JP2004080067A - Image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily detecting a document size.
A length of a document in a document conveying direction is determined by a first document length sensor and a second document length sensor provided on a document set table. After the original size is determined, the uppermost original of the original bundle is conveyed in the direction of a separation unit such as the feed belt 223 and the separation roller 226 by rotating the pickup roller 20, and the registration roller Conveyed to 230. The width of the document that has passed the registration rollers 230 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is detected by the size sensor group 232. An accurate document size is determined by a combination of the width signal detected here and the length signals detected by the first document length sensor 212 and the second document length sensor 213.
[Selection] Fig. 6

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder capable of reading both sides of a document at the same time, and an image processing apparatus such as a digital copying machine having a scaling function for forming an output image by changing the size of a document image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, an electronic copying apparatus and a digital copying apparatus (PPC) in which a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as a photoelectric conversion element for reading an image in a scanner unit have become widespread.
In an optical system that reads image data using a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD, when performing image magnification processing, a method of changing the magnification in the main scanning direction by calculating a digital signal is widely used. ing.
On the other hand, in the sub-scanning direction, a technique is used in which the magnification is changed by changing the reading speed, thereby changing the width of the original read in one main scanning line.
As another method, a method is known in which after one page of image data is read, the magnification is changed by image processing (calculation processing) in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction.
[0003]
Also, an automatic document feeder that automatically feeds a document placed on a document mounting table to a reading device for reading one document at a time is well known.
As a method of reading a document using this automatic document feeder, there are a document fixed reading method in which a document is sent onto a contact glass and a document image placed thereon is moved by moving a scanner, and an automatic document feeder is used. Document reading method for reading a document image during document transport.
The original scanning method does not have to move the scanner between the originals compared to the fixed original reading method, so not only can the reading time of the entire original bundle be reduced, but also the automatic original feeder can be used. Due to the possibility of miniaturization, it has been widely adopted.
Further, as a reading method for improving the productivity of reading a two-sided document, a sensor for reading the back surface of the document is provided in a document transport path in the document feeder, and the front and back surfaces of the two-sided document are read in one transport. Proposed.
[0004]
Meanwhile, as a main function of the digital copying apparatus, there is an automatic scaling function for calculating a magnification based on a document size and an output paper size to form an image.
This function is realized by calculating the optimum magnification from the document size automatically detected by the document size detection function of the apparatus and the output paper size selected by the user, and performing image forming processing at the calculated magnification.
In order to realize this automatic scaling function by changing the document conveyance speed, it is necessary to detect the document size and determine the scaling ratio before starting the document reading. There is a method of determining a document size by a sensor provided above.
Further, the size detection method in the direction orthogonal to the document conveyance direction includes a method of reading the width of a guide member that regulates the width of the document in the vertical direction on the document table with a sensor, or a method of arranging a plurality of guide members in the document conveyance direction. There is a method of detecting with a sensor.
[0005]
Further, the length detection method in the conveyance direction includes a method of detecting a sensor arranged on the document table by a combination in which the document blocks, and a method in which the detection sensor provided in the document conveyance path determines in advance from the front end of the document. There is a method of measuring the transit time from the position corresponding to the length until the trailing edge of the document passes, and detecting the transit time in combination with the transport speed.
The disadvantage of the former method of detecting the original size on the original placing table is that in the mixed original size mode in which originals of different sizes are set at one time and copying is performed, the size detection in the transport direction is Because the length of the shorter original cannot be detected on the platen in order to match the maximum length of the original, in a copying machine that supports the mixed original mode, use the latter method in combination. I have.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in order to detect the original size in the mixed original size mode using the above-described method, the original on the original mounting plate is conveyed, and the single original is removed from the original bundle on the original mounting plate. The document size is determined only when the document is separated and becomes completely independent. Therefore, it is necessary to secure a transport path that makes this possible.
If an attempt is made to realize such a transport path in an apparatus equipped with a sheet DF (document feeder), the downsizing, which is the greatest feature of this apparatus, will be impeded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus that can perform size detection without reading a document by using a document reversing mechanism for reading a double-sided document.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a creation unit that reads a document and creates image data, an image forming unit that prints the image data created by the creation unit on transfer paper, and forms an output image; A document conveying means for conveying the documents set on a document placing table one by one; a document size detecting means for detecting a size of the document conveyed by the document conveying means; First image reading means for reading a document image on one surface of the document detected by the size detection means, and second image reading a document image on a different surface from the document surface read by the first image reading means Reading means, image storing means for storing image data of a document read by the first image reading means and the second image reading means, and The magnification ratio of the stored image data is determined based on the document size information detected by the document size detection unit and the information on the transfer paper size. Magnification processing means for performing magnification processing on the image data stored by the image storage means based on the determined magnification, and wherein the image forming means performs the magnification processing by the magnification processing means. The object is achieved by printing the applied image data on a transfer sheet to form an output image.
[0008]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the document size detecting means detects the size of the document, the first image reading means reads the document, and the second image The object is achieved by performing the reading process of the document by the reading unit in parallel.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the scaling processing unit performs the scaling process on the original image read by the first image reading unit. Starting at the time when the scaling ratio is determined by the determining unit, the scaling process of the original image read by the second image reading unit is performed, and the scaling process of the original image read by the first image reading unit is performed. The goal is achieved by starting after completion.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a digital copying apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The general operation of the digital copying apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
First, when a start key of an operation unit (not shown) is pressed, a document bundle placed on a document table of the automatic document feeder 200 with the image side of the document facing up is sent to the reading unit 50.
Then, a reading process of the document is executed in the reading unit 50, and the document is electrically read as a document image. After the document reading process is completed, the document is discharged to the document discharge tray by the automatic document feeder 200 as it is.
The details of the document reading process performed by the reading unit 50 will be described later.
[0010]
Next, a printing process executed in the digital copying apparatus will be described.
First, the transfer sheets stacked on the first tray 8, the second tray 9, and the third tray 10 are fed by the first sheet feeding unit 11, the second sheet feeding unit 12, and the third sheet feeding unit 13, respectively. Is transported by the vertical transport unit 14 to a position where it contacts the photoconductor 15.
Next, the image data read by the reading unit 50 is written on the photoconductor 15 by the laser emitted from the writing unit 57, and passes through the developing unit 27 to form a toner image. Then, the transfer paper is transported by the transport belt 16 and the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 is transferred.
[0011]
After the toner image is transferred, the transfer paper fixes the image in a fixing unit 17 and is discharged by a paper discharge unit 18 to a finisher 100 of a post-processing device.
The finisher 100 is configured to transfer the transfer paper discharged from the paper discharge unit 18 to a stacker discharge roller 103 that conveys the transfer paper to a stacker tray 104 that is a normal discharge tray, or a staple discharge roller 107 that conveys the transfer paper to a staple tray 108. Direction. Switching between these paper discharge trays can be performed using the branch deflection plate 101.
[0012]
The staple tray 108 is a tray from which transfer sheets requiring stapling processing (stapling one copy at a time) are discharged. In the staple tray 108, each time one transfer sheet is discharged, it is aligned by a drop stopper 109 for paper alignment, and is further stapled by the stapler 106 each time printing processing is partially completed. Then, the transfer paper group bound by the stapler 106 is stored in the drop tray 110 by its own weight.
On the other hand, the stacker tray 104 is a paper discharge tray that can move back and forth. The stacker tray 104 moves back and forth for each original or for each copy unit sorted by the image memory, and sorts the copy paper that is simply discharged.
[0013]
Next, a processing method for printing an image on both sides of a transfer sheet will be described.
First, transfer paper fed from each of the paper feed trays 8 to 10 and imaged is temporarily stocked in the duplex paper feed unit 111. The path of the transfer paper to the double-sided paper supply unit 111 can be switched by setting the branch claw 112 to the upper side.
Then, the transfer paper stocked in the duplex paper feed unit 111 is fed again from the duplex paper feed unit 111 in order to transfer the toner image formed on the photoconductor 15 again.
Next, the branch pawl 112 is set on the lower side, the transfer paper path is switched to the stacker tray 104, and the transfer paper is discharged from the stacker tray 104.
In this manner, the image can be printed on both sides of the transfer sheet by using the duplex sheet feeding unit 111.
[0014]
Next, an operation of a document reading process performed by the reading unit 50 will be described.
The reading unit 50 includes a contact glass 6 on which a document is placed and an optical scanning system.
The optical scanning system includes an exposure lamp 51, a first mirror 52, a lens 53, and a CCD sensor 54.
The exposure lamp 51 and the first mirror 52 are fixed on a first carriage (not shown), and the second mirror 55 and the third mirror 56 are fixed on a second carriage (not shown).
[0015]
There are two methods for executing the reading process of the document: a method of moving the document on the contact glass 6 by moving the optical scanning system, and a method of fixing the optical scanning system at the reading position and moving the document. is there.
In the method of reading an original image by moving the optical scanning system, the first carriage and the second carriage are mechanically scanned at a relative speed of 2: 1 so that the optical path length does not change. The optical scanning system is driven by a scanner drive motor (not shown).
On the other hand, in the method of reading a document image by moving the document, the document image is read while the optical scanning system is moved to the fixed reading position.
In either reading method, the document image is read by the CCD sensor 54, converted into an electric signal, and processed.
[0016]
Next, the operation of the original writing process performed by the writing unit 57 will be described.
The writing unit 57 includes a laser output unit 58, an imaging lens 59, and a mirror 60. Inside the laser output unit 58, a laser diode as a laser light source and a polygon mirror (rotating polygon mirror) that rotates at a constant high speed by a motor are provided.
First, the laser light emitted from the laser output unit 58 is polarized by a polygon mirror that rotates at a constant speed, passes through the imaging lens 59, is reflected by the mirror 60, and forms a focused image on the photoconductor. .
[0017]
The polarized laser light is exposed and scanned in a direction (main scanning direction) orthogonal to the direction in which the photoconductor rotates, and performs recording of image signals in line units. An image (electrostatic latent image) is formed on the photoconductor surface by repeating main scanning at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the rotation speed of the photoconductor and the recording density.
Thus, the laser light output from the writing unit 57 is irradiated on the photoconductor 15 of the image forming system.
A beam sensor (not shown) that generates a main scanning synchronization signal is disposed at a position near one end of the photoconductor 15 where the laser beam is irradiated. Based on the main scanning synchronization signal generated from the beam sensor, control of image recording start timing in the main scanning direction and generation of a control signal for inputting and outputting an image signal described later are performed.
[0018]
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the operation unit 30 in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 30 is provided with a liquid crystal touch panel 31, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a start key 34, a mode clear key 35, and a test print key 40.
The liquid crystal touch panel 31 displays function keys, the number of copies, a message indicating the state of the image forming apparatus, and the like.
Further, on the liquid crystal touch panel 31, a function switching key 39 for switching between a copy function, a printer function, and a storage copy function is displayed.
The copy function is a function of copying an image read by a scanner on a transfer sheet by a designated operation, and the printer function is externally connected via a LAN (local area network) and a parallel I / F. This function prints out print data in response to external print image data and instructions, and the storage copy function is a function that can store images read by a scanner or external image data and print them by machine operation. It is.
The test print key 40 is a key for printing one copy regardless of the set number of prints.
[0019]
3 to 5 are views showing display examples of the liquid crystal touch panel 31 on the operation unit 30.
The liquid crystal touch panel 31 is configured such that the key indicating the selected function is inverted to black when the operator touches the key indicating the displayed function. In the case where the detailed specification of each function is performed (for example, a magnification value at the time of executing the magnification function), by touching a corresponding key, a setting screen of the detailed function is displayed. .
Since the liquid crystal touch panel uses a dot display, an optimal display can be performed graphically.
[0020]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of a screen for selecting and setting a copy function.
As shown in FIG. 3, the screen for selecting and setting the copy function includes a message area for displaying a message such as "Ready to copy" and "Please wait", a copy number display area for displaying the number of sheets set, and an image density. Automatic density key to automatically adjust the paper, automatic paper selection key to automatically select the transfer paper, paper specification scaling key to automatically set the magnification, sort key to specify the process of aligning copies one by one in the page order, copy Key to specify the process of sorting pages by page, staple key to specify the process of binding sorted copies one by one, the same-size key to set the same magnification, and the scaling to set the enlargement / reduction ratio Key, double-sided key to set double-sided mode, erase / move key to set binding margin mode, etc., and print key to set stamp, date, page, etc. It is displayed.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a screen for operating a printer function.
As shown in FIG. 4, on the screen for operating the printer function, an online / offline key for setting permission of a print request, a forced ejection key for forcibly ejecting an image that has not been ejected in a data-in state, and a data input for image data The status and the setting status of the transfer paper are displayed.
[0022]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a screen for executing an accumulation operation in the scanner device.
After each mode setting, a start key (not shown) is pressed to start a document reading operation. The user name of the file and the file name are sequentially added to the read document image, and displayed as shown in FIG. If there are a plurality of originals, they are named so that the file names can be distinguished.
Then, by pressing the reading end key, the reading operation ends and the file is saved.
[0023]
Next, the operation of transporting a bundle of originals in the automatic original feeder will be described with reference to FIG.
First, the original bundle to be read is set on the original set table 210 with the leading end abutting against the original stopper 214, and the width direction of the original bundle is positioned by the side guide 211 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction. .
In this state, the original set detection filler is displaced, and accordingly, the light shielding of the original set sensor 215 is released, and the set state of the original is detected. Further, the first document length sensor 212 and the second document length sensor 213 provided on the document set table 210 determine an approximate length in the document conveyance direction.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the length of a document and the standard size when placed on a document table.
In the present embodiment, the document size is detected using two sensors. However, by adding this sensor, it is possible to differentiate documents in different directions.
[0024]
After the size of the document is determined, the pickup roller 220 is set on the upper surface of the document and pressed against the document. Further, after a certain time, a driving device (feeding motor) for driving the separation feeding unit and the registration unit (not shown) is operated, and the pickup roller 220 is rotated clockwise.
As the pickup roller 220 rotates, the uppermost document of the document bundle is conveyed in the direction of a separation unit such as the feed belt 223 and the separation roller 226. Since the paper feed belt 223 is stretched around the belt pulleys 222 and 224 with tension, the paper feed belt 223 is pressed against the separation roller 226 provided opposite thereto.
The separation roller 226 is driven by friction via a torque limiter and is rotated counterclockwise with the rotation of the paper feed belt 223, so that two or more documents are separated from the paper feed belt 223. Even in the case of entering between the rollers 226, by setting the co-rotating force to be lower than the torque of the torque limiter, the separation roller 226 rotates clockwise, which is the original driving direction, Acting to push back the excess document, double feeding can be prevented.
[0025]
The document separated one by one by the action of the paper feed belt 223 and the separation roller 226 is further conveyed by the paper feed belt 223, and the leading edge is detected by the abutment sensor 229 in the course of traveling in the paper feed path. . Further, the original collides with the registration roller 230 which is conveyed and stopped.
Then, the document is conveyed by a distance calculated based on the detection result of the abutment sensor 229, and is pressed against the registration roller 230 with a predetermined amount of deflection. Thereafter, the driving of the paper feed belt 223 is stopped. . At this time, the leading edge of the document enters the nip portion between the pair of upper and lower rollers of the registration roller 230, and the leading edge is aligned (abutting skew correction) at this nip line.
[0026]
Subsequently, the registration roller 230 is driven, and the document is transported in the direction of the reading unit 50 (shown in FIG. 1). Here, in order to recover the delay of the time stopped by the original abutting operation, the original is transported to the leading edge sensor 234 at a high transport speed so as to recover the delay, and the reading speed (the reading transport roller 243 of the reading transport roller 243) is detected by the leading edge sensor 234. (Transport speed). By performing this operation while the document is continuously conveyed, a constant document interval can be maintained.
The width of the document that has passed the registration rollers 230 in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction is detected by the size sensor group 232. Then, an accurate document size is determined by a combination of the width signal and the length signals detected by the first document length sensor 212 and the second document length sensor 213.
[0027]
Next, the document is sent to the nip portion between the reading and conveying roller 243 and the pressure roller 241 and waits for an input of an image alignment signal from the image forming side (the reading unit 50 side shown in FIG. 1).
The document is conveyed again by the input of the image alignment signal from the image forming side, and conveyed to the first reading and conveying unit 250 by the reading and conveying roller 243 and the pressing roller 241. In the first reading and conveying unit 250, while the document passes between the contact glass 254 and the white background plate 251 arranged at a predetermined interval on the upper surface of the contact glass 254, the reading unit 50 (see FIG. 2), the image is read, photoelectrically converted via a CCD, and stored in an image memory.
[0028]
The document sent from the first reading and conveying unit 250 by the intermediate conveyance pressing roller 253 is sent to the second reading and conveying unit 255. Then, the original is disposed at a predetermined pressure and at a predetermined distance from the contact image sensor 261 disposed above the back side of the original with the reading surface facing downward and facing the reading surface of the contact image sensor 261. Pass between the pressed pressing member 260. At this time, an image on the upper surface corresponding to the back surface of the document is read, photoelectrically converted in the same manner as the front surface (lower surface), and stored in the memory.
At this time, the pressing member 260 functions as a reference for shading and is also used as a white background plate.
The length detection in the document conveying direction can be detected by measuring the time from when the document once stopped at the position of the registration sensor 240 starts conveying again until the size sensor group 232 is turned off.
That is, paper length = transport time × transport speed + (registration sensor / size document group distance).
Further, the original is discharged to a discharge stacker 290 by a discharge drive roller 271 and a discharge pressure roller 272. The discharge stacker 90 is provided with an inclined surface so that the downstream side is higher than the upstream side, and is configured to prevent the discharge document from jumping out and improve the alignment accuracy of the stack document.
[0029]
Next, a description will be given of a document transport and reading operation when documents of different sizes are mixed in the mixed mode.
In the mixed mode, since originals of different lengths are mixed, the first original length sensor 212 and the second original length sensor 213 on the original table cannot determine the original size.
Therefore, in the mixed mode, after the documents are separated one by one, the processing of determining the document size is performed when the one document separates the document bundle and becomes completely independent.
[0030]
Therefore, when the document size is determined before reading, the length between the first document trailing edge detection position after separation and the position of the registration sensor 240 before reading is set to be at least half the maximum document length. To configure the transport path.
Also, in the mixed mode, if the document size cannot be determined before the reading is started, the reading operation is not performed in the first conveyance using the apparatus provided with the document reversing unit as shown in FIG. , And can be read at the time of the second reading pass through the reversing unit.
This makes it possible to reduce the size of the device.
[0031]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the reading unit 50 in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the reading unit 50 includes a CCD sensor 501, an analog processing circuit 502, an A / D converter 503, an analog switch 504, an AE (reference voltage control) circuit 505, a shading correction circuit 506, and a density conversion unit. 509, an image memory 510 and a scaling processing circuit 511.
The CCD sensor 501 outputs an electric signal for one line of the read document image in two systems of odd-numbered pixels and even-numbered pixels.
The A / D converter 503 converts an analog output of the CCD sensor 501 into a digital signal.
The analog processing circuit 502 integrates and outputs the two output signals of the CCD sensor 501 into one system by switching processing after clamping, gain adjustment, and sample-and-hold for each system.
[0032]
The A / D converter 503 converts an analog output of the analog processing circuit 502 into an 8-bit digital signal based on a reference voltage input from the analog switch 504.
The AE circuit 505 controls the reference voltage of the A / D converter 503 to perform a process of bringing the A / D converter output of the background portion of the document closer to the white level (FFh (hexadecimal)). Note that the AE circuit 505 controls the reference voltage value of the A / D converter 503 based on the output of the A / D converter 503.
The analog switch 504 selects one voltage from the constant reference voltage from the analog processing circuit 502 and the output voltage of the AE circuit 505 according to a control signal, and applies the selected voltage to the A / D converter 503 as a reference voltage. A drive signal generation circuit (not shown) supplies a signal in units of lines such as a synchronization signal and a drive clock to the CCD sensor 501, the analog processing circuit 502, and the A / D converter 503.
[0033]
The shading correction circuit 506 digitally corrects the sensitivity variation mainly in the optical system and each light receiving element of the CCD sensor 501 included in the output data of the A / D converter 503 with respect to the black level and the gain.
The density conversion unit 509 includes an LUT (Look-up Table) for converting the brightness data input from the shading correction circuit 506 into density data, and outputs a table value corresponding to the input data, thereby obtaining brightness. Convert the data to concentration data. The density-converted image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 510.
When the scaling factor is determined, the scaling processing circuit 511 performs scaling processing of the image data stored in the image memory 510, and inputs the scaled image data to the storage memory.
Note that the image on the back side of the document receives an image signal from the contact image sensor (CIS) and is stored in the image memory in the same manner as the above-described reading process of the front side image.
[0034]
Next, a description will be given of the relationship between the timing of document conveyance, document size detection, document reading, image accumulation, and image scaling processing with reference to FIG.
When conveyance of the document on the document table is started and the document is detected by the size sensor group 232, the sensor signal is turned ON. At this time, the timer is started once. When the leading edge of the document reaches a position for image alignment, document conveyance is interrupted.
Thereafter, when the preparation for reading is completed and the restart signal is received, the conveyance of the document is restarted, and the timer for detecting the length of the document is restarted. Then, the time until the document is not detected by the size sensor group 232, that is, the time until the trailing edge of the document is detected, is measured.
When the reading process of the document image is started by restarting (conveying) the document, the document image is read into the image memory 510. At this point, since the length of the document is determined by the detection of the trailing edge of the document, the scaling ratio can be calculated and the image scaling process can be started.
As shown in FIG. 11, when the document is short, the trailing edge of the document is detected before the document is conveyed to a position for image alignment, and the magnification is determined before the reading is started. Therefore, in this case, the image scaling process can be started at the same time as the reading of the document.
[0035]
FIGS. 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the document size detection processing in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
When the signal of the document size detection sensor is turned ON after the document is detected (step 11; Y), the document size detection timer is started (step 12).
When the document size detection sensor detects the trailing edge of the document while the document size detection timer is operating, the signal of the document size detection sensor is turned off.
Next, the digital copying apparatus determines whether the conveyed document has reached the document stop position (step 13).
If the conveyed document has reached the document stop position (Step 13; Y), the digital copying apparatus waits for document conveyance to resume (Step 14; Y), and starts the document size detection timer (Step 15). .
Thereafter, the process waits until the size detection sensor is turned off (Step 16; Y), calculates the length of the document (Step 17), and determines the size of the document (Step 18). Note that the document length is obtained by adding the distance from the stop position before reading to the document size sensor to the length calculated by the document transport time x the transport speed.
[0036]
Next, it is determined whether or not the determined document size is the standard size (step 19).
If the size is the standard size (step 19; Y), the corresponding standard size is set as the document size (step 20).
On the other hand, if the size is not the standard size (irregular size), the irregular size information is set as the document size (step 23).
Then, it is determined whether or not the original is of a standard size and the determined magnification is equal to or less than the variable power (step 21).
If the document is of a standard size and the determined magnification is equal to or less than the variable power (step 21; Y), the image magnification processing is started (step 22), and the document size detection processing ends.
On the other hand, if the original is of a standard size and the determined magnification is not smaller than the variable power (step 21; N), the original size detection processing is terminated.
[0037]
On the other hand, if the conveyed document has not reached the document stop position (step 13; N), it is determined whether or not the signal of the document size detection sensor is OFF (step 31).
If the signal of the document size detection sensor is not OFF (Step 31; N), the process returns to Step 13.
When the signal of the document size detection sensor is OFF (Step 31; Y), the length of the document is calculated (Step 32), and the document size is determined (Step 33). The document length is obtained from the length calculated by the document transport time x the transport speed.
[0038]
Next, it is determined whether the determined document size is the standard size (step 34).
If the size is the standard size (step 34; Y), the corresponding standard size is set as the document size (step 35).
On the other hand, if the size is not the standard size (irregular size), the irregular size information is set as the document size (step 39).
Then, the digital copier waits until the conveyance of the document for the start of reading after the stop is resumed (step 36; Y), and the document is of a standard size, and the fixed magnification is smaller than the variable power. It is determined whether or not there is (step 37).
If the original is of a standard size and the determined magnification is equal to or less than the variable magnification capability (step 37; Y), the image magnification processing is started simultaneously with the start of reading (step 38), and the original size detection processing is started. finish.
On the other hand, if the document is of a standard size and the determined magnification is not smaller than the variable power (step 37; N), the document size detection processing is terminated.
If the scaling ratio exceeds the scaling capability, the document is conveyed even if the image scaling process cannot be started, and the image data is read into the image memory. This is to improve the operability without performing a process of stopping the original as it is.
[0039]
FIGS. 14 and 15 are flowcharts showing an operation procedure of the completion determination processing of the image scaling processing in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The digital copying apparatus waits until the reading process of the document is completed (Step 41; Y), and then determines whether or not the image scaling process is completed (Step 42).
If the image scaling process has been completed (step 42; Y), the completion determination process of the image scaling process ends.
If the image scaling process has not been completed (Step 42; N), the digital copying apparatus determines whether the document size is an irregular size (Step 43).
If the original size is an irregular size (step 43; Y), a message prompting confirmation of the original size is displayed (step 44), and the completion determination processing of the image scaling processing is ended.
[0040]
On the other hand, if the original size is not an irregular size (step 43; N), it is determined whether or not the magnification of the scaling process is equal to or greater than the scaling capability (step 45).
If the scaling factor of the scaling process is not equal to or greater than the scaling capability (step 45; N), an error message for determining the scaling factor is displayed (step 53), and the completion determination process of the scaling process of the image is terminated.
If the magnification of the scaling process is equal to or greater than the scaling capability (step 45; Y), a message prompting the user to change the paper size is displayed (step 46). FIG. 16 shows a display example of this message.
Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the sheet has been changed by a user operation (step 47).
When the paper is changed (step 47; Y), the digital copying apparatus executes a magnification calculation process (step 48), and determines whether the calculated magnification of the magnification processing is equal to or less than the magnification ability. (Step 49).
If the calculated magnification of the scaling process is equal to or smaller than the scaling capability (step 49; Y), the image scaling process is executed (step 50), and the completion determination process of the image scaling process ends.
[0041]
If the sheet is not changed (step 47; N), a message for confirming the stop of the scaling process is displayed, and it is determined whether or not the scaling process is stopped (step 51).
When the user instructs to stop the scaling process (step 51; Y), the process of determining the completion of the scaling process of the image is ended.
On the other hand, when the user does not give an instruction to stop the scaling process (step 51; N), a message for confirming the execution of the scaling process is displayed, and it is determined whether or not to execute the scaling process ( Step 52).
When the user gives an instruction to execute the scaling process (step 52; Y), the image scaling process is executed (step 50), and the completion determination process of the image scaling process ends.
If the user does not give an instruction to execute the scaling process (step 52; N), the process returns to step 47.
According to the present embodiment, even when a configuration in which a two-sided original is read simultaneously is adopted, the processes after the original reading process are performed in a divided manner. Circuit configuration can be adopted, and the circuit configuration can be simplified.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes the first image reading unit and the second image reading unit, so that images on both sides of the document can be appropriately read without changing the direction of the document. An apparatus can be provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of shortening the time required to read a document by performing the process of reading images on both sides of the document in parallel.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of appropriately performing image data scaling processing by sequentially performing image data scaling processing on both sides of a document.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a digital copying apparatus according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation unit in the digital copying apparatus according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example (a screen for selecting and setting a copy function) on a liquid crystal touch panel.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example (a screen for operating a printer function) of a liquid crystal touch panel.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display example (a screen for executing an accumulation operation) of the liquid crystal touch panel.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of a conveyance operation of a document bundle in the automatic document feeder.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a document length and a standard size.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an apparatus provided with a document reversing unit.
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a reading unit in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between the timing of document conveyance, document size detection, document reading, image storage, and image scaling processing.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the timing of document conveyance, document size detection, document reading, image accumulation, and image scaling processing when the length of the document is short.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a document size detection process in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation procedure of a document size detection process in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of completion determination processing of image scaling processing in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of completion determination processing of image scaling processing in the digital copying apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a display example of a message.
[Explanation of symbols]
6 Contact glass
8 First tray
9 Second tray
10 Third tray
13 Third paper feeder
14 Vertical transport unit
15 Photoconductor
16 Conveyor belt
17 Fixing unit
18 Paper output unit

Claims (3)

Creating means for reading an original and creating image data;
An image forming unit that prints the image data created by the creating unit on a transfer sheet and forms an output image.
A document conveying means for conveying the documents set on the document table one by one;
Document size detecting means for detecting the size of the document conveyed by the document conveying means,
First image reading means for reading a document image on one side of the document detected by the document size detecting means;
A second image reading means for reading a document image on a surface different from the document surface read by the first image reading means;
Image storage means for storing image data of a document read by the first image reading means and the second image reading means;
A scaling factor determining unit that determines the scaling factor of the image data stored by the image storage unit, based on the document size information detected by the document size detecting unit and the transfer paper size information;
Scaling processing means for performing scaling processing on the image data stored by the image storage means based on the scaling ratio determined by the scaling ratio determination means;
With
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit prints the image data, which has been subjected to the scaling process by the scaling unit, on a transfer sheet to form an output image. The document size detecting process by the document size detecting device, the document reading process by the first image reading device, and the document reading process by the second image reading device are performed in parallel. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. The magnification changing means includes:
Starting a scaling process of the original image read by the first image reading unit when the scaling ratio is determined by the scaling ratio determining unit;
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the scaling process of the document image read by the second image reading unit is started after the scaling process of the document image read by the first image reading unit is completed. Alternatively, the image processing apparatus according to claim 2.

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