JP3274355B2 - Control method of image processing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for sequentially reading an image by conveying a sheet to be read to a fixed reading section, and setting and reading an image reading start position and a reading end position. The present invention relates to a control method of a mechanism for performing a seal of reading completion on a sheet on which reading is completed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An automatic paper feeder is provided as a system for processing a large amount of paper as a medium in an image processing apparatus connected to a copier, a facsimile or an information processing apparatus.
It is generally known that a stamping mechanism for displaying a processing completion on a processed sheet is provided.

In the above-described image processing apparatus, a reading unit is provided at a fixed position, and an automatic paper feeding apparatus is connected to the image processing apparatus. What you can do is generally known.

Since it is difficult to detect the leading edge and the trailing edge of a target sheet only by optical reading, a reading is started by arranging a sensor near the reading unit and detecting passage of the leading edge of the sheet. The timing for ending the reading is obtained by sensing the passage of the end of the sheet. In addition, a seal designation area is set on the paper on which reading has been completed, and sealing of the reading completion display is performed.

Further, in the image reading operation by the image processing apparatus, it is generally known that the reading speed is reduced as a method for obtaining finer image information by increasing the density of pixels forming an image. It is. Therefore, the image processing apparatus is provided with a function of setting the reading speed stepwise.

The configuration of the image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. A reading unit 34 is disposed substantially at the center of the image processing apparatus, and a sensor arm 32 is disposed near the reading unit 34.

[0007] The sensor arm 32 is a sheet detecting sensor 3.
3, the sheet detection sensor 33 is kept OFF when the sensor arm 32 is in the free state, and turned ON when the sensor arm 32 is pushed up by the sheet.
And the state in which the presence of the sheet 32 is sensed.

The paper detection sensor 33 has a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion, and operates by blocking a light when the sensor arm 32 is positioned between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion.

A stamper 35 is disposed at a position on the opposite side of the reading unit 34 from the sheet detection sensor 33. The stamper 35 is a mechanism for stamping a stamp completion indication on a stamp area set at a predetermined position on the paper 37 on which the reading unit 34 has completed the reading process.

The feed roller 31 is a mechanism that conveys a sheet 37 sent from a sheet supply device (not shown) and supplies the sheet 37 to the reading unit 34. The discharge roller 36 is a mechanism that conveys the sheet 37 after the image processing and discharges the sheet 37 to the outside of the apparatus.

Next, the image processing in the conventional image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram relating to processing according to the related art. The control unit 42 incorporated in the image processing device 41 has a transport speed setting unit 43, and drives the feed roller 31 and the discharge roller 36 at the transport speed specified by the reading mode setting in the image processing.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of image processing according to the prior art. Step S41 for performing image processing
Set the reading mode with. This is to take measures such as lowering the reading speed and increasing the image density when the required image accuracy is high.

In step S42, the paper 37 is set.
When processing is performed in accordance with the order in which a plurality of sheets 37 are stacked, a sheet supply device (not shown) is used.

In step S43, the feed roller 31 is driven to start the conveyance of the paper 37. The discharge roller 36
Also starts driving at the same time.

In step S44, the sensor arm 32 of the conveyed sheet 37 is turned on to turn on the sheet detection sensor 33. This is the detection of the leading edge of the paper 37.

The reading section 34 starts reading in step S45. The setting of the read start timing will be described later.

The paper 37 on which the sensor arm 32 has been moved
When there is no more, the sensor arm 32 returns in step S46, and the sheet detection sensor 33 is turned off again. This is the end detection of the paper 37.

In step S47, the feed roller 31 is stopped, and the entry of the succeeding paper 37 is stopped until a new instruction is given.

The reading section 34 ends the reading in step S48. The setting of the read end timing will be described later.

In step S49, when the end of the paper 37 has passed through the reading unit 34 and the preset designated area 51 (see FIG. 10) has reached below the stamper 35, the driving of the discharge roller 36 is temporarily stopped. Then, in step S50, the stamper 35 is driven to seal the read completion indication on the paper 37 that has been read.

In step S51, the discharge roller 36 resumes driving, and in step S52, the sheet 37 is discharged out of the apparatus.

In step S53, the presence or absence of the medium to be continued is checked. If the medium is to be continued, the flow returns to step S43 to drive the feed roller 31 to convey the succeeding sheet 37.

If it is determined in step S53 that there is no continuation, the image processing ends.

Next, the setting of the timing in the image processing operation according to the prior art will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
4 is a timing chart in an image processing operation according to the related art.

The paper 37 is conveyed by the feed roller 31, and the reading unit 34 starts reading at a time A1 after a preset time T1 from a time A when the sensor arm 32 is pressed to turn on the paper detection sensor 33. Instructions are given. The time T1 is given by the number of pulses of a driving pulse motor (not shown) for the feed roller 31 corresponding to the distance L1 from the paper detection sensor 33 to the reading line of the reading unit 34. Therefore, the time T1 changes according to the reading speed set by the apparatus, and always guarantees the distance L1.

Next, from the point B when the sheet 37 conveyed by the feed roller 31 is separated from the sensor arm 32 to turn off the sheet detection sensor 33, the reading unit 34 is sent to the reading unit 34 at a point B1 after a preset time T2. An instruction to finish reading is given. Here, both T1 and T2 are regarded as the time when the paper 37 advances the distance L1, and given as T1 = T2.

At time B2 after time T3 set in advance from time B, the discharge roller 36 is stopped for time T4, and the stamper 35 is driven. The stamper 35
Is driven at a time point B3 after a time T5 set in advance from the time point B, and is performed in a time zone in which the discharge roller 36 is stopped. Therefore, there is a relationship of T3 <T5 <(T3 + T4). The seal location is set so as to fall within the seal specification range 51 shown in FIG.

Therefore, this time T3 is a driving pulse of the discharge roller 36 corresponding to a distance obtained by subtracting a preset value L (see FIG. 10) from the distance L2 from the paper detection sensor 33 to the reading line of the stamper 35. It is given by the number of pulses of a motor (not shown). The stamper 3
When 5 returns to OFF, the discharge roller 36 resumes driving, and the paper 37 is discharged out of the apparatus.

As described above, the timing of starting reading is set based on the time when the leading end of the paper 37 activates the paper detection sensor 33, and the time when the end of the paper 37 is released from the operation of the paper detection sensor 33. The timing of the end of reading and the timing of carrying out the seal of the reading completion display are set based on. Accordingly, the positions of the sheet detection sensor 33 and the sensor arm 32 serve as timing references for the start and end of reading.

Next, referring to FIG. 9, a mechanism of a time delay when the sheet detection sensor 33 detects the leading end and the trailing end of the sheet will be described.

The detection of the leading edge of the paper 37 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9A, the sensor arm 32 is rotated by being pushed by the leading end of the paper 37 that has advanced, and the paper detecting sensor 33 is at a point where the leading end of the paper 37 has advanced a distance D1 from directly below the paper detecting sensor 33. For the first time, it is recognized as the leading end of the paper 37 by the light receiving section 33a that has reached the required light quantity.

Therefore, the leading edge of the paper 37 is detected by the paper detecting sensor 33 when the leading edge of the paper 37 reaches a point advanced by a distance D1 from immediately below the paper detecting sensor 33.

The detection of the end of the sheet 37 will be described. As shown in FIG. 9B, the end of the sheet reaches a point advanced by a distance D2 from immediately below the sheet detection sensor 33, and the sensor arm 32 starts the return operation only after being separated from the end of the sheet 37. The paper 37 is additionally advanced by the distance α before the light-receiving unit 33a shields the light receiving unit 33a and the paper detection sensor 33 issues an OFF signal. The distance α is a distance that changes depending on the speed of the paper 37.

Therefore, the end of the sheet 37 is detected by the sheet detection sensor 33 when the end of the sheet 37 reaches a point advanced by a distance D2 + α from immediately below the sheet detection sensor 33.

Normally, the distance D1 is different from the distance D2 + α, so that D1 ≒ (D
It is necessary to adjust the mounting position of the paper detection sensor 33 and the positional relationship between the paper detection sensor 33 and the sensor arm 32 so that 2 + α).

Alternatively, assuming that D1 ≠ (D2 + α), the timing from the detection of the leading edge of the sheet to the start of the reading and the timing from the detection of the end of the sheet to the end of the reading are set as separate timings.

Next, referring to FIG. 10, a description will be given of the imprinting of the reading completion display performed after the reading process by the stamper 35.

After the reading is completed, stamping is performed by the stamper 35 so as to fall within the designated sealing range 51 set in advance on the back surface of the sheet to be read.

FIG. 10A shows a state in which the imprint 52 formed by imprinting falls within the imprint designation range 51 at a normal timing.

FIG. 10B shows that the timing at which the paper 37 stops for sealing is too late and the imprint 52 is placed in the designated area 5.
1 shows a state in which the image does not fit in 1 but extends beyond the seal setting range 51. In a more extreme case, the stamping is not performed on the paper 37 and the paper 37 is hit in the apparatus, and the ink of the stamper 35 adheres to the conveyance path of the paper 37 to cause trouble such as soiling the subsequent paper 37. There is danger.

FIG. 10C shows that the timing at which the paper 37 stops for sealing is too early, and the imprint 52 is in the marking setting range 5.
1 shows a state in which it does not fit in and protrudes forward from the seal setting range 51. In an extreme case, there is a danger that the end of the paper 37 stops in a state where it remains on the reading line of the reading unit 34, and a failure such as disturbance of the read image is caused.

The variation in the marking position is due to the variation in the timing of the end detection of the paper 37. However, since the position adjustment of the paper detection sensor 33 is adjusted to set the reading end timing, the imprint 51 is usually appropriate. The fixing position of the stamper 35 is adjusted so as to fall within the range.

[0043]

Therefore, as described above, the conventional image processing apparatus has the following problems.

The timing setting of the start of reading, the end of reading, and the marking of the reading completion display is based on the leading edge and the trailing edge of the sheet detected by the sheet detecting sensor. Therefore, the accuracy of the position of the seal at the start of reading, the end of reading, and the mark of the completion of reading also varies in proportion to the variation of the detection accuracy of the paper detection sensor.

It is difficult to set the detection timing of the leading edge of the paper and the detection timing of the trailing end of the paper to be the same, due to the mechanical features of the combination of the paper detection sensor and the sensor arm. Therefore, the control method becomes complicated, for example, based on separate standards for the timing setting of the reading start, the timing of the reading end, and the timing setting of the marking of the reading completion display. Alternatively, the adjustment work is complicated by adjusting the timing.

In each actual machine, it is difficult to accurately grasp the timing at which the sheet detection sensor detects the leading end and the trailing end of the sheet. Therefore, in order to eliminate the variation in each actual machine, it is necessary to rely on adjustment by trial and error.

[0047]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.

The fine adjustment work in the paper detection sensor is abolished, and instead, a test chart in which a reading mark is described at the leading and trailing ends is read, so that the transport distance from the signal of the leading edge detection of the paper detecting sensor to the reading start position is obtained. Then, the conveying distance from the sheet end detection signal of the sheet detecting sensor to the reading end position is measured by the number of pulses of each motor.

By this means, the detection points of the leading edge and the trailing edge of the paper in the actual machine of the paper detection sensor are obtained, and the transport distance from the detection of the leading edge of the paper to the start of reading and the transport distance from the detection of the trailing edge of the paper to the end of reading are obtained. The unique value of the transport distance from the detection of the end of the sheet to the marking of the reading completion indication is obtained by an individual device.

The difference between the transport distance from the signal of the paper end detection of the paper detection sensor measured in the test chart and the transport distance to the reading end position to the transport distance to the seal of the paper reading completion display and the initially set transport distance. Calculate the value and use the EEPRO in the control unit built in the device.
Store it in M.

By this means, there is obtained an effect that the individual device holds a correction value corresponding to the actual machine from the detection of the end of the sheet to the timing of the reading completion display / seal in the individual device at the timing setting for the reading completion / seal. .

[0052]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention takes the following forms.

The timing of marking the start, end and completion of reading of the image by the image processing apparatus is set by the number of pulses for driving the feed roller and the discharge roller based on a signal obtained from the sheet detection sensor.

By this means, the timing of marking the start, end and reading completion of image reading can be grasped by the distance from the sensitive position of the paper detection sensor to the start, end and marking positions of the reading completion display.

In the adjustment of the image reading start timing of the image processing apparatus, the sign written on the leading edge of the sheet of the test chart 17 is read.

By this means, there is obtained an effect that the leading edge of the sheet is read by both the sheet detecting sensor and the reading unit, and the transport distance from the position of the leading edge detection of the sheet detecting sensor to the start of reading is actually measured in each actual machine.

A feed roller in which the number of drive pulses of the feed roller from the initial detection signal obtained from the paper detection sensor by reading the test chart to the read signal of the front end marker obtained by the reading unit is set from the beginning. And the difference value is stored in an EEPROM incorporated in the control unit.

By this means, an effect is obtained that the variation value of the image reading start timing in each actual machine is grasped in each actual machine.

At the time of adjusting the image reading end timing of the image processing apparatus, a mark described at the end of the sheet of the test chart is read.

By this means, the end of the sheet is read by both the sheet detection sensor and the reading unit, and the distance from the position at which the sheet detection sensor detects the end of the sheet to the end of reading and the transfer of the reading completion indication to the seal in the individual actual machine. The effect of actually measuring the distance is obtained.

The number of drive pulses of the discharge roller from the sheet end detection signal obtained from the sheet detection sensor by reading the test chart to the end signal reading signal obtained by the reading section is set to a predetermined value for the discharge roller. The difference value is compared with the number of drive pulses and stored in an EEPROM incorporated in the control unit.

By this means, the effect of grasping the variation value of the image reading end timing and the reading completion display marking timing in each actual machine in each actual machine can be obtained.

[0063]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A typical embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 shows a block diagram according to the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a sign of a test chart for obtaining a timing correction value according to the present invention, FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of generation of a correction value according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the device.

The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same parts as in the prior art.

Referring to FIG. 1, the configuration according to the present invention will be described. The control unit 2 built in the image processing apparatus 1 has EE
It has a PROM 3 and stores the result of the arithmetic processing performed by the arithmetic processing unit 4.

A test chart for generating a correction value according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Markers 6 and 7 are described at both ends of the test chart 5 so that the ends can be optically read by a reading unit.
With this measure, the leading end and the trailing end of the sheet can be read at the same location by both the sheet detection sensor 33 and the sheet reading unit 34.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the markers 6a and 7a
By arranging a inside the test chart, defining the values of the distances P and Q from the end face and matching the arithmetic expressions, the same effect as the test chart shown in FIG. 2A can be obtained.

The generation of a correction value according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The operation related to the generation of the correction value is the same as the normal reading operation described with reference to FIG. 7, and in particular, Step S03 is Step S43, Step S07 is Step S47, and Steps S09 to S12.
The steps up to are exactly the same as steps S49 to S52. Therefore, the description of step S03, step S07, and steps S09 to S12 is omitted here.

In step S01, a correction value generation mode is designated. Next, in step S02, the test chart 5
Is set in a paper supply device (not shown) connected to the image processing apparatus.

In step S04, the test chart 5 sent from the paper supply device pushes the sensor arm 32 to switch the paper detection sensor 33 from OFF to ON.

Further, in step S05, the reading section 34 reads the marker 6 described at the tip of the test chart 5.
The drive pulse of the feed roller 31 starts to be counted from the time when the paper detection sensor 33 switches from OFF to ON (step S04), and the reading unit 34 reads the marker 6 described at the leading end of the test chart 5 (step S05). ) To end the counting.

In step S06, the test chart 5 sent from the feed roller 31 releases the sensor arm 32 and switches the sheet detection sensor 33 from ON to OFF.

Further, in step S08, the reading section 34 reads the marker 7 described at the end of the test chart 5.
At the time when the paper detection sensor 33 is switched from ON to OFF (step S06), the drive pulse of the discharge roller 36 starts to be counted, and the reading unit 34 reads the mark 7 described at the end of the test chart 5 (step S08). ) To end the counting.

The number of pulses obtained in step S05 and the number of pulses obtained in step S08 are determined by control unit 2 in step S21.
Is sent to the arithmetic processing unit 4 incorporated in the CPU and compared with a preset numerical value, and the difference is used as a correction value in step S22.
Is stored in the EEPROM 3.

Next, generation of a timing correction value based on the number of pulses obtained by the above-described counting will be described.

A description will be given of the correction of the timing for starting reading. The pulse number obtained in step S05 indicates the actual pulse number of the drive of the feed roller 31 required to convey the test chart 5 from the position of the sheet confirmation sensor 33 to the position of the reading line of the reading unit 34 at the leading end of the sheet. . The number of pulses is compared with the number of pulses at the read start timing calculated from the design value of the apparatus in the arithmetic processing unit 4 and set in advance from the beginning.

Assuming that the number of pulses set from the beginning as the reading start timing is N10, the number of drive pulses of the feed roller 31 obtained by counting is N11, and the difference is ΔN1, the following equation is established: N10−N11 = ΔN1. This means that when ΔN1> 0, an accurate reading start position can be obtained by correcting and delaying by the number of pulses ΔN1 from the initially set reading timing, and conversely, when ΔN1 <0, the initial setting is obtained. This means that an accurate reading start position can be obtained by correcting and earliering the reading timing by the number of pulses ΔN1.

Next, the correction of the read start timing will be described. The number of pulses obtained in step S08 indicates the actual number of pulses for driving the discharge roller 36 required to convey the test chart 5 from the position of the sheet detection sensor 33 to the position of the reading line of the reading unit 34 at the end of the sheet. . The number of pulses is compared with the number of pulses at the read end timing calculated from the design value of the apparatus in the arithmetic processing unit 4 and set in advance from the beginning.

The number of pulses set from the beginning as the read end timing is set to N20, the number of drive pulses of the discharge roller 36 obtained by counting is set to N21, and the difference is Δ
Assuming that N2, a formula of N20-N21 = ΔN2 is established. This means that when ΔN2> 0, an accurate reading end position can be obtained by correcting and delaying by the number of pulses of ΔN2 from the initially set reading timing, and conversely, when ΔN2 <0, the reading end timing is initially set. This means that an accurate reading end position can be obtained by correcting the reading end timing by the number of pulses of ΔN2 and making it earlier.

Further, the timing correction of the marking of the reading completion display will be described. The difference ΔN2 relating to the driving of the discharge roller 36 is applied to the correction value of the timing of the reading completion display marking. This is because the distance L3 between the reading line of the reading unit 34 and the stamper 35 in FIG. 5 can be set relatively easily, the operation of the stamper 35 is only vertical movement, and positioning accuracy can be easily secured. Furthermore, the designated position range of the seal actually performed on the sheet is set with a margin.

The difference values ΔN1 and ΔN2 of the number of pulses obtained from the above calculation result are stored in the EEP
The data is stored in the ROM 3 and is used in the normal reading mode together with the reading start timing, the reading end timing, and the timing value of the reading completion display seal from the beginning.

FIG. 4 shows the timing of each operation changed by the correction value. That is, the time A at which the leading edge of the paper 37 is detected
Reading starts at time A1 after a lapse of time T1 + ΔT1. T1 and ΔT1 are N10 and ΔN1, respectively.
And the time derived by the transport speed set in the mode setting. This also means that the reading start timing can be set independently of the transport speed.

In the same manner as described above, the reading is terminated at time B1 after a lapse of time T2 + ΔT2 from time B of the end of paper detection, and discharged at time B2 after a lapse of time T3 + ΔT2 from time B of the end of paper detection to seal the reading completion indication. The roller 36 stops, and the sealing operation is performed.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described based on the image processing apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to printers and the like, for example, by securing an appropriate print area by detecting the leading edge of a sheet or the trailing edge of a sheet.

[0085]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be expected.

The timings for marking the start, end, and completion of reading of the image by the image processing apparatus are set by the number of pulses for driving the feed roller and the discharge roller from the signals obtained from the sheet detection sensors.

By this means, the timing of image reading start, end, and marking of completion of reading are grasped by the distance from the sensitive position of the sheet detection sensor to the position of the marking of start, end, and completion of reading, and the paper conveyance speed is determined. The effect that variations due to the influence can be eliminated is obtained.

In the adjustment of the image reading start timing of the image processing apparatus, the sign written on the leading edge of the sheet of the test chart is read.

By this means, the leading edge of the sheet is read by both the sheet detection sensor and the reading section, and the reference point for setting the reading start timing can be set.

The number of drive pulse of the feed roller from the sheet leading edge detection signal obtained by the sheet detecting sensor by reading the test chart to the sign reading signal indicating the leading edge obtained by the reading unit is set in advance. The difference value is compared with the number of drive pulses of the roller, and the difference value is stored in an EEPROM incorporated in the control unit.

By this means, the correction value for the variation in the image reading start timing is automatically generated in each actual machine, so that the operation of adjusting the reading start timing by adjusting the position of the sheet detection sensor and the sensor arm can be omitted. Get.

In the adjustment of the image reading end timing of the image processing apparatus, the sign written at the end of the sheet of the test chart is read.

By this means, there is an effect that the end of the sheet is read by both the sheet detection sensor and the reading section, and the reference point of the reading end timing setting can be set as an independent value independent of the reading start timing setting.

The number of drive pulses of the feed roller from the end-of-paper detection signal obtained from the paper detection sensor by reading the test chart to the signal for reading the marker obtained by the reading section is set in advance by the drive pulse of the feed roller. Then, the difference value is stored in an EEPROM built in the control unit.

By this means, the correction value for the variation of the image reading end timing is automatically generated in each actual machine, so that the operation of adjusting the reading end timing by adjusting the position of the sheet detection sensor and the sensor arm can be omitted. obtain.

At the same time, with this means, a correction value for the variation in the marking timing of the reading completion display is automatically generated in each actual machine, so that the effect of adjusting the stamper position can be omitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a marker on a test chart.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of generation of a correction value according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart changed by a correction value.

FIG. 5 is a mechanism diagram of the device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram according to the related art.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of image processing according to the related art.

FIG. 8 is a timing chart according to the related art.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a timing at which a sheet detection sensor detects a sheet.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a stamp stamping state according to the related art.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Image processing device 2: Control unit 3: EEPROM 4: Operation processing unit 5: Test chart 6, 7: Marker

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00 108 H04N 1/00 106 G03G 21/14 H04N 1/04

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. Observing the paper transport distance converted into the number of pulses
By doing so, the individual devices of the image processing device can be held.
Timing of the seal of reading completion display corresponding to the three unique values
In the method for controlling an image processing device that corrects an image, a sensor arm (32) provided in the image processing device (1) is provided.
After the end of the sheet is detected, the reading unit (34)
By observing the conveyance distance until the end of the sheet is detected , the sensor arm (32) detects the end of the sheet.
Until the stamper (35) stamps the reading completion display.
Calculates individual correction values for the paper transport distance required for
The correction value is calculated in the processing unit (4), and the correction value is calculated in the control unit.
The image stored in the EEPROM (3) built in (2)
When the image processing device (1) stamps the display of completion of reading
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, wherein timing is automatically corrected .