JPH05229278A - Method and apparatus for judging binding position - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute binding operation at a proper position by successively performing a process for confirming the longitudinal and lateral directions of image data, a process for determining a reference image direction, a binding position confirming process and a process for judging the matching properties of binding position data. CONSTITUTION:It is judged whether a stapling mode is set in a step S581 after the completion of copy and, at the time of the stapling mode, the confirmation of the matching properties of an image direction is performed in a step $582. When the matching properties are OK, a stapler is operated to enter a READY mode. When the matching properties are NG, the operation of the stapler is prohibited in a step S583 to advance to a step S584. In the step S584, an alarm display code is sent out when an operation part is in a code receiving READY state in order to display an alarm on the operation part and the alarm is displayed in order to call for the confirmation of an operator. This constitution is effective even in a case aming at the formation of a double-side image.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image orientation determining method and an image orientation determining apparatus in a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, an OCR, etc., and more particularly to an image orientation determining using vertical and horizontal data of image information. The present invention relates to a method and an image orientation determining device.

[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. Rotated characters are recognized by comparing and collating the following feature amounts with the dictionary, and if the rotation angle of the character is not known in advance, the cut out character image is recognized as two or more different rotated characters. , A technique for determining the rotation angle of a character has been proposed.

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 (width of the read document image from the line head to the line end). And the width from the end of the line to the beginning of the line are equal), and at this time, the number of black pixels included in the specified width from the end 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. Utilizing the property that the number of black pixels is larger than that included, the top and bottom (vertical relation) of the document image is determined, and when the top and bottom of the document image is determined to be reversed, the document rotating means rotates the document image. A technology has been proposed for making the top and bottom normal.

[0004]

However, all of the above-mentioned conventional techniques disclose a character direction (document image direction) discriminating technique using character recognition. There is little known that it is applied to various fields and pursued convenience. In particular, as a field of application to which the technique of discriminating the character direction can be applied, there is a field of binding sheets on which images are formed, but this prior art has not been developed to such an area.

A point to be noted in the image forming operation involving binding is that the binding position on the sheet may be inappropriate depending on the set direction of the document (document image) with respect to the image reading unit.

Here, it should be noted that there are vertical and horizontal originals for each of the vertical and horizontal originals, and in the above-mentioned prior art, it is possible to discriminate between vertical and horizontal originals. However, the orientation of the image including the portrait original and the landscape original is not identified.

[0007] For example, when the same vertical writing and horizontal writing are used and both vertical writing and horizontal writing are mixed, when the original image is copied by a copying machine or the like, the top and bottom cannot be discriminated and the binding position is recognized. However, there is a significant defect due to misrecognition.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, identifies a vertical document and a horizontal document, and performs a binding position determination method and a binding position determination for performing a binding operation at an appropriate position for the vertical document and the horizontal document. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above-described object is to recognize the vertical and horizontal directions of image information in a binding position determination method of a binding position on a sheet on which image information is formed when both vertical and horizontal image information are mixed. A vertical / horizontal direction recognition step, a reference image direction determination step of determining the image direction of the reference image information, a binding position recognition step of recognizing the binding position with respect to the paper on which the reference image information is image-formed, And a determining step of determining the consistency of the recognized binding position data with respect to the predetermined reference binding position data.

Further, the above object is to provide a vertical / horizontal direction recognizing means for recognizing the vertical / horizontal direction of image information in a binding position determining device for a binding position on a sheet on which each image information is image-formed when the vertical and horizontal image information are mixed. A reference image direction determining means for determining an image direction of the reference image information, a binding position recognizing means for recognizing a binding position on a sheet on which the reference image information is image-formed, and a predetermined reference This is achieved by the second means having a determining means for determining the consistency of the recognized binding position data with respect to the binding position data.

[0011]

According to the above means, when the vertical and horizontal image information is mixed, the vertical and horizontal directions of the image information are recognized and the reference image information is recognized when the binding position of the binding position on the sheet on which the image information is formed is determined. While determining the image orientation of, the binding position of the reference image information on the paper on which the image is formed is recognized, and the consistency of the recognized binding position data with the predetermined predetermined reference binding position data is confirmed. judge.

In this case, the determination of the image direction of the reference image information is selectable between the automatic setting mode and the manual setting mode.

Further, the reference image direction determined above is a lateral reference.

When the determined reference image direction is the horizontal reference, the right end face of the vertical image information is aligned with the upper end face of the horizontal image information.

Further, the determined reference image direction is determined by the ratio of the image information in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In addition, in order to make the explanation easy to understand, the explanation is divided into each item, and the divided item is shown as a table of contents first.

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 unit 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, scaling, rotation, reverse scan, mirroring 1.9.5.2 Shift 1.9.5.3 Magnification 1.9.5.4 Rotation 1.9.5 .5 Reverse scan and mirroring 1.10 Human body detection sensor 2. Image orientation judgment 3. Image direction recognition by layout judgment 3.1.1 Image direction recognition by layout judgment of the entire image 3.1.2 Image blank area detection method at layout judgment 3.2.1 Image direction recognition based on layout judgment [image information direction Combination of data (original setting direction) and image information output size data (original size)] 3.2.2 Image orientation recognition from corner margin data in page area of output image information based on layout judgment 3.2.3 Multiple sheets At the time of manuscript, check the matching of image directionality with other image information based on layout judgment (unification of image direction) 3.2.4 In case of many originals, 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) 3.2.5 Predetermined standard when a large number of pages and mixed originals Confirmation of matching of image directionality based on layout judgment for image information (unification of image direction) 3.2.6 Recovery when image directionality NG is detected for many originals (mismatch of corner margin area) 3.2.7 Identification Correspondence at the time of impossible 3.2.8 Correspondence of blank originals 3.2.9 Correspondence at the time of image direction NG detection in case of a large number of originals (when the 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) 3.3.2 Staple position determination from corner margin data in page area of output image information based on layout judgment (staple to proper corner) 3 3.3.3 Staples on the detected corner margins 33.4 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 3.3.5 Confirm the image direction consistency by comparing the corner margin based on the layout judgment with the reference staple position data 3.3.6 Layout judgment Image directionality N by comparing the corner margins based on
G Recover 3.3.7 When there is an image at the stapling position based on the common corner margin data based on the layout judgment 3.3.8 When a large number of pages / horizontal and horizontal documents are mixed, the image directionality is matched based on the layout judgment, Staple position determination 3.4.1 Selective control of image direction identification detection according to image formation mode 3.4.2 Staple position NG based on end face margin data when manual step instruction is input after completion of sort operation
In case of 4. Image direction recognition detection based on character direction determination 4.1.1 Image direction recognition in output image information page based on character recognition 4.1.2 When a large number of documents are printed, reference output image information based on character recognition and other image information Matching of image directionality (unification of image direction) 4.1.3 Detection method for identifying vertical and horizontal documents [Identification detection based on document size / direction data, character direction data, and line direction data (all types: Vertical writing·
Horizontal writing is possible)] 4.1.4 Matching of image directionality based on character direction recognition with respect to predetermined reference image information when multiple sheets / horizontal and horizontal documents are mixed 4.1.5 Image direction for multiple sheets of original Recover when NG NG is detected (mismatch in text direction) 4.1.6 Image direction when multiple originals are detected NG Detectable (when image processing is not supported) 4.1.7 For blank originals 4.1.8 Identification Correspondence at the time of impossible situation 4.1.8.1 Image formation / warning display in a predetermined direction determined in advance 4.1.8.2 Image formation / warning display unified in the identified predetermined reference image information direction 4. 1.8.3 Image interruption / warning display 4.2.1 Staple position determination by character recognition 4.2.2 Comparison between character string direction data and reference staple position 4.2.2 When multiple sheets of originals are mixed , Is the character direction recognition data for the predetermined reference image information? Image information direction is identified from the above, and image direction alignment is confirmed by comparing with the standard stapler position data 4.2.4 Consistency between character string direction data and reference staple position Recover when NG 4.3.1 Depending on image forming mode Selection control of image direction identification detection 4.3.2 When the manual stapling instruction is input after the completion of the sorting operation, the staple position N is determined based on the character direction data.
In case of G 4.3.2.1 Warning display 4.3.2.2 Staple prohibition 1. Schematic Configuration of Digital Copier according to Embodiment 1.1 Overall Configuration FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the entire digital copier according to the embodiment, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plan view and a side view of a writing unit in the digital copier. is there.

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 or a halogen lamp 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 a wide variety of copies by taking out and putting in and taking out functions such as multiple transfer and double-sided copy each time. In addition, R (red), G (green), B
In some cases, a color original is read using a 3-line CCD or the like in order to simultaneously obtain three (blue) information.

1.3 Writing Unit The image information after the image processing is written on the photosensitive drum 40 in the form of a set of light spots by raster scanning of the 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 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 the rotation speed of the photosensitive drum 40, the writing density, and the polygon mirror 2.
It is determined by the number of faces.

The reflected light of the laser light incident on the polygon mirror 24 is deflected by the rotation of the polygon mirror 24. The deflected laser light is reflected by the fθ lens 26a,
The light is sequentially incident on 26b. The fθ lenses 26a and 26b are
The scanning light having a constant angle is converted so as to scan the photosensitive drum 40 at a constant speed, and an image is formed on the photosensitive drum 40 so that the light spot becomes a minimum light spot.

The laser light that has passed through the fθ lenses 26a and 26b is guided to the synchronization detection light input section (synchronization detection plate) 30 by the synchronization detection mirror 29 outside the image area, propagated to the sensor section 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 Unit The apparatus of this embodiment includes two developing devices, a main developing device 42a and a sub developing device 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
By inserting black toner into the toner replenishing device 43a paired with 2a and color toner into the toner replenishing device 43b paired with the sub-developing device 42b, the main pole position of the developing device of the other color is developed during development of one color. Selectively develop by changing the.

By using such a developing device, color information can be read by switching the color filter 6 of the scanner, and multiple transfer of the paper carrying system, double-sided copying function and the like 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 method 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 photoconductor 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 to perform 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 discharge port 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 paper is guided downward by the switching claw 67, and is guided by the next switching claw 69 to the tray 70 further below the refeed loop 72. Then, by reversing the roller 71, it is fed again in the opposite direction, and the switching pawl 6
By switching of 9, the sheet 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. Due to the action of the pull-out rollers 105, 106 and the separation belt 107 wound around the pull-out roller 105, the recalled originals are prevented from being double-fed, and the single-sheet guide plate 1
Sent along 08. The document fed along the guide plate 108 is fed to the predetermined exposure position on the contact glass 9 by the belt feeding device 125 and stopped.

The belt transport device 125 is a drive roller 10.
9 and the driven roller 110, the belt 102 that sets the original insertion position by the fixed roller 111, and presses the original against the contact glass 9 by the pressure roller.
Have. 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 ejected from the copying machine, and for conveying 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 transfer 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.

A deflecting claw 1312 and a deflecting portion discharging roller 13 are provided at positions corresponding to the respective bins 1350 of the deflecting portion B path.
04 are provided, and the driven roller 1307 is in pressure contact with the deflecting portion discharge roller 1304 and the copy vertical transport path. The conveying roller 1108 and the discharging roller 1111 are driven by a proof motor 1117, and the oblique receiving roller 1201, the oblique roller 1202, the oblique discharging roller 1203, the conveying rollers 1301 and 1302, and the deflecting roller discharging 1304 are driven. It is driven by a motor 1313.

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 separating claw, 80 is a main motor, and 81 is a fan motor.

1.9 Electrical Equipment Control Section FIGS. 4A and 4B are block diagrams showing the control unit of the copying machine, and FIGS. 5A and 5B 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, and 22.
Reference numeral 4 is an ADF control plate.

1.9.1 Sequence Control First, sequence control will be described. This sequence is used to set and output conditions related to paper transport timing and image formation. Paper size sensors, paper transport sensors such as paper discharge detection and registration detection, duplex units,
A driver such as a high-voltage power supply unit, a relay, a solenoid, a motor, a sorter unit, a laser unit, a scanner unit, etc. are connected.

Regarding the sensor, a paper size sensor that detects the size and orientation of the paper loaded in the paper feed cassette and outputs an electric signal according to the detection result, a sensor related to paper transportation such as registration detection and paper discharge detection, an oil end, and the like. 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.

In the double-sided unit, a motor for aligning the paper width, a paper feed clutch, a solenoid for changing the transport 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 to input a photopattern formed at a predetermined timing by a phototransistor, detect the density of the pattern, and control the toner density by controlling the on / off of the toner supply clutch. There is. 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 controlled so that a preset reference voltage (this voltage is the monitor voltage when the laser diode is turned on in this embodiment) is 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 key input by the operator and the status of the copying machine, and informs the main CPU (b) 201 of the key input information by serial communication. Based on this information, the main CPU (b) 201 lights up the indicator of the operation unit unit 204,
It is determined whether the lamp is off or blinking and serially transmitted 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 the ADF (ADF control board 22) is also used.
4) 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, the image signal continuously sent from the scanner with 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 by 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 unit. 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 amount of light, 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 MT
The F correction circuit 270 emphasizes the high frequency range, the scaling circuit 271 electrically scales it, and applies it to the γ conversion circuit 272. The γ conversion circuit 272 optimizes the input characteristics according to the characteristics of the machine. The image signal output from the γ conversion circuit 272 is converted to a predetermined quantization level by SW1 of the data depth switching mechanism. This switching mechanism switches to the three data types shown in FIG. In the 4-bit conversion circuit 273, 4-bit data is output, and in the binarization circuit 274,
The input 8-bit multivalued data is converted into binary data by a preset fixed threshold value, and 1-bit data is output. The dither circuit 275 is 1-bit data and produces an area gradation. SW1 selects one of three data types and outputs it as DATA0 to DATA7.

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. A rotary encoder 259 is connected to the drive shaft of the scanner drive motor 258, and the position sensor 260 detects the reference position of the sub-scanning drive mechanism. The electric scaling circuit is the scanner control circuit 2
The electrical scaling processing is performed according to the magnification on the main scanning side set by 06.

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. A pixel synchronization clock pulse CLK, a main scanning synchronization pulse LSYNC, and a 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 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, the compressor (COMP) 290 and the decompressor (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 inside of the memory unit 292 of FIG. 12 is 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.

Normally, the speed of image data from the scanner or to the printer is constant regardless of 8-bit data, 4-bit data or 1-bit data. That is, 1
The pixel period is fixed in the device. In this device, 1-bit data, 4-bit data, 8-bit data and MSB justification are defined from the MSB side of 8 data lines. 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.

FIG. 15 shows a pixel process unit (PPU) 310 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 structure 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,
An error detection circuit (Error Detect) 295 is a compressor (COMP) 290 or an expander (EXP) 29.
When an error signal from 1 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 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. 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 uses the DMAC 344 to perform high-speed processing of the data in the page memory 341 without using the CPU 352 in order to perform high-speed processing of enlargement or reduction in this circuit. The rotation control is, for example, by FAX transmission, and when the original to be sent is A4 vertical and the receiver is A4 horizontal, the sending side automatically reduces the size by 71% and the sending side becomes difficult to see. In order to prevent this, in the case of the above size, 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 into 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 control terminal, and in addition to reading and rewriting data inside the system, the console can also be used to develop software using a debug tool that is a 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 About APL2 This is a unit for FAX control and consists of 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.
Since it becomes a line of B + 1D (64 KB × 2 + 16 KB), 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 when receiving a call from the other party when connecting to the other party using an exchange. SAF (Store and Forward) 3
Reference numeral 73 is for accumulating image data (including image data, code data, etc.) when transmitting and receiving a FAX.

This unit is a semiconductor memory or HDD
325, ODD361, etc. are used. The ROM 374 contains a program for controlling the APL2. Further, the RAM 375 is used for those works and at the same time is made non-volatile by a battery. The telephone number of the other party, the name of the other party, data for controlling the FAX function, etc. are stored therein, 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, 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 specifications of each are slightly different. If the functions of these printers are not the same as seen from the HOST, the 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 converts the code data sent from the HOST into the CGROM 386 and the FONT image in the CG card 387 at high speed in the page memory 34.
It expands to 1. 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 About APL4 This is a unit for controlling the LAN. Here, the LAN controller 390 controls the currently operating LANs such as the Ethernet, omni, and star run. Naturally A
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 About APL5 This 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 the grids of X and Y, and the size of the switch when used by the operator is TSC4.
It can be freely set by deciding the number of lattices for one key by 13. 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 C
PU, 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.

As for the display, the copy number display 435 and the set number display 436 are fixed displays, and the other displays are the LCD.
It is displayed at 410. Further, the LCD 410 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 supports 0, 240, 300, and 400 dpi, and can perform density conversion with each other 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 original and pressing the start key 431, the destination stored in the RAM 375 of the APL 2 is dialed and the destination is called. When it is known that the other party is a FAX, the document reading operation starts.

If there is no document, the start key 431
Press to display a message prompting you to reset the original. 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, MUX (1), MUX
By selecting (3), it is possible to select whether or not to use the IPU 255, and the internal function of the IPU 255 can be freely selected by a 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. The memory 341 is compatible with 16 bits, and the bit configuration is different, so the adjustment is made 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 it in the SAF 373, the following characteristics can be obtained. The scanner can read one A4 size sheet in about 2 seconds. On the other hand, G
It takes about 9 seconds for A4 size to send in 3. Thus, the transmission time is about 4.5 times longer than the reading time. As in this embodiment, a copying machine, FA
X, a device that can be used in combination with a printer, etc.
For example, if the next person wants to make a copy during fax transmission, he wants to finish the fax transmission job quickly. However, FA
The X transmission may be sent earlier or may be delayed depending on the performance of the partner machine. As in the present embodiment, the read data is converted to SAF3.
By transmitting while accumulating in 73, 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 can be accessed from the G3 fax unit or the G4 fax unit via the system bus.

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 normally 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,
Use a memory efficient method. SAF memory 452
The data stored in (1) is printed out for each page (it can also be output after accumulating one file depending on the mode setting).

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 another 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, when the data in the page memory 341 is A4 portrait and the optimum paper is A4 landscape, the data in the page memory 341 is rotated 90 degrees by the rotation control and is output to the selected paper. With this function, it has become possible to prevent an A4 portrait image from being printed on an A4 landscape paper and to have a margin. This function is used not only for receiving output but also for displaying the image information read by the other device in the transmission mode.
Since it can be rotated by 0 degree, for example, when the transmission original is A4 landscape and the receiving side is A4 portrait, it was sent at 71% reduction until now.
By incorporating 0-degree rotation, it is possible to send at the same size, making it easier for the receiving side to see.

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, Mirroring FIG. 23 shows the image processing function of the base portion of FIG. 18 in blocks. 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.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the bitmap memory 207.
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 point C are (6615,4678,0).

Next, the processing in the image processing unit 208 in response to the 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 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, both X and Y even bytes 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). In the case where an image is generated at the punch position and the 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 90 degree units. 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 pixel of A corresponds to the pixel of C. Thus, the conversion is: A (X, Y, Z) = B (6615-X, 4678-Y, Z).

1.9.5.5 Reverse Scan and Mirroring Mirroring makes it 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 original data from the original reference position and develops it in the memory, but if the original size is known, the original is read from the opposite side of the original 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. Figure 2
FIG. 6 shows a diagram when the document is reversely scanned and developed in the memory ((a), (b)). The pixels scanned first together are (0,
Expanded to 0,0). 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 due to the mirror axis information received at the same time when the mirroring command or the reverse scan command is received.
For example, in the case of Y-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) Becomes

FIGS. 27 (a) to 27 (c) show a state in which a document originally placed upside down is reversely scanned and mirrored.

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 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 reflective sensor that is combined with an infrared light emitting diode and a phototransistor. This sensor 2
For example, it is used 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 machine operation control judgment. 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. When the output of the sensor 225 is directly used as an operator presence signal, even when a person passes by in front of the copying machine, the operator instantaneously detects the presence of the operator.
If the sensor output is on continuously for a certain period of time, it is determined that an operator exists. This certain fixed time is generally 500 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. The method of recognizing the image direction by the layout judgment and the character direction judgment will be described in detail.

3. Image Direction Recognition by Layout Judgment For example, in a device that cuts out characters to determine the top and bottom, the judgment is time-consuming because the judgment is based on the cut out characters, and real-time control is considerably costly. 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.

3.1.1 Image Direction Recognition by Judgment of Layout of Entire Image This method judges the layout of the page character string without recognizing characters, and judges the blank area at the beginning of the sentence and the blank area at the end of the sentence. Make an upside down decision. In this case, the line is cut out without cutting out the character.
The line cut-out can be determined by, for example, a black-and-white pattern in the main scanning direction of a scanner, and if one line after the filtering process described later has a white pattern, it can be determined as a line feed unit.

The rotation control of the image, that is, in units of pixels on the memory, is performed so that the layout can be determined depending on whether the type of the original is a vertical writing original, a horizontal writing original, or whether the original is placed vertically or horizontally. It is necessary to switch between main scanning and sub scanning. By performing such image rotation, vertical writing,
It is possible to make a good judgment even for 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. 29, when it is obtained from the line cutting result, it can be determined that the line end positions are all on the right side, and it can be determined that the image is upside down. In the above example, the paper orientation of the original is only vertical, but when the paper orientation is horizontal, it is possible to make the same determination by rotating the image as described above.

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 at 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 pixels).
(× 200 filter), the average density of each pixel included therein is calculated to obtain a large mass of 20 × 20 density. 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, a filter of 50 dots × 50 dots is prepared, and a certain one pixel is the center, and 50 dots × 50 pixels around
If an image exists within a pixel of a 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. If 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 reflected light does not return to the sensor. When expressed as a value, the data indicates 0 or OFFH. FIG. 30 is a visual representation of what is obtained 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. 31 instead of the line cutout as shown in FIG. On the other hand, if the number of pixels of the filter is set to be large, the space between lines cannot be recognized, and only the portion having no characters 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. 34) 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 about 4 mm between characters, it can be judged as one line because it is connected to the adjacent character.

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 of 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 is not possible to judge whether the read original is placed upside down correctly. Judgment as to whether the top and bottom are properly placed is performed as follows.

As shown in FIG. 34, when a horizontally long filter is used, it is confirmed whether the pixel of the bit on each Y axis at the address on the X axis (main scanning direction) is OFFH. At this time, instead of checking all the bits 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 filter of 60 × 30, the pixels for about 4 times the number of horizontal dots (240 dots) are checked every 30 dots to see if the pixel is 0 or OFFH. From the maximum X-axis value, Xmax pixel,
Similarly, 240 dots may be checked in the original reference direction. 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. 35, 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, by the process shown in FIG.
When the number of black pixels on the Xmax side and the number of black pixels on the Xmin side are equal, that is, when the characters are densely written on the entire surface of the document in the case of the document, the writing position cannot be determined. In such a case, detection can be performed by the following method.

As shown in FIG. 33, with respect to the address of the black pixel closest to the reference point of the X-axis and the Y-axis, and the point (point A) diagonal to the reference point of the X-axis and the Y-axis, The address of a close black pixel is detected, and the distance from each corner is calculated. Normally, the distance from the corner is larger at the write start position, so L in the figure
1 and L2 are compared, and if L1 ≧ L2, the vertical direction is L2.
If> L1, it can be easily determined that the direction is the opposite direction (see FIG. 35).
Step S384).

This is determined based on the result of line segmentation, that is, the character string occupation area.
The same processing can be performed with the character occupying area (character arranging section occupying area) as a result of further finer filtering as described above. Since the line spacing is wider than the normal spacing between characters, it is possible to determine whether to write vertically or horizontally depending on the distances between the four adjacent character arrangement sections. For the distance between adjacent character arrangement sections, the center of gravity of each character array section may be 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 arrangement section.

FIG. 36 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, and writes vertically and horizontally from this value. An operation procedure for making a determination will be 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.

3.1.2 Method of Detecting Image Blank Area at Layout Judgment In the above example, the top and bottom of the image are judged and the direction is judged. It is also important to judge whether or not there is an image in the section. The stapling location is one of the four corners of the transfer paper when the staple is fixed at one location, or one of the four sides of the transfer paper when the staple is at two or more locations. 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 location, a triangular pattern is prepared as a blank area pattern as shown in FIG. 37, 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-sided 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.

3.2.1 Image Direction Recognition Based on Layout Judgment [Combination of Image Information Direction Data (Original Setting Direction) and Image Information Output Size Data (Original Size)] 3.2.2 Output Image Based on Layout Judgment Image direction recognition from corner data in the page area corner of information Image direction is detected based on the layout judgment (from the original setting direction and original size) or by detecting the corner margin area in the page area based on the layout judgment. It is possible to confirm the matching of the directionality and obtain a copy in which the image direction is unified.

The contents will be described below. The document whose image orientation has been determined follows the copy interruption and warning display output processing procedure shown in FIG. 46 described later. Further, the warning display is as shown 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.

3.2.3 Confirmation of matching of image directionality with other image information based on layout judgment (unification of image direction) in case of a large number of originals 3.2.4 Reference output image based on layout judgment in case of a large number of originals Confirmation of matching of image directionality with other image information based on corner margin data in information page area (unification of image direction) In case of multiple originals, page area of standard output image information based on layout judgment of each original or based on layout judgment The image direction is detected by detecting the inner corner margin area, and it is determined whether or not the image direction of the reference document in the copy group differs from the image direction of each detected document direction. Check the consistency.

When the image direction mismatch condition is confirmed,
By suspending the copy operation and displaying a warning display on the operation unit, it is possible to obtain a copy in which the image directions are unified.

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 this time, there are two types of images that can be used as the reference image: a) the reference output image information is the first output image information (start page) b) the output image information is an arbitrary page depending on the number of originals. . The term "arbitrary" may be set by the operator by himself / herself, or may be written in the ROM so that the page of the reference document is automatically determined according to the number of documents. The document whose image orientation has been determined follows the copy interruption and warning display output processing procedure shown in FIG. 46 described later. FIG. 40 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.

3.2.5 Confirmation of Matching of Image Directionality Based on Layout Judgment with Predetermined Reference Image Information (Multi- Piece / Longitudinal / Longitudinal Mixed Documents) The image direction is detected by detecting the corner blank area within the page area of the reference output image information based on the layout judgment or the layout judgment, and the image direction and the image of the reference original are included in the copy group from the detected original directions. It is determined whether the directions are different, and the matching of the image directionality is confirmed.

When the image direction inconsistency is confirmed,
By suspending the copy operation and displaying a warning display on the operation unit, it is possible to obtain a copy in which the image directions are unified.

The contents will be described below. 41. As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the manuscript is vertically written horizontally (vertically in paper direction, alphanumeric writing), horizontally written horizontally (horizontally in paper direction, alphanumeric writing), vertically written vertically (paper vertically, paper writing) , Horizontal manuscript vertical writing (paper orientation landscape orientation, Japanese writing) 4
There are types. 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 a type of automatic document feeder in which the document surface is set face down and is 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, 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 and feeding device (RDH), the number of vertical originals and horizontal originals is counted while idling the originals, and the ratio of vertical originals to horizontal originals is detected.

C. The reference image information is manually selected, for example, whether the vertical document is the reference image information or the horizontal document is the reference image information. For manual selection: a) Although the vertical original is used as the reference image information in SP mode in advance,
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 to align the originals 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. 41) 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. 42) When the vertical original is determined as the reference image information, the horizontal original aligns the upper end surface with the right end surface of the vertical original. 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. 43, 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. 44 shows the relationship between each reference image and the staple position and punch position.

Next, the processing procedure of the operation will be described with reference to FIG. After the copying is completed, the image direction consistency is confirmed in step S421. R when the consistency is OK
Enter EADY 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 mentioned above, the present case is of course also effective when applied to double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

When the operator performs post-copy binding processing such as punching and stapling on a copy group after image formation, when the operator usually makes a hole and stapling by judging only the cover, the copy group is different. If there is a copy in the image direction, the pages become missing pages and the pages turn and look bad. In this embodiment, in order to prevent such a missing page,
When the layout judgment is used to check the consistency of the image directionality, and if unmatched documents are mixed, the image direction is unified by image processing, etc. to prevent missing pages during post-processing such as stapling and punching. Made possible

3.2.6 Image Directionality N for Multiple Originals
Recover when G is detected (mismatch in corner margin area) When a large number of originals are detected, the image direction is detected by detecting the margin area based on the layout judgment of each original, and the image is detected first in the copy group from the 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 copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B) Image rotation processing (reverse on memory) c) Notifying that there is a document with a different image direction by performing reverse scanning of the document, recovering the image direction NG, and performing image direction To obtain a unified copy of.

The contents will be described below. The processing procedure for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display will be described with reference to FIG. The processing procedure shown in this figure is performed for each scan of one document. In the stapler mode in the ROM of the copying machine, when the reference staple position and the detected image direction do not match, if a command is previously written to interrupt the copy operation (copy interrupt mode), as shown in step S201. Then, 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, feeding of new transfer paper, and the like. If the copy suspension instruction has not been written, step S201.
Is ignored and the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the operation unit unit 2
If the operation unit is in the code reception READY state to display a warning on the LCD 410 of 04, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.
FIG. 47 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit. The processing procedure for performing image rotation processing (inversion on memory) and the like by image processing is shown in the flowchart of FIG. 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. In step S82, 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 issued and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. FIG. 49 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit. The processing procedure for performing reverse scanning of a document is shown in the flowchart of FIG. In the case of a large number of originals, when the originals having different image directions are detected by detecting the marginal 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 S92 is performed. Go to. 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. 51 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit. Although not mentioned above, a) to c) also applies to double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).
Of course it is effective.

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.

3.2.7 Correspondence when Unrecognizable 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 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 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. When it is determined in step S110 of FIG. 52 that the image direction cannot be identified, the flowchart of forming image information in a predetermined direction and displaying a warning on the operation unit is as shown in FIG. 53 (y in steps S121 and S122). ) An image is formed in a predetermined direction, and the operation unit unit 204 is provided to the operation unit unit 204 after completion of copying of all document groups.
If the CPU is in the READY state (step S123)
Y), 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 processing procedure for unifying the image direction with the next page or the subsequent page as the reference direction original to form the image and output the warning display will be described with reference to FIGS. 55 and 56. In FIG. 55, the number of pages of the reference original is counted in step S471. The reference direction data flag D of FLGDIR and the page counter m, which will be described later, are
Cleared before the first document is scanned. Flag D of FLGDIR is OFF when reading the first original
Therefore, the page counter m is counted by one. Figure 5
In 6, 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 as a direction flag in the byte-unit memory FLGDIR. c, if it is the horizontal writing direction, the flag d is set (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 for storing the flag is as shown in FIG. a is 01H, b
Is 02H, c is 04H, d is 08H, e is 10H, and D is 20H.

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 shown in FIG.

A processing procedure 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 margin area based on the layout judgment of each original, and if the original information is mixed in the original group or there is an original whose orientation cannot be identified by the image information detection result, The flow proceeds to step S491, and the code interruption request flag is set. Step S
At 492, 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 display contents of the operation unit are shown 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. Further, by displaying a warning to the operator about the number of originals whose image direction cannot be identified and the originals used as the reference when the copy image is formed, post-processing after copying becomes easy. Also,
If there are mixed originals or there is an original whose orientation cannot be recognized, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed to prevent missing pages.

3.2.8 Supporting blank originals When a large number of originals are used, the image direction is detected by detecting the blank area based on the layout judgment of each original, and the originals copied from each detected original direction are detected. 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 possible to read the image again and detect the image direction 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 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 61 and 62. 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. Step S
At 183, the blank document determination flag is set to 0. In step S184, only one original is conveyed and set at a predetermined position on the contact glass 9, and then the original is read in step S185. With respect to the read image information, the edge margin area of the document is detected by the edge margin area detection routine of 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, and step S190
The value of the document number counter CNT is incremented by 1 and the document is ejected from the document feeding device in step S191.

In step S192, it is checked whether or not there is a document remaining, and if there is a document remaining, 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. Here, 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
When 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 S
The process proceeds from step 194 to step S195, the image data is canceled, the process proceeds to step S189, and after performing a normal copy operation, the document is ejected at step S191. If it is determined in step S192 that there is a remaining document, the process proceeds to step S183 to start processing the next document. If the directionality confirmation routine of step S188 determines that the directionality is not correct, step S19 described below is performed.
After proceeding to the recovery processing routine of No. 8 and performing a predetermined recovery processing, it proceeds to the copy operation of step S189.

The processing procedure for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display is the same as in FIG. Also, the warning display content is shown in FIG.
Is the same as. The processing procedure when performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) and the like by image processing is the same as in FIG.
The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. 49. The processing procedure for performing reverse scanning of the original is the same as in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as in FIG.

In copying a plurality of originals, when there is an original whose front and back are reversed, when the copy is executed as it is, a missing page occurs. 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-mentioned operations, the orientation of the original direction is recognized to determine whether the orientation of other originals matches. If there is an original 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 to recover for a normal NG image direction, and obtain a copy with a uniform image direction. Also, it is possible to prevent missing pages.

3.2.9 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 the operator does not have a recovery function for the image directionality NG and it is impossible to obtain a uniform copy of the image direction without a corresponding action by the operator, 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 equal to or smaller than the 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 continuously performed 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 directions, request the operator to take measures to unify the image directions, and perform predetermined processing if there is no correspondence. Is done.

The contents will be described below. A above
A processing procedure in the copy operation which is dealt with according to the number of sort copies corresponding to will be described with reference to FIG. The process 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, the predetermined number of copies N (arbitrary) and the number of sorts set by the operator are compared by a comparison procedure. 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 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. 39 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 which monitors the elapsed time (TIME) after the interruption of copying. Is determined by PSE
If it is not dealt with after waiting T 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 completion of copying, in step S233, a warning display copy is made if the operation unit is in the copy reception READY state in order to display a warning on the operation unit to inform the operator that there is a document having a different image orientation. It is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. FIG. 65 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit. A processing procedure of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225 corresponding to the above B will be described with reference to FIG. The process 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 in the copy document, and as shown in step S241, if the human body detection sensor 225 is ON, the copy operation is interrupted in advance in the ROM of the copier body. Is executed (copy interruption mode), the copy interruption request flag is expanded to the memory, the feeding of new transfer paper is interrupted, and the sequence of the copy operation is stopped. Then, in step S242, a warning display prompting the operator's confirmation (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, when the warning cannot be dealt with, such as when the human body detection sensor 225 is operating for an object other than the operator, the elapsed time (TIME) after the interruption of copying is monitored. By the timer inside the main body,
If it is not dealt with even after waiting for a predetermined PSET time, the copy operation is restarted. In addition, step S24
If the operator is away from the copier in 1 (when the human body detection sensor is OFF), step S
242 is ignored and the copy 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 so as to display a warning to inform the operator that a document having a different image orientation exists. It is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. The warning display on the operation unit is the same as in FIG.

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 copy operation is performed as it is without interruption, and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copy is completed, whereby it is possible to prevent missing pages. on the other hand,
When there are many sorts that are difficult to correct later, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operating unit 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.

3.3.1 Staple Position Determination Based on Layout Judgment (Judgement Based on Original Setting Direction and Original Size) 3.3.2 Staple Position Determination from Corner Margin Data in Page Area of Output Image Information Based on Layout Judgment (Proper Staples in corners) 3.3.3 Staples in the detected corner margins 3.3.4 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 stapling position 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 the detected image data The staple position is determined from.

The contents will be described below. There are two methods for determining the staple position based on the layout determination: layout determination and determination of the staple position based on the original setting direction and the original size. The staple position is determined from the margin data in the page area of the output image information based on the layout determination (staple at the proper corner). Can be considered. Then, in the staple position data determined by the above method, as shown in the flow of FIG. 66, one of the following two steps is determined in step S571. 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.

3.3.5 Confirmation of image direction consistency by comparing corner margin part based on layout judgment and reference staple position data When a large number of originals, common corner margin part of each output image information is detected based on layout judgment By doing so, the image direction is detected, and the consistency between the detected image data and the reference staple position is confirmed. 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.

3.3.6 Image Directionality NG Recover by Comparison of Corner Margins Based on Layout Judgment and Reference Staple Position Data When a large number of originals are detected, a common corner margin of each output image information is detected based on layout judgment. In the image forming apparatus that detects the image direction by the above, and determines the staple position by each detected image direction data, when the reference staple position and the detected image direction data do not match, a) interrupt the copy operation, A warning display is displayed on the operation section. B) Continue the copy operation and prohibit the stapling operation. C) Perform the image rotation processing (reversal on the memory). D) Prevent mis-stapling due to reverse scanning of the document. Is done.

The contents will be described below. The processing procedure of the copy interruption and the warning display output is the same as in FIG. FIG. 67 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit. A processing procedure for continuing image formation and prohibiting stapling will be described with reference to FIG. The flow shown in this figure is performed every first scan for 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 2, 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 content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. 47. The processing procedure when performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) and the like by image processing is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as those in FIG. 49. The processing procedure for performing reverse scanning of the original 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 orientation 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. 3.3.7 When the image exists at the staple position based on the common corner margin data based on the layout judgment When the number of originals is large, the image direction is detected by detecting the common corner margin area based on the layout judgment of each original. In the image forming apparatus that determines the stapling position based on the detected image data of, when an image exists at the determined stapling position, a) interrupts the copy operation and displays a warning display on the operation unit. Continue and prohibit stapling c) Shift / magnify (reduce) by image processing d) Change staple position e) Automatically cancel staple mode (default) So that it does n’t
The stapling prevents the copy original from being damaged.

The contents will be described below. The processing procedure of the copy interruption and the warning display output is the same as in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a processing procedure for continuing image formation and prohibiting stapling.
It will be described based on 9. The procedure 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, 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. It should be noted that after once confirming the ON / OFF state of the staple mode, the procedure of step S321 may be started for the second and subsequent documents. Step S32
In 2, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out,
A warning is displayed to ask the operator for confirmation.

Sequence / magnification (reduction) by image processing
A processing procedure for performing the above will be described with reference to FIG.
When the staple mode is set, 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 image processing mode is entered in step S331. In step S332, 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 for confirmation by the operator.

A processing procedure 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, step S341.
At, the staple position changing mode is entered, and the position of the staple is changed so as to staple outside the image area. Step S
In 342, in order to display a warning on the operation unit, if the operation unit code reception READY state, a warning display code is sent out and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator.
Automatically release staple mode (default)
The processing procedure at this time is the same as that in FIG. 69. 72 shows the warning display contents. 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.

3.3.8 Image orientation matching and staple position determination based on layout judgment when multiple sheets / horizontal / horizontal originals are mixed, multiple sheet originals, based on layout determination of each original, or based on layout determination The image direction is detected by detecting the corner blank area in the page area of the reference output image information, and whether the image direction of the reference original is different from that of the reference original in the copy group is detected from each detected original direction. Judgment is made, the matching of the image orientation is confirmed, and the staple position is determined. 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. 41 and 42.

The standard stapling positions (or standard punching positions) of the aligned recording papers are the following four (1) and (2).
Streets are conceivable (see FIG. 44). (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 to be aligned with the staple position is determined by the recording paper post-processing device (sortus stapler, finisher) installed in the copier body. Thus, since the staple (punch hole) position of the ejected recording paper is determined, the staple (punch hole) position of the ejected recording paper is determined so that it can be stapled (punched).

The processing procedure 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. If the consistency is NG, stapling is prohibited in step S583, and the flow advances to step S584. In step S584,
In order to display a warning on the operation unit, the operation unit receives the code RE
If it is in the ADY state, a warning display code is sent and a warning is displayed to request confirmation from the operator. Although not mentioned above, the present case is of course also effective when applied to double-sided image formation (double-sided copying).

3.4.1 Selection Control of Image Direction Identification Detection According to Image Forming Mode In the case of a large number of originals, the image direction is detected by detecting the common corner blank area based on the layout judgment of each original, and In the image forming apparatus that determines the stapling position based on the detected image data, the image direction identification detection is disabled during the normal image forming mode (excluding post-processing) to prevent the efficiency of copying work from decreasing.

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 copying operation, it is determined in step S351 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 74 whether or not to identify and detect the image direction. When post-processing such as stapling and punching is performed, the direction identification detection is performed unconditionally, and the direction identification flag is set. If the direction identification flag is set, the process proceeds to the image direction identification detection mode in step S352. After the copying is completed, the process proceeds to the stapling mode (post-processing mode) in step S354, and to the standby mode in step S355 after the process, waiting 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 copy is completed step S35.
Proceed to the standby mode (5) and wait for the 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 (not including the post-processing). By disabling the detection, it is possible to prevent the efficiency of the copying work from being lowered.

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 original, 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.

3.4.2 When the manual stapling instruction is input after the completion of the sorting operation and the staple position is NG based on the margin data of the end face When a large number of originals are detected, the common corner margin area based on the layout judgment of each original is detected. In an image forming apparatus that detects the image direction and determines the staple position based on the detected image data, when the manual stapling instruction is input after the completion of the sorting operation, the image directionality of the document is inconsistent from the detected image data. When it is determined that the image is present, and when it is determined that the image is present at the determined staple position, a) a warning display is displayed on the operation unit, b) stapling is prohibited, and the like, so that a miss staple does not occur. Works,
It is possible to prevent the copy original from being damaged by stapling.

The contents will be described below. The procedure for outputting the warning display 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 when a staple mode input instruction is given by the operator during the copying / sorting work and 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. In addition, the operator enters keys to enter staple mode,
The staple counter K is counted 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 reception 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 counter K is further incremented by 1.
Counted and go to staple mode of operation by procedure. FIG. 76 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.

The processing procedure for stapling inhibition will be described with reference to FIG. The staple flag S is set when the machine is in the READY mode after completion of the copy work and the sort work, or when the staple mode input instruction is issued 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. 78 shows an example of a warning display on the operation unit.

As described above, when the image orientations of the copy original are inconsistent or when the image exists at the stapling position, a warning is displayed, stapling is prohibited, and the like, so that the image damage due to the miss staple is prevented. Can be prevented.

[0214] 4. 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 method for making a highly accurate determination, there is a method for performing character recognition using an OCR technology to determine the top and bottom of a document. That is, it is a method of cutting out one character or one character from each original, patterning the character, comparing the feature of the pattern and the character pattern information stored in the database, and determining 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 out 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, with respect to the horizontally written original, the characters cut out in the vertically written original are rotated by 90 degrees. In addition, the characters cut out depending on the direction in which the original is set, such as the orientation of the original being uneven, are 0 degree, 90 degree,
It may be rotating at various angles, such as 180 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 will be described with reference to FIGS. 79 to 83. FIG. 79 is a flow chart showing a schematic procedure of an embodiment of the character recognition method.

Input a character image (step S601),
The feature is 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. 80 to the contour portion. Next, for the direction code added to the contour portion of the input character image, a histogram for each direction code 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 S606) and 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 S6).
07), the histogram of the cut-out character is rotated by 90 degrees to generate a rotated histogram again (step S604),
The recognition dictionary collation (step S605) is executed.

FIG. 82 shows an example of the hardware configuration for implementing the character recognition method. Reference numeral 206 denotes a scanner control circuit (scanner), and 255 denotes an image processing unit (IPU) 255 of the APL5 including an image memory for storing an input image from the scanner 206. The unit recognizes the character direction.

The IPU 255 is a rotation information register 6 for storing the input unit 600 for handling the image data with the scanner 206 and the rotation degree of the original character image.
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 pre-processing unit 603 for performing normalization such as noise removal. Feature for extracting the characteristic of the character image after normalization. An extraction unit 604, 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 rotation histogram is composed of a dictionary collation unit 607 for collating a dictionary to determine candidate characters, an output result output unit 608 for a recognition result, and a dictionary 609 storing a standard histogram in the case of no rotation for each character. The rotation histogram generation unit 606 further includes a conversion unit 610 and a calculation unit 6.
It is composed of 11.

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, 0 is stored in the rotation information register 601.
The degree information is included, and the output information of the histogram generation unit 605 and the information of 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 90
Since it is read after being rotated once, 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 for the cut out next character. By the above method, the character direction data is set in the rotation information register 601.

A method for generating the 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. 83, 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 into the same direction code as when the rotation angle is 0 degree 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. 84, the input means used for the judgment is the document size, the direction angle of the line cut-out block output at the time of character judgment, the character direction angle outputted by the character direction judgment, and the phase difference between the character and line angle. Is used. If the above combination is applied to the A4 original size, the scanner 206
On the original setting table of A, it is possible to consider A4 in the vertical direction, that is, the installation direction from a to h in FIG. 85, and the horizontal direction, that is, the installation direction from i to p in FIG. Further, as described above, vertical writing, horizontal writing, and upside down may be considered. 16 like this
The type of document state is determined by the table in FIG. 84,
The original states a to p are output.

4.1.1 Image Direction Recognition in Output Image Information Page Based on Character Recognition The image direction in the output image information page based on the original character recognition determination is detected, the image direction matching is confirmed, and the image direction is confirmed. A unified copy of is made.

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 processing procedure shown in FIG. Further, the warning display shown in FIG. 39 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.

4.1.2 Confirmation of matching of image directionality with other image information from reference output image information based on character recognition (manual image direction unification) in multi-sheet originals The image direction is detected based on the detected document directions, and it is determined whether or not the image direction of the reference document in the copy group is different from the image direction of each detected document direction, 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. A document whose image orientation has been determined follows the copy interruption and warning display output processing procedure shown in FIG. Further, the same warning display as in FIG. 40 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 the detected original orientation, and the matching of the image orientation is confirmed. By doing so, it was informed that there were originals with different image directions, a copy with a uniform image direction could be made, and it was possible to prevent missing pages.

4.1.3 Method of Discriminating Vertical Document from Horizontal Document [Discrimination Detection Based on Document Size / Direction Data, Character Direction Data, and Line Direction Data (All Types: Vertical Writing / Horizontal Writing can be Supported)] Document size / direction data obtained by the document size detection means, and the image direction and line direction in the output image information page based on the document character recognition judgment are detected to detect whether the document is portrait / landscape or portrait / landscape. Is possible.

The contents will be described below. Figure 8
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 85, even if the original size is the same, a.
It can be distinguished in 16 ways of p. However, since only the character recognition can distinguish between the three parameters of the character direction, the line direction, and the phase difference between the character and the line in FIG. 84, for example, a and i, b and j, or c and k. Is impossible. 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.

4.1.4 Confirmation of Matching of Image Directionality Based on Character Direction Recognition for Predetermined Reference Image Information When Multiple Sheets / Longitudinal and Horizontal Originals are Mixed Portrait, alphanumeric writing), landscape original landscape writing (paper orientation landscape orientation, alphanumeric writing), portrait original portrait writing (paper orientation portrait orientation, Japanese writing),
There are four types of horizontal document vertical writing (horizontally long in paper direction, written in Japanese).

When a large number of originals are stacked, it is possible that the above four types of originals are mixedly mounted. 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.

4.1.5 Image Directionality N for Multiple Originals
Recover when G is detected (mismatch in character direction) When multiple originals are used, the image orientation is detected based on the character recognition of each original, and the image orientation and the image orientation of the first original in the copy group based on the detected original orientations. If the originals with different image orientations are detected in the image forming apparatus that determines whether or not different originals exist, a) the copying operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. B) Image rotation Perform processing (reverse on memory) c) Notify that there is a document with a different image direction by performing reverse scanning of the document, etc., or recover the image direction MG to obtain a copy with a uniform image direction. Is done.

The processing procedure for interrupting copying and outputting a warning display is the same as in FIG. The warning display is the same as in FIG. 49.

The processing procedure for performing image rotation processing (inversion on the memory) and the like by image processing is the same as in FIG. The warning display contents are the same as those in FIG. 47.

The processing procedure for reverse scanning of the original is the same as that shown in FIG. The content of the warning display is the same as 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 the 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 make a copy with a uniform image direction and to prevent missing pages.

4.1.6 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, recovery of the image directionality NG cannot be performed and the operator does not have to take any action. When it is impossible to obtain a copy having a unified image direction, a) -1 The number of copies is equal to or larger than a predetermined number, and 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 If the number of copies is less than the 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 processing procedure corresponding to the number of sorts is the same as in FIG.

In the reception READY state, a warning display copy is sent out, a confirmation is requested from the operator, and the content of the warning display is the same as in FIG. A warning display as shown in FIG. 87 is also displayed.

The processing procedure of the copying machine equipped with the human body detection sensor 225 is the same as that shown in FIG.

The warning display is the same as that shown in FIGS. 39 and 87.

In the copy operation using the sorter,
If it is recognized that a document with image direction NG exists,
Depending on the number of copies, if there are few copies that can be easily modified later, you can copy without interruption,
By displaying a warning on the copy end operation part, 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, when the number of sorts is large and the copy operation is interrupted and a warning is displayed on the operation unit, if no action is taken even after the lapse of a predetermined time, the copy operation is automatically restarted, and the machine is wasted. Downtime and current jobs can 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, the image direction NG original (copy)
It automatically notifies that there is a mixture of images and requests that the operator 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 a document in the image direction NG exists, the human body detection sensor 225 outputs the output according to the output signal of the human body detection sensor 225. When it is OFF, that is, when the operator is not in front of the copying machine, copying is performed without interruption, and a warning is displayed on the operation unit after the copying is completed, so that the operator punches holes in the copy group after image formation, When performing post-binding processing such as stapling, it automatically notifies that the image direction NG originals (copies) are mixed and requests the operator to confirm the image direction of the copy by himself or herself to prevent missing pages. Made it 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.

4.1.7 Supporting blank originals When a large number of originals are used, 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 according to the detected original directions. 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, 50, 61, 62 and 63 described above.
49 and FIG. 51, and the warning display example of FIG. 72. However, in FIG. 61, "document reading / character direction recognition" may be performed in steps S185 and S186.

The warning display is shown in FIG.

4.1.8 Correspondence when Unrecognizable 4.1.8.1 Image Formation / Warning Display in Predetermined Predetermined Direction When a large number of originals are used, each original is recognized from the character direction recognition by the character recognition means. In the image forming apparatus, which detects the image direction and 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 copied according to each detected document direction, When it is recognized that the direction cannot be identified, an image is formed in a predetermined direction and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit, so that the document in which the image direction cannot be identified and the copy of the document are the document group and the document group. Notification is made that it exists in the copy group.

The contents will be described below. The procedure for outputting the warning display will be described with reference to FIGS. 88 and 89. When copying is started by the copy start button of the main body (step S611), the value of the counter e is initialized 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 awaited. 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.

4.1.8.2 Image formation / warning display unified with the identified predetermined reference image information direction When a large number of documents are used, the image orientation of each document is detected from the recognition of the character direction by the character recognition means, In the image forming apparatus that uses the information as the reference image direction information, determines whether the image direction of the document is different from the reference image direction, 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 as an example an image forming apparatus in which the image orientation of the original corresponding to the cover is used as the reference image information. The processing procedure will be described with reference to FIGS. 90, 91 and 92.

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, the image direction consistency is confirmed, and if the image direction is aligned, the image is copied as it 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 copy is completed (step S628), it is determined in 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 those in FIG. By doing so, the operator is warned that the image direction cannot be identified, and it is possible to prevent missing pages.

4.1.8.3 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 recognizing means, and the copy 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 that of the first document in the document group, if the image direction is not recognized, the copying operation is interrupted and a warning message 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. A processing procedure of image formation interruption / warning display output will be described with reference to FIGS. 93 and 94. When copying is started by the copy start button (step S641), the document direction is detected and the image direction is detected by character direction recognition (step S64).
2) In step S643, it is determined whether the character direction cannot be identified. If the character direction is recognizable, the consistency of the image direction is confirmed. If the image direction is matched, the image is copied as it is, and the image direction is not matched. At this time, the image data is rotated and copied (step S648). Step S
If the character direction cannot be identified at 643, the copy operation is stopped (step S644), and a warning display code is sent out to the operator for confirmation in order to display a warning on the operation unit if the operation unit is in the code reception READY state. A warning is displayed to request (step S645). The contents displayed on the operation unit are the same as those in FIG.

After the warning is displayed, when the copy start button is turned on, the document whose stopping 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 document stopped on the contact glass 9 has been removed, and the READY mode is set.
Wait for the next copy start. 95 and 96 show warning display examples.

In this way, the operator detects that the document directions are mixed and the document directions cannot be recognized, and the operation of the copy is stopped / warning is displayed. A uniform copy can be obtained in the image direction of the eye.

In particular, when performing post-copy binding processing such as punching after copying and stapling, it is usually judged only by the cover sheet,
When punching and stapling are performed and a copy having a different image direction is present in the copy group, pages are missing and pages are turned, resulting in poor appearance. 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.

4.2.1 Staple Position Determination by Character Recognition The image direction of the document is detected by recognizing the direction of the characters and the character string with respect to the paper of the document by using the character recognition, and based on the relationship between the paper and the character string. Optimal post-treatment (sorter /
The position of the stapler, finisher, etc. is determined.

The contents will be described below. As described above, when the direction of the character and the character string with respect to the paper of the original is recognized by 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. 86 are limited to 4 as shown in FIG. At this time, it is usually limited as follows depending on what kind of post-processing (sorter / stapler, finisher, etc.) the user desires. (I) In the case of stapling in one place As shown in FIG. 97, 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 in two places In this case, as shown in FIG. 98, the left side band portion is (a, b) in horizontal writing, and the right side band portion is (c,
d) Determine the staple position or punch hole punching position (in the case of 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 copying machine 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 is used when it does not have a sufficient memory capacity. 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 and characters are extracted to perform character recognition. thing.

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 S6).
53) and in the next step, the processing means determines the processing position as shown in FIGS. 97 and 98 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.

4.2.2 Comparison of Character String Direction Data and Reference Staple Positions Character recognition is used to detect the image direction of the original from the direction of the characters and character strings on the original paper, and the relationship between the paper and the character string is detected. The consistency between the optimum post-processing (stapling, punching) position determined from the above and the post-processing position constrained by hardware is confirmed.

As described above, in the sorter stapler, the operation position is limited to one position at the fixed corner position, and in the case of the finisher, the operation 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 to save hardware, there is a possibility that the 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 the case of, 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.
If the vertical document is horizontally written as in 1 (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. 102, 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. 101 (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. 98, k = 4. Only when i = k is compared on the CPU, it is determined that the two match. In the case of FIG. 101 (b), i
= 3, and since i ≠ k, it is determined that they do not match. On the copy operation, the procedure is as shown in FIG.
This procedure is shown in FIG. 99 for steps S651 to S655.
And the hardware constraint condition (step S656) and the consistency confirmation process (steps S657 and S6).
58) is provided.

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. 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.

4.2.3 When a large number of sheets / vertical / horizontal originals are mixed, the image information direction is identified from the character direction recognition data with respect to predetermined reference image information, and the alignment confirmation of the image direction is made by comparison with the reference stapler position data . 2.4 Consistency between character string direction data and reference stapling position Recovered when NG a) Image interruption / warning display Character recognition is used to detect the image direction of the document from the direction of the characters and character string on the paper of the document. Check the consistency between the optimum post-processing (staple, punch) position determined from the relationship between the paper and the character string, and the post-processing position constrained by the hardware, and if it is determined that they do not match, suspend the copy operation However, by displaying a warning display on the operation unit, it is shown that the optimum stapling position does not match the post-processing position that can be processed by the post-processing device of the copying machine. It is performed to inform the operator to change the direction.

The contents will be described below. Figure 10
4, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 105, the result of comparing the post-processing position determined by the hardware and the post-processing position determined based on the character string direction data using character recognition,
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.
9, the same as FIG. 103. 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 paper, and the optimum post-processing (staple, stapling, etc.) determined from the relationship between the paper and the character string is detected. Check the consistency between the (punch) position and the post-processing position constrained by hardware, and if it is determined that they do not match, rotate the image data captured in the frame memory to determine the optimum stapling position and the position after the copying machine. It is conceivable that the processing device matches the post-processable position and performs the optimum post-processing.

The contents will be described below. When the data copying machine has a page memory, as shown in FIG. 104, since the image data can be taken into the frame memory prior to the image direction recognition, a position that can be post-processed by hardware using character recognition is used. When the post-processing positions determined based on the character string direction data are compared with the post-processing position, it is determined that the positional relationship between the two is inconsistent.
As shown in the procedure (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 character / 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, when the determination result does not match the constraint condition by the hardware, the image data is rotated so as to match the direction of the post-processing, so that it is optimal without the work such as changing the original (paper) set by the operator. It is possible to staple at a post-processing position.

C) Reverse scanning of original document Using character recognition, the image orientation of the original document is detected from the direction of the characters and character strings on the original paper, and the optimum post-processing (staple, If the consistency between the (punch) position and the post-processing position constrained by the hardware is confirmed, and if it is determined that they do not match, the optimum stapling position and the copier's The post-processing device automatically matches the post-processable position and performs the post-processing. If it is determined that the post-processing cannot be restored in the device, the copy operation is interrupted and a warning display is displayed on the operation unit. This indicates that the optimum stapling position does not match the post-processing position that can be processed by the post-processing device of the copying machine, and informs the operator to change the document setting direction or paper direction. Be seen.

The contents will be described below. Figure 10
As shown in FIG. 4, as a result of comparing the post-processing position determined by the hardware and the post-processing position determined based on the character string direction data by using character recognition, it was determined that the positional relationship between the two is inconsistent. In this case, even if the digital copier does not have a page memory, it usually has a line buffer for several lines. Therefore, as shown in the procedure of FIG.
The paper orientation is set correctly (step S664
Y), the reference staple position and the optimum post-processing position are 180
If there is a deviation (y in step S665), the reading operation is not performed during the normal scanning, and the image is reversed in the main scanning direction while returning at the reading speed when returning (step S666) to perform the image forming process and perform the correct position. Can be post-processed (step S667). In other cases, image formation is interrupted (step S668), and a warning such as "Cannot staple to the correct position. Please check the direction of the paper or document" is displayed on the display unit (step S669). When using a DF or the like, if the image formation is interrupted and a warning is issued, 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 / 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.

4.3.1 Selection Control of Image Direction Identification Detection According to Image Forming Mode The image orientation is detected by recognizing the character direction by using the character recognizing means, and the image direction is detected based on each detected image data. In order to identify and detect, 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 processing content is the same as that of the flowchart of FIG.

4.3.2 When the manual stapling instruction is input after the completion of the sorting operation and the staple position is NG based on the character direction data 4.3.2.1 Warning display The warning display output processing procedure is shown in FIGS. 107 and 108. It will be explained based on. 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 to confirm the image direction. When the consistency of is not taken, image data is rotated and copied,
The copying is ended (step S682). After copying, the stapler is activated (step S683), and REA
Enter DY mode. When the staple key is not turned on, when copying is started (step S684),
The image direction is judged from the recognition of the character direction by the character recognition means with respect to each one of the originals, copying is performed while checking the consistency of the image directions, and the copying is completed (step S68).
5). 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 copying is completed, 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 is activated (step S688), and REA is set.
Enter DY mode.

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

4.3.2.2 Staple Prohibition The flow of staple inhibition processing 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. 110 shows an example of the warning display.

[0290]

As described above, the vertical and horizontal direction recognition step of recognizing the vertical and horizontal directions of image information, the reference image direction determination step of determining the image direction of the reference image information, and the image formation of the reference image information. 2. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the reference image comprises a binding position recognizing step for recognizing a binding position for a sheet to be formed, and a determining step for determining the consistency of the recognized binding position data with a predetermined reference binding position data. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the determination of the image orientation in the orientation determining step is selectable between an automatic setting mode and a manual setting mode, and the reference image orientation determined in the reference image orientation determining step is set as a lateral reference. In the described invention, when the reference image direction determined in the reference image direction determination step is used as the horizontal reference, the vertical image information is over the horizontal image information. 5. The invention according to claim 4, wherein the right end face is set to be aligned with the face, and the reference image direction determined in the reference image direction determining step is set to be determined by the ratio of the vertical and horizontal directions of the image information. The invention according to claim 5, and a vertical / horizontal direction recognition means for recognizing the vertical / horizontal directions of the image information, a reference image direction determination means for determining the image direction of the reference image information, and the reference image information is image-formed. 7. The invention according to claim 6, further comprising: a binding position recognizing unit for recognizing a binding position on a sheet of paper, and a determining unit for deciding the consistency of the recognized binding position data with a predetermined reference binding position data. According to this, the vertical document and the horizontal document can be identified by these steps or means, and the binding operation can be executed at an appropriate position for the vertical document and the horizontal document.

[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 plan view of an operation display unit.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a memory system.

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 an explanatory diagram for determining the image direction from the line cutting result.

[Fig. 30] Fig. 30 is an explanatory diagram in which the result of cutting out rows by the mosaic processing is expanded on the bitmap memory.

[Fig. 31] Fig. 31 is an explanatory diagram in which a result of cutting out a row by mosaic processing when the number of pixels of a filter is reduced is expanded on a bitmap memory.

[Fig. 32] Fig. 32 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. 33] Fig. 33 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. 34 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a filter.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of top-bottom determination of a document based on an address in the main scanning direction.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart for determining horizontal writing and 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. 37 is an explanatory diagram showing a triangular pattern for stopping one staple.

FIG. 38 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern for stapling the two sides of the staple.

FIG. 39 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 41 is an explanatory diagram showing types of originals.

FIG. 42 is an explanatory diagram showing types of originals.

FIG. 43 is an explanatory diagram showing a unified pattern of image directions.

FIG. 44 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between each reference image and the staple position and punch position.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of image direction matching confirmation determination.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart of interruption of copying and warning display output when a blank original is determined.

FIG. 47 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart when image rotation processing is performed by image processing.

FIG. 49 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart when reverse scanning of a document is performed.

FIG. 51 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 52 is a flow chart of a method for detecting a document direction from a margin area of a document.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart of a warning display when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 54 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart for unifying the image directions with the subsequent page as the reference direction original.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart for unifying the image directions with the subsequent page as the reference direction original.

FIG. 57 is an explanatory diagram showing a bit configuration of a flag memory.

FIG. 58 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart of a warning display process when the original orientations are mixed or the orientations cannot be recognized.

FIG. 60 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

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

FIG. 62 is a flowchart of blank document determination processing.

FIG. 63 is a flow chart of a copy operation for coping with the number of sort copies when the image directions are not aligned.

FIG. 64 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. 65 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart of stapling processing based on layout determination.

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

FIG. 68 is a flowchart for continuing image formation and stapling prohibition when the reference staple position data and the image direction do not match.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart of operations for continuing image formation and stapling inhibition when an image exists at a determined staple position.

FIG. 70 is a flowchart of sequence / magnification processing and the like when an image exists at a determined staple position.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart of a staple position changing operation when an image exists at the determined staple position.

FIG. 72 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart of image integrity and stapling operation.

FIG. 74 is a flowchart of selection control of image direction identification detection according to an image forming mode.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing a warning display when the staple position is inappropriate.

FIG. 76 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 77 is a flow chart for performing stapling prohibition operation when the staple position is inappropriate.

FIG. 78 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing an example of a character recognition method.

FIG. 80 is an explanatory diagram showing direction codes of an outline portion of an input character image.

FIG. 81 is an explanatory diagram of a histogram for each direction code.

FIG. 82 is a character recognition block diagram.

FIG. 83 is an explanatory diagram showing direction codes corresponding to respective angles of the character “sentence”.

FIG. 84 is an explanatory diagram showing a combination table of document size and writing method.

FIG. 85 is an explanatory diagram showing positions of various originals.

FIG. 86 is an explanatory diagram showing types of horizontal writing and vertical writing of a document.

FIG. 87 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

FIG. 88 is a flowchart of an operation of forming an image and displaying a warning in a predetermined direction determined in advance.

FIG. 89 is a flowchart of an operation of forming an image and displaying a warning in a predetermined direction determined in advance.

FIG. 90 is a flowchart of an operation of forming an image and displaying a warning by unifying the identified predetermined reference image information directions.

[Fig. 91] Fig. 91 is a flowchart of an operation of forming an image and displaying a warning by unifying in the identified predetermined reference image information direction.

FIG. 92 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. 93 is a flowchart of image formation interruption and warning display operation when the image direction cannot be identified.

[Fig. 94] Fig. 94 is a flowchart of image formation interruption and warning display operations when the image direction cannot be identified.

FIG. 95 is a plan view of the operation display unit.

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

FIG. 97 is an explanatory diagram showing each pattern of one staple stopping.

FIG. 98 is an explanatory diagram showing each pattern of stapling at two staples.

FIG. 99 is a flowchart for stapling position determination.

FIG. 100 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between sheet orientation and suitability for staple positions.

FIG. 101 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the paper orientation and the suitability of the staple position.

FIG. 102 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the paper orientation and the suitability of the staple position.

FIG. 103 is a flowchart of stapling position determination.

FIG. 104 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. 105 is a flowchart of an image rotation process when the consistency between the character string direction data and the reference staple position is NG.

FIG. 106 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. 107 is a flowchart of a warning display process when the staple position is NG when a manual stapling instruction is input.

FIG. 108 is a flowchart of a warning display process when a staple position is NG when a manual stapling instruction is input.

FIG. 109 is a flowchart of stapling inhibition operation when the staple position is NG when a manual stapling instruction is input.

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

[Explanation of symbols]

 200, 201 CPU 202 Image control circuit 203 Signal switching gate array 204 Operation unit unit 207 Page memory 208 Image processing unit 210 Application unit 220 Main control board

[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 30, 1992

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Name of item to be corrected] Fig. 4

[Correction method] Change

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[Figure 4]

[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

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[Correction content]

FIG. 18

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 22

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FIG. 22

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI Technical display location G03G 15/00 114 7369-2H G06K 9/20 320 K 9/32 // B65H 37/04 D 9037 −3F (72) Inventor Hiroyasu Sumita 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo In Ricoh Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Akihisa Itabashi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo In-Ricoh Company (72) ) Inventor Fumio Kurizumi 1-3-6 Nakamagome, Ota-ku, Tokyo Within Ricoh Co., Ltd.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A vertical / horizontal direction recognizing step of recognizing vertical / horizontal directions of image information, a reference image direction deciding step of deciding an image direction of reference image information, and a binding on a sheet on which the reference image information is image-formed. A binding position determination method comprising: a binding position recognition step of recognizing a position; and a determination step of determining the consistency of the recognized binding position data with a predetermined reference binding position data. 2. The binding position determination method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the image orientation in the reference image orientation determination step is selectable between an automatic setting mode and a manual setting mode. 3. The reference image direction determined in the reference image direction determination step is set to a horizontal direction reference.
The binding position determination method described. 4. When the reference image direction determined in the reference image direction determining step is a horizontal reference, the vertical image information has its right end face aligned with the upper end face of the horizontal image information. The binding position determination method according to claim 1, which is set. 5. The binding position determination method according to claim 1, wherein the reference image direction determined in the reference image direction determination step is set to be determined by a ratio of the vertical and horizontal directions of the image information. 6. A vertical / horizontal direction recognizing means for recognizing vertical / horizontal directions of image information, a reference image direction determining means for determining an image direction of reference image information, and a sheet on which the reference image information is formed. A binding position determination device comprising binding position recognition means for recognizing all binding positions, and determination means for determining the consistency of the recognized binding position data with a predetermined reference binding position data.