JPH10155073A - Image forming device, image forming method, copying machine and copying method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the image forming device, the image forming method, the copying machine and the copying method in which an precise position of a projected part of an original such as tab paper or sort paper, especially a length of the tab is detected without avoiding cost increase to the utmost. SOLUTION: The device is made up of a line memory 166 that stores an original image read by a prescribed line number and an original position/tab position detection section 165 that latches a position at which a black level is changed at first into a white level on a specific line of an original image read from the line memory 166, latches a position at which a white level is changed at last into a black level on the specific line of the original image read from the line memory 166, and detects the position of the projection of the original based on the comparison of results of a plurality of black white edge latching or on the comparison of results of a plurality of white black edge latching after repeating the latching till the tail end of the original.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a copying apparatus and a copying method. More specifically, the present invention is suitable for copying a document having a projection such as a tab sheet or a partition sheet. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a copying apparatus, and a copying method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when copying is performed using an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, for example, characters or designs of a document having projections such as tab paper or partition paper are copied onto paper having projections. May be. As one type of the above-described copying machines, digital copying machines having a function of detecting the position of a document by image processing have become widespread.

[0003]

However, the above prior art has the following problems. That is, in a digital copying machine having a function of detecting the position of a document by image processing, an image area is cut out in a rectangular shape. For this reason, both sides (or one side) of the protruding portion of the document (tab paper, partition paper, etc.) become a black area because the silver-pressed plate is read, and the toner is loaded on the photoreceptor. There was a problem that wasted. In addition, when the projection of the paper to be copied is larger than the projection of the original, there is a problem that an extra black area not found in the original is generated in the projection of the paper to be copied. Was.

Therefore, as another prior art, a method of detecting the width (length in a direction perpendicular to the protruding direction) of the tab using a line memory, or disposing the tab in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction is used. A method of detecting the length of the tab (length in the protruding direction) using a plurality of sensors described above has been considered. However, in the method using the sensor as described above,
Since a plurality of sensors are arranged, there is a problem that the cost is considerably increased and a physical space necessary for arranging the sensors is also required. Further, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately detect the position of a document unless a sensor having a good response is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a first object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of the accurate position of a projection of a document such as tab paper or partition paper, especially the length of the tab. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a copying apparatus, and a copying method that can detect an image without being detected.

A second object of the present invention is to prevent wasteful use of toner and perform copying by performing area processing on both sides (or one side) of the projection based on the detection result of the projection of the document. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, a copying apparatus, and a copying method in which an extra black area which is not present in a document is prevented from being formed on a projection of a sheet.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper. Storage means for storing the read document image; first latch means for latching a position at which a black line first changes from a black level to a white level in a specific line of the document image read from the storage means; A second latch unit for latching a position where a white level finally changes to a black level in a specific line of the original image; and comparing the latch result of the first latch unit after the latch is repeated until the rear end of the original, or Detecting means for detecting the position of the protruding portion of the document based on the comparison of the latch result of the second latch means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper, wherein one line of the read document image is provided. A latch means for latching a position where a predetermined plurality of pixels finally change from a white level to a black level, and a protrusion of the document based on a comparison of the latch result of the latch means after the latch is repeated until the rear end of the document. And a detecting means for detecting the position of.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for visualizing an image read from an original and forming the image on a recording medium such as a paper. A storage step of storing in the storage means, a first latch step of latching a position where a black level first changes from a black level to a white level in a specific line of the document image read from the storage means, A second latching step of latching a position at which a white level is finally changed to a black level on a specific line, and comparing the latched result of the first latching step after the latching is repeated up to the rear end of the document or the second latching A step of detecting the position of the projection of the document based on the comparison of the latch result of the step.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper. And a latch step for latching a position at which a predetermined plurality of pixels finally change from a white level to a black level, and a projection of the document based on a comparison of the latch result of the latch step after the latch is repeated until the rear end of the document. And a detecting step of detecting the position of

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein a side portion of the projection is formed based on the detected position of the projection of the document. It is characterized by comprising an area erasing means for erasing.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image forming method according to the third or fourth aspect, wherein a side portion of the projection is formed based on the detected position of the projection of the document. It is characterized by having an area erasing step for erasing.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a copying apparatus includes the image forming apparatus according to the first, second, or fifth aspect.

In order to achieve the above object, an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a copying method uses the image forming method according to the third, fourth or sixth aspect.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment First, a schematic configuration of a copying machine according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This copier has an image recording unit (hereinafter referred to as
The printer includes a printer unit 1, an image reading unit (hereinafter, referred to as a reader unit) 2, an operation unit (hereinafter, referred to as an operator control unit: OCU) 3, and a finishing device 7.

The printer unit 1 visualizes an image read by a reader unit or an image transmitted from various external devices (not shown) such as a computer terminal or a facsimile. Print on a recording medium such as transfer paper. Further, the printer unit 1 includes a large-capacity print buffer memory (hereinafter, abbreviated as PBM, see FIG. 2) 15, and receives images from an original feeding device 200 of the reader unit 2 described below or an external input device. The transmitted images are stored, and after the storage, sorting such as page switching is performed. The specific operation of the printer unit 1 will be described later.

A reader unit 2 feeds a document to a reading position (hereinafter, abbreviated as ADF; see FIG. 4).
200 and a scanner 250 for optically reading a document image
(See FIG. 4). The specific operation of the reader unit 2 will be described later. The OCU 3 includes a display and a keyboard for operation (or a touch panel display). The OCU 3 inputs various settings performed by a user such as setting of the number of copies, setting of the number of copies, editing and processing of an image, etc. A display indicating the state is performed. The finishing device 7 is a part that performs post-process processing on output paper recorded on a recording medium by the printer unit 1, and performs sorting, stapling, bookbinding, and the like.

The basic operation of the copying machine shown in FIG. 3 will be described. When the user sets a document on the ADF 200 of the reader unit 2 and designates the setting of the mode and the start of copying with the OCU 3, the ADF 200 feeds the document one by one and reads it with the scanner 250. In the scanner 250, the exposed original image is photoelectrically converted by the CCD line sensor 111 (see FIG. 1) and read as an electric signal. The read original image is subjected to various processes in an image processing unit 11 (see FIG. 1) described later, and then subjected to a compression process, and the PB of the printer unit 1 is processed.
Transferred to M15.

In the printer unit 1, images are sequentially read from the PBM 15 in accordance with the user setting from the OCU 3. The read image is converted into an optical signal for photoconductor exposure. The following is recorded on a recording medium through a charging step, an exposure step, a latent image step, a development step, a transfer step, a separation step, and a fixing step in a usual electrophotographic process.

Next, the configuration of the reader unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the ADF 200 and the scanner 250 of the reader unit 2. The reader unit 2 includes a document tray 201 on which documents are stacked, a first mirror table 202 that receives the document exposure and its reflected light, a flow reading document reading position 203, a book mode scan reading position 204, and a sheet feeding unit 205. , Transport path 206 and transport path 2
07, the transport path 208, the transport path 209, and the lens 21.
0, a standby position 211 in the transport path 206, and a standby position 212 in the transport path 208.

The conveyance path 207 discharges the one-sided document read at the moving document reading position 203 and feeds it to the conveyance path 208.
Transports the back side of the document read at the flow-reading document reading position 203 to the flow-reading document reading position 203 again. The transport path 209 reads the back surface of the document at the flow-reading document reading position 203 and then discharges the document. Here, the flow-reading document reading means that the first mirror table 202 is fixed at the flow-reading document reading position 203 and the document tray 2 is read.
This is a method of scanning the original sent from 01 by moving it over the reading position.

The standby positions 211 and 212 are positions at which a document is stopped in the transport path according to the state of a print buffer memory (PBM) 15 described later, and based on the paper detection sensor passage time and the transport speed. Position control is performed.

The operation of the reader unit 2 will be described. The flow of a document is conveyed along the directions of the arrows along the conveyance paths 206 to 209. Here, when reading the back surface of the document, the image is read as a mirror image of the image obtained by reading the front surface. Therefore, a process for converting a mirror image into a normal image will be described later in the image processing unit 11. In the figure, the solid arrow indicates the direction in which the single-sided document is to be read and transported.

At the time of the book mode scan, the original placed on the book mode scan reading position 204 is not moved, and the original is read by scanning while moving optical devices such as the first mirror base 202 and the second mirror base. . In any case, the reading unit moves relative to the document, and the document is scanned and read. The reflected light from the document exposure passes through the lens 210,
The image is projected onto the line sensor 111 (see FIG. 1) and photoelectrically converted.

In the present configuration shown in FIG.
Has a length that accommodates, for example, two vertically-fed (portrait-fed) A4 originals, and the transport path 208 similarly includes, for example, two vertically-fed (portrait-fed) A4 originals.
It is configured with a length that can accommodate the number of sheets. Conveyance paths 206, 208
In both cases, for example, in the case of A3 horizontal feed (landscape feed), the length is set to accommodate one sheet.

The document placed on the paper feed tray 201 is a face-up first page process in which the document surface is placed on the upper side and the first page is placed on the top. In the case of single-sided original reading, the original is sequentially read along the solid line arrow in the figure. However, in the case of double-sided original reading, the half-size original (A4
(Vertical, B5 vertical, A5 vertical) take different paper feed sequences.

Half-size originals are fed two sheets at a time, and two sheets read at the original reading position 203 are read through the conveyance path 208 for backside reading. Then, at the same time when the reading of the back side of the second sheet is completed, a sequence is started in which the reading of the front side of the next two originals starts. That is, the manuscript is read in the order of first page table, second page table, first page back, second page, third page table, fourth page table, third page back, fourth page back ... It is being done.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of reading a double-sided document. In the figure, 1A and 2A are original images of the first sheet and the second sheet, respectively.
This is the image of the second original document. Hereinafter, 3A, 3B, 4A,
4B is the same.

Document feeder (ADF) 2 of the present embodiment
Reference numeral 00 denotes a non-circulation type document feeding device in which a document placed on the document tray 201 does not return to the document tray 201 again. Further, the sheet feeding unit 205, the transport paths 206 and 20
7, 208, and 209 can be driven independently, and can be individually driven, stopped, and controlled in speed.
The control of the ADF 200 is controlled by the controller 123 (see FIG. 1) based on the designation from the OCU 3 and the state of the machine.

Next, an image processing section 11 for processing image data read by the copying machine according to the first embodiment.
Will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Image processing unit 11
Is an analog / digital (A / D) converter 110 and C
CD line sensor 111, shading / color space conversion unit 113, two-color separation unit 114, document position / tab position detection unit 165, line memory 166, selector 1
01, the selector 102, the filter circuit 117, the filter circuit 118, the page memory 119, the page memory 120, the scaling / resolution conversion unit 125, the scaling / resolution conversion unit 126, and the image decoration processing unit 127. , Image decoration processing unit 128, density conversion table 129, density conversion table 130, gradation number conversion unit (error diffusion processing unit)
131, a gradation number conversion unit (error diffusion processing unit) 132,
The configuration includes a compression ratio prediction unit 160, a controller 123, and the like.

The function of each unit will be described in detail together with the operation.
When the original comes to the original reading position, the reflected light of the original is received by the CCD line sensor 111, and the photoelectric conversion is performed to generate RGB electric signals. The image signal created by the CCD line sensor 111 is amplified by an analog / digital (A / D) converter 112 and then converted to a digital image signal. The digitized RGB signal is
The shading / color space conversion unit 113 performs black correction, white correction (shading correction), and color correction (masking) to perform normalization and standardization.

The standardized RGB signal is supplied to the two-color separation unit 1
At 14, the luminance / density conversion and black / red two-color separation processing are performed.
A black image signal 115 and a red image signal 116 are created.
Subsequent processes are performed in parallel by circuits having independent configurations for the black image signal and the red image signal.

The standardized RGB signals are used to detect the image area of the document, and the document position / tab position detection unit 1
65 is input. Document position / tab position detection section 165
Detects the tab position of the tab sheet using the line memory 166. These detection results are input to the controller 123 via the CPU bus 167.

In the filter circuits 117 and 118, an MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) at the time of reading an image is used.
n) Filtering is performed to recover the deterioration and to weaken the moiré pattern generated at the time of reading the halftone original. The page memories 119 and 120 have, for example, a maximum of A3.
It has a capacity to store one page of images up to the size. The image read by the bidirectional document feeder is read as a mirror image while the image read in the reverse direction is read in the forward direction. Here, the page memories 119 and 120 perform control to convert an image read as a mirror image into a normal image by further performing mirror image processing.

Further, processing for realizing a Cut & Paste function (see FIG. 6A) for moving a specific area of an image to another place, and a plurality of input original images at the next step of scaling / resolution The conversion units 125 and 126 reduce the size to 50%, for example.
Processing for realizing a reduced layout function (see FIG. 6B) for forming one image on one sheet is also performed on the page memories 119 and 120 by the memory control signal 124 from the controller 123. . Based on the document and tab positions detected by the document position / tab position detection unit 165, the area of the non-image area is erased in the memory, or a control signal indicating the image area is added to the image output from the memory in parallel with the image. And output it to the subsequent stage.

In the scaling / resolution conversion units 125 and 126,
The normal image size conversion is performed not only when the reduced layout function described above is realized. Image decoration processing units 127 and 128
In this case, by performing area designation on the document image 620 as shown in FIG. 7, functions such as a negative / positive reversal process 621, a shading process 622, and a halftone process 623 for an image portion are realized. The density conversion tables 129 and 130 perform gamma conversion for correcting the linearity characteristic of the printer and processing for reflecting the density adjustment level input by the user from the operation unit on the image data.

The image data so far is 256 bits of 8 bits.
Although it is a gradation signal, a gradation number conversion unit (error diffusion processing unit) 1
In 31 and 132, 4 bits 16 which can be expressed by the printer are used.
It is converted into a gradation image signal. An error is diffused in order to cancel the density unevenness generated at the time of conversion of the number of gradations when viewed in a certain area. The above is the image signal processing performed by the image processing unit 11.

Next, the P of the printer unit 1 of the copying machine described above
The BM 15 will be described with reference to FIG. The PBM 15 that stores a large number of pages of images to be printed includes a compression processing unit 150, a compression processing unit 153, and a DRAM 151.
, A DRAM 154, a decompression processing unit 152, and a decompression processing unit 156.

The function of each part described above will be described in detail.
Image data 133 and red image data 134 input to
Are encoded by the compression processing units 150 and 153 using the variable-length lossless compression method. Variable-length reversible means that the amount of data at the time of compression differs depending on the input image, but has the property of restoring exactly the same as the input image after decompression processing.
This is to be compared with a fixed-length irreversible compression system such as G (Joint Photographic Expert Group: a compression system for color still images). Variable length lossless compression method is MH, QC
There are schemes such as ODER and Lempel Ziv, but any scheme may be used.

The DRAMs 151 and 154 are memory units in the PBM 15 and include a semiconductor memory or a hard disk and a control unit for addressing them. When performing a page exchange such as a brochure mode (1 · N page, 2 · N−1 page..., Each within one page), the DR
It can be realized by controlling the addressing in the AMs 151 and 154.

The image to be printed out is stored in the DRAM 15
1 and 154, and the decompression processing units 152 and 156 restore the original image data again. The read timing here will be described. The black image data 135 is a timing necessary for forming a black image, and the red image data 136 is a timing necessary for forming a red image, and is read independently.

The image data in the DRAMs 151 and 154 basically store all jobs, and the operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, reference numeral 15 indicates the concept of PBM.
In FIG. 8A, reference numeral 5002 denotes a copy job currently being printed, for example, a job for copying 100 copies of a 150-page original. In this case, pages 1 to 150 are read out one by one in order and then printed out.
After that, a finishing process is performed. Reference numeral 5003 denotes a printer job which is waiting as a job to be performed next and is requested from an external device, and is, for example, a job for finishing 60 copies of 50 pages. 5004 is, for example, 20
This is a copy job of 50 copies of page 0, which is a job in the middle of reading an image. Here, PBM1
5 becomes full, and the reading operation is temporarily interrupted.

The job 5002 is performed continuously during that time. At the same time as printing the last copy of the 100th copy from page 1 to page 150, the output image does not need to be stored. It is sequentially replaced with images. When the job 5002 ends, printing of the job 5003 waiting for the order starts (FIG. 8).
(B)). Reference numeral 5005 denotes a vacant portion of the PBM 15, and other jobs can be input (stored) as long as the memory capacity permits.

Next, the compression ratio prediction will be described in detail. Referring again to FIG. 1, the compression ratio prediction unit 160 uses the decoration information of the image obtained from the controller 123 via the bus 161 (shading shown in FIG. 7, partial movement shown in FIG. 6A, etc.), Magnification information (such as the reduced layout shown in FIG. 6B) and the selected density conversion tables 129, 1
30, tone number conversion units (error diffusion processing units) 131, 132
For example, the accuracy of prediction is improved using processing information obtained by the CCD line sensor 111 and processed by the tone number conversion units (error diffusion processing units) 131 and 132 until error diffusion processing is performed. Normally, the predicted value is obtained by performing a simple operation on the statistic of the image information (the image density average value, entropy, etc., which has a high correlation with the compression ratio and is obtained by a simple operation). The calculation or coefficient used here changes according to the processing information.

For example, if the following equation (1) is used to use the average density value of an image for prediction and further convert it into a predicted value, the predicted value = the average density value of the image * a + b (1) The controller 123 transmits the coefficients a and b determined according to the image processing information to the compression rate prediction unit 160 via the bus 161 with reference to a RAM table (not shown). The density average value of the image area is 40, for example, and the coefficients a and b according to the processing
Is 0.01 and 0.1, respectively, the compression ratio is predicted as follows: prediction value = 40 * 0.01 + 0.1 = 0.5 (2) This is a prediction that the data amount after compression is １ ／ of the data amount before compression.
The controller 123 performs the above-described control based on the compression ratio prediction obtained via the bus 122.

FIG. 9 is an STD (state transition diagram) showing a state transition of the copying machine according to the first embodiment. After the copier is powered on and performs initialization 40101, the copier enters normal operating mode 40102 via transition 40131. If it is determined in the normal operation mode 40102 that there is no room for storing the predicted value in the PBM 15 based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199 (see FIG. 1 described above), a transition 40111 described below is made.
Take lmostFull40103. AlmostF
The black memory remaining amount detection signal 19
8. If it is determined based on the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199 that there is no empty space in the PBM 15, transition 4011
2, a PBM Full state 40104 described later is taken.

When it is determined in the PBM Full state 40104 that the PBM 15 has become empty based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199, the transition 40122 changes to the Almost Full 40103. The Almost Full 40103 sets P based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199.
If it is determined that the BM 15 has room to store the predicted value, the transition 40121 starts the normal operation mode 4.
It returns to 0102.

Hereinafter, each state will be described with reference to each state transition flow chart.
12 to 12 and timing charts mainly showing operation timings of the PBM 15 and FIGS. 13 to 17 will be described in detail.

"Normal operation mode" Normal operation mode 401
In 02, the PBM 15 always monitors 40201 whether there is room to store a predicted value based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199, and performs PBM monitoring.
If there is room to store the predicted value in state transition 15, state transition 4
The monitoring 40201 is performed again by 0202. PBM15
In the state where there is room for storing the predicted value, the copier repeats the monitoring 40201 and the state transition 40202 alternately and repeatedly.

This state will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. 13 showing the image input signal 40505 to the page memory 119 and the page memory 120 and the image output signal 40506 from the page memory 119 and the page memory 120. In the figure, 1, 2, n-1, n, n + 1, etc. indicate the order of the read originals.

From the original scan start 40507, the originals fed one by one by the ADF 200 as described above are irradiated by the scanner 250, and the original data is
The storage from the CCD line sensor 111 to the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 through the filter circuit 117 or the filter circuit 118 is started, and the storage for one page is completed in 40501. FIG. 18 shows the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 in this state.
Document data of the first page occupies the entire area of 20 pages.

Completion of image input for one page 40
508, the controller 123 sets the page memory 1
19 or the output from the page memory 120 to the PBM 15 is started. The start of this image output 4
0509, the controller 123 sets the ADF 200
Instructs the next document to be flown and conveyed to the document reading position 203. Thus, in 40503, the storage of the document data of the second page in the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 starts. FIG. 19 shows the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 in this state. A part 41101 of the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 has already been output and released.

Further, the original data of the second page is written into the open area 41101. At the time of 40504, the page memory 119 or
0. Generally, when the (n−1) th page is being output and the nth page is being input, two image data coexist in the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 as shown in FIG.

[Transition from Normal Operation to Almost Full Mode] When the controller 123 determines in monitoring 40201 that there is a possibility that the PBM 15 becomes FULL based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199, Almo causing transition 40111
It becomes stFull40103.

The operation of this transition will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. In the figure, n-1, n, n + 1, n +
Reference numeral 2 denotes the order of the read originals. Reference numerals 40601 and 40602 represent input and output of document data to and from the page memory, respectively.

Until the PBM 15 has no room for one page of the document, the normal operation mode 40 described above is used.
It is operating at 102. After 40604, PBM15
Since there is no room for storing the predicted value in the PBM 15, whether or not the image data currently stored in the page memory 119 and the page memory 120 can be stored in the PBM 15 is determined by actually storing the image data in the PBM 15. You will understand. This state is called AlmostFull.

In this state, the image data is actually
The ADF 200 shown in FIG. 4 operates so as to limit the number of sheets fed by the sheet feeding unit 205 per time because a confirmation operation for storing the data in the BM 15 is performed. That is, the sheet interval is longer than that in the normal mode (also referred to as skip operation or step feed), and the apparatus can be stopped at any time.

At the time of transition to the AlmostFull state, the controller 123 instructs the ADF 200 to perform the sequence operation, and continues the sequence operation until the AlmostFull state is released. AlmostF
The sequence in the “ull” state can be realized not only by controlling the number of sheets fed per time of the sheet feeding unit 205 shown in FIG. It is.

"AlmostFull" AlmostF
In the UL 40103, the black memory remaining amount detection signal 19
8. Monitoring 40301 whether or not there is free space in the PBM 15 based on the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199, and when there is no free space, the PBM Full state is set by the transition 40112 as described above. Monitoring 4
If it is determined that there is free space in the PBM 15 according to 0301, the monitor 40302 monitors whether there is room for storing the predicted value next. If there is no room, the state transition 4030 is performed.
4, the monitoring 40301 is performed again. AlmostFu
In 11040103, the copying machine alternates between the monitor 40301 and the monitor 40302 while making transitions.

According to the timing chart of FIG.
The operation in ostFull will be described. Normal operation mode 4
In step 0102, as described in the section of the normal operation, in response to the start of the image data of the previous document n-1 from the page memory 119 and the page memory 120, 40608, the next document n is skipped and the document is read. Although the document is conveyed to the position 203, the image data of the document n may not be stored in the PBM 15 in the Almost Full 40103, so that it is necessary to confirm that the read document data has been securely stored in the PBM 15 unless the next document is read. n +
1 cannot be read.

That is, in response to the completion of the input of the n-page image 40609, the controller 123 transfers the image from the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 to the PBM1.
Output is started toward 5. In response to the completion of the image output 40610, the controller 123 releases the areas of the page memory 119 and the page memory 120, and instructs the ADF 200 to flow the next original n + 1 and transport it to the original reading position 203.

Thus, the storage of the document data of the (n + 1) th page in the page memory 119 or the page memory 120 starts. Thereafter, since the reading of the document and the waiting of the output of the image data are alternately repeated, the AlmostFu is read.
In 1140103, the space between the sheets in the ADF 200 is empty, and the productivity is half of that in the normal operation mode 40102. However, after the output of the image data is completed, the area of the page memory 119 and the page memory 120 is released. Will not destroy.

"AlmostFull to PBMFul
transition to the 1 state ”controller 123 monitors 4030
When the PBM 15 determines that the PBM 15 is FULL based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199 in 1, it instructs the PBM 15 to discard the image currently stored by the PBM 15 and its management information. After that, a transition 40112 is made to cause the PBMFull state 401.
04.

This transition will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. n-1 and n indicate the order of the read originals. Reference numerals 40701 and 40702 denote input and output of document data to and from the page memory 119 and the page memory 120, respectively. Up to 40703 when the PBM 15 runs out of space, the AlmostFull already described
The operation of 140103 is performed. After 40703,
Since there is no space in the PBM 15 for storing the document data, the output of the image is stopped. This state is referred to as PBMFul
Called l.

In this state, the reading of the document is stopped until there is free space to be actually stored in the PBM 15. Therefore, the ADF 200 shown in FIG. Wait for start command. At the time of transition to the PBMFull state, the controller 123 instructs the ADF 200 to stop the original reading sequence operation. The PBMFul
At the time of the transition to the l sequence, the original being transported in the transport path is stopped before reaching the original reading position 203.

If the original has reached the original reading position 203, the document is passed through the PBM 15, and if the original does not enter the PBM 15, another process such as resetting of the original or re-reading is performed, but will not be described here. In addition, even if the original is being conveyed in the conveyance path, the original which has been read and is at a position where the paper can be ejected is ejected without stopping. In FIG. 4 described above, in the one-sided reading mode, the document is made to stand by in the sheet feeding unit 205 and the conveyance path 206. The document on the transport path 207 is discharged. In the double-sided reading mode, the original is made to stand by in the sheet feeding unit 205, the conveyance path 206, and the conveyance path 207, and
9 is discharged.

As described above, each transport path can be independently driven, stopped, and controlled in speed. Therefore, the paper feeding unit 20
5 or the conveyance paths 206 and 208 have independent standby positions 211 and 212, respectively, and stand by in the PBM Full mode.

"PBMFull" PBMFull401
In 04, the monitoring 40401 of whether or not there is free space in the PBM 15 is always performed based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199. Monitoring 4040
Do one. If the monitor 40401 determines that the PBM 15 has free space, the status transition 40122
Transition is made to lmostFull40103. PBMFu
In 1140104, it waits until 40703 to 40704 until an empty capacity is generated in the PBM 15. FIG. 4 above
The operation of the ADF 200 is stopped and waiting for a restart command from the controller 123.

"Recovery of PBMFull" PBMFull
Will be described again with reference to the timing chart of FIG. The monitor 40401 detects the PBM1 based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199.
5 determines that free space has been generated, the controller 1
23 starts output from the head of the image data stored in the page memory 119 and the page memory 120. As described above, the controller 12 starts from the start of the image output.
The control mode of No. 3 is Almost Full 40103.

If the free space of the PBM 15 generated at this time is less than one page of the document, the transition 4 is performed again.
It becomes PBMFull40104 by 0112, and P
Wait for the free space to further increase in the BM 15. The controller 123 outputs the operation restart instruction of the ADF 200 shown in FIG. 4 when the PBM 15 has a free space. A
Upon receiving a command from the controller 123, the DF 200 restarts feeding of the originals waiting at the standby positions 211 and 212 and the originals on the original tray 201, and resumes the flow scanning original reading.

"Recovery from AlmostFull" As described above, the normal operation mode 40102 or the PBMF
AlmostFull40103 from ul40104
When the copier having transitioned to the above state determines in the monitor 40302 that the predicted value can be stored in the PBM 15 based on the black memory remaining amount detection signal 198 and the red memory remaining amount detection signal 199, it takes a normal operation mode 40102 by a transition 40121. .

The following two timing charts show
The recovery operation from the AlmostFull will be described.
FIG. 16 shows the state in which the AlmostFu is
11 shows a state where it has been resolved. n-1, n, n +
1, n + 2 indicates the order of the read originals. 40
Reference numerals 801 and 40802 denote input and output of document data to and from the page memory 119 and the page memory 120, respectively. Until the PBM 15 has no free space capable of storing the predicted value, up to 40803, the AlmostF
The operation of the UL 40103 is performed.

While reading the n-th document, output of large image data of another job for the image ends, or another job that has been living in the PBM 15 is discarded. After 40803 when a free space larger than the predicted value is generated in the PBM 15, the (n + 1) th original can be read without waiting for the output of the nth image data to be completed.

FIG. 17 shows that A is output during the output of the n-th image data.
This indicates a state in which 1mostFull has been resolved. n-
1, n, n + 1 and n + 2 indicate the order of the read originals. Reference numerals 40901 and 40902 denote input and output of document data to and from the page memory 119 and the page memory 120, respectively. Since the controller 123 instructs the ADF 200 to restart reading the original at the normal speed in response to the cancellation of the AlmostFull 40903, the recovery is faster than in the example of FIG.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the operation unit (OCU) 3 of the copying machine. The operation unit (OCU) 3 is a CRT
A screen 30101 and a keypad 30102 are provided. The configuration of each part will be described in detail.
Is, for example, a touch-type input, and a designation from a user is input. The display method is not limited to the CRT, but may be an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an FLCD.
(Ferroelectric liquid crystal display) may be used. Also,
The input method is not limited to touch-type input,
A pointing device such as a mouse or an input pen may be used. The keypad 30102 is a numeric keypad 30
103, a clear key 30104, and an enter key 30
105, stop key 30106, reset key 3
0107 and a start key 30108.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the display, selection menu, and settings of the CRT screen 30101. 30201 is CRT
Standard menu screen in screen 30101, 30202
Designates a book mode (a mode in which an original is set on a platen and scans an original by moving the optical system), 30203 designates a one-sided copy mode in which the original is scanned, and 30204 designates a two-sided copy mode in which the original is scanned. 30205 is a copy magnification designation copy number, 30205 is a copy magnification designation copy number, and 30207 is a designation for selecting a functional device (paper feed tray, stapler, saddle stitcher, glue binder, mailbox sorter, etc.) attached to the main body of the copying machine. A portion 30208 is a detailed copy mode selection designation portion for performing more detailed settings in the copy mode.

FIG. 24 shows the CRT screen 3 shown in FIG.
This is a screen 30301 when the device selection is designated in the designated portion 30207 in 0101. Here, the copier main body and all accessories attached to the copier main body are displayed, and it is possible to select which function to use. In the figure, 3011
Reference numerals 2, 30113, 30114, and 30115 indicate a first paper feed stage, a second paper feed stage, a third paper feed stage, and a fourth paper feed stage, respectively. First paper feed stage 30112 to fourth paper feed stage 30115
Are loaded with transfer paper set by the user.

Reference numeral 30302 denotes a proof tray for trial printing the finished image after copying on actual transfer paper; 30303, a staple function; 30304, a stacker for storing stapled output paper;
5 is a saddle stitcher, 30306 is a stacker for storing saddle-stitched output paper, 30306 is a glue binder, 30307 and 30308 are two-stage stackers for bookbinding processed by the glue binder, 30309 is a mailbox sorter, and 30310 is a mailbox An output sorting bin for sorting by a sorter, 30311 is a screen 3020
A designated portion 30316 for returning to 1 is a display portion for displaying the flow of output paper being sent to each functional device in real time.

FIG. 25 shows the CRT screen 3 shown in FIG.
Detailed copy mode selection designation portion 302 in 0101
This is a screen when a detailed copy mode selection is designated at 08. Here, a copy function is specified in image processing such as the number of gradations, resolution, continuous shooting, and twin color.

FIG. 26 shows the Al in the first embodiment.
The display in the mostFull mode is shown. In this state, since the image is transferred to the PBM 15 while checking the free space of the PBM 15 as described above, the processing speed of document reading decreases. In the figure, reference numeral 30501 denotes a display for notifying the user of the status, and reference numeral 30502 denotes a designation portion for canceling the job set by the user in the status.

FIG. 27 shows the PB according to the first embodiment.
The display in the MFull mode is shown. In this case, as described above, the image reading is temporarily stopped, and the PB
The reading process is waited until the mode is not changed to the MFull mode. In the figure, reference numeral 30601 denotes a display for notifying the state, and 30
Reference numeral 604 denotes a display for notifying the waiting time, reference numeral 30602 denotes a designated portion for canceling the job set by the user in that state, and reference numeral 30603 denotes a designated portion for waiting for document reading to start in the PBMFull state.

Next, the detection of the tab position at the center of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing the entire configuration of the document position / tab position detecting section. The document position / tab position detection unit 165 includes a document detection unit 1651 and a tab position detection unit 1
652.

The function of the document position / tab position detecting section 165 will be described in detail. The document position / tab position detecting section 165 inputs image signals R, G, and B output from the shading / color space converting section 113. Input image signals R, G, B
Is processed by the document detecting unit 1651, and the processed image 1653 is received by the tab position detecting unit 1652, and the line memory 166 is used to detect the accurate position of the width and length of the tab portion.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the document detecting section 1651 of the document position / tab position detecting section. The document detecting unit 1651 includes an ND signal generating unit 6021, a binarizing unit 6022, a false detection removing unit 6023, a document leading edge coordinate detecting unit 6024, a document trailing edge coordinate detecting unit 6025,
Original left end coordinate detecting section 6026 and original right end coordinate detecting section 6
027, a sub-scanning counter 6028, and a main-scanning counter 6029.

The function of the document detection unit 1651 will be described in detail.
First, at the time of document detection, an ND signal generation unit 6021 generates an 8-bit ND signal from an 8-bit image signal of R, G, and B based on the following equation.

ND = (R + G + B) / 3 Next, the binarization unit 6022 performs binarization using a fixed slice level or a variable slice level. If the above-described image signal itself is used for document detection, dust or the like adhering to the document table may be erroneously detected as a document. Therefore, the erroneous detection removing unit 6023 converts the binarized signal into a 4 × By handling in block units such as 4 or 8 × 8, “1” is set when all the pixels of the block are white (that is, the original area), and even one black pixel (that is, an area that is not the original area) is included in the block. In some cases, "0" is set to the image signal 16
Output to 53.

The signal output from the erroneous detection / elimination unit 6023 is also supplied to a document leading edge coordinate detecting unit 6024, a document trailing edge coordinate detecting unit 6025, a document left edge coordinate detecting unit 6026, and a document right edge coordinate detecting unit 6027. Document leading edge coordinate detector 6
024, the document trailing edge coordinate detection unit 6025 has a register that receives and stores the count value of the sub-scanning counter 6028 that is reset when the document is fed. A document left end coordinate detecting unit 6026 and a document right end coordinate detecting unit 6027
Has a register that receives and stores the count value of the main scanning counter 6029 reset at the start of a line.

The document leading edge coordinate detector 6024 stores in the register the count value when the image signal 1653 first changes from black to white in the sub-scanning direction. In the document trailing edge coordinate detection unit 6025, the count value when the image signal 1653 finally changes from white to black in the sub-scanning direction is stored in the register. The document left end coordinate detection unit 6026 stores a count value when the image signal 1653 first changes from white to black in the main scanning direction in a register. Also, the document right end coordinate detection unit 6027 stores the count value when the image signal 1653 finally changes from white to black in the main scanning direction in the register.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram showing the count value obtained by the register in an easily understandable manner. Finally, the document leading edge coordinate detecting unit 6024, the document trailing edge coordinate detecting unit 6025, the document left edge coordinate detecting unit 6026, and the document right edge coordinate detecting unit 602
7 indicate the leading edge 7010, the trailing edge 7011, the left edge 7012, and the right edge 7013 of the document, respectively.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing the detailed configurations of the tab position detecting section 1652 of the document position / tab position detecting section and the line memory 166. The tab position detection unit 1652 is
First tab left end coordinate detection section 6031, first tab right end coordinate detection section 6036, and second tab left end coordinate detection section 60
32, a second tab right end coordinate detecting unit 6037, a third tab left end coordinate detecting unit 6033, a third tab right end coordinate detecting unit 6038, and a fourth tab left end coordinate detecting unit 6034.
And a fourth tab right end coordinate detecting section 6039, a fifth tab left end coordinate detecting section 6035, a fifth tab right end coordinate detecting section 6040, and a main scanning counter 6041.

The line memories 166 are line memories 1660, 1661, 1662, 1663, and 166.
4, 1665.

The function of the tab position detector 1652 will be described in detail. The tab position detector 1652 stores the image signal 1653 received from the document detector 1651 in the line memory 1660. In this case, since the tab projection is generally about 1/2 inch, the line memory is set to be able to store about 1/4 inch. The output of the line memory 1660 is stored in the line memory 1661.

The signal read from the line memory 1661 is supplied to the first tab left end coordinate detecting section 6031, the first tab right end coordinate detecting section 6036, and the line memory 1662. The first tab left end coordinate detecting section 6031 and the first tab right end coordinate detecting section 6036 are provided with a main scanning counter 6041.
Has a register for storing the count value.

The signal read from the line memory 1662 is supplied to the second tab left end coordinate detecting section 6032, the second tab right end coordinate detecting section 6037, and the line memory 1663. The second tab left end coordinate detection section 6032 and the second tab right end coordinate detection section 6037 are provided with a main scanning counter 6041.
Has a register for storing the count value.

The signal read from the line memory 1663 is supplied to the third tab left end coordinate detecting section 6033, the third tab right end coordinate detecting section 6038, and the line memory 1664. The third tab left end coordinate detection unit 6033 and the third tab right end coordinate detection unit 6038 are provided with a main scanning counter 6041.
Has a register for storing the count value.

The signal read from the line memory 1664 is supplied to the fourth tab left end coordinate detecting section 6034, the fourth tab right end coordinate detecting section 6039, and the line memory 1665. The fourth tab left end coordinate detection unit 6034 and the fourth tab right end coordinate detection unit 6039 are a main scanning counter 6041.
Has a register for storing the count value.

The signal read from the line memory 1665 is supplied to a fifth tab left end coordinate detecting section 6035 and a fifth tab right end coordinate detecting section 6040. Fifth tab left end coordinate detecting section 6035, fifth tab right end coordinate detecting section 6040
Has a register for storing the count value of the main scanning counter 6041.

First tab left end coordinate detecting section 6031, second tab
The tab left end coordinate detecting unit 6032, the third tab left end coordinate detecting unit 6033, the fourth tab left end coordinate detecting unit 6034, and the fifth tab left end coordinate detecting unit 6035 read out from the line memory 166 first in the main scanning direction. The count value when the signal changed from white to black is stored in the register. On the other hand, a first tab right end coordinate detection unit 6036, a second tab right end coordinate detection unit 6037, and a third tab right end coordinate detection unit 60
38, the fourth tab right end coordinate detection unit 6039, and the fifth tab right end coordinate detection unit 6040 store in the register the count value when the last signal read from the line memory 166 in the main scanning direction changes from white to black. Store.

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing the count value obtained by the above register in an easily understandable manner. Before the trailing edge of the document is detected (when the read line is the line of interest A), the image areas stored in the line memories 1660, 1661, ... 1665 are 7020, 7021, ... 7025. At this time, a line 7021 separated by about 1/4 inch from the line of interest A is read by the tab position detection unit 1652, and in the line 7021, the first tab left end coordinate detection unit 6031 and the first tab right end coordinate detection unit 6036 The count value stored in each register is 7021
LA, 7021RA.

Similarly, in the line 7022, the second tab left end coordinate detection unit 6032 and the second tab right end coordinate detection unit 6
The count value stored in each register of 037 is 7022LA and 7022RA, respectively, and the line 7023
Then, the count values stored in the registers of the third tab left end coordinate detection unit 6033 and the third tab right end coordinate detection unit 6038 are 7023LA and 7023RA, respectively. In the line 7024, the fourth tab left end coordinate detection Part 6
034, the count value stored in each register of the fourth tab right end coordinate detection unit 6039 is 7024 LA,
In line 7025, the fifth tab left end coordinate detecting unit 6035 and the fifth tab right end coordinate detecting unit 6
The count values stored in the registers 040 are 7025LA and 7025RA, respectively.

In the line of interest B, the first tab left end coordinate detecting section 6031 and the first tab right end coordinate detecting section 603 are used.
6. Second tab left end coordinate detection section 6032, second tab right end coordinate detection section 6037, third tab left end coordinate detection section 60
33, a third tab right end coordinate detecting section 6038, a fourth tab left end coordinate detecting section 6034, a fourth tab right end coordinate detecting section 6
039, the count values stored in the registers of the fifth tab left end coordinate detection unit 6035 and the fifth tab right end coordinate detection unit 6040 are 7021LB, 7021RB, and 7022L.
B, 7022RB, 7023LB, 7023RB, 70
24LB, 7024RB, 7025LB, 7025RB
It is.

When the trailing edge of the document is detected by the trailing edge coordinate detecting section 6025 of the document detecting section 1651, an interrupt is notified to the controller 123 via the CPU bus 167. In accordance with the interrupt, the controller 123 sets the document leading edge coordinate detecting unit 6024, the document trailing edge coordinate detecting unit 6025, the document left edge coordinate detecting unit 6026, the document right edge coordinate detecting unit 6027, the first to fifth tab left edge coordinate detecting units 6031, 6032, 6033, 6034, 603
5. First to fifth tab right end coordinate detection units 6036, 60
The values of the registers 37, 6038, 6039, and 6040 are read.

As a result, the first tab left end coordinate detecting section 60
31, the position of the tab in the main scanning direction can be determined from the value of each register of the second tab right end coordinate position detection unit 6036. Also,
Second tab left end coordinate detection section 6032, third tab left end coordinate detection section 6033, fourth tab left end coordinate detection section 603
4. The result of the fifth tab left end coordinate detection unit 6035 is compared with the value of the first tab left end coordinate detection unit 6031, and is extremely far from the value (position) of the first tab left end coordinate detection unit 6031. If there is a register, it means that the register is out of the position of the tab.
The distance from the address detected in step 5 to the register is the length of the tab. In the case of FIG. 32, since 7023LB and 7024LB are extremely far apart, the length from the rear end of the document to 7023LB is detected as the tab length.

However, when the tab is located at the end, the first to fifth tab left end coordinate detecting units 6031, 6032, 60
Since the values of 33, 6034, and 6035 indicate the same value, the second to fifth tab right end coordinate detection units 6037, 6038,
The results of 6039 and 6040 are compared with the value of the first tab right end coordinate detection unit 6036, and the first tab right end coordinate detection unit 6
If there is a register that is extremely far from the value (position) of 036, the distance from the address detected by the document rear end coordinate detection unit 6025 to the register is the tab length.

From these values, areas other than the original image area on the page memory are erased. The area 7031 shown in FIG. 33 is an area to be erased on the page memory, and the arrow in the figure is the length of the tab. Deleting an area
By outputting a control signal indicating the document image area together with the output image signal from the page memory and erasing the area by the image decoration section 128, the same effect can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, five registers are used for detecting the left end coordinates and the right end coordinates of the tab, respectively. However, the registers need to be prepared according to the block size used for document detection. is there. For example, when a tab having a length of イ ン チ inch is detected, タ ブ inch is stored in 1660 of the line memory 166. When storing the remaining 1/4 inch in the line memory 166, (600
dpi, 8 × 8 block), 600 (dpi) * (inch) / 8 (line) = 18.75. That is, 19 registers are required for each. However, 1660 and 1661 of the line memory 166
If a line memory for several lines, such as 1660, is prepared during this period, the number of registers actually required becomes smaller.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, a document image read by a predetermined number of lines is stored, and the position where the black level first changes from the black level to the white level in a specific line of the document image is latched. Latch the position where the white level changes to black level last in a specific line of the original image, repeat the latching until the rear end of the original, and then compare the results of multiple black and white edge latches or the comparison of multiple black and white edge latch results. Since the position of the protruding portion of the document is detected based on this, the accurate position of the protruding portion of the document such as tab paper or partition paper, particularly the length of the tab, can be detected without increasing the cost as much as possible. As a result, as in the case where a plurality of sensors are used as in the past, the cost increases considerably and physical space required for sensor arrangement is required. The disadvantage that accurate position detection is difficult can be solved.

Further, since both sides (or one side) of the projection are subjected to area processing based on the detection result of the projection of the document, waste of toner can be prevented, and
It is possible to prevent an extra black area that is not present in the original from being formed on the projection of the sheet to be copied. As a result, both sides (or one side) of the protruding portion of the document become black regions because the silver pressure plate is read, as in the case where the image region is cut out in a rectangular shape as in the related art, and the toner is deposited on the photoconductor. Troubles that result in wasted toner,
When the projection of the sheet to be copied is larger than the projection of the document, it is possible to solve the problem that the projection of the sheet has an extra black area that is not present in the document.

(2) Second Embodiment A schematic configuration of a copying machine according to a second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except that an image recording section (printer section 1) is provided.
, An image reading unit (reader unit) 2, an operation unit (operator control unit: OCU) 3, and a finishing device 7 (see FIG. 3).

An image processing section 11 for processing image data read by the copying machine according to the second embodiment.
The analog / digital (A / D) converter 110 and the CCD line sensor 11 are similar to those in the first embodiment.
1, a shading / color space conversion unit 113, a two-color separation unit 114, a document position / tab position detection unit 165, a line memory 166, a selector 101, and a selector 10.
2, a filter circuit 117, a filter circuit 118,
Page memory 119, page memory 120,
A resolution conversion unit 125, a scaling / resolution conversion unit 126,
An image decoration processing unit 127, an image decoration processing unit 128, a density conversion table 129, a density conversion table 130,
Tone number conversion unit (error diffusion processing unit) 131, gradation number conversion unit (error diffusion processing unit) 132, and compression ratio prediction unit 160
And a controller 123 (see FIG. 1 above).

The detailed configuration, function, operation, and the like of each part of the copying machine according to the second embodiment have been described in detail in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the copying machine according to the second embodiment, the tab position detecting section 16 as in the first embodiment is used.
52 (see FIG. 28) is characterized in that the length of the tab is detected without using a lot of line memory.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the tab position detecting section 1652 of the copying machine according to the second embodiment. The tab position detecting unit 1652 includes the tab left end coordinate detecting unit 8
011, a tab right end coordinate detecting unit 8012, a first tab length coordinate detecting unit 8013, a second tab length coordinate detecting unit 8014, a third tab length coordinate detecting unit 8015, and a fourth A tab length coordinate detecting section 8016, a fifth tab length coordinate detecting section 8017, a main scanning counter 8018, and a sub-scanning counter 8019 are provided.

The function of the tab position detecting section 1652 will be described in detail. The signal 1653 output from the document detecting section 1651 (see FIG. 28) is stored in the line memory 166 and simultaneously with the first tab length coordinate. Detector 8013, second tab length coordinate detector 8014, third tab length coordinate detector 8015, fourth tab length coordinate detector 8016, fifth
Is also input to the tab length coordinate detecting section 8017 of the. The signal read from the line memory 166 is input to the tab left end coordinate detection unit 8011 and the tab right end coordinate detection unit 8012. The tab left end coordinate detection unit 8011 and the tab right end coordinate detection unit 8012 include registers for storing the count value of the main scanning counter 8018.

In the tab left end coordinate detecting section 8011, the count value when the signal first read from the line memory 166 in the main scanning direction changes from white to black is stored in the register. The tab right end coordinate detection unit 8012 stores, in a register, a count value when the signal read from the line memory 166 last in the main scanning direction changes from white to black.
At this time, the line memory 166 has a tab length of about 1 /
Since it is 2 inches, it is set so that about 1/4 inch can be stored.

First tab length coordinate detecting section 8013, second tab length coordinate detecting section 8013
The tab length coordinate detecting unit 8014, the third tab length coordinate detecting unit 8015, the fourth tab length coordinate detecting unit 8016, and the fifth tab length coordinate detecting unit 8017 are provided with a comparator unit and a register. I have one. When the value of the main scanning counter 8018 reaches a predetermined value, the signal of the tab position detection unit 1652 is fetched, and when the signal changes from white to black (when the trailing edge of the document is detected), the value of the sub-scanning counter 8019 is detected. Is stored in the register.

FIG. 35 shows a first tab length coordinate detecting section 801.
Third, second tab length coordinate detecting section 8014, third tab length coordinate detecting section 8015, fourth tab length coordinate detecting section 80
16, addresses 8013E and 8014 stored in the respective registers of the fifth tab length coordinate detecting unit 8017
E, 8015E, 8016E, and 8017E.

The document trailing edge coordinate detector 6025 (see FIG. 29)
When the trailing edge of the document is detected in step (see), an interrupt is notified to the controller 123 via the CPU bus 167. In accordance with the interrupt, the controller 123 causes the document leading edge coordinate detecting unit 6024, the document trailing edge coordinate detecting unit 6025, the document left edge coordinate detecting unit 6026, the document right edge coordinate detecting unit 6027 (refer to FIG. 29), and the tab left edge coordinate detecting unit 8011. Tab right end coordinate detecting section 8012, first tab length coordinate detecting section 8013, second tab length coordinate detecting section 8014, third tab length coordinate detecting section 8015, fourth tab
The value of each register of the tab length coordinate detecting section 8016 and the fifth tab length coordinate detecting section 8017 is read.

As a result, the tab left end coordinate detecting section 8011,
The main scanning direction of the tab can be determined from the value of the tab right end coordinate detection unit 8012. Also, a first tab length coordinate detection unit 8013,
Second tab length coordinate detection section 8014, third tab length coordinate detection section 8015, fourth tab length coordinate detection section 801
6. Among the fifth tab length coordinate detecting units 8017, those included in the range from the left end to the right end of the document are compared with the values of the document rear end coordinate detecting unit 6025, and the document rear end coordinate detecting unit 602 is used.
If there is a register that is extremely far from the value (position) of 5,
The distance to the register is the length of the tab.

Although the present embodiment has been described using the first to fifth tab length coordinate detecting units, at least the first and fifth tab length coordinate detecting units are used.
With these two locations, tab length coordinate detection is possible.

From these values, areas other than the original image area on the page memory are erased. The same effect can be obtained by erasing the area by outputting a control signal indicating the document image area together with the output image signal from the page memory and erasing the area by the image decoration unit 128.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the position where a predetermined plurality of pixels in one line of the read original image finally changes from the white level to the black level is latched, and the original is read. After repeating the latching to the rear end, to detect the position of the protrusion of the document based on the comparison of multiple black and white edge latch results, the exact position of the protrusion of the document, such as tab paper or partition paper, especially the length of the tab Can be detected with as little cost as possible. As a result, as in the case where a plurality of sensors are used as in the past, the cost increases considerably and physical space required for sensor arrangement is required. The disadvantage that accurate position detection is difficult can be solved.

Further, since both sides (or one side) of the protrusion are subjected to area processing based on the detection result of the protrusion of the document, waste of toner can be prevented, and
It is possible to prevent an extra black area that is not present in the original from being formed on the projection of the sheet to be copied. As a result, both sides (or one side) of the protruding portion of the document become black regions because the silver pressure plate is read, as in the case where the image region is cut out in a rectangular shape as in the related art, and the toner is deposited on the photoconductor. Troubles that result in wasted toner,
When the projection of the sheet to be copied is larger than the projection of the document, it is possible to solve the problem that the projection of the sheet has an extra black area that is not present in the document.

[0126]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a predetermined number of lines are read in an image forming apparatus for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper. Storage means for storing an original image; first latch means for latching a position at which a black line first changes from a black level to a white level in a specific line of the original image read from the storage means; A second latch unit for latching a position at which a white level changes to a black level last on a specific line; and comparing the latch result of the first latch unit after the latch is repeated up to the rear end of the document or the second latch unit Detecting means for detecting the position of the protrusion of the document based on the comparison of the latch results of the means, so that the accurate position of the protrusion of the document such as tab paper or partition paper can be determined. It can be detected without cost up only. As a result, as in the case where a plurality of sensors are used as in the past, the cost increases considerably and physical space required for sensor arrangement is required. The disadvantage that accurate position detection is difficult can be solved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in an image forming apparatus for visualizing an image read from an original and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper, a predetermined plurality of pixels in one line of the read original image are provided. A latch means for latching the position where the white level finally changes from the black level to a black level, and detecting the position of the protruding portion of the document based on a comparison of the latch result of the latch means after the latch is repeated up to the rear end of the document. Since the detecting means is provided, it is possible to detect the exact position of the projection of the original such as a tab sheet or a partition sheet as much as possible without increasing the cost as in the first aspect of the invention.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in an image forming method for visualizing an image read from an original and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper, the original image read by a predetermined number of lines is stored in a storage means. A storage step; a first latching step of first latching a position at which a black level changes from a black level to a white level in a specific line of the original image read from the storage means; and a last latching step in the specific line of the original image read from the storage means. A second latch step of latching a position where the white level changes to a black level, and comparing the latch result of the first latch step or the latch result of the second latch step after the latch is repeated up to the rear end of the document. A detecting step of detecting the position of the projection of the document based on the comparison. It is possible to detect the exact position of the protruding portion of the document without possible cost.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method for visualizing an image read from an original and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper. Lastly latches the position where the white level changes to the black level, and detects the position of the projecting portion of the document based on a comparison of the latch result of the latching step after the latch is repeated until the rear end of the document. Since the detecting step is provided, it is possible to detect the accurate position of the projection of the document such as the tab sheet or the partition sheet as much as possible without increasing the cost as in the first aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the area erasing means for erasing an area of a side portion of the projection based on the detected position of the projection of the document. Is provided, it is possible to perform area processing on both sides (or one side) of the projection based on the detection result of the projection on the document, thereby preventing waste of toner and copying. It is possible to prevent an extra black area which is not present in the original from being formed on the projection of the sheet. As a result, both sides (or one side) of the protruding portion of the document become black regions because the silver pressure plate is read, as in the case where the image region is cut out in a rectangular shape as in the related art, and the toner is deposited on the photoconductor. If the protrusion of the paper to be copied is larger than the protrusion of the document, a black area that is not present in the document will be generated at the protrusion of the paper. Problems can be eliminated.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming method according to the third or fourth aspect, an area erasing step of erasing an area of a side portion of the projection based on the detected position of the projection. As in the case of the fifth aspect, waste of toner can be prevented, and the occurrence of an extra black area which is not present in the original can be prevented at the projection of the sheet to be copied. .

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the copying apparatus is provided with the image forming apparatus according to the first, second or fifth aspect, the tab sheet or the tab sheet is formed in the same manner as in the first and fifth aspects. It is possible to detect the exact position of the projection of a document such as a partition sheet without increasing the cost as much as possible.Furthermore, it is possible to prevent waste of toner, and to attach the projection to the projection of the sheet to be copied. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an extra black area that is not present.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the copying method uses the image forming method according to the third, fourth or sixth aspect. It is possible to detect the exact position of the projection of a document such as a partition sheet without increasing the cost as much as possible.Furthermore, it is possible to prevent waste of toner, and to attach the projection to the projection of the sheet to be copied. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an extra black area that is not present.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing unit of a copying machine according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a print buffer memory (PBM) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a copying machine according to first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image reading unit (reader unit) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a double-sided document reading operation in the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of image processing of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, wherein (a) is an explanatory diagram showing a process of moving a specific area of an image to another place; FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a reduced layout for forming a plurality of images on one sheet.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a negative / positive inversion process, a shading process, and a shading process in the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a job storing operation of a print buffer memory (PBM) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which printing of a job waiting for an order is started at the time when the job is completed.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a state transition of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a state transition of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a state transition of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a state transition of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing operation timing of a print buffer memory (PBM) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a timing chart showing operation timing of a print buffer memory (PBM) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a timing chart showing operation timing of a print buffer memory (PBM) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a timing chart showing operation timing of a print buffer memory (PBM) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a timing chart showing operation timing of a print buffer memory (PBM) of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where storage of one page of original data in a page memory of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention has been completed;

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the storage of the document data of the second page in the page memory of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention has started.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where document data of the second page is being written into an open area of a page memory of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where two image data coexist in a page memory of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an operation unit of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a CRT screen of the operation unit of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing a state where device select is selected on the CRT screen of the operation unit of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which copy mode detailed selection is designated on the CRT screen of the operation unit of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a display in an almost full mode on a CRT screen of the operation unit of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is an explanatory diagram showing a display in the PBM full mode on the CRT screen of the operation unit of the copying machine according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 28 illustrates a document position according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of a tab position detection unit.

FIG. 29 illustrates a document position according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document detection unit of a tab position detection unit.

FIG. 30 illustrates a document position according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a tab position detection unit of the tab position detection unit.

FIG. 31 is an explanatory diagram of document coordinate detection according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 32 is an explanatory diagram of coordinates stored in a register of the tab coordinate detecting unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 33 is an explanatory diagram of the area to be erased determined from the detected coordinates according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a tab position detection unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram of coordinates stored in a register of a tab length coordinate detecting unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 image recording unit 2 image reading unit 3 operation unit 11 image processing unit 165 document position / tab position detection unit 166 line memory 1651 document detection unit 1652 tab position detection unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Takiyama 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Katsuya Suzuki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Naoto Ito 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper, storing means for storing a document image read by a predetermined number of lines, and reading from the storage means. First latch means for latching a position where the black level changes first from the black level to a specific line of the original image; and a position for finally changing the white level to the black level in the specific line of the original image read from the storage means. A second latch unit for latching, and a position of the protrusion of the document based on a comparison of the latch result of the first latch unit or a comparison of the latch result of the second latch unit after the latch is repeated up to the rear end of the document. An image forming apparatus, comprising: a detecting unit for detecting. 2. An image forming apparatus for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper, wherein a predetermined plurality of pixels in one line of the read document image are finally changed from white level to black. Latch means for latching a position changing to a level, and detection means for detecting the position of a projection of the document based on a comparison of the latch result of the latch means after the latch is repeated up to the rear end of the document. An image forming apparatus comprising: 3. An image forming method for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper, wherein a storage step of storing a document image read by a predetermined number of lines in a storage means; A first latching step of latching a position where a black line changes from a black level first to a white level in a specific line of a document image read out from a memory, and finally changes from a white level to a black level in a specific line of the document image read out from the storage means A second latching step of latching the position of the original, and a projection of the original based on a comparison of the latched result of the first latching or a comparison of the latched result of the second latching after the latching is repeated to the rear end of the original. A detecting step of detecting the position of the image. 4. An image forming method for visualizing an image read from a document and forming the image on a recording medium such as paper, wherein a predetermined plurality of pixels in one line of the read document image are finally changed from white level to black. A latch step of latching a position that changes to a level, and a detecting step of detecting a position of a protrusion of the document based on a comparison of a latch result of the latch step after the latch is repeated up to a rear end of the document. Characteristic image forming method. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an area erasing unit configured to erase an area of a side portion of the protrusion based on the detected position of the protrusion of the document. Image forming apparatus. 6. The image forming method according to claim 3, further comprising an area erasing step of erasing an area of a side portion of the projection based on the detected position of the projection of the document. Image forming method. 7. A copying apparatus comprising the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 5. 8. A copying method using the image forming method according to claim 3, 4 or 6.