JP7314567B2 - Image processing device and image processing program - Google Patents

Description

The present application relates to a technique for previewing image data related to an image read from a document.

Patent Document 1 describes an image processing apparatus that processes acquired image data for output, generates a preview image of the image data before outputting the processed image data, and displays the preview image on a display unit. The image processing device further determines whether or not a preview image needs to be generated based on predetermined processing conditions for processing, and generates and displays the preview image when the preview image needs to be generated.

JP 2007-166160 A

By the way, in a conventional image processing apparatus, when an automatic document feeder (ADF) feeds a plurality of documents one by one to a scanner and previews image data generated by reading each document, preview display is performed after reading of all the documents is completed.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-200000 describes determining whether or not a preview image needs to be generated, and determining whether or not to display a preview based on the determination result.

An object of the present application is to provide a technique that enables preview display before reading of all documents is completed when image data is generated while sequentially feeding a plurality of documents by an automatic document feeder and preview display is performed.

To achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus of the present application includes a reading unit that reads an image from a document and generates image data related to the read image, an automatic document feeder that feeds a plurality of documents to be read by the reading unit one by one to the reading unit, a storage unit that stores the image data generated by the reading unit, a display unit that displays a preview image of the image data stored in the storage unit, a reception unit that selects and accepts settings when the reading unit reads the documents from a plurality of reading settings, and a control unit. When the reading unit has read the images of the minimum number of documents necessary for displaying the preview images, the control unit displays the preview images of the image data of the minimum number of documents on the display unit without waiting for the reading of all the pages of the plurality of documents to be completed. When the change of the setting for the image data is accepted, the image data read by the reading part with the highest setting and stored in the storage part is image-processed so as to satisfy the setting after the change.

According to the present invention, when image data is generated while sequentially feeding a plurality of documents by an automatic document feeder and preview display is performed, preview display can be performed before reading of all the documents is completed.

1 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of a multi-function machine to which an image processing device according to an embodiment of the present application is applied; FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a preview screen displayed on a panel included in the MFP of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a document reading process A executed by the multi-function machine in FIG. 1, particularly by a CPU; 2 is a flow chart showing a procedure of a document reading process B executed by the multi-function device of FIG. 1, particularly by a CPU; FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a procedure subsequent to the document reading process B of FIG. 4; FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of a multifunction machine 100 to which an image processing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present application is applied. The MFP 100 will hereinafter be referred to as the MFP 100 . Note that MFP is an abbreviation for Multifunction Peripheral.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101 , ROM (Read Only Memory) 102 , RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 and NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 104 .

The CPU 101 controls the entire MFP 100. In this embodiment, the CPU 101 controls a print engine 111 and a read engine 112 via an engine IF (Interface) 110 according to setting information. Note that the engine IF 110, print engine 111, and reading engine 112 will be described later.

The ROM 102 is a memory that stores control programs executed by the CPU 101 . The CPU 101 reads control programs stored in the ROM 102 and executes various processes.

A RAM 103 is a memory that temporarily stores image data and the like. The RAM 103 is also used as a storage area for temporarily storing data, signals, etc. used when the CPU 101 executes the control program, or as a work area for data processing.

The NVRAM 104 is a non-volatile memory that stores setting information and the like.

The MFP 100 also has a panel 105 and keys 106 .

The panel 105 is a touch panel in this embodiment, and various screens are displayed on the panel 105 according to the state of the MFP 100 . The user can perform an input operation by pressing an input button on the screen (for example, buttons 150b to 150e in FIG. 2, which will be described later).

Key 106 is a hard key, ie a key formed by hardware. Typical examples thereof include a power switch and a reset switch (both not shown).

MFP 100 also includes communication IF 108 . Communication IF 108 connects MFP 100 to a communication network (not shown). Since the communication network is assumed to be a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) in this embodiment, the communication IF 108 is a LAN IF (Local Area Network Interface) or a WLAN IF (Wireless LAN Interface). Of course, a wired LAN and a wireless LAN may exist at the same time, and in this case the communication IF 108 includes both the LAN IF and the WLAN IF.

MFP 100 also includes engine IF 110 . A print engine 111 and a reading engine 112 are connected to the engine IF 110 .

A print engine 111 is an engine for printing an image on a sheet, and employs an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, a thermal method, or the like.

A reading engine 112 is an engine for reading an image from a document, and has a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), and the like.

The engine IF 110 is a control circuit for controlling the print engine 111 and the read engine 112 , and the CPU 101 controls the print engine 111 and the read engine 112 via the engine IF 110 .

The engine IF 110 has a first engine IF (not shown) for controlling the print engine 111 and a second engine IF (not shown) for controlling the reading engine 112 . The first engine IF outputs control signals to the print engine 111 and image data to the print engine 111 based on commands from the CPU 101 . The second engine IF outputs control signals to the reading engine 112 and inputs image data from the reading engine 112 based on commands from the CPU 101 .

Furthermore, the MFP 100 has an ADF 115 . The ADF 115 conveys a plurality of documents one by one to the reading engine 112 .

The MFP 100 also includes an image processing circuit 120 .

The image processing circuit 120 has a first image processing circuit (not shown) and a second image processing circuit (not shown). The first image processing circuit rasterizes image data relating to a print job. The rasterized image data is temporarily stored in the RAM 103 and output to the print engine 111 . The second image processing circuit processes the image data read from the document by the reading engine 112 into digital data. The image data processed into digital data is transmitted to the outside via the communication IF 108, or is supplied to the print engine 111 and output to a sheet. The image data read from the document by the reading engine 112 is temporarily stored in the RAM 103 and output to the second image processing circuit. Here, in this embodiment, "reading" may be described as "scanning".

CPU 101 , ROM 102 , RAM 103 , NVRAM 104 , panel 105 , keys 106 , communication IF 108 , engine IF 110 , ADF 115 and image processing circuit 120 are interconnected by bus 130 .

FIG. 2 shows an example of a preview display screen 150 displayed on panel 105 . A preview display screen 150 is a screen that displays a preview of image data read from a document by the reading engine 112 .

The preview display screen 150 has a preview display area 150a and a plurality of buttons 150b to 150e. The preview display area 150a is an area for displaying image data to be previewed. The color/monochrome selection button 150b is a button for selecting whether to read the document image in color or in monochrome. The 300/600 selection button 150c is a button for selecting whether to read the document image at 300 dpi (dots per inch) or 600 dpi. The continuation button 150d is a button for instructing continuation of reading of the document image. The stop button 150e is a button for instructing to stop reading the document image.

Document reading processing executed by MFP 100 configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. Henceforth, in description of the procedure of each process, a step is described with "S".

In this embodiment, there are two types of document reading processes, document reading process A and document reading process B. FIG. For example, it is conceivable that the user selects which document reading process is to be executed.

FIG. 3 shows the procedure of the document reading process A executed by the MFP 100, especially the CPU 101. As shown in FIG. When one or more originals are placed on the ADF 115 and the user presses a scan button (not shown) on the panel 105, the CPU 101 detects that the scan button has been pressed, and starts the document reading process A.

The document reading process A has the following features, that is,
1. When a plurality of documents are conveyed one by one and the images on each document are read, when the reading of the number of documents required for preview display is completed, the preview is displayed even before the reading of all the documents is completed;
2. A feature that pauses the reading of the manuscript when displaying a preview,
3. When the setting of the reading engine 112 is changed during the preview display, image processing is performed on the image data related to the document read before the setting change so as to satisfy the setting after the change;
4. When the setting of the reading engine 112 is changed during the preview display, when reading the document is resumed from the temporary stop, the reading of the image on the document is resumed with the changed setting;
contains.

In FIG. 3, the CPU 101 first transmits a command to convey one document to the ADF 115 (S1). In response to this, the ADF 115 conveys one document from the placed documents to the reading engine 112 .

Next, the CPU 101 transmits a document image reading command to the reading engine 112 (S2). In response to this, the reading engine 112 reads the image on the conveyed document, converts it into image data, and then outputs the image data to the engine IF 110 . The engine IF 110 temporarily stores the input image data in the RAM 103 .

The CPU 101 then determines whether or not reading of the required number of sheets has been completed (S3). Here, the "required number of sheets" means the minimum number of sheets of originals required for preview display. Image data after reading a document image may be supplied to the print engine 111 and output on a sheet as described above. In this case, it is possible to select settings such as 2-in-1 printing or 4-in-1 printing, in which a plurality of documents are reduced in size and printed on one sheet. When the user selects, for example, the setting of 2in1 printing and presses the scan button, the CPU 101 reads each image from the two originals, reduces the image data related to each image, and generates preview image data for 2in1 printing. Then, CPU 101 outputs the generated preview image data for 2-in-1 printing to panel 105 . As a result, a preview screen for 2-in-1 printing is displayed on the panel 105 . Therefore, in this case, the "required number" is two.

When it is determined in the above S3 that reading of the required number of sheets has not been completed (S3: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to S1 to continue reading the document, while if it is determined that reading of the required number of sheets has been completed (S3: YES), the CPU 101 advances the process to S4.

In S<b>4 , the CPU 101 transmits to the ADF 115 a command to stop conveying the document. In response to this, the ADF 115 stops conveying the document and stops reading the document. By the process of S4, the feature 2. is realized.

Next, the CPU 101 transmits an instruction to the image processing circuit 120 to generate image data for preview display based on the image data temporarily stored in the RAM 103 (S5). In response to this, image processing circuit 120 generates image data for preview display and outputs the generated image data for preview display to panel 105 . As a result, a preview is displayed in the preview display area 150 a within the preview display screen 150 . By the process of S5, the feature 1. is realized.

Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not an instruction to change the setting has been issued (S6). As described above, the preview display screen 150 displays the color/monochrome selection button 150b and the 300/600 selection button 150c. "Instruct to change setting" in S6 means, in this embodiment, that the setting change is instructed by pressing either button 150b or 150c.

If it is determined in S6 that a setting change has been instructed (S6: YES), the CPU 101 transmits to the image processing circuit 120 a command to process the read image data with the changed settings (S7). In response to this, the image processing circuit 120 performs image processing on the read image data with the changed settings, and temporarily stores the image data after the image processing in the RAM 103 . Further, image processing circuit 120 generates image data for preview display based on the image data after image processing, and outputs the image data to panel 105 . As a result, the preview display displayed in the preview display area 150a becomes the preview display after the setting change. By this processing of S7, the feature 3. is realized.

Specifically, if the setting before the setting change is color scan setting and 600 dpi setting, and this is changed to monochrome scan setting and 300 dpi setting, the image processing circuit 120 thins out the number of pixels of the read image data to half and binarizes the color of each pixel. On the contrary, if the setting before the setting change is monochrome scan setting and 300 dpi setting, and this is changed to color scan setting and 600 dpi setting, the image processing circuit 120 cannot generate image data after the setting change in a short time. Therefore, it is necessary to read the image of the document with the highest setting among the changeable settings. Higher settings are settings that make image processing more difficult or impossible. Specifically, between the color scan setting and the monochrome scan setting, the color scan setting is higher than the monochrome scan setting. On the other hand, between the 600 dpi setting and the 300 dpi setting, the 600 dpi setting is higher than the 300 dpi setting. Therefore, the highest setting in this case is the color scan setting and the 600 dpi setting.

Next, the CPU 101 changes the setting of the reading engine 112 to the instructed setting (S8), and then advances the process to S9.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the determination of S6 that no setting change instruction has been issued (S6: NO), the CPU 101 skips S7 and S8 and advances the process to S9. It should be noted that if the determination in S6 is "NO", it means that the user has pressed the continuation button 150d. Alternatively, it may be the case that a predetermined time has passed after the preview display.

In S9, the CPU 101 transmits to the ADF 115 a command to convey one document in the same manner as in S1. Here, the document transport speed in S1 and the document transport speed in S9 may differ. As described above, in S2, the document image is read with the highest setting. Therefore, the document transport speed in S1 must be a speed at which the image of the document can be read with the highest setting. On the other hand, when a setting change is instructed during preview display, for example, the scanning resolution is changed from 600 dpi to 300 dpi, the CPU 101 transmits to the ADF 115 a command to speed up the document feeding speed accordingly. Since the setting change instruction is usually an instruction from the highest setting to a lower setting, when the setting change instruction is given, the document transport speed in S9 becomes faster than the document transport speed in S1.

In subsequent S10, the CPU 101 transmits a document image reading command to the reading engine 112 in the same manner as in S2 above. The reading engine 112 reads the document image according to the current settings. That is, when the setting is changed by the process of S8, the reading engine 112 reads the document image with the changed setting. On the other hand, if the process of S8 is not performed and the settings are not changed, the reading engine 112 reads the document image with the settings when the document reading process A is started. By the processing of S8 to S10 including this S10, the feature 4. is realized.

The CPU 101 then determines whether or not reading of all pages of the document has been completed (S11). In this determination, if it is determined that reading of all pages of the document has not been completed yet (S11: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to S9 and continues reading the document. On the other hand, when it is determined that reading of all pages of the document is completed (S11: YES), the CPU 101 terminates the document reading process A. FIG.

4 and 5 show the procedure of the document reading process B executed by the MFP 100, especially the CPU 101. FIG. As in the document reading process A, when one or more documents are placed on the ADF 115 and the user presses a scan button (not shown) on the panel 105, the CPU 101 detects the pressing of the scan button as a trigger to start the document reading process B. In FIG. 4, steps that perform the same processing as in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same numbers, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the document reading process A, the reading of the document image is stopped before displaying the preview (see S4 in FIG. 3), but in the document reading process B, the reading of the document image is not stopped before or after the preview display. However, in special cases such as when the RAM 103 has little or no free space for temporarily storing image data related to the read image, the reading of the document image may be stopped.

In FIG. 4, when the document reading process B is started, the CPU 101 executes the processes of S1 to S5. However, the document reading process B does not include the process of S4 included in the document reading process A of FIG. This is because the CPU 101 does not stop the reading of the original image when displaying the preview.

Next, the CPU 101 transmits a command to convey one document to the ADF 115 (S20) in the same manner as in S9 of FIG. 3 above, and then transmits a command to read the document image to the reading engine 112 in the same manner as in S10 of FIG. 3 (S22).

Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the setting change flag is set (S25). A setting change flag is a flag provided in the RAM 103 . The setting change flag is set when a setting change is instructed by the color/monochrome selection button 150b or the 300/600 selection button 150c (see S30 and S43 to be described later).

When it is determined in S25 that the setting change flag is in the reset state (S25: NO), the CPU 101 determines whether or not an instruction to change the setting has been issued (S6). In this determination, if it is determined that a setting change has been instructed (S6: YES), the CPU 101 sends to the image processing circuit 120 a command to image-process the read image data with the changed settings, as in S7 of FIG. 3 (S7'). However, the process of S7' is different from the process of S7 in the number of sheets of the document on which the image data to be processed is based. In other words, in the process of S7, the document on which the image data to be subjected to image processing is based is the document for which the reading of the required number of pages for preview display has been completed. On the other hand, in the process of S7', the document on which the image data to be processed is based is the document that has been read when the process proceeds to S7'. This is because, when the process proceeds to S7', the reading of the number of documents exceeding the number required for the preview display is usually completed.

Next, the CPU 101 changes the setting of the reading engine 112 to the instructed setting (S8), and then sets a setting change flag (S30). After that, the CPU 101 advances the process to S35.

On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination of S25 that the setting change flag is set (S25: YES), or if it is determined in the determination of S6 that the setting change has not been instructed (S6: NO), the CPU 101 advances the process to S35.

In S35, the CPU 101 determines whether or not reading of all pages of the document is completed in the same manner as in S11 of FIG. In this determination, if it is determined that reading of all pages of the document has not been completed yet (S35: NO), the CPU 101 returns the process to S20 and continues reading the document. On the other hand, if it is determined that all pages of the document have been read (S35: YES), CPU 101 advances the process to S40 of FIG.

Thus, the setting change flag is for causing the CPU 101 to execute the processes of S7', S8 and S30 only once.

In S40 of FIG. 5, the CPU 101 resets the setting change flag.

Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not preview display is in progress (S41). This determination is to determine whether or not preview display is still being performed even after all pages of the document have been read.

If it is determined in S41 that the preview display is not being performed (S41: NO), the CPU 101 terminates the document reading process B. FIG. Here, when it is determined that the preview display is not being performed, it corresponds to the case where the user hides the preview display before the process proceeds to S41, or the case where the user presses the stop button 150e to instruct to stop reading the document image. In the former case, that is, when the user hides the preview display, the user approves the reading of the document image with the settings related to the preview image displayed in preview. In the latter case, that is, when the user presses the stop button 150e to instruct to stop reading the document image, the user does not approve the reading of the document image with the setting related to the preview image displayed. Either the former case or the latter case corresponds to a case where the document reading process B may be terminated. Therefore, in these cases, the CPU 101 terminates the document reading process B. FIG.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S41 that the preview is being displayed (S41: YES), the CPU 101 determines in the same manner as in S6 whether or not an instruction to change the setting has been issued (S42). On the other hand, if it is determined that the setting change has not been instructed (S42: NO), the CPU 101 skips S43 and advances the process to S44.

In S44, the CPU 101 waits until an instruction to end the preview display is given (S44: NO), and when an instruction to end the preview display is given, the CPU 101 hides the preview display (S45), and then determines whether or not the setting change flag is set (S46). In this determination, if it is determined that the setting change flag is set (S46: YES), the CPU 101 sends to the image processing circuit 120 a command to process the read image data with the changed settings in the same manner as in S7' (S47). However, the process of S47 is different from the process of S7' in the number of originals on which the image data to be processed is based. In other words, in the process of S7', the document on which the image data to be processed is based is the document placed on the ADF 115 before reading of all pages of the document is completed. On the other hand, in the process of S47, the document on which the image data to be subjected to image processing is based is the document set on the ADF 115 for which reading of all pages has been completed.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S46 that the setting change flag is in the reset state (S46: NO), the CPU 101 terminates the document reading process B. FIG.

As described above, the MFP 100 of this embodiment includes the reading engine 112 that reads an image from a document and generates image data related to the read image, the ADF 115 that conveys a plurality of documents to be read by the reading engine 112 one by one to the reading engine 112, the RAM 103 that stores the image data generated by the reading engine 112, the panel 105 that displays a preview image of the image data stored in the RAM 103, and the reading engine 112 that reads the document. and a CPU 101 and a panel 105 for selecting and receiving a setting for reading from among a plurality of reading settings.

Then, when reading engine 112 has read the images of the minimum number of documents necessary for displaying the preview image, CPU 101 displays the preview images of the image data of the minimum number of documents on panel 105 without waiting for the reading of all the pages of the plurality of documents to be completed (S5). 03 (S2), and when a change in the setting of the image data used for displaying the preview image is accepted via the panel 105, the image data read by the reading engine 112 with the highest setting and stored in the RAM 103 is subjected to image processing so as to satisfy the setting after the change (S7).

As described above, in the MFP 100 of the present embodiment, when image data is generated while sequentially feeding a plurality of documents by the ADF 115 and preview display is performed, preview display can be performed before reading of all the documents is completed.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, the MFP 100 is an example of an "image processing apparatus". The reading engine 112 is an example of a “reading unit”. ADF 115 is an example of an “automatic document feeder”. The RAM 103 is an example of a "storage unit". The panel 105 is an example of a "display unit". Panel 105 is an example of a "reception unit." The CPU 101 is an example of a "controller".

When the preview image is displayed on the panel 105, the CPU 101 stops the reading of the image from the document by the reading engine 112 (S4), and when the change of the setting is accepted through the panel 105, the reading of the image from the document by the reading engine 112 is resumed with the changed setting (S8, S9, S10).

Further, when the preview image is displayed on the panel 105, if the RAM 103 has enough free space, the CPU 101 causes the reading engine 112 to read the images of the originals after the minimum number of originals with the highest setting and store the image data related to the read image in the RAM 103 (S22). All the image data read by the engine 112 and stored in the RAM 103, including the image data used for displaying the preview image, are image-processed so as to satisfy the changed settings (S47).

As a result, reading of the document is continued even after the preview is displayed, so that the reading time can be shortened.

Further, when the CPU 101 accepts through the panel 105 a change in the setting of the image data used for displaying the preview image, if the reading of the images of the plurality of originals by the reading engine 112 is not completed, the CPU 101 increases the conveying speed of the ADF 115 to the conveying speed corresponding to the setting after the change and conveys the original (S8, S20).

As a result, the conveying speed of the ADF 115 can be increased, so that the reading time can be further shortened.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

(1) In the above embodiment, the MFP 100 is used as an example of an image processing apparatus, but the image processing apparatus is not limited to the MFP 100, and may be a standalone scanner or copier.

(2) In the above embodiments, the CPU 101 was described as an example of the control unit, but the control unit may have a CPU and a dedicated circuit. Examples of dedicated circuits include ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays).

100 MFPs
101 CPUs
102 ROMs
103 RAM
104 NVRAM
105 Panel 110 Engine IF
111 print engine 112 read engine 115 ADF
120 image processing circuit

Claims (3)

a reading unit that reads an image from a document and generates image data related to the read image;
an automatic document feeding unit that conveys a plurality of documents to be read by the reading unit one by one to the reading unit;
a storage unit that stores the image data generated by the reading unit;
a display unit for displaying a preview image of the image data stored in the storage unit;
a reception unit that selects and receives a setting from a plurality of reading settings when the reading unit reads the document;
a control unit;
with
The control unit
when the image of the minimum number of documents necessary for displaying the preview image has been read by the reading unit, after stopping the reading of the images from the document by the reading unit without waiting for the reading of all the pages of the plurality of documents to be completed, the preview image of the image data of the minimum number of documents is displayed on the display unit;
reading images of the minimum number of originals from the minimum number of originals by the reading unit with the highest setting among the plurality of reading settings, and storing image data related to the read images in the storage unit;
When a change in the setting for the image data used to display the preview image is accepted via the accepting unit, the image data read by the reading unit with the highest setting and stored in the storage unit is subjected to image processing so as to satisfy the setting after the change, and the reading of the image from the document by the reading unit is resumed with the setting after the change.
Image processing device. The minimum number of manuscripts required for displaying the preview image is the plurality of manuscripts when a setting to reduce a plurality of manuscripts and print them on one sheet is selected.
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1. a reading unit that reads an image from a document and generates image data related to the read image;
an automatic document feeding unit that conveys a plurality of documents to be read by the reading unit one by one to the reading unit;
a storage unit that stores the image data generated by the reading unit;
a display unit for displaying a preview image of the image data stored in the storage unit;
an image processing apparatus comprising: a reception unit that selects and receives a setting from a plurality of reading settings when the reading unit reads the document,
a display process of displaying the preview image of the image data of the minimum number of documents on the display unit after stopping the reading of the images from the documents by the reading section without waiting for the reading of all the pages of the plurality of documents to be completed when the reading section has read the images of the minimum number of documents required for displaying the preview images;
a storage process of reading images of the minimum number of documents from the minimum number of documents by the reading unit with the highest setting among the plurality of reading settings, and storing image data related to the read images in the storage unit;
image processing of performing image processing on the image data read by the reading unit with the highest setting and stored in the storage unit when a change in the setting of the image data used for displaying the preview image is accepted via the accepting unit so as to satisfy the setting after the change;
restart processing for restarting reading of an image from the document by the reading unit with the changed settings;
An image processing program that executes

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