Abstract:
A copier and method for automatically determining whether the original is color or monochrome and generating a corresponding copy. The copier comprises a scanner which generates RGB data from the document, a color/monochrome processor which determines whether the document is a color or monochrome document based on the RGB data from the scanner.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed generally to photocopying and specifically to photocopying methods and equipment which automatically determine whether the original document is color or monochrome. 
   2. Background of the Invention 
   Photocopying equipment capable of making both monochrome and color copies is known. However, conventional photocopying equipment is configured to use two scans. The first, a pre-scan, is preformed to determine whether the original document is monochrome or color. In the pre-scan, not all of the data is read. It is a rough scan which can be done at a faster scanning speed than scanning for copying. 
   The original is scanned again after determining whether the original is monochrome or color. If the original was determined to be color in the pre-scan, the image is scanned with an RGB signal. If the original was determined to be monochrome, the image is scanned with a black signal. In this manner, the original can be processed (and the copies made) using an optimal processing method for copying. 
   Although this method works, the required two scans take an appreciable amount of time to complete. To improve the speed of copying, it would be advantageous to have photocopying equipment capable of copying both color and monochrome with only a single scan. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there has been provided a color/monochrome copier capable of distinguishing and copying color and monochrome originals with a single scan comprising a scanner which generates RGB data from the original, and a color/monochrome processor which determines whether the original is color or monochrome based on the RGB data from the scanner, wherein the scanner generates sufficient RGB data in a single scan for the color/monochrome processor to determine if the original is color or monochrome and to produce either a color or monochrome copy therefrom. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of copying comprising scanning an original in a single scan to generate sufficient RGB data for a color/monochrome processor to determine if the original is color or monochrome and to produce either a color or monochrome copy, determining whether the original is color or monochrome based on the RGB data and printing a copy of the original without additional scanning of the original. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising machine readable code for causing copier to perform the following method steps: scanning an original to generate RGB data, determining whether the original document is color or monochrome based on the RGB data, converting the RGB data to CMY data with a first data converter, compressing the CMY data, storing the compressed CMY data, decompressing the compressed CMY data in accordance with the determination of whether the original is color or monochrome, converting the decompressed CMY data in accordance with the determination of whether the original is color or monochrome and printing the document based on the converted CMY data (color or monochrome). 
   Further features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments that follows, when considered together with the accompanying figures of drawing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a flow chart illustrating the processing steps of a conventional photocopier. 
       FIG. 2  is a flow chart illustrating the processing steps of an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of a conventional photocopier. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the components of a photocopier according to one embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present inventor has discovered that it is possible to improve the speed of copying of a color/monochrome copier by eliminating the pre-scan. By collecting sufficient data initially, it is possible to determine whether the original is color or monochrome and to have all the information necessary to make either color or monochrome copies. Thus, the decision whether to process the data as color or monochrome can be made just prior to or substantially simultaneously with the relatively time consuming image processing step. 
   The conventional color/monochrome photocopier  300  and its operation  100  are illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The conventional copier  300  includes a scanner  310  and an automatic color-mode selection (ACS) system  315 . In the conventional process  100 , the first step is a pre-scan  105  performed by the scanner  310 . This is a relatively rougher scan than a full scan, where a minimal amount of data is read. From the data collected in the pre-scan, a determination  110  is made in the ACS system  315  whether the original is color or monochrome. The result of the determination  110  is stored in a CPU  320 . Based on the determination  110 , a decision  115  is then made in a selector  325  to either perform a full RGB scan  120  for a color original or a full black scan  125  for a monochrome original. Scan  120  is done with high resolution for the color or the monochromatic scan. There are differences between the color image processing and the monochrome image processing, and the CPU  320  controls the selector  325  so as to perform the proper processing on the scanned data. 
   Once the full scans  120 ,  125  are complete, the scanning data must be image processed  130 ,  135 . There are differences between the color image processing and the monochrome image processing. If the original was color, for example, the RGB data is converted to YMC data in a color scan processor  335 . Then the data is compressed. Compression of the YMC data reduces the amount of data. 
   If the original was monochrome, the image processing may include density adjustment, range compensation, and binarization, such as error diffusion or forming two simple values. Typically, the data is converted from 8-bit to 1-bit in a monochrome scan processor  330 . That is, the data is assigned 0 for white or 1 for black. Note, the processing of monochrome data includes a step of determining a threshold for black. This is useful because some originals, e.g. newspaper, have a gray background which has to be distinguished from the text. However, because less data is required for monochrome copying, there is no need to compress the monochrome data. If the original is monochrome and processed as 8-bit data instead of 1-bit data, it is also possible to compress the monochrome data. 
   Once the scanning data is image processed  130 ,  135 , it is stored  140  in page memory  340 . Typically, just the current page is stored in page memory  340 . Before the next page is stored in page memory  340 , the current page is stored  145  on a hard disk drive. To print, the first page is read from the hard disk drive and stored in a second page memory buffer  150 . It is then read out  155  from second page memory buffer for printing. Based on the determination  110 , a decision  160  is made in a selector  345  to either perform color processing of print data  165  in a color print processor  355  or monochrome processing of print data  170  in a monochrome print processor  350  for a monochrome original. Color image processing may include extension of the compression image data, conversion of the YMC data to YMCK data and gradation processing. Monochrome processing may include, for example, shaving processing to save toner. Once the data is processed  165 ,  170 , the printer  360  prints a color copy  175  or a monochrome copy  180  as needed. 
   One preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Like the conventional copier, a copier according to this embodiment includes a scanner  410 , an ACS system  415  and a CPU  420 . However, unlike the conventional copier, there is only a single scanning step  205 . In this scan, sufficient data is recorded to make the determination  210  of whether the original is color or monochrome and to image process the scanning data  215 . In order to accomplish this, the image is always scanned RGB. 
   After the data is scanned  205 , the scanned data is image processed  215  in a scan processor  425 . Image processing  215  includes converting the RGB data to CMY data and compressing the CMY data. At substantially the same time, a determination  210  is made in the ACS system  415  whether the original is color or monochrome. That is, the determination  210  may be made at substantially the same time as the conversion step or the compression step. The result of the determination step  210  is a control signal which is stored in the CPU  420 . The compressed CMY data is stored  220  in page memory  430 . The CMY data stored in page memory  430  is then stored on a non-volatile storage medium, such as a hard disk drive. Before printing, the CMY data is read from the non-volatile storage medium back to the page memory  430 . 
   To print, the compressed CMY data is first read  225  out of page memory  430 . Then, the control signal is accessed to control image processing of print data  235 ,  240  in the image processor  435 . In the image processor  435 , the compressed CMY data is first decompressed. If the control signal indicates that the original document was color, a color decompression algorithm which generates CMYK data is used. As is known to one of ordinary skill in the art, monochrome (black) data can be extracted from CMY data. If the control signal indicates that the original was monochrome, a monochrome decompression algorithm is used which only generates K data. 
   In addition to decompression, the print data may go through an optional step to determine whether the image comprises text or figures. This step is advantageous for gradation processing, a step which is generally always performed as part of the print data processing  235 ,  240 . 
   Gradation processing improves the quality of the copy by smoothing the transitions between colors and different levels of gray. This process is the same for both color and monochrome data. Generally, text information does not need gradation processing because each pixel has the same color. Thus, processing can proceed more quickly, if text is identified before gradation processing. Most figures, however, will need some gradation processing. 
   When print data processing  235 ,  240 , including gradation processing, is complete, the printer  440  prints a color copy  245  or a monochrome copy  250  as needed. 
   The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible and/or would be apparent in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and that the claims encompass all embodiments of the invention, including the disclosed embodiments and their equivalents.