation by punching holes or staples hole detection of each document, determines the stapling position by the respective detected image data In the image forming apparatus, when the staple operation is manually input after the sorting operation is completed and the image data exists at the instructed staple position, a) display a warning display on the operation unit b) staple By prohibiting it, the staple is operated so as not to cover the image area, and the staple is prevented from damaging the copy recording paper.

The operation flow of warning display output is the same as in FIG. However, “image consistency OK” in step S361
The judgment was deleted. The contents of the warning display are the same as in FIG. 77. The operation flow for prohibiting stapling is the same as in FIG. However, “image consistency OK” in step S371
The judgment was deleted. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. 79.

In this way, when an image is present at the staple position, a warning is displayed and the stapling is prohibited, so that the image can be prevented from being damaged by the staple.

7. Margin detection, layout detection, character recognition
Detection method that performs detection in the order of detection to efficiently perform the image direction. By using any document image direction detection unit, another document image direction recognition unit is activated when detection cannot be performed, and an image with high image direction recognition probability is efficiently generated. A method of detecting direction is provided.

This embodiment is executed by the image direction judging means having a high processing speed, and only when the image direction judging means judges that the image direction cannot be judged, the image direction judging means having the next highest processing judgment. Is to recognize the image direction.

A concrete flow chart is as shown in FIG. In step S861, the image orientation of the original is determined by detecting the margin. In step S862, it is determined whether the image orientation determination based on the margin detection is impossible. If it is determined that this is impossible, layout determination is executed in step S863. If the image orientation cannot be recognized by the layout determination in step S864, the flow advances to step S865 to execute the image orientation determination means by the character orientation determination. If it cannot be determined in step S866, it is determined that the image orientation cannot be determined. By doing so, it is possible to accurately and quickly determine the image direction.

[0415]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.

The first detection step of detecting predetermined image information in the first image information page area, and the first recognition step of recognizing the image direction of the first image information from the detected image information data are recognized. The storing step of storing the image direction of the first image information, the second detecting step of detecting the predetermined image information in the second image information page area, and the image direction of the second image information from the detected image information data. A second recognition step of recognizing,
A determining step of determining the image direction matching of the second image information with respect to the stored image direction of the first image information, and an image direction mismatching state of the first image information and the second image information is confirmed in this determining step. According to the invention of claim 1, further comprising a recovering step for avoiding a mismatched state, the determining step determines the consistency of the image directions recognized by the first recognizing step and the second recognizing step. When the orientations are not aligned, the inconsistency state is avoided, so it is possible to easily, accurately and quickly confirm the alignment of the image orientations between multiple document images. Also, it can be used as an image orientation alignment confirmation tool. Thus, it is possible to appropriately apply to machines of various layers (segments), and it is possible to provide an image direction recognition method with high image direction recognition accuracy.

In the image direction recognition / unification method according to claim 1, when an image direction inconsistency state between the first image information and the second image information is confirmed, at least one of displaying a warning and interrupting image formation. According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the warning can be displayed on the display unit and / or the inconsistent state can be avoided by interrupting the image formation, it is easy to confirm the alignment of the image directionality between a large number of document images. It can be done accurately and accurately.

In the image direction recognition / unification method according to claim 1, when the image direction inconsistency state between the first image information and the second image information is confirmed, the image rotation process for the image information is executed. According to the invention described above, the images in which the mismatched state has been confirmed are rotated and aligned, so that it is possible to quickly align the image directionality among a large number of document images.

In the image direction recognition / unification method according to claim 1, when it is confirmed that the image directions of the first image information and the second image information do not match, the image reading operation for the image information is executed from the reverse direction. According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the image directions are not matched, the reading operation is performed from the opposite direction, so that the matching of the image directions can be achieved, and the image directions among a large number of document images can be obtained. Gender can be quickly matched.

[0420] First detecting means for detecting predetermined image information in the first image information page area, and first recognizing means for recognizing the image direction of the first image information from the detected image information data are recognized. A storage unit that stores the image direction of the first image information, a second detection unit that detects predetermined image information in the second image information page area, and an image direction of the second image information based on the detected image information data. Second recognizing means for recognizing,
Judging means for judging the image direction matching of the second image information with respect to the stored image direction of the first image information, and the judging means confirms the image direction mismatching state between the first image information and the second image information. According to the invention of claim 5, further comprising a recovering means for avoiding an inconsistent state, the determining means determines the consistency of the image directions recognized by the first recognizing means and the second recognizing means, When the image orientations are not aligned, the inconsistency state is avoided, so it is possible to easily, accurately and quickly confirm the alignment of the image orientations among multiple document images. Also, it is used as an image orientation alignment confirmation tool. As a result, it is possible to appropriately apply to machines of various layers (segments), and it is possible to provide an image orientation recognition device with high image orientation recognition accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire digital copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an optical writing unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an optical writing unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the entire electrical equipment control of the digital copying machine.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an image scanner unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing data switched by a data switching mechanism.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a memory system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a memory system.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a memory system.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a memory device.

FIG. 13 is an internal block diagram of a memory unit of the memory device.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing three image data types.

FIG. 15 is an internal block diagram of a memory device.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a memory system using an external storage device.

FIG. 17 is an internal block diagram of a memory device.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an application unit.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 20 is a memory system block diagram.

FIG. 21 is a schematic block diagram of an image processing unit.

FIG. 22 is a reception block diagram of image information.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an image processing function.

FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram of a bitmap page memory.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram of image information data expanded in a memory at the time of normal scanning.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of image information data expanded in a memory at the time of reverse scanning.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram of image information data mirrored on a memory.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory diagram showing margins in the X and Y directions of a document.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram for detecting the number of pixels from the document end face to the image start position.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a document orientation detection method.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing an image determined by the flow of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a binding margin position detection method for a document.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart for matching the image orientations of the maximum edge margin and the start page image information.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart for determining whether different document directions are mixed in a large number of documents of one job.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing a warning display of a document having mixed directions.

FIG. 36 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart for determining whether or not there is a document having a different image orientation in the copied document group.

38 is an explanatory diagram showing the bit configuration of the memory of the flag used in the flow of FIG. 37. FIG.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of copying interruption and warning display output.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of copying interruption and warning display output.

FIG. 41 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart when image rotation processing is performed by image processing.

FIG. 43 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart when reverse scanning of a document is performed.

FIG. 45 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart of a method for detecting the orientation of an original from the margin area of the original.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart of a warning display when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 48 is a flow chart for determining whether or not a plurality of originals in different directions are mixed in a single job and originals whose image directions cannot be identified are mixed.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart for determining whether or not a plurality of originals in different directions in one job are mixed and originals whose image directions cannot be identified are mixed.

FIG. 50 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart of control for unifying to the identified predetermined reference image information direction.

52 is an explanatory diagram showing the bit configuration of the memory of the flag used in the flow of FIG. 51. FIG.

FIG. 53 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 54 is a flow chart of determination of image direction unidentification.

55 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a memory of a flag used in the flow of FIG. 54.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart of interruption of copying and warning display output when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart of interruption of copying and warning display output when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart of interruption of copying and warning display output when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 59 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart of blank document determination processing.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart of blank document determination processing.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart of interruption of copying and warning display output when a blank original is determined.

FIG. 63 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

[Fig. 64] Fig. 64 is a flowchart of a copy operation for coping with the number of sort copies when the image directions are not aligned.

FIG. 65 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

66 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit. FIG.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart of a coping operation of a copying machine equipped with a human body detection sensor when image directions are not aligned.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart for stapling by determining the binding position.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart for continuing image formation and stapling prohibition when the reference staple position data and the image direction do not match.

FIG. 70 is a flowchart of copying interruption and warning display when an image exists at the determined staple position.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart of operations of image formation continuation and stapling inhibition when an image exists at a determined stapling position.

FIG. 72 is a flowchart of the sequence / magnification processing and the like when an image exists at the determined staple position.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart of a staple position changing operation when an image exists at the determined staple position.

FIG. 74 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart of selection control of image direction identification detection according to an image forming mode.

FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing a warning display when the staple position is inappropriate.

FIG. 77 is a configuration diagram of an operation display unit.

FIG. 78 is a flow chart for performing staple prohibition operation when the staple position is inappropriate.

FIG. 79 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

[Fig. 80] Fig. 80 is an explanatory diagram for determining the image orientation from the result of line segmentation.

FIG. 81 is an explanatory diagram showing a triangular pattern for stopping one staple.

FIG. 82 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern of staple two-side stopper.

[Fig. 83] Fig. 83 is an explanatory diagram in which the result of cutting out rows by the mosaic processing is expanded on the bitmap memory.

[Fig. 84] Fig. 84 is an explanatory diagram in which the result of cutting out a row by the mosaic processing in the case where the number of pixels of the filter is reduced is expanded on the bitmap memory.

[Fig. 85] Fig. 85 is an explanatory diagram in which the result of cutting out a row by the mosaic processing when the number of pixels of the filter is increased is expanded on the bitmap memory.

[Fig. 86] Fig. 86 is an explanatory diagram in which the result of cutting out a line by the mosaic processing when the number of pixels of the filter is increased and the dot is equal to or larger than the line feed width is developed on the bitmap memory.

FIG. 87 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a filter.

FIG. 88 is a flowchart of top / bottom determination of a document based on an address in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 89 is a flowchart for determining horizontal writing or vertical writing from the average value of the distances between the centers of gravity of the character arrangement sections in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

FIG. 90 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 91 is an explanatory diagram showing types of originals.

FIG. 92 is an explanatory diagram showing types of originals.

FIG. 93 is an explanatory diagram showing a unified pattern of image directions.

FIG. 94 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between each reference image and the staple position and punch position.

FIG. 95 is a flowchart of image orientation matching confirmation determination.

FIG. 96 is a flowchart for unifying the image directions with the subsequent page as the reference direction original.

FIG. 97 is a flowchart for unifying the image directions with the subsequent page as the reference direction original.

FIG. 98 is a flowchart of a warning display operation when the orientations of a document are mixed or orientations cannot be recognized.

FIG. 99 is a flowchart of stapling processing based on layout determination.

FIG. 100 is a plan view of an operation display unit.

101 is a flowchart of image integrity and stapling operation. FIG.

FIG. 102 is a flowchart showing an example of a character recognition method.

FIG. 103 is an explanatory diagram showing direction codes of an outline portion of an input character image.

FIG. 104 is an explanatory diagram of a histogram for each direction code.

FIG. 105 is a character recognition block diagram.

FIG. 106 is an explanatory diagram showing direction codes corresponding to respective angles of the character “sentence”.

FIG. 107 is an explanatory diagram showing a combination table of document size and writing method.

FIG. 108 is an explanatory diagram showing positions of various originals.

FIG. 109 is an explanatory diagram showing types of horizontal writing and vertical writing of a document.

110 is a plan view of the operation display unit. FIG.

FIG. 111 is a flowchart of an operation of forming an image and displaying a warning in a predetermined direction.

FIG. 112 is a flowchart of an operation of forming an image and displaying a warning in a predetermined direction determined in advance.

FIG. 113 is a flowchart of an operation of forming an image and displaying a warning by unifying with the identified predetermined reference image information direction.

FIG. 114 is a flowchart of an operation of performing image formation and warning display by unifying the identified predetermined reference image information directions.

FIG. 115 is a flowchart of an operation of performing image formation and warning display by unifying the identified predetermined reference image information directions.

FIG. 116 is a flowchart of image formation interruption and warning display operation when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 117 is a flowchart of image interruption and warning display operation when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 118 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 119 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 120 is an explanatory diagram showing each pattern for stopping one staple.

FIG. 121 is an explanatory diagram showing each pattern of stapling at two staples.

FIG. 122 is a flowchart of stapling position determination.

FIG. 123 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the sheet orientation and the suitability of the staple position.

FIG. 124 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the paper orientation and the suitability of the staple position.

FIG. 125 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the paper orientation and the suitability of the staple position.

FIG. 126 is a flowchart of stapling position determination.

FIG. 127 is a flowchart of a warning display process when the consistency between the character string direction data and the reference staple position is NG.

FIG. 128 is a flowchart of the image rotation process when the consistency between the character string direction data and the reference staple position is NG.

FIG. 129 is a flowchart of document reverse scanning processing when the matching between the character string direction data and the reference staple position is NG.

FIG. 130 is a flowchart of a warning display process when the staple position is NG when a manual stapling instruction is input.

FIG. 131 is a flowchart of a warning display process when the staple position is NG when a manual stapling instruction is input.

FIG. 132 is a flowchart of a staple inhibiting operation when the staple position is NG when a manual staple instruction is input.

FIG. 133 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 134 is an explanatory diagram showing a punch hole area.

FIG. 135 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of calculating each coordinate of punch holes.

FIG. 136 is an explanatory diagram showing punch hole positions.

FIG. 137 is an explanatory diagram showing a document image divided into ranges.

FIG. 138 is an explanatory diagram showing fixed image information.

FIG. 139 is a flowchart of a punch hole detecting method.

FIG. 140 is a flowchart of a punch hole detection method.

FIG. 141 is a flowchart of a punch hole detection method.

FIG. 142 is a flowchart of a punch hole detecting method.

FIG. 143 is an explanatory diagram showing coordinate values of punch holes.

FIG. 144 is an explanatory diagram showing each pattern of punch holes and a detection region.

FIG. 145 is a flowchart showing the relationship between the existence location of punch holes and the image state.

FIG. 146 is an explanatory diagram showing each pattern of the staple position.

FIG. 147 is a flowchart showing processing based on a staple trace and an image state.

FIG. 148 is a flowchart of a process of counting each document state.

FIG. 149 is a flowchart of a process of counting the states of respective documents.

FIG. 150 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 151 is a flow chart for counting the state of each document and performing an unidentification process.

FIG. 152 is a flowchart of image direction identification processing using punch holes and staple holes for a large number of documents.

FIG. 153 is a flowchart of a process of counting the states of respective documents.

FIG. 154 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between punch hole positions and staple positions.

FIG. 155 is a flowchart of stapling processing by punch hole detection.

FIG. 156 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a staple hole position and a staple position.

FIG. 157 is a flowchart of stapling processing by detecting staple holes.

FIG. 158 is a flowchart of stapling operation confirmation processing.

FIG. 159 is an explanatory diagram showing stapling positions on a document.

FIG. 160 is an explanatory diagram showing staple positions with reference numerals.

FIG. 161 is a flowchart of staple position determination processing based on staple position determination and punch hole recognition.

162 is an explanatory diagram showing punch hole erase. FIG.

FIG. 163 is an explanatory diagram showing staple mark erase.

FIG. 164 is a flowchart of image direction identification processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 200, 201 CPU 202 Image control circuit 203 Signal switching gate array 204 Operation unit unit 205 Editor 206 Scanner control circuit 207 Page memory 208 Image processing unit 209 Calendar IC 210 Application unit 220 Main control plate 221 Paper feed control plate 222 Sorter control plate 223 Double-sided control board 224 ADF control board 225 Human body detection sensor

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 30, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

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[Procedure Amendment 2]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Figure 5

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Figure 5]

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 18

[Correction method] Change

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FIG. 18

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 22

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

FIG. 22

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Takashima 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Stock company Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroyasu Sumita 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Shares Within Ricoh Company (72) Inventor Fumio Kurizumi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A first detecting step of detecting predetermined image information in a first image information page area, a first recognizing step of recognizing an image direction of the first image information from the detected image information data, and a recognizing step. A storing step of storing the image direction of the detected first image information, a second detecting step of detecting predetermined image information in the second image information page area, and an image of the second image information from the detected image information data. A second recognition step of recognizing the direction; a determination step of determining the image direction consistency of the second image information with respect to the image direction of the stored first image information; and a first image information and a second image information in this determination step. And an image direction recognition / unification method for performing image direction recognition and image direction unification by sequentially performing the above steps, when the image direction unmatched state is confirmed. .. 2. The image orientation recognition according to claim 1, wherein at least one of warning display and interruption of image formation is executed when an image orientation mismatch state between the first image information and the second image information is confirmed.・ Unification method. 3. The image orientation recognition / unification method according to claim 1, wherein when the image orientation mismatch state between the first image information and the second image information is confirmed, the image rotation processing for the image information is executed. 4. The image orientation recognition / unification method according to claim 1, wherein when the image orientation mismatch state between the first image information and the second image information is confirmed, the image reading operation for the image information is performed from the reverse direction. . 5. A first detecting means for detecting predetermined image information in the first image information page area, a first recognizing means for recognizing an image direction of the first image information from the detected image information data, and a recognizing means. Storage means for storing the image direction of the detected first image information, second detection means for detecting predetermined image information in the second image information page area, and image of the second image information from the detected image information data. Second recognizing means for recognizing the direction; determining means for determining the image orientation consistency of the second image information with respect to the image orientation of the stored first image information; and the first image information and the second image information in the determining means. An image orientation recognizing / unifying device having a recovering means for avoiding the inconsistent state when the image orientation inconsistent state is confirmed.