JP2018191235A - Image formation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device capable of reducing load of a user, and accurately specifying double-feed originals.SOLUTION: An image formation device 1 includes an image reading part 3, a double-feed detection part 27 and a control part 51. The double-feed detection part 27 detects the presence of double feed of a plurality of originals read by the image reading part 3. The control part 51 makes a recording paper formation of an output image on the basis of an original image X printed onto each of the plurality of originals read by the image reading part 3, and the presence of the double feed detected by the double-feed detection part 27. The control part 51 determines a latest original read just before the detection of the presence of the double feed on the basis of feature image information of the original image X corresponded to at least one original read before the detection of the presence of the double feed and the feature image information of the original image X corresponded to each of the plurality of originals read again from the detection of the presence of the double feed when the presence of the double feed is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having a scanner function, a printer function, and the like has an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and conveys documents one by one on a document tray of the ADF one by one. A large number of originals are processed at high speed by forming an image on a recording sheet based on an image to be read.

  However, when a document is transported by ADF, there may be a double feed in which two or more documents are transported due to the influence of static electricity or the like. In view of this, there has been proposed a technique for notifying the user of a mismatch when the scheduled number of documents to be read and the number of documents actually read do not match (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, when the number of pages of a double-fed document in which double feeding has occurred is recorded, and the user sets the document again and the document is conveyed, the document of the number of pages that matches the number of recorded pages among the re-set document Has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2011-10030 A JP 2007-114589 A

  However, the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 requires the user to check the read result of the original and read the reset multi-feed original again, which causes the user to search for the multi-feed original. Further, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, when reprinting due to the occurrence of double feeding, the number of pages of the original to be printed may be shifted due to misplacement or misplacement of the original. There may be situations where it is not possible.

  The present disclosure has been made in view of such a situation, and reduces the burden on the user and makes it possible to accurately specify a multi-feed original.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus that forms an output image on recording paper based on a plurality of read originals, and includes an image reading unit that reads the plurality of originals, and the image reading unit A multi-feed detection unit that detects the presence or absence of at least some of the plurality of originals read by the image reading unit; a document image printed on each of the plurality of originals read by the image reading unit; A control unit that forms the output image on the recording paper based on the presence or absence of the double feed detected by the feed detection unit, and the control unit has the double feed by the double feed detection unit. Is detected, the pre-occurrence feature is characteristic image information that is characteristic of the original image corresponding to at least one original read before it is detected that the multi-feed is detected among the plurality of originals. Picture A comparison unit that compares the information with re-read feature image information that is feature image information that is a feature of the document image corresponding to each of the plurality of documents that is read again after the presence of the multi-feed Based on the comparison result between the pre-occurrence feature image information and the reread feature image information by the comparison unit, the immediately preceding document read immediately before it is detected that the multi-feed is detected among the plurality of documents is determined. A determination unit.

  Further, the comparison unit is a post-occurrence feature image that is characteristic image information that is a feature of the original image read immediately after the pre-occurrence feature image information and the plurality of originals are detected as having the double feed. Information and the re-read feature image information, and the determination unit compares the pre-occurrence feature image information and the post-occurrence feature image information with the re-read feature image information by the comparison unit. Based on the above, it is preferable to determine a document immediately after being read immediately after it is detected that the multi-feed is detected among the plurality of documents.

  It is preferable that the image processing apparatus further includes an area extracting unit that extracts the feature image information based on at least one of a character area, a photographic area, and a margin area of the document image.

  In addition, it is preferable to further include a local extraction unit that uses a part of the document image read by the image reading unit as the feature image information.

  A size detection unit configured to detect document sizes of the plurality of documents, wherein the control unit is configured to read the number of reading units in the plurality of documents based on the size information of the document size detected by the size detection unit; A calculation unit for calculating a memory capacity required for hitting, and image information of the document image and the feature image information corresponding to the image information of the document image are secured based on the memory capacity calculated by the calculation unit. A working memory, and a memory controller for controlling the working memory, wherein the working memory has a memory space for image information of each of the plurality of documents for each memory capacity required for the number of reading units. Are allocated in order, and the memory controller detects that the double feed is present A memory corresponding to a portion of the plurality of documents detected as having the double feed between the memory space to which the image information of the immediately preceding document is allocated and the memory space to which the image information of the immediately following document is allocated. It is preferable to allocate and secure a space in advance.

  An image forming unit configured to form the output image on the recording paper; and the control unit is configured to output the output image corresponding to the document image detected as having the double feed among the plurality of documents. Is preferably formed in the image forming unit.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user and accurately specify a multi-feed original.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. It is a figure which shows an example of the function with which the control part 51 in Embodiment 1 is provided. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which double feeding occurs while reading one side of a plurality of documents according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of rereading one side of all documents after double feeding has occurred in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a control example of a control unit 51 in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a part of a document is forgotten when reading one side of a plurality of documents again in the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the remaining document tray 21 is mixed when reading one side of a plurality of documents again in the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which three or more double feeds occur while reading one side of a plurality of originals in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image X when reading one side of a plurality of documents again in the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control example of a control unit 51 in the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the function with which the control part 51 in Embodiment 3 is provided. It is a figure which shows an example of the original information of the characteristic image information in Embodiment 3. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of a control unit 51 in the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the function with which the control part 51 in Embodiment 4 is provided. It is a figure which shows an example of the original information of the characteristic image information in Embodiment 4. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image X when reading one side of a plurality of documents again in the fourth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of a control unit 51 according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the function with which the control part 51 in Embodiment 5 is provided. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a working memory 541 when a double feed occurs while reading one side of a plurality of documents according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a working memory 541 when reading one side of a plurality of originals again in the fifth embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a control example of a control unit 51 according to Embodiment 5. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example in which double feeding occurs while reading both sides of a plurality of originals in the sixth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a working memory 541 when a double feed occurs while reading both sides of a plurality of originals according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a working memory 541 when reading both surfaces of a plurality of originals again in the sixth embodiment. 14 is a flowchart for explaining a control example of a control unit 51 in the sixth embodiment.

  Hereinafter, although embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. As used in the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, “comprise”, “consist of”, “include”, “include”, “have”, “comprise”, or some other Synonyms are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion relationships. For example, a process, method, article or device that includes an enumeration of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, and other elements that are not explicitly enumerated or should be inherent It may be included in such a process, method, article or apparatus. Further, unless explicitly stated, “or” is inclusive and not an exclusive sum. For example, “Condition A or B” is satisfied in any case where A exists and B does not exist, A does not exist and B exists, and both A and B exist. It is.

  The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for performing the processes described herein. The device may be specially constructed depending on the required purpose, or it may be constructed on a general purpose computer that is selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored on the computer.

  Also, the algorithms described herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other device. Various general purpose systems may be used with programs according to those taught herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized device to perform the necessary method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. Further, the present disclosure does not depend on any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings of the disclosure described herein.

Embodiment 1. FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration example of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an automatic document feeder 2, an image reading unit 3, a system control board 5, an image forming unit 7, and the like. The automatic document feeder 2 automatically feeds documents set in advance one by one to the image reading unit 3 and automatically discharges the document from the image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 is, for example, a scanner, irradiates light on a document set at a preset reading position with a light source, photoelectrically converts the reflected light with an imaging device, and generates image data based on the electric signal. For example, a document image X printed on a document is read. The image reading unit 3 includes a size detection unit 35. The size detection unit 35 is composed of, for example, a line image sensor and functions as an imaging device, and detects the document size of the document by reading the entire document.

  The automatic document feeder 2 includes a double feed detector 27. The double feed detection unit 27 is composed of, for example, an ultrasonic sensor, and is double-fed when the reception side of the ultrasonic sensor receives the transmitted energy through which the energy of the signal transmitted from the transmission side of the ultrasonic sensor passes through the document. It detects the number of documents. The double feed detection unit 27 detects the double feed of the document before the document is read by the image reading unit 3, and outputs the detection result to the system control board 5. The document double feed is a state in which at least two originals are partially overlapped and sent where the originals should originally be sent one by one. That is, the double feed detection unit 27 detects the presence / absence of at least some of the plurality of originals read by the image reading unit 3. The image forming unit 7 is, for example, a printing engine, and performs an image formation on the recording paper based on the image data through the steps of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing by an electrophotographic method, thereby outputting an image on the recording paper. Is formed.

  In the system control board 5, a CPU 511, a RAM 512, a RAM 513, a nonvolatile memory 514, an HDD 515, a memory controller 516, and a peripheral interface 58 are connected to each other via a bus 59. The CPU 511, RAM 512, RAM 513, nonvolatile memory 514, and HDD 515 constitute a control unit 51 together with a control module including a plurality of programs stored in the RAM 512, RAM 513, nonvolatile memory 514, and HDD 515.

  The CPU 511 is one in which one or more cores are integrated, and a plurality of logical processors can be configured according to the number of cores, and controls the entire image forming apparatus 1. The core includes a logic circuit and a cache memory for performing arithmetic processing. The RAM 512 is configured in accordance with, for example, a DDR3 SDRAM (Double-Data-Rate3-Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) standard, and temporarily stores a control module and various data executed by the CPU 511. Holds image information of image X. The RAM 513 is configured based on, for example, the DDR3 SDRAM standard, and temporarily stores a control module executed by the CPU 511 and various data, and holds, for example, feature image information that is a feature of the document image X. The nonvolatile memory 514 is configured by, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores a control module executed by the CPU 511 and various data via the memory controller 516. The HDD 515 stores various control modules and various data including an OS (Operating System), a system control module, and a mechanical control module. The peripheral interface 58 logically couples the control unit 51, the image reading unit 3, the image forming unit 7, and the automatic document feeder 2.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions provided in the control unit 51 according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the functions including the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522 are realized by the CPU 511 executing the control module based on various data. When the double feed detection unit 27 detects that there is a double feed, the comparison unit 521 has a document image corresponding to at least one document read before it is detected that there is a double feed among a plurality of documents. The pre-occurrence feature image information that is the feature image information that is the feature of X and the re-image that is the feature image information that is the feature of the document image X corresponding to each of a plurality of documents that are read again after it is detected that there is a double feed. The read characteristic image information is compared. Based on the comparison result between the pre-occurrence feature image information and the re-read feature image information by the comparison unit 521, the determination unit 522 determines the immediately preceding document read immediately before it is detected that there is a double feed among a plurality of documents. Is. In other words, the control unit 51 determines whether the image forming unit is based on the document image X printed on each of the plurality of documents read by the image reading unit 3 and the presence / absence of double feeding detected by the double feeding detection unit 27. 7 forms an output image on the recording paper.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which double feeding occurs while reading one side of a plurality of documents according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which one side of all documents is read again after double feeding has occurred in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, since the third page is one immediately preceding document read before double feeding, the pre-occurrence feature image information which is the feature image information that characterizes the document image X of the immediately preceding document is stored. Keep without erasing. Also, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, only the double-fed original is unprinted, and after all the originals have been read, all the originals are reset. When the document is read again, the pre-occurrence feature image information is compared with the re-read feature image information that is the feature image information that characterizes the document image X of the document to be read again. If there is a document in which the pre-occurrence feature image information and the re-read feature image information match, the matched document is the document immediately before the occurrence of double feeding. Therefore, since the next page and subsequent pages of the immediately preceding document are double-fed originals, it is possible to accurately read the double-fed original on the next page. It should be noted that the pre-occurrence feature image information and the reread feature image information do not have to match completely. When the degree of correlation between the pre-occurrence feature image information and the re-read feature image information exceeds a preset correlation threshold, it can be considered that the pre-occurrence feature image information and the re-read feature image information match. . That is, it is only necessary to compare the feature image information to be compared by converting the feature image information to be compared into an index used for comparison of the feature image information by some mapping.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the control unit 51 according to the first embodiment. In step S11, the control unit 51 sets the double feed flag to 0. In step S12, the control unit 51 starts reading the document image X printed on the document. In step S13, the control unit 51 determines whether there is a double feed. If it is determined that there is a double feed (step S13; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S15, sets the double feed flag to 1, and proceeds to the process of step S16. When determining that there is no double feed (step S13; N), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S14, stores the image information of the document image X printed on the document, and proceeds to step S16. In step S <b> 16, the control unit 51 does not save the image information of the document image X printed on the double-fed document. In step S <b> 17, the control unit 51 determines whether there is a document to be conveyed. When determining that there is a document to be conveyed (step S17; Y), the control unit 51 returns to the process of step S13. If it is determined that there is no document to be conveyed (step S17; N), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S18 and forms an output image on the recording paper based on the stored image information. In step S19, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the double feed flag is 1. When determining that the double feed flag is 1 (step S19; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S20 and notifies the user that there is a double feed. When determining that the double feed flag is not 1 (step S19; N), the control unit 51 ends the process. In step S21, the control unit 51 obtains pre-occurrence feature image information, which is feature image information that is a feature of at least one document image X read before it is detected that there is a double feed. In step S22, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the document has been reset. When it is determined that the document has been reset (step S22; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S23 and starts reading the document image X printed on the document. When it is determined that the document has not been reset (step S22; N), the control unit 51 repeatedly executes the process of step S22. In step S24, the control unit 51 obtains reread feature image information that is feature image information that is a feature of the document image X to be read. In step S25, the control unit 51 determines the immediately preceding document read immediately before it is detected that there is a double feed based on the pre-occurrence feature image information and the reread feature image information. In step S <b> 26, the control unit 51 identifies a multifeed document from the immediately preceding document. In step S27, the control unit 51 reads the document image X printed on the identified double feed document. In step S28, the control unit 51 stores the image information of the read document image X. In step S29, the control unit 51 forms an output image on the recording paper based on the stored image information of the document image X, and ends the process.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a part of a document is forgotten when reading one side of a plurality of documents again in the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the rest of the document tray 21 is mixed when one side of a plurality of documents is read again in the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when specifying a multi-feed document based on the page number count, there is a deviation in specifying the multi-feed document. There will be no discrepancy in the identification.

  From the above description, in this embodiment, when it is detected that there is a double feed while reading the document image X printed on each of the plurality of documents, it is detected that there is a double feed among the plurality of documents. Pre-occurrence feature image information, which is a feature of at least one document image X read before the image, and re-read feature image information of each document image X read again after it is detected that there is a double feed Based on the comparison result, the immediately preceding document read immediately before it is detected that there is a double feed among a plurality of documents is determined. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to confirm the reading result of the document image X. In addition, since a document read after the immediately preceding document among a plurality of documents can be specified as a double-fed document in which double-feed has occurred, the document may be misplaced or forgotten when reprinting due to double-feed. Even if the number of pages of the document to be printed is deviated, the multi-feed document is specified based on the feature image information of the document regardless of the number of pages of the document. Therefore, the burden on the user can be reduced and the double-fed original can be specified accurately.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming unit 7 forms an output image corresponding to the document image X detected as being double-fed among a plurality of documents. Therefore, it is possible to print the accurately specified multi-fed original while reducing the burden on the user. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the job efficiency of the entire apparatus from being lowered, and the overall productivity including the user and the apparatus can be improved.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
In the second embodiment, since the configuration and function for determining the immediately preceding document in the first embodiment are the same, the description of the same configuration and function as those in the first embodiment is omitted. In the second embodiment, in addition to the configuration and function of the first embodiment, a configuration and function for determining a document immediately after will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example in which three or more double feeds occur during reading one side of a plurality of documents according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image X when a single side of a plurality of documents is read again in the second embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the feature image information before and after the occurrence of double feeding is stored at least one by one without deleting a total of two. That is, the immediately preceding document is a document before occurrence of double feed, and the double feed start position can be specified. Further, the immediately after document is a document after occurrence of double feeding, and is used to determine how many documents are overlapped at the time of double feeding, so that the double feeding end position can be specified. In this way, when re-reading a multi-feed document, the document images X before and after the occurrence of multi-feed may be compared.

  In other words, the comparison unit 521 is the pre-occurrence feature image information and the post-occurrence feature image information that is the feature image information that is the feature of the original image X read immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed among a plurality of originals. And the re-read characteristic image information are compared. The determination unit 522 immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed among a plurality of originals based on the comparison result between the pre-occurrence feature image information and post-occurrence feature image information by the comparison unit 521 and the re-read feature image information. Immediately after being read, the document is determined.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the control unit 51 according to the second embodiment. Since the processes of steps S41 to S50, S52 to S54, and S57 to S59 in FIG. 10 are the same processes as S11 to S20, S22 to S24, and S27 to S29 in FIG. In FIG. 10, it is assumed that the process of S21 in FIG. 5 has been executed before step S55.

  In step S51, the control unit 51 obtains pre-occurrence feature image information and post-occurrence feature image information that is feature image information that is a feature of the document image X read immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed. In step S55, the control unit 51 reads out the immediately preceding document and the immediately following document read immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed based on the pre-occurrence feature image information, the post-occurrence feature image information, and the re-read feature image information. judge. In step S <b> 56, the control unit 51 identifies a multi-feed document from the immediately preceding document and the immediately following document.

  From the above description, in the present embodiment, based on the comparison result between the pre-occurrence feature image information and post-occurrence feature image information, and the re-read feature image information, it is detected that there are multiple feeds among a plurality of documents. Immediately after being read, the document is judged. Therefore, by specifying the immediately preceding document and the immediately following document, it is possible to specify the double feed document between the immediately preceding document and the immediately following document. Therefore, even when it is detected that there are three or more double feeds, the deviation of the number of pages due to the double feed original can be eliminated, so that the original image bundle corresponds to the original image X. Document image information can be inserted.

Embodiment 3. FIG.
In the third embodiment, since the configurations and functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522 in the first and second embodiments are the same, descriptions of the same configurations and functions as those in the first and second embodiments are omitted. In the third embodiment, in addition to the configurations and functions of the first and second embodiments, the configuration and functions of the region extraction unit 523 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions provided in the control unit 51 according to the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of original information of feature image information according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the area extraction unit 523 is based on at least one of the character area, the photographic area, and the margin area of the document image X, and the pre-occurrence feature image information, the post-occurrence feature image information, and the rereading Feature image information such as feature image information is extracted. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the control unit 51 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 13, it is assumed that the processes in steps S11 to S15 in FIG. 5 or the processes in steps S41 to S45 in FIG. In FIG. 13, the process of step S63 is a process linked to the process of step S21 in FIG. 5, and the process of step S64 is linked to the process of step S24 in FIG. 5 or the process of step S54 in FIG. The process of step S65 is a process that cooperates with the process of step S51 in FIG.

  In step S61, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the double feed flag is 1. When it is determined that the double feed flag is 1 (step S61; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to step S62, and the character area, the photograph area, and the blank area included in the image information corresponding to the document image X are displayed. Feature image information is extracted based on at least one. When determining that the double feed flag is not 1 (step S61; N), the control unit 51 ends the process. In step S63, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the extracted feature image information is feature image information read before it is detected that there is a double feed. When it is determined that the extracted feature image information is feature image information read before it is detected that there is a double feed (step S63; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S66. Then, the feature image information is set as the pre-occurrence feature image information, and the processing is terminated. When it is determined that the extracted feature image information is not the feature image information read before it is detected that there is a double feed (step S63; N), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S64, It is determined whether or not the extracted feature image information is feature image information that is a feature of the document image X that is read again after it is detected that there is a double feed.

  When it is determined that the extracted feature image information is feature image information that is a feature of the original image X that is read again after it is detected that there is a double feed (step S64; Y), the control unit 51 performs step S67. Then, the feature image information is set as the re-read feature image information, and the process ends. When it is determined that the extracted feature image information is not the feature image information that is the feature of the original image X that is read again after it is detected that there is a double feed (step S64; N), the control unit 51 performs step S65. The process proceeds to processing, and it is determined whether or not the extracted feature image information is feature image information read immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed. When it is determined that the extracted feature image information is the feature image information read immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed (step S65; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S68, The feature image information is set as the feature image information after generation, and the processing ends. When it is determined that the extracted feature image information is not the feature image information read immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed (step S65; N), the control unit 51 ends the process.

  From the above description, in the present embodiment, the feature image information is extracted based on the character area, the photographic area, or the margin area of the document image X. Therefore, it is possible to roughly extract the entire document page. Therefore, the processing time required to extract the feature image information can be reduced.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
In the fourth embodiment, since the configurations and functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522 in the first and second embodiments are the same, descriptions of the same configurations and functions as those in the first and second embodiments are omitted. Embodiment 4 demonstrates the structure and function of the local extraction part 524 in addition to the structure and function of Embodiment 1,2. In the fourth embodiment, at least some of the functions of the region extraction unit 523 in the third embodiment may be used.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions provided in the control unit 51 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of original information of feature image information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document image X when reading one side of a plurality of documents again in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, the local extraction unit 524 uses a part of the document image X read by the image reading unit 3 as feature image information.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the control unit 51 according to the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 17, it is assumed that the processes of steps S11 to S15 in FIG. 5 or the processes of steps S41 to S45 in FIG. Also, in FIG. 17, the process of step S82 is a concrete implementation of the process of step S21 in FIG. 5, and the process of step S83 is a concrete implementation of the process of step S51 in FIG. This process is a concrete implementation of the process in step S24 in FIG. 5 or step S54 in FIG.

  In step S81, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the double feed flag is 1. When determining that the double feed flag is not 1 (step S81; N), the control unit 51 ends the process. If it is determined that the double feed flag is 1 (step S81; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S82, and at least one document read before it is detected that there is a double feed. A region having a large change is extracted from the image information of the document image X corresponding to the feature image information as pre-occurrence feature image information. In step S83, the control unit 51 extracts the same part as the pre-occurrence feature image information from the image information of the document image X corresponding to the document read immediately after it is detected that there is a double feed, and the feature image information. Is post-occurrence feature image information. In step S84, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the document has been reset. When it is determined that the document has not been reset (step S84; N), the control unit 51 continues the process of step S84. When it is determined that the document has been reset (step S84; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S85, and determines whether reading of the document image X printed on the document has started. When it is determined that reading of the document image X printed on the document has not started (step S85; N), the control unit 51 continues to execute the process of step S85. When it is determined that the reading of the document image X printed on the document has started (step S85; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S86, and the pre-occurrence feature image information and the pre-occurrence feature image information are read out. The same part is extracted to obtain re-read feature image information which is feature image information, and the process ends.

  From the above description, in this embodiment, a part of the document image X read by the image reading unit 3 is assumed to be feature image information. Therefore, since partial comparison is performed using a part of the document image X, the processing time required for the comparison can be reduced compared to the case where the entire document image X is compared. Therefore, the overall processing time can be reduced.

Embodiment 5. FIG.
In the fifth embodiment, the configurations and functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522 in the first and second embodiments are the same, and descriptions of the same configurations and functions as those in the first and second embodiments are omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration and function of the region extraction unit 523 in the third embodiment are the same, and the description of the same configuration and function as in the third embodiment is omitted. In the fifth embodiment, the configuration and function of the local extraction unit 524 in the fourth embodiment are the same, and the description of the same configuration and function as in the fourth embodiment is omitted. In the fifth embodiment, address management as a storage destination of a single-sided double-fed original when it is detected that there is a double-feed will be specifically described.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions provided in the control unit 51 according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 18, the automatic document feeder 2 includes a document tray 21, a paper discharge tray 22, a sheet passing path 23, a contact image sensor 24, a density reference member 25 and the like in addition to the double feed detection unit 27. Prepare. The density reference member 25 is used at the time of shading correction of the automatic document feeder 2. In addition to the size detection unit 35, the image reading unit 3 includes a document illumination unit 32, a reflection mirror 33, a condenser lens 34, a platen glass 36, and the like. The image reading unit 3 separates and feeds the originals set on the original tray 21 one by one, conveys them in the sub-scanning direction along the paper passing path 23 where the contact image sensor 24 is arranged, and discharges them. The paper is discharged to the paper tray 22. The document illumination unit 32 includes a lamp 32A and a mirror 32B. While the document is conveyed in the sub-scanning direction along the sheet passing path 23, the line-by-line reading operation in the main scanning direction is repeatedly executed by the document illumination unit 32, the reflection mirror 33, the condenser lens 34, and the size detection unit 35. Is done. A white reference plate 31 is attached in close proximity to the image reading unit 3. The white reference plate 31 is used at the time of shading correction of the image reading unit 3. The lamp 32 </ b> A is turned on in a state where no document exists between the image reading unit 3 and the white reference plate 31, and the light is irradiated on the white reference plate 31. Light including the reflected light of the white reference plate 31 is received by the size detection unit 35 via the mirror 32B, the reflection mirror 33, and the condenser lens 34.

  The control unit 51 has the function of the calculation unit 525. The calculation unit 525 calculates the memory capacity necessary for the number of read units of a plurality of documents based on the size information of the document size detected by the size detection unit 35. The number of reading units is at least one. The memory controller 516 controls the working memory 541. The working memory 541 is a memory space on a logical space that includes at least one of a RAM 512, a RAM 513, a nonvolatile memory 514, and an HDD 515, or a combination thereof. Each time a document is read by the image reading unit 3, the working memory 541 holds document information for one page including image information and feature image information. That is, the working memory 541 secures the image information of the document image X and the feature image information corresponding to the image information of the document image X based on the memory capacity calculated by the calculation unit 525.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the working memory 541 when a multi-feed occurs while reading one side of a plurality of documents according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the working memory 541 when reading one side of a plurality of originals again in the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, in the working memory 541, memory spaces for image information of a plurality of documents are sequentially allocated for each memory capacity required for the number of reading units. Further, as shown in FIG. 19, when it is detected that there is a double feed, the working memory 541 multiplies the memory capacity per original by the number of sheets in order to secure a memory capacity corresponding to the double feed original page. By doing so, the process of jumping the address is executed. The address is a write start address for writing one page of document information in the working memory 541. The address is incremented so that it can jump by the memory capacity required to hold the document information for one page.

  That is, when it is detected that there is a double feed, the memory controller 516 overlaps a plurality of originals between the memory space to which the image information of the immediately preceding document is assigned and the memory space to which the image information of the immediately following document is assigned. A memory space corresponding to the document detected as being sent is allocated and secured in advance. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 20, when one side of a plurality of originals is read again, the multi-fed original at the first reading is read for one page before the occurrence of the multi-feed without overwriting the original information of other pages. Can be stored in the memory space next to the original information. Therefore, the document information file is processed without rearranging each of the document information for one page after the reading process is completed by the image information reading process executed in cooperation with the automatic document feeder 2 and the image reading unit 3. Z can be output and stored in the HDD 515 or the like.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the control unit 51 according to the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 21, the processing of steps S101 to S103 is premised on the processing of steps S11 to S13 in FIG. 5 or the processing of steps S41 to S43 in FIG. In FIG. 21, the process of step S105 is executed in cooperation with the process of step S14 in FIG. 5 or step S44 in FIG. In FIG. 21, the process of step S110 is premised on the processes of steps S22 and S23 in FIG. 5 or steps S52 and S53 in FIG. In FIG. 21, the process of step S114 is executed in cooperation with the process of step S28 in FIG. 5 or step S58 in FIG.

  In step S101, the control unit 51 determines whether or not there is a first document reading instruction. If it is determined that there is a first document reading instruction (step S101; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S102. If it is determined that there is no first document reading instruction (step S101; N), the control unit 51 proceeds to the processing of step 110. In step S102, the control unit 51 determines whether there is a write instruction. If it is determined that there is a write instruction (step S102; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S103, and sets the address as the write start address. When it determines with there being no write instruction (step S102; N), the control part 51 performs the process of step S102 continuously. In step S104, the control unit 51 determines whether there is a double feed. When it determines with there being no double feed (step S104; N), the control part 51 transfers to the process of step S105. In step S105, the control unit 51 holds the image information and feature image information of the document image X in the working memory 541 designated by the address. In step S106, the control unit 51 increments the address and returns to the process of step S104. If it is determined that there is a double feed (step S104; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S107, and stores the address next to the address corresponding to the immediately preceding original as the double feed original page storage destination address. In step S108, the control unit 51 jumps the address so as to correspond to the memory capacity corresponding to the double-fed original page.

  In step S109, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the write instruction has ended. If it is determined that the writing instruction does not end (step S109; N), the control unit 51 returns to the process of step S104. If it is determined that the write instruction has been completed (step S109; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S110. In step S110, the control unit 51 determines whether or not there is a second document reading instruction. When determining that there is no second document reading instruction (step S110; N), the control unit 51 ends the process. When it is determined that there is a second document reading instruction (step S110; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S111. In step S111, the control unit 51 determines whether there is a write instruction. When it determines with there being no write instruction (step S111; N), the control part 51 performs the process of step S111 continuously. When it is determined that there is a writing instruction (step S111; Y), the control unit 51 proceeds to the process of step S112 and sets the address to the multi-fed original page storage destination address. In step S113, the control unit 51 determines whether or not the document image X printed on the double-fed document is read. When it is determined that the document image X printed on the double-fed document is not read (step S113; N), the control unit 51 continues to execute the process of step S113. In step S114, the control unit 51 holds the image information of the read document image X in the working memory 541 designated by the address, and ends the process.

  From the above description, in the present embodiment, when it is detected that there is a double feed, there are a plurality of spaces between the memory space to which the image information of the immediately preceding document is allocated and the memory space to which the image information of the immediately following document is allocated. A memory space corresponding to the original document detected as being double-fed among the originals is allocated and secured in advance. Therefore, when a plurality of originals are read again after it is detected that there is a double feed, and the image information for the double feed original is stored, the memory space to which the image information of the immediately preceding original is assigned and the image information of the immediately following original are assigned. The image information for the multi-fed originals can be stored in the memory space. Therefore, processing associated with the movement and rearrangement of the image information of the document in page units in the working memory 541 is reduced. In addition to reading a document in units of pages, it can be processed in units of scanner jobs. As a result, overall performance can be improved.

Embodiment 6. FIG.
In the sixth embodiment, the configurations and functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522 in the first and second embodiments are the same, and descriptions of the same configurations and functions as those in the first and second embodiments are omitted. In the sixth embodiment, the configuration and function of the region extraction unit 523 in the third embodiment are the same, and the description of the same configuration and function as in the third embodiment is omitted. In the sixth embodiment, the configuration and function of the local extraction unit 524 in the fourth embodiment are the same, and the description of the same configuration and function as in the fourth embodiment is omitted. In the sixth embodiment, address management as a storage destination of double-sided double-fed originals when it is detected that there is double-feeding will be specifically described.

  FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example in which double feeding occurs during reading of both sides of a plurality of documents according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22, since there is page information for two originals per sheet, it is necessary to secure twice the memory capacity as compared to a single-sided original. Note that the feature image information may be feature image information that is a feature of the document image X printed on the immediately preceding document, that is, the immediately preceding document. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the working memory 541 when a double feed occurs during reading of both sides of a plurality of documents according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an example of the internal configuration of the working memory 541 when reading both surfaces of a plurality of originals again in the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, when it is detected that there is a double feed, the working memory 541 multiplies the memory capacity per original by the number of sheets in order to secure a memory capacity corresponding to the double feed original page, Further, a process of jumping the address is executed by multiplying by 2.

  That is, when it is detected that there is a double feed, the memory controller 516 overlaps a plurality of originals between the memory space to which the image information of the immediately preceding document is assigned and the memory space to which the image information of the immediately following document is assigned. A memory space corresponding to a double-sided document detected as being sent is allocated and secured in advance. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 24, when both sides of a plurality of originals are read again, the original information on the other page is not overwritten, and the double-fed original at the first reading is printed for one page before the double-feed occurs. Can be stored in the memory space next to the original information. Therefore, the document information file is processed without rearranging each of the document information for one page after the reading process is completed by the image information reading process executed in cooperation with the automatic document feeder 2 and the image reading unit 3. Z can be output and stored in the HDD 515 or the like.

  FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the control unit 51 according to the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 25, the processes in steps S131 to S137 and S139 to S144 are the same as the processes in steps S101 to S107 and S109 to S114 in FIG. Therefore, the description of the process is omitted. In step S138, the control unit 51 jumps the address so as to correspond to the memory capacity corresponding to the double-sided double-fed original page.

  From the above description, in the present embodiment, even when a double-sided document is detected as being double-fed, the memory space to which the image information of the immediately preceding document is allocated and the image information of the immediately following document are allocated. A memory space corresponding to the original document detected as having a double feed among a plurality of originals is allocated and secured in advance. Therefore, when a plurality of originals are read again after it is detected that there is a double feed, and the image information for the double feed original is stored, the memory space to which the image information of the immediately preceding original is assigned and the image information of the immediately following original are assigned. The image information for the multi-fed originals can be stored in the memory space. Therefore, processing associated with movement and rearrangement of the image information of the original document in units of pages in the working memory is reduced. In addition to reading a document in units of pages, it can be processed in units of scanner jobs. As a result, overall performance can be improved.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure has been described based on the embodiment. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Good.

  For example, the case where there are two multi-fed originals has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Further, although an example of processing using various flags has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and any processing that can process branch determination may be used.

  Note that the series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program that configures the software installs various programs and can execute various functions from a recording medium that records the program, or It is installed via the Internet or the like.

  In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, and 14, the control unit 51 includes functions of a comparison unit 521 and a determination unit 522. The feature image information and the reread feature image information are compared, and the immediately preceding document is determined by the function of the determination unit 522 based on the comparison result by the function of the comparison unit 521. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the pre-occurrence feature image information and the re-read feature image information are compared by the function of the comparison unit 521, and the function of the determination unit 522 is based on the comparison result by the function of the comparison unit 521. In addition to determining the immediately preceding document, the pre-occurrence feature image information and post-occurrence feature image information are compared with the re-read feature image information by the function of the comparison unit 521, and based on the comparison result by the function of the comparison unit 521, The immediately following document is determined by the function of the determination unit 522. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 13, in addition to the functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522, the function of the region extraction unit 523 is provided. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, in addition to the functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522, the function of the local extraction unit 524 is provided. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 18 to 21, in addition to the functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522 and at least one of the functions of the region extraction unit 523 and the local extraction unit 524, image information of the immediately preceding document is assigned. The working memory 541 has a function of securing a memory capacity corresponding to the double-fed document page between the memory space and the memory space to which image information of the immediately subsequent document is assigned. In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 22 to 25, in addition to the functions of the comparison unit 521 and the determination unit 522 and at least one of the function of the region extraction unit 523 and the local extraction unit 524, the image information of the immediately preceding document is assigned. The working memory 541 has a function of securing a memory capacity corresponding to the double-sided double-fed original page between the memory space and the memory space to which the image information of the original immediately after is assigned.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Automatic document feeder, 21 Document tray, 22 Paper discharge tray, 23 Paper path 24 Contact type image sensor, 25 Density reference member, 27 Double feed detection unit 3 Image reading unit, 31 White reference plate, 32 Document illumination unit, 32A lamp 32B mirror, 33 reflection mirror, 34 condenser lens 35 size detection unit, 36 platen glass 5 system control board, 51 control unit, 511 CPU, 512, 513 RAM
514 Non-volatile memory, 515 HDD, 516 Memory controller 521 Comparison unit, 522 Determination unit, 523 Region extraction unit, 524 Local extraction unit 525 Calculation unit, 541 Working memory 58 Peripheral interface, 59 Bus 7 Image formation unit,
X Document image, Z Document information file

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus that forms an output image on recording paper based on a plurality of read originals,
An image reading unit for reading the plurality of documents;
A double feed detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of at least some of the plurality of documents read by the image reading unit;
The output image is formed on the recording paper based on the document image printed on each of the plurality of documents read by the image reading unit and the presence / absence of the double feed detected by the double feed detection unit. A control unit,
With
The controller is
When the double feed detection unit detects that the double feed is present, the document image corresponding to at least one original read before the multi feed is detected to be detected is detected. Pre-occurrence feature image information that is feature image information that is a feature, and feature image information that is a feature image information that corresponds to each of the plurality of documents that are read again after the presence of the double feed is detected. A comparison unit for comparing the read characteristic image information;
Judgment of determining the immediately preceding document read immediately before it is detected that there is the double feed among the plurality of documents based on a comparison result between the pre-occurrence feature image information and the reread feature image information by the comparison unit And
Comprising
Image forming apparatus. The comparison unit includes:
The pre-occurrence feature image information and the post-occurrence feature image information that is the feature image information that is characteristic of the original image read immediately after it is detected that there is the double feed among the plurality of originals, and the reread feature Compare image information with
The determination unit
Immediately after it is detected that the multi-feed is present among the plurality of documents based on a comparison result between the pre-occurrence feature image information and the post-occurrence feature image information by the comparison unit and the re-read feature image information. The document is judged immediately after being read by
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. An area extracting unit that extracts the feature image information based on at least one of a character area, a photographic area, and a margin area of the document image;
Further comprising
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. A local extraction unit that uses a part of the document image read by the image reading unit as the feature image information;
Further comprising
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. A size detection unit for detecting a document size of the plurality of documents;
Further comprising
The controller is
A calculation unit for calculating a memory capacity necessary for the number of read units in the plurality of documents based on the size information of the document size detected by the size detection unit;
Based on the memory capacity calculated by the calculation unit, working memory in which image information of the document image and the feature image information corresponding to the image information of the document image are secured,
A memory controller for controlling the working memory;
Further comprising
The working memory is
A memory space for each image information of the plurality of documents is sequentially allocated for each memory capacity required per the number of reading units,
The memory controller is
When it is detected that there is a double feed, the double feed among the plurality of documents is between a memory space to which image information of the immediately preceding document is assigned and a memory space to which image information of the immediately following document is assigned. A memory space corresponding to a document detected to be present is allocated and secured in advance.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4. An image forming unit for forming the output image on the recording paper;
Further comprising
The controller is
Causing the image forming unit to form the output image corresponding to the document image detected as having the multi-feed among the plurality of documents.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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