JPH1091041A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor capable of inputting instruction so as to meet user's expection by a key operation, for instance, when the user wants to interrupt an image forming operation for some reason after the image forming operation is started. SOLUTION: This image processor is provided with a key input part 103 including a stopping key 33 for interrupting an image processing operation and operating keys except the stopping key 33, a first operation detecting means 111 for detecting the fact that the stopping key 33 or the operating keys except it are operated during the image processing operation or not, a second operation detecting means 112 for detecting the fact that the stopping key 33 is first operated and then, the keys except the stopping key 33 are continuously operated in a specified time or not, a third operation detecting means 113 for detecting the fact that the keys except the stopping key are first operated and then, the stopping key 33 is continuously operated in the specified time or not. Thus, it is judged whether the stopping key 33 or the keys except it are independently operated or the stopping key 33 and the keys except it are simultaneously operated to execute processing so as to meet user's expection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital copying machine, a facsimile machine, and the like, which converts image data read from a document into image data, temporarily stores the image data in a memory, and prints on paper based on the image data read from the memory. The present invention relates to a printer and an image processing apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral having these functions.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a digital copying machine, a digital multifunction peripheral, and the like execute the following series of operations when printing a plurality of copies of a plurality of originals. (1) First, the first document is transported to the reading unit. (2)
An image is read from the document, and the image data is stored in a memory. (3) Based on the image data stored in the memory, the number of copies set by the numeric key is printed. (4) Read an image from the next original and store the image data in the memory. (5) From (2) to (4) above
Is repeated to print each original for the set number of copies. In such an image processing apparatus, an automatic document feeder (ADF) is used to transfer a plurality of originals.
er), if printing is started and the operation is to be interrupted for some reason, a stop key provided therefor is operated to interrupt the operation. However, in such operation stop processing by operating the stop key, the stop processing method is fixed to one processing method in advance, and there is a problem that a stop processing mode according to a situation cannot be selected. Also, depending on the timing of the operation of the stop key, an image of a document may be omitted and ejected as a blank, or the next document may have been conveyed, so that it is necessary to set the document on the ADF again, If you want to interrupt the operation when the number of copies has been printed,
There is a problem that the user must wait until the printing of the set number of copies is completed, operate the stop key at a proper timing, and operate the stop key. To solve these problems, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
In the image processing apparatus described in JP-A-111560, a stop processing mode can be selected by the number of times the stop key is operated, so that a processing mode according to a situation can be selected and executed.

[0003]

However, the image processing apparatus described in the above-mentioned publication employs a method of controlling the stop of each process stepwise by the number of times the stop key is operated.
It is unavoidable that the operation varies due to the reason that the operation speed of the stop key is slightly different depending on the user. Therefore, as described in the above-mentioned publication, for example, by operating the stop key twice, printing on the paper being printed is completed, and further printing on paper already fed on the paper transport surface is performed. Even if the user tries to stop the system when two printed sheets are ejected, the operation of the stop key is slower than the time interval for recognizing the key operation of the system. May be recognized as a stop key operation, or conversely, may be recognized as three stop key operations due to chattering in the key operation, and the same operation key must be operated at regular intervals. Such a control method has a possibility that the expected stopping operation may not be obtained. The object of the present invention is to
Solving the various disadvantages of the above conventional technology,
That is, to provide an image processing apparatus capable of performing various instruction inputs as expected by a user by performing a predetermined key operation when an image forming operation is started and the operation is to be interrupted for some reason or the like. It is in.

[0004]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a scanner unit for sequentially transporting a plurality of originals, reading an image from the original being transported, and converting the image into image data. In an image processing apparatus having a memory unit for storing image data from the scanner unit and a printer unit for reading out the image data from the memory unit and printing the image on a sheet being conveyed, the image processing operation is interrupted. And a key input unit including an operation key other than the stop key, a stop key during image processing operation,
And first operation detection means for detecting whether any of the operation keys other than the stop key has been operated, and, after first detecting that the stop key has been operated, activating a timer provided therein, A second operation detecting means for detecting whether or not a key other than the stop key has been operated continuously within a predetermined time set in the timer; and The stop key is operated alone by having the third operation detecting means for activating the timer provided in the above and detecting whether or not the stop key has been operated within a predetermined time set in the timer. Or
It is now possible to determine whether a key other than the stop key has been operated alone or whether the stop key and a key other than the stop key have been simultaneously operated, and execute processing as expected by the user.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, based on the configuration of the first aspect, when an operation of a key other than the stop key is detected by the second operation detection means, that is, first, After detecting that the stop key has been operated, when it is detected that a key other than the stop key has been subsequently operated within a predetermined time, or when the stop key has been operated by the third operation detecting means. When a key other than the stop key is detected, that is, when it is detected that a key other than the stop key is operated first, and then when a stop key is subsequently operated within a predetermined time, a key other than the stop key is detected. By stopping operations of the scanner unit and the printer unit after the operation of the above function, interruption of the print function immediately before the stop of the operation is prevented. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a key setting means for arbitrarily setting an operation key other than the stop key used in combination with the stop key, based on the apparatus configuration of the first or second aspect. By having prepared,
A more operable and flexible key operation can be performed for stopping the image processing operation.

[0005]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus configuration of a digital copying machine which is an example of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The digital copying machine 1 includes an image reading unit 2 that reads and inputs an image of a document (not shown), a signal processing unit 3 that performs various processes on image data input by the image reading unit 2, The image data output from the processing unit 3 is sequentially connected to an image printing unit 4 that prints out the image data on a printing paper (not shown). More specifically, the image reading unit 2 includes a first scanning unit 8 including an elongated line light source 6 extending in the main scanning direction and a reflecting mirror 7 below a contact glass 5 on which a document is placed, and a pair of The second scanning unit 11 including the reflection mirrors 9 and 10 is movably supported in the sub-scanning direction so that the speed ratio becomes 2: 1.
The imaging optical system 12 and the CCD (Ch
arge Coupled Device) sensor 13 is arranged.

The signal processing unit 3 includes an A / D (Analog / Digital) converter 15 for an amplifier 14 connected to the CCD sensor 13 of the image reading unit 2 and an image processing unit for performing various processes on image data. 16, a buffer memory 17 for temporarily storing image data, a print control unit 18 for controlling the start timing of data reading, an LD (Laser Diode) modulation unit 19 for driving and controlling the image printing unit 4 based on the image data, and the like. It has a structure. Further, the image printing unit 4 includes a collimator lens 21 on an emission optical path of the LD 20 connected to the LD modulation unit 19 of the signal processing unit 3.
And a reflecting surface of a polygon mirror 23 rotatable in the main scanning direction via a cylindrical lens 22. The polygon mirror 23 is rotatable in the sub-scanning direction via an fθ lens 24 and a reflecting mirror 25 on the main scanning optical path of the polygon mirror 23. It has a structure in which the photosensitive surface of the photosensitive drum 26 is positioned. Also,
The main scanning light of the polygon mirror 23 is
A synchronization detector 27 composed of a photo sensor is arranged at a position immediately before the light enters the optical disk 6. The output terminal of the synchronization detector 27 is connected to the print control unit 18 in the signal processing unit 2 by feedback. .

Digital copier 1 configured as described above
Reads the image data of the original with the image reading unit 2,
The image printing unit 4 prints out the image on printing paper. In this process, the image data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 17 by the signal processing unit 3 and the input speed of the image reading unit 2 and the output of the image printing unit 4 are output. It is designed to mediate with speed. In the digital copying machine 1, the image reading unit 2
A printed image of a document placed on the contact glass 5 is read while moving the first and second scanning units 8 and 11 in the sub-scanning direction, and an image is formed on the CCD sensor 13 by the image forming optical system 12. Therefore, the CCD sensor 13 outputs dot matrix image data composed of main scanning lines arranged at equal intervals in the sub-scanning direction to the signal processing unit 3 line by line. At this time, the CCD sensor 13 resets the address of one line of image data by the line synchronization signal LSYNC and then outputs image data one pixel at a time in the main scanning direction at a predetermined image clock. , Scanning speed and CC of the first and second scanning units 8 and 11
The signals are output line by line to the signal processing unit 3 at a predetermined line synchronization caused by a reading cycle of the D sensor 13 or the like.

The signal processing unit 3 amplifies the image data input line by line by an amplifier 14 and converts the analog data into a digital value by an A / D converter 15, and the image processing unit 16 performs brightness correction processing and scaling. After performing various processes such as a process and a scaling process, the image data is input to the buffer memory 17. Then, as described later, the print control unit 1 is stored in the buffer memory 17.
8 outputs a timing control signal, and the image data in the buffer memory 17 is read out to the print control unit 18 in accordance with the timing control signal. The print control unit 18 performs various processes such as range restriction and pattern synthesis on the image data, and outputs the image data to the LD modulation unit 19. LD modulator 1
Reference numeral 9 outputs a drive current that modulates according to the image data to the LD 20 of the image printing unit 4. Then, in the image printing unit 4, the light emitted from the LD 20 driven according to the image data is converged by the various lenses 21 and 22, and
The scanning light is corrected by the fθ lens 24 to form an image on the surface to be scanned of the photosensitive drum 26 which moves in the sub-scanning direction. Thus, an electrostatic latent image of a dot matrix is formed on the surface to be scanned of the photosensitive drum 26. An image is printed by developing the electrostatic latent image with toner (not shown) and transferring the developed image to printing paper. Further, light reflected by the polygon mirror 23 and oscillated at a constant period in the main scanning direction enters a synchronization detector 27 disposed immediately before the photosensitive drum 26,
In response, the synchronization detector 27 outputs a synchronization detection signal DETP.
Is output to the print control unit 18 in the signal processing unit 3. Thereby, the print control unit 18 outputs a timing control signal corresponding to the synchronization detection signal DETP to the buffer memory 17. In this way, the image data temporarily stored in the buffer memory 17 of the signal processing unit 3 is sequentially read out at an appropriate timing for the print output of the image printing unit 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the digital copying machine. Reference numeral 106 denotes a printer drive control unit for driving and controlling each unit of the printer unit 107;
Denotes a scanner control unit for driving and controlling each unit of the scanner unit 101; 105, a memory unit for storing image data; 103, the number of copies (prints), paper size, enlargement / reduction, and other various settings and settings A key input unit 104 including various keys for clearing a mode and starting / stopping an operation. A main control unit 104 controls each unit according to a signal from the key input unit. FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing the structure of the operation panel of the key input unit 103. The numeric keypad 31 is used to input the number of copies (prints), the magnification, etc., and instructs the start of the copy (print) operation. A start key 32, a clear / stop key (stop key) 33 for instructing cancellation of a set number or the like or stop or stop of a copy (print) operation, and the like are shown.

In the digital copying machine 1, when a desired number of copies of a plurality of documents are printed, the plurality of documents are first placed on a document table or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder).
, The desired number of copies is input by operating the numeric keypad 31, and the start key 32 is operated. Then, the main operation unit 104 outputs a command signal to the scanner control unit 102,
First, paper is fed to a document conveying surface by a paper feed roller, an image is read from a document conveyed on the document conveying surface by the scanner unit 101, converted into image data, and the image data is stored in the memory unit 105 and read. After the subsequent document is discharged, the scanner unit 101 is temporarily stopped. Next, the main control unit 104 controls the printer drive control unit 10.
6 to output a command signal to start a printing operation. By repeating this series of operations, the platen or A
The set number of copies are printed for each document set on the DF. The above ADF, paper feed roller,
Although the document conveying surface and the like are not shown, they are well-known and will not be described.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below for each claim on the premise of the configuration of the digital copying machine 1 described above. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the main control unit 104 operates one of the clear / stop key 33 which is a stop key and an operation key other than the clear / stop key 33 during a copy (print) operation. After detecting that the clear / stop key 33 has been operated for the first time, a part of the first operation detecting means 111 for detecting whether or not the operation has been performed, a timer provided therein is started, and the fixed time set in the timer is set. Second operation detecting means 1 for detecting whether or not a key other than the clear / stop key 33 has been operated during the time.
12 and after first detecting that a key other than the clear / stop key 33 has been operated, the timer provided therein is started, and the clear / stop key 33 is operated within a predetermined time set in the timer. It also has a third operation detecting means 113 for detecting whether or not the operation has been performed. In addition, the first
To the third operation detecting means 111, 112, and 113 are mainly constituted by the CPU and the ROM in the main control unit 104, and the CPU realizes the functions of the respective means by executing a program stored in the ROM. I do.
The first operation detecting means 111 is provided in the main control unit 10.
4 and the key input unit 33. Further, the timer is set to the CP in the main control unit 104.
It is composed of a U clock, a counter and the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the embodiment of the present invention. In this flow, first, it is determined whether or not a stop key (clear / stop key 33) is operated from the normal image processing operation state (S1). In this determination processing, if the stop key is not operated (No in S1), it is determined whether or not an operation key other than the stop key is operated (S2).
If the operation has not been performed (No in S2), normal image processing is performed (S3), and this determination flow is repeated until the image processing operation ends (S3 → S1 → S2 → S3). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the stop key has been operated, the timer is started (S4). At this time, the timer
Set an arbitrary time within a range that does not affect the operation of the image processing system. Then, when the started timer is operating (No in S5), the process proceeds to step S7.
It is determined whether a key operation other than the stop key has been performed. In this determination, if no key other than the stop key is operated (No in S7), the process returns to step S5 to determine the end of the timer. If the set time has elapsed here, it is determined that only the stop key has been operated, and as before,
A stop process is performed when the stop key is operated, and the operation ends (S6). Conversely, if it is determined in step S7 that a key operation other than the stop key has been operated within the set time of the timer (Yes in S7), it is determined that the stop key and any key other than the stop key have been simultaneously operated, The image processing operation is stopped in a predetermined stop processing mode (S8).

The above processing flow is a processing flow when the stop key and operation keys other than the stop key are simultaneously operated. Strictly speaking, it corresponds to a case where the stop key is operated slightly earlier. I have. On the other hand, when the operation keys other than the stop key are operated slightly earlier (No in S1 and Yes in S2), the process proceeds to step S9, and at this stage, the above-described timer is started and any setting is performed. Operate for hours. The process of determining whether or not the stop key has been operated during the operation of the timer is performed in step S12. If the operation of the stop key has not been detected, the determination is continued during the operation of the timer (No in S12 → S10). If the operation of the timer has ended (Yes in S10), it is determined that a key other than the stop key has been operated alone, and a normal image processing operation is performed in step S11, and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the stop key has been operated during the operation of the timer, it is determined that the stop key and a key other than the stop key have been simultaneously operated, and the image processing operation is stopped in a predetermined stop processing mode. (S8). When two or more keys are operated at the same time as described above, there is a slight variation depending on the user. By executing the above flow, it is determined whether the stop key is operated alone or the keys other than the stop key are operated alone. It is possible to perform the processing as expected by the user by judging whether the stop key and the keys other than the stop key have been operated at the same time, and by operating only the stop key as in the conventional technology. It is possible to prevent a problem caused by stopping the image processing operation beforehand.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the main control unit 104 detects that a key other than the stop key has been operated by the second operation detecting means S112, or performs the third operation. When the detection means 113 detects that the stop key has been operated, the operation of the keys other than the stop key is operated, and then the scanner unit and the printer unit are stopped to stop the print function immediately before the operation is stopped. This prevents the desired operation stop state. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the embodiment of the invention described in claim 2. In the first embodiment, when it is determined that the stop key and a key other than the stop key are simultaneously operated, the process proceeds to step S8 to stop the image processing operation in a predetermined stop processing mode. In the embodiment of item 2, when it is determined that the stop key and a key other than the stop key are simultaneously operated, the stop processing mode is distinguished according to the type of the key, and the image processing is performed after executing the function corresponding to the key. Stop the operation.

For example, in the flow of FIG. 5, if the key determined to have been operated simultaneously with the stop key is the numeric key (numerical key) "1" for setting the number of prints and the like (Yes in S21), After the printing of the original being read or being printed is completed for one sheet (S2
2) Stop all operations (S23). If the key other than the stop key is the numeric key (numerical key) "2" for setting the number of prints, etc. (No in S21,
(Yes in S24), after the printing of the original being read or in the middle of printing is completed for two sheets (S25),
All operations are stopped (S23). If the number key (numeric keypad) for setting the number of prints is "3" (No in S21, No in S24, Ye in S26)
s) After the printing of the original being read or being printed is completed for three sheets (S27), all the operations are stopped (S23). If none of the numeral keys (numeric keys) is "1", "2", or "3" (S21)
No, S24: No, S26: No), the same operation stop control as in the past is performed (S28). In this manner, the operation is distinguished by the type of key other than the stop key, and after performing the function corresponding to the key, control is performed to stop all the operations, so that the desired operation stop state is reliably obtained. Can be. The operation program in this case is also the main control unit 1.
04 is stored in the ROM or the like.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the main controller 104 has a key setting means 114 for arbitrarily setting the type of operation keys other than the stop key operated in combination with the stop key. Thereby, a flexible key operation with higher operability for stopping the image processing operation is obtained. That is, in this embodiment, as operation keys other than the stop key having a predetermined instruction function by being operated simultaneously with the stop key, a numeric key (numerical key)
And any other key can be selected. In addition to accepting a predetermined key input as in the embodiment of claim 2, other arbitrary key inputs can also be accepted. In addition, it is possible to realize various operation stop states required by a user by a combination of a stop key and an arbitrary key. In this case, when, for example, a numerical confirmation / enter key (R / # key) 34 (FIG. 3) is selected as a setting key for assigning an arbitrary operation key, the R / # key 34 and, for example, " After the simultaneous pressing of "4" and the desired predetermined operation stop operation, or by inputting operation information, the numeral key "4" has the function of the predetermined operation stop operation. Can be. A method of determining simultaneous operation with a stop key when a function is assigned to an arbitrary operation key as described above is the same as in the first embodiment. Further, the setting key for arbitrarily assigning the operation key is not limited to the R / # key 34, but may be another key. In the above embodiment, a digital copier has been described as an example, but the present invention can be effectively applied to other image processing apparatuses such as a digital multifunction peripheral, a facsimile, and a printer.

[0017]

As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has the stop key for interrupting the image processing operation and the key input section including operation keys other than the stop key. A first operation detecting means for detecting whether or not any one of the stop key and an operation key other than the stop key is operated during the image processing operation, and after detecting that the stop key is operated first. A second operation detecting means for activating a timer provided therein and detecting whether or not a key other than a stop key is operated within a predetermined time set in the timer, and a key other than a stop key first. A third operation detecting means for activating the timer provided therein after detecting that the operation has been performed, and detecting whether or not the stop key has been operated within a predetermined time set in the timer. The stop key alone It is possible to determine whether the key has been operated, whether a key other than the stop key has been operated alone, or whether the stop key and a key other than the stop key have been simultaneously operated, and execute processing as expected by the user. . Claim 2
In the image processing device according to the invention described above, when the second operation detecting means detects that a key other than the stop key has been operated, or when the third operation detecting means has operated the stop key. When this is detected, the operation of the scanner unit and the printer unit is stopped after the operation of the key function other than the stop key, so that the interruption of the print function immediately before the stop of the operation can be prevented. Further, the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a key setting unit for arbitrarily setting a type of an operation key other than a stop key operated in combination with the stop key. It is possible to perform a more operable and flexible key operation for stopping operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a device configuration of a digital copying machine which is an example of an image processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of the digital copying machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial plan view showing a structure of an operation panel of a key input unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing operation example according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital copying machine, 2 image reading section, 3 signal processing section, 4 image printing section, 5 contact glass, 6 line light source, 7 reflection mirror, 8 first scanning unit,
9, 10 reflection mirror, 11 second scanning unit, 12
Imaging optical system, 13CCD (Charge Coupled Device)
Sensor, 14 amplifier, 15 A / D (Analog / Digita
l) Converter, 16 image processing unit, 17 buffer memory, 18 print control unit, 19 LD (Laser Diode) modulation unit, 20 LD, 21 collimator lens, 22 cylindrical lens, 23 polygon mirror, 24 f
θ lens, 25 reflection mirror, 26 photosensitive drum, 27
Synchronization detector, 106 printer drive control unit, 17 printer unit,

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A scanner unit for sequentially transporting a plurality of originals, reading an image from the original being transported, and converting the image into image data, a memory unit for storing image data from the scanner unit, and an image from the memory unit. An image processing apparatus having a printer unit for reading data and printing an image on a sheet being conveyed has a key input unit including a stop key for interrupting the image processing operation and an operation key other than the stop key. A first operation detecting means for detecting whether or not any one of the stop key and an operation key other than the stop key is operated during the image processing operation; and after detecting that the stop key is operated first. A second operation detecting means for activating a timer provided therein and detecting whether or not a key other than the stop key has been operated within a predetermined time set in the timer; A third operation detecting means for activating the timer provided inside after detecting that an external key has been operated, and detecting whether or not a stop key has been operated within a predetermined time set in the timer; An image processing apparatus comprising: 2. When the second operation detection means detects that a key other than the stop key has been operated, or when the third operation detection means detects that a stop key has been operated. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scanner unit and the printer unit are stopped after the operation of a key function other than the stop key. 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising key setting means for arbitrarily setting an operation key other than the stop key operated in combination with the stop key.