Image-forming apparatus with document reading unit that automatically feeds and reads documents

Provided is an image-forming apparatus that is able to determine whether or not reading of a document ends properly without knowing the number of sheets of the document, and when overlapped feeding occurs, is able to estimate the location where overlapped feeding occurs. The image-forming apparatus has a document feeding unit that conveys a set document one sheet at a time, and a document reading unit that reads the conveyed document and obtains document image data. The image-forming apparatus includes an extraction-area-specifying unit that specifies part or all of the top and bottom margins of document image data as extraction areas, a number-image-extracting unit that respectively extracts the images in the extraction areas specified by the extraction-area-specifying unit as number images, and a number-image-summarizing unit that generates a number-verification page on which plural number images are summarized.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-129743 filed on Jun. 30, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an image-forming apparatus that includes a document reading unit that automatically feeds and reads documents.

An image-forming apparatus such as a copier, a scanner, a multifunction peripheral and the like is often provided with a document feeding unit that is called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and a document reading unit. A document feeding unit stacks (sets) plural documents one on top of the other, and feeds the plural documents in order. A document reading unit reads documents that are fed by a document feeding unit. In this kind of image-forming apparatus, it is possible that overlapped feeding will occur and a few of the documents will be fed as is being stacked one on top of the other, so that some of the documents will not be read. Therefore, technology in which by counting and displaying the number of documents read by the document reading unit, it is possible to determine whether or not reading the documents ended properly, and technology for detecting the occurrence of overlapped feeding are proposed.

SUMMARY

The image-forming apparatus of the present disclosure is an image-forming apparatus having a document feeding unit and a document reading unit. The document feeding unit sequentially feeds a set document bundle one sheet at a time. The document reading unit reads documents that are conveyed by the document feeding unit, and obtains document image data. The image-forming apparatus includes an extraction-area-specifying unit, a number-image-extracting unit, and a number-image-summarizing unit. The extraction-area-specifying unit specifies part or all of the top and bottom margins of the document image data as extraction areas. The number-image-extracting unit respectively extracts images in the extraction areas that are specified by the extraction-area-specifying unit from the plurality of document image data that is obtained by the document reading unit as number images. The number-image-summarizing unit generates a number-verification page on which the plural number images that are extracted by the number-image-extracting unit are summarized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

This embodiment is an image-forming apparatus1such as a copier, a scanner, a multifunction peripheral, and the like that includes a scanning function. When reading a document bundle (for example, a book, magazine or the like that is cut the gutter section) on which numbers (page numbers) are printed, the image-forming apparatus1includes a function for verifying whether or not reading documents ends properly according to the read numbers. Referring toFIG. 1, the image-forming apparatus1includes a document reading unit2, a document feeding unit3, a main unit4and an operation unit5. The document reading unit2is arranged on an upper portion of the main unit4, and the document feeding unit3is arranged on an upper portion of the document reading unit2.

The operation unit5for performing settings and operation instructions for the image-forming apparatus1is arranged on the front side of the image-forming apparatus1. Referring toFIG. 2, the operation unit5includes various keys such as a touch panel51, a ten-key52, a reset key53, a stop key54, an interrupt key55, a start key56and the like. The touch panel51is such that transparent pressure-sensitive sensors are provided on the surface of a liquid-crystal display panel. Numerical values such as the number of sheets to be printed and the like are inputted using the ten-key52. An instruction to initialize the setting information is inputted using the reset key53. The stop key54stops the copying function and deletes the inputted numerical values. The interrupt key55gives an instruction for an interrupt copy. An output instruction that starts the printing operation is inputted using the start key56.

Moreover, the operation unit5includes as mode switching keys, a copy key57, a scanner key58, and a print key59. An instruction for the copying function is given by using the copy key57. An instruction for the scanning function is given by using the scanner key58. An instruction for the printing function is given by using the print key59. Operation screens that correspond to the function modes for which instructions are given by using these mode-switching keys are displayed on the touch panel51. The copying function is a mode for printing the image data of a document MS that is read by the document reading unit2onto printing paper P. Moreover, the scanning function is a mode for storing image data of a document MS that is read by the document reading unit2in a storage unit. Furthermore, the printing function is a mode for printing image data that is stored in the storage unit onto printing paper P.

Referring toFIG. 1, the document reading unit2includes a scanner21, a platen glass22, and a document-reading slit23. The scanner21includes a light source24that uses an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and a light receiving unit25that includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) line sensor or the like. The scanner21is configured so as to be able to move in the conveyance direction in which the document MS is conveyed by the document feeding unit3. The platen glass22is a document table and includes a transparent member such as glass. The document-reading slit23is a slit that is formed in a direction that is orthogonal to the conveyance direction in which the document MS is conveyed by the document feeding unit3.

The document feeding unit3is an automatic document-feeding device called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), and includes a document-placement unit31, a document-discharge unit32and a document-conveying mechanism33. Documents MS that are set in the document-placement unit31are extracted one by one by the document-conveying mechanism33and conveyed to a position that faces the document-reading slit23, and then discharged by the document-discharge unit32. The document feeding unit3and the document reading unit2are connected along the rear side of the image-forming apparatus1by a hinge mechanism, and the document feeding unit3functions as a platen cover that opens and closes the top surface of the platen glass22. By opening the document feeding unit3in the upward direction, the top surface of the platen glass22is opened to a state in which a document MS can be set on the platen glass22.

The document-conveying mechanism33includes a pick-up roller34, paper-supply rollers35, conveying rollers36, a switching claw37, and reversing rollers38. A document MS that is picked up from the document-placement unit31by the pick-up roller34is supplied to the plural conveying rollers36that are arranged along the document-conveying path. Then, the document MS is conveyed by the conveying rollers36to a position that faces the document-reading slit23. As a result, the front surface of the document MS is read.

The switching claw37is attached so as to be able to rotate, and switches the conveying destination of a document MS to either the document-discharge unit32or the reversing rollers38. The reversing rollers38are rollers for reversing the document conveyance direction of the document MS from forward to backward, and can be switched between forward or reverse rotation. A document MS, the document conveyance direction of which has been reversed from forward to backward by the reversing rollers38, is returned in a state in which the front and back have been reversed to a position further on the upstream side of the document conveyance direction than the document-reading slit23, and then is conveyed by the conveying rollers36to a position that faces the document-reading slit23. As a result, the back surface of the document MS is read.

When an instruction to read a document MS is given by using the start key56of the operation unit5in a state in which a document MS is not set in the document-placement unit31, or in a state in which the document feeding unit3(platen cover) is open, a document MS that is set on the platen glass22will be read. When reading a document MS that is set on the platen glass22, the scanner21moves to a position that faces the platen glass22. The scanner21reads the document MS that is set on the platen gass22while scanning along a sub-scanning direction reference line B in the sub-scanning direction that is orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and obtains the document image data, then outputs the obtained document image data to main unit4.

When an instruction to read a document MS is given by using the start key56of the operation unit5when a document MS is set in the document-placement unit31, the scanner21moves to a position that faces the document-reading slit23. The scanner21reads the document MS that is conveyed by the document feeding unit3via the document-reading slit23. The scanner21obtains the document image data by reading the document MS in synchronization with the conveying operation by the document feeding unit3, and outputs the obtained document image data to the main unit4. A document MS is set in the document-placement unit31with the front surface (surface from which the document image is to be read) on top. The document MS that is set in the document-placement unit31is then conveyed from left side by the document feeding unit3, and guided to a position where the front surface of the document MS faces the document-reading slit23.

Together with including a printing unit6, the main unit4includes a paper-supply unit41, a paper-supply roller42, a paper-conveying path43, conveying rollers44and discharge rollers45. The paper-supply unit41is a paper-supply cassette in which plural sheets of printing paper P are stored, and the paper-supply roller42feeds printing paper P from the paper-supply unit41to the paper-conveying path43one sheet at a time. The printing paper P that is fed to the paper-conveying path43by the paper-supply roller42is conveyed to the printing unit6by the conveying rollers44. Then the printing paper P on which printing is performed by the printing unit6is discharged by the discharge rollers45to a discharge space46that is formed between the document reading unit2and the main unit4. In this way, the paper-supply roller42, the conveying rollers44and the discharge rollers45function as a conveying unit40for the printing paper P.

The printing unit6includes a photosensitive drum61, a charging unit62, an exposing unit63, an image-forming unit64, a transfer unit65, a fixing unit66, and a cleaning unit67. The exposing unit63is an optical unit that includes a laser device, mirrors and the like, and based on document image data, outputs laser light and exposes the photosensitive drum61that is uniformly charged by the charging unit62, and forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum61. The image-forming unit64is a developing unit that uses toner to develop the electrostatic latent image that is formed on the photosensitive drum61, and forms a toner image on the photosensitive drum61based on the electrostatic latent image. The transfer unit65transfers the toner image that is formed on the photosensitive drum61by the image-forming unit64to the printing paper P. The fixing unit66fixes the toner image on the printing paper P by heating the printing paper P to which the toner image is transferred by the transfer unit65. Then, the toner that remains on the photosensitive drum61is removed by the cleaning unit67.

FIG. 3is a block diagram schematically illustrating the image-forming apparatus1. The document reading unit2, document feeding unit3, conveying unit40(paper-supply roller42, conveying rollers44and discharge rollers45), operation unit5and printing unit6are connected to a control unit7, and the operation is controlled by the control unit7. Moreover, an image-processing unit8and storage unit9are connected to the controller7.

The image-processing unit8performs specific image processing of the document image data. The image-processing unit8for example, performs a rotation process, enlargement or reduction process, image improvement processes such as tone adjustment, density adjustment, and the like.

The storage unit9is storage unit such as a semiconductor memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and stores document image data that is obtained by the document reading unit2readings a document MS, as well as stores various kinds of management information.

The control unit7is an information processing unit such as a microcomputer or the like that includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like. The ROM stores a control program for controlling the operation of the image-forming apparatus1. The control unit7reads the control program that is stored in the ROM, and by expanding that control program in the RAM, performs overall control of the image-forming apparatus according to specific instruction information that is inputted from the operation unit5. Moreover, the control unit7functions as an extraction-area-specifying unit71, a number-image-extracting unit72, and a number-image-summarizing unit73.

Next, the number detection operation of the image-forming apparatus1of this embodiment will be explained in detail with reference toFIG. 4AtoFIG. 6B.

The user sets documents MS in the document-placement unit31of the document feeding unit3, and by operating the scanner key58of the operation unit5, the control unit7causes a document-reading screen80as illustrated inFIG. 4Ato be displayed on the touch panel51. The document-reading screen80is a screen for receiving various settings for scanner operation. The document-reading screen80includes a color-selection key81, a reading-surface-selection key82, a reading-resolution-selection key83, a document-setting-orientation-selection key84, a density-selection key85, and a number-verification-setting key86. The reading color (black and white, or color) is selected using the color-selection key81. The reading surface (both sides or single side) is selected using the reading-surface-selection key82. The reading resolution (150 dpi, 300 dpi, and the like) is selected using the reading-resolution-selection key83. The document setting orientation (top side up, top side to the left, or the like) is selected using the document-setting-orientation-selection key84. The document density (dark, normal, light) is selected using the density-selection key85.

By the user operating the number-verification-setting key86on the document-reading screen80, the control unit7causes a number-verification-setting screen90to be displayed on the touch panel51, and various settings for number verification can be received. A number-verification YES/NO setting field91, an extraction-area-setting field92, an extraction-page-interval-setting field93, and an output-method-setting field94are provided on the number-verification-setting screen90. Whether or not to perform number verification (YES/NO) is set using the number-verification YES/NO setting field91. The method for specifying the extraction area of the number image is set using the extraction-area-setting field92. The interval for extracting number images is set using the extraction-page-interval-setting field93. The output method for outputting the number-summarizing page as a result of number verification is set using the output-method-setting field94.

In the following, the number verification operation when number verification is set to “YES” in the number verification YES/NO setting field91and the method for specifying the extraction-area is set to “Auto” in the extraction-area-setting field92will be explained (steps101,102).

The control unit7monitors the operation of the start key56(step103), and when the start key56is operated, the control unit7causes the document feeding unit3to feed and convey a document MS. The control unit7causes the document reading unit2to read the document MS (step104), and and stores the read document image data in the storage unit9(step105).

Next, the control unit7functions as an extraction-area-specifying unit71and performs an extraction-area-specifying operation that specifies extraction areas for extracting number images (step106to step109). Numbers are typically printed in a portion of the top and bottom margin that is separated from the main body. Therefore, the extraction-area-specifying unit71automatically extracts number images from the top and bottom margin of the document image data (step106). Automatic extraction of number images starts from the top edge of the read document image data, and searches the area in the top or bottom margin portion where the first characters appear. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 6A, black points A that are equal to or greater than a threshold value that are present in the top margin are searched for starting from the top edge and moving downward, and the image of a specific area that includes the black points A that are found first is extracted as a number image. At the same time, black points A that are equal to or greater than a threshold value that are present in the bottom margin are searched for starting from the bottom edge and moving upward, and the image of a specific area that includes the black points A that are found first is extracted as a number image. The area of the top and bottom margins where number images are extracted may be set in advance or may be set by the user.

In a line, a number is often placed on the edge, so several characters should be extracted from the edge. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the “gutter” and the “edge” of pages. Typically, in a document that is written horizontally, the left side of odd pages is the “gutter” and the right side is the “edge”, and opposite this in the case of documents that are written vertically, so by distinguishing whether a document MS is vertically written or horizontally written, it is possible to recognize the “gutter” and the “edge”. Distinguishing vertical writing and horizontal writing can be set by the user from a setting screen, or can be determined by analyzing the document image data. Moreover, when a document MS is spread open, the outside can be recognized as the edge.

Next, the extraction-area-specifying unit71determines whether or not number images in the top and bottom margins could be extracted (step107). As illustrated inFIG. 6B, when black points A that are equal to or greater than a threshold value are not found in either the top or bottom margins, and number images are not extracted, the control unit7determines whether or not there is a next document MS, or in other words, determines whether or not there is a document MS placed in the document-placement unit31of the document feeding unit3(step108). In step108, when there is a next document MS, processing returns to step104, and the document feeding unit3feeds and conveys the next document MS, and the document reading unit2reads the document MS. Numbers maybe omitted on the table of contents page, blank pages, pages with figures, and the like, so in the case of such pages, it is not possible to extract a number image. Therefore, documents MS are sequentially read until a page is reached from which a number image can be extracted at first. In step108, when there is no next document MS, reading of all pages ends without extracting the number image, and the control unit7ends the number-verification operation.

In step107when it is possible to extract a number image from either the top margin or the bottom margin or from both, the extraction-area-specifying unit71specifies the area where the number image is extracted as the extraction area (step109). The area where the number image is extracted is only a location where it is presumed that the number image is a number, as illustrated in the top margin portion inFIG. 6A, the extracted number image may not be an effective number. Therefore, when number images are extracted from both the top and bottom margins, the extraction-area-specifying unit71specifies both the top and bottom margins as extraction areas.

Next, the extraction-area-specifying unit71correlates the extracted number images with the extracted page numbers and extraction areas, and stores thesein the storage unit9(step110). When the method for specifying an extraction area is set to “User Setting” in the extraction-area-setting field92, the extraction-area-specifying unit71instead of the extraction- area-specifying operation in steps106to109, specifies the “User Setting” as the extraction area. Images in the specified extraction areas are extracted as number images, and stored in the storage unit9.

Next, the control unit7functions as a number-image-extracting unit72. The number-image-extracting unit72sets a variable “n” to0(step111), and determines whether or not there is a document MS, or in other words, determines whether or not a document MS is placed in the document-placement unit31of the document feeding unit3(step112).

In step112, when there is a next document MS, the number-image-extracting unit72causes the document feeding unit3to feed and convey the document MS, and the document reading unit2reads the document MS (step113). The number-image-extracting unit72stores the read document image data in the storage unit9(step114), and increments the variable “n” (step115).

Next, the number-image-extraction unit72determines whether or not the variable “n” has reached the extraction page interval N that is set in the extraction-page-interval-setting field93(step116). In step116, when the variable “n” has not reached the extraction page interval N, processing returns to step112, and the control unit7determines whether or not there is a next document MS.

In step116, when the variable “n” has reached the extraction page interval N, the number-image-extraction unit72extracts the images in the extraction areas that are specified by the extraction-area-specifying unit71in step109as number images (step117). The number-image-extraction unit72correlates the extracted number images with the number of extracted pages and the extraction areas, and stores these in the storage unit9(step118), after which processing returns to step111. The execution page interval N that can be set in the extraction-page-interval-setting field93is an even number such as 2, 10 and 20 pages as illustrated inFIG. 4B. When the location of the number described is on the edge side, the location becomes different for odd pages and even pages. Therefore, by presuming that the extraction page interval N is an even number, it is possible to extract number images from only odd pages, or from only even pages, and it is not necessary to change the extraction area of odd pages and even pages.

In step112, when there is no next document MS, the control unit7functions as the number-image-summarizing unit73, and generates a number-verification page100that summarizes the number images stored in the storage unit9(step119). As illustrated inFIG. 7, the number-image-summarizing unit73correlates and arranges the extraction page numbers and the number images on the number-verification page100, as well as separates and arranges the number images for each extraction area. Moreover, the total pages read, and an indicator101indicating the extraction area are also arranged on the number-verification page100.

Next, the number-image-summarizing unit73outputs the number-verification page100that is generated in step119to an output destination that is set in the output-method-setting field94(step120), and ends the number-verification operation.

On the number-verification page100illustrated inFIG. 7, an example is illustrated in which a number image is first extracted on the third page, and after that, number images are extracted at each extraction interval of N=10 pages. According to this, the user understands that number images that are extracted from the center portion of the bottom margins are effective numbers. When the extraction page number=page 3 to page 33, and when the extraction page number=page 43 to page 63, the numbers that are extracted as number images are also at intervals of 10 pages, so it is known that reading of the document MS is performed properly. However, when the extraction number=page 33 to page 43, the numbers that are extracted as number images at an invterval of 12 pages. As a result, the user is able to know that there is a possibility that overlapped feeding occurred between page31to page43of the document MS, and by verifying the document image data that is read in this range and the document MS, the location where overlapped feeding occurred can be easily identified. Therefore, even though the number of pages of a document MS may not be known beforehand, it is possible to determine whether or not reading of the document MS has ended properly, and when overlapped feeding occurs, it is possible to get an idea of the location where the overlapped feeding occurred.

When the image-forming apparatus1includes a large touch panel51, the position of the number (whether at the top portion or the bottom, how many characters to extract, whether a special algorithm (remove from the gutter side)) can be displayed using a sample on the touch panel51after scanning is started, and interactive instructions can be received. Moreover, in this embodiment, configuration is such that in the document image data, parts of both the top margin and bottom margin are specified as extraction areas, however, configuration can also be such that the entire top margin or the entire bottom margin or both are specified as extraction areas. Furthermore, in this embodiment, configuration is such that only the page where a number image is first automatically extracted is specified as an extraction area, however, it is also possible to automatically extract number images on plural pages and specify an extraction range so that the variation in the position of the number images among the plural pages is a minimum.

As was explained above, this embodiment is an image-forming apparatus1that has a document feeding unit3and document reading unit2. The document feeding unit3sequentially conveys a set bundle of documents MS one sheet at a time. The document reading unit2reads the documents MS that are conveyed by the document feeding unit3and obtains document image data. The image-forming apparatus1includes an extraction-area-specifying unit71, a number-image-extracting unit72and a number-image-summarizing unit73. The extraction-area-specifying unit71specifies part or all of the top and bottom margins in the document image data as extraction areas. The number-image-extracting unit72extracts images in the extraction areas specified by the extraction-area-specifying unit71from a plurality of document image data that is obtained by the document reading unit2as number images. The number-image-summarizing unit73generates a number-verification page100that summarizes plural number images that are extracted by the number-image-extracting unit72.

With this configuration, by looking at the plural number images that have been summarized on a number-verification page100, it is possible to determine whether or not reading of the documents MS has ended properly without knowing the number of documents beforehand. Moreover, when overlapped feeding occurs, from the plural number images it is possible to get an idea of the location where overlapped feeding occurred, and by verifying the read document image data and the documents MS in that estimated range, it is possible to easily identify the location where overlapped feeding occurred.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the number-image-summarizing unit73generates a number-verification page100on which number images and extracted extraction page number are correlated and arranged.

With this configuration, it is possible easily find discrepancies between the extraction page numbers and the numbers.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the extraction-area-specifying unit71specifies plural extraction areas, the number-image-summarizing unit73generates a number-verification page100on which number images are divided by each extraction area.

With this configuration, it is possible to easily compare only effective numbers even when number images that are not effective numbers are included.

Furthermore, in this embodiment it is possible to set an extraction page interval in which number images are extracted from document image data.

With this configuration, it is possible for the user to select the required operation load for number verification.

Furthermore, in this embodiment the extraction-page interval that can be set is an even number.

With this configuration, it is possible to extract number images from only odd pages or from only even pages, so it is not necessary to change the extraction area for odd pages and even pages.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the extraction-area-specifying unit71starts from the top edge of document image data and moves downward in searching for black points A that are equal to or greater than a threshold value and that are located in the top margin. The extraction-area-specifying unit71specifies the first area found that includes a black point A as an extraction area, and then starts from the bottom edge of document image data and moves upward in searching for black points A that are equal to or greater than a threshold value and that are located in the bottom margin, and specifies the first area found that includes a black point A as an extraction area.

With this configuration, it is possible to automatically set extraction areas.

Typically, in technology that makes it possible to determine whether or not reading of a document has ended properly, it is necessary to know the number of sheets of the document beforehand, and as the number of sheets of a document increases, the burden for counting the number of sheets of a document also increases. When, the number of sheets of a document that is read by the document reading unit is different than the number of sheets of the document, there is a problem in that it is not possible to know where overlapped feeding has occurred. Moreover, in technology that detects the occurrence of overlapped feeding, there is a problem in that it is not possible to verify that overlapped feeding did not occur even though overlapped feeding is detected, so it is not possible to determine whether or not reading of the document has ended properly.

According to this disclosure, by looking at plural number images that have been summarized as a number-verification page, there is an advantage in that it is possible to determine whether or not reading of a document has ended properly even without knowing the number of sheets of the document beforehand. Moreover, when overlapped feeding occurs, by the plural number images it is possible to get an idea of the location where overlapped feeding occurs, and by verifying the read document image data with the document within the estimated range, it is possible to easily specify the location where overlapped feeding occurs.

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it is evident that the embodiments can be appropriately modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure. Moreover, the number, positions, shapes and the like of the components described above are not limited to those in the embodiments described above, and when embodying the present disclosure, suitable numbers, positions, shapes and the like can be implemented. In the figures, the same reference numbers are used for the same components.