Patent Publication Number: US-8537393-B2

Title: Image forming apparatus and image forming system

Description:
CROSS-NOTING PARAGRAPH 
     This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 2009-137991 filed in JAPAN on Jun. 9, 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system capable of input setting of initial values of a printer driver. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In recent years, in order to address environmental problems, activity for reducing the amount of CO 2  emission is spread, and a distribution by an electronic file using an electronic mail and an electronic filing are increased to reduce a quantity of printed copies, however, it is realistically difficult to eliminate printing on a recording sheet in offices etc. Thus, in offices etc., by performing so-called ecology-printing to reduce the number of recording sheets to be printed, efforts to reduce recording sheets, toner, power consumption at the time of printing etc., are being made. Specifically, the ecology-printing as described above can be performed, for example, by switching color printing, single-sided printing, and one in one (one-up) for printing one page on a recording sheet to monochrome printing, double-sided printing, and N in one (N-up: N is two or more) for performing N-up printing of a plurality of pages on a recording sheet, respectively. 
     For example, in the case of performing copying with an MFP (digital multi-functional peripheral) etc., provided with a printer function and a copy function, when a system administrator etc., previously sets environmentally-friendly copying conditions such as N in one copying and double-sided copying as initial set values, it is possible to execute copying under the copying conditions of the initial set values unless a user intentionally changes the copying conditions in each copying. This makes it possible to perform ecology-printing relatively easily. 
     However, in the case where printing data is transmitted from a PC (personal computer) etc., used by a user to the MFP to perform printing with the MFP, a setting of printing conditions of a printer driver installed in the PC needs to be changed to conditions of ecology-printing, while in the case where a plurality of PCs are connected to the MFP through a network, printing conditions of a printer driver in each of the plurality of PCs need to be changed, thus posing a problem of taking a lot of time to change processing. 
     Moreover, since installation of a printer driver in a PC is performed by a user as the occasion demands, it is hard even for an administrator of the MFP to recognize all PCs in which the printer driver is installed, and difficult to change printing conditions of the printer driver of all PCs. 
     With regard to this, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-332100 describes a print setting sharing support apparatus in which initial set values of a printer driver whose printing conditions have been previously set by an administrator etc., can be downloaded by means of a Web function to incorporate in the printer driver, and the printing conditions of the printer driver can be shared among a plurality of PCs. 
     In addition, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 63-96673 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-188867 describe a copier which reads a job sheet on which a mark etc., for instructing copying conditions in copying is described to facilitate input work of the copying conditions, and thereby enables inputting the copying conditions in accordance with the mark etc. 
     In the case of a technology described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-332100 above, input of initial set values of a printer driver is performed by a user such as a system administrator from his/her own PC to a print setting sharing support device, however, since an inexperienced user etc., does not know printing conditions to be input as initial set values, there has been a problem of taking a lot of time to input setting of initial set values or inputting inappropriate initial set values erroneously. 
     Moreover, in the case where initial set values of a printer driver are input by using a job sheet described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 63-96673 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-188867, since a mark, a code, or a pattern corresponding to printing conditions such as the number of sheets to be printed are only added on the job sheet, it is a problem for a user not to recognize, at a glance, what printing conditions are to be set by the job sheet. Therefore, there has been a possibility that the user performs input setting of unintended printing conditions as initial set values of a printer driver. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming system enabling input setting of initial set values (printing conditions) of a printer driver as intended by a user by reading predetermined printed matter as well as capable of suppressing erroneous input. 
     The object of the present invention is an image forming apparatus which is connectable with an information processing apparatus having a printer driver installed therein and controlled by the printer driver, comprising: an image reading portion which optically reads predetermined printed matter to input image data; a printing set value judging portion which judges printing set values when the printed matter is printed from the input image data; and an initial set value input portion which inputs the judged printing set values as initial set values of the printer driver. 
     The object of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein printing set values judged by the printing set value judging portion are set as set values of the image forming apparatus. 
     The object of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein the initial set value input portion sets printing set values judged by the printing set value judging portion to an initial set value input screen of the printer driver, and initial set values set to the initial set value input screen are changeable by a user. 
     The object of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein the printing set value judging portion judges at least one of set values of a sheet size, monochrome or color, N-up printing, single-sided or double-sided, as printing set values when the printed matter is printed. 
     The object of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein a preview image based on initial set values before being changed or after being changed by the user can be displayed on an initial set value input screen of the printer driver. 
     The object of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein test printing based on initial set values before being changed or after being changed by the user can be executed on an initial set value input screen of the printer driver. 
     The object of the present invention is the image forming apparatus, wherein a storing portion is provided for storing initial set values of the printer driver input from the initial set value input portion. 
     The object of the present invention is the image forming system in which an information processing apparatus having a printer driver installed therein and an image forming apparatus controlled by the printer driver are connected through a network, wherein the image forming apparatus is provided with an image reading portion which optically reads predetermined printed matter to input image data; a printing set value judging portion which judges printing set values when the printed matter is printed from the input image data; and an initial set value input portion which inputs the judged printing set values as initial set values of the printer driver. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a view showing a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an administrator PC and an MFP shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view showing an example of printed matter printed with printing set values of double-sided, two-up, color, and A4; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a chief part of an image reading portion shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a document type automatic judging portion shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of an image processing portion shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a graph showing an example of a relation between maximum-minimum density difference and degree of complexity; 
         FIG. 8  is a view for explaining an example of character rectangle judgment processing by a character rectangle judging portion; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing an example of a rectangle block; 
         FIG. 10  is a view for explaining an example of a management status of a rectangle block in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a view for explaining an example of processing for fixing a rectangle; 
         FIG. 12A  to  FIG. 12D  are views for explaining an example of processing for fixing the rectangle in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13A  to  FIG. 13D  are views for explaining an example of processing for fixing the rectangle in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a view showing an example of the state of a fixed rectangle; 
         FIG. 15A  to  FIG. 15B  are views for explaining white level judging processing which is executed by a white level judging portion; 
         FIG. 16  is a view showing an example of an initial set value input screen which is displayed on a display portion of an MFP; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart for explaining an example of an initial set value inputting method by the MFP of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart for explaining an example of initial set value update processing in an administrator PC; and 
         FIG. 19  is a view showing an example of an initial set value changing screen which is displayed on the administrator PC. 
     
    
    
     PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Description will hereinafter be given for preferred embodiments according to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a view showing a configuration example of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, where  1  denotes an administrator PC (personal computer) as an example of an information processing apparatus,  2  denotes a digital multi-functional peripheral (hereinafter referred to as an MFP) which is an example of an image forming apparatus,  3   1  to  3   5  denote client PCs, and  4  denotes a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The administrator PC  1 , the MFP  2 , and the client PCs  3   1  to  3   5  (hereinafter referred to as client PC  3 ) are connected to each other through the network  4 , and the MFP  2  executes image forming processing such as printing based on an instruction from the client PC  3 . 
     The administrator PC  1  and the client PC  3  are comprised of general purpose computers, and printer drivers which are necessary to perform printing processing in the MFP  2  are previously installed therein. Initial set values serving as default are set to these printer drivers, and a user is able to perform printing processing by using the initial set values of the printer driver as they are or changing the initial set values in accordance with printing conditions when performing image formation from the administrator PC  1  or the client PC  3 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the administrator PC and the MFP shown in  FIG. 1 . Here, although description will be given for the configuration of the administrator PC  1  as a typical example, another client PC  3  also has the same configuration basically. Moreover, although an image forming apparatus is explained using the MFP  2  as an example, but not limited to this example, it may be a single-function printer apparatus which is controllable by a printer driver installed on a PC. 
     The MFP  2  of the example is configured as a multi-functional peripheral provided with a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and a scanner function. The MFP  2  is provided with an image forming portion  21  which performs printing processing of data, a device control portion  22  which controls each of the functions provided in the MFP  2 , a managing portion  23  which is a memory storing control information and setting information etc., of the MFP  2 , a communication portion  24  which communicates with the administrator PC  1  and the client PC  3  through the network  4 , an HDD (hard disc drive)  25  which is an example of a storing portion for storing various kinds of data, an erasing portion  26  which erases data stored in the HDD  25 , an image processing portion  27  which applies various kinds of image processing to data, an operation portion  28  which receives operation input by a user, an image reading portion  29  which electronically reads a document image, and a document type automatic discriminating portion  30  which automatically discriminates the type of a document. 
     Moreover, the image forming portion  21  is provided with a printing portion  21   a  such as an LSU (Laser Scanning Unit) and a volatile memory  21   b  which temporarily holds data subjected to image processing by the image processing portion  27 . 
     Moreover, the operation portion  28  is provided with a display portion  28   a  such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a touch panel portion  28   b  which receives operation input by the user through a touch panel, and an input key  28   c  which is comprised of an input key group such as various kinds of operating keys and a numerical keypad, and the user is able to perform inputting of an operation or inputting of various kinds of settings to the MFP  2  by operating the operation portion  28 . 
     Brief description will hereinafter be given for an operation example related to an image processing mode equipped in the MFP  2 . 
     (Copy Mode) 
     When the MFP  2  is used as a copier, data of a document read by the image reading portion  29  is output by the image forming portion  21  as a copy. 
     The image reading portion  29  is provided with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) (not-shown), and is able to electronically read an image of the document set to a reading position. The data of the read document is then completed as output data on the volatile memory  21   b  and is temporarily stored in the HDD  25 . In the case where there are a plurality of documents, the operation of reading and storing is repeated in this manner. Thereafter, based on a processing mode instructed from the operation portion  28 , the data stored in the HDD  25  is read out sequentially at an appropriate timing and transmitted to the volatile memory  21   b . The data is then transferred to the printing portion  21   a  from the volatile memory  21   b  so as to be written into the printing portion  21   a.    
     (Printer Mode) 
     Next, when the MFP is used as a printer, data received from the communication portion  24  is output from the image forming portion  21  through the volatile memory  21   b  etc. Note that, the printer driver is installed in the administrator PC  1  or the client PC  3 , and the printer function of the MFP  2  can be controlled by each of the PCs. 
     The communication portion  24  is connected to the network  4  by wire or radio and receives data from the administrator PC  1  or the client PC  3  which connected to the network  4 . The data received in this way is transmitted to the volatile memory  21   b  page by page as data to be output and temporarily stored in the HDD  25  as the occasion demands. Then, the data is transmitted again from the HDD  25  to the volatile memory  21   b  and transferred to the printing portion  21   a  similarly to the above-described case where the MFP  2  is used as a copier. 
     (Scanner Mode) 
     Additionally, when the MFP  2  is used as a network scanner, the data of the document read by the image reading portion  29  can be transmitted to the administrator PC  1  or the client PC  3  from the communication portion  24  through the network  4 . Here, the document is also electronically read by the CCD provided in the image reading portion  29 . The data of the read document is then completed as output data on the volatile memory  21   b  and is temporarily stored in the HDD  25 . Then, the data is transmitted again from the HDD  25  to the volatile memory  21   b , and after establishing communication with a transmitting destination instructed through the operation portion  28 , is transmitted to the intended transmitting destination from the communication portion  24  using an electronic mail etc. Note that, a scanner driver is installed on the administrator PC  1  or the client PC  3 , a scanner function of the MFP  2  can thereby be controlled from each of the PCs. 
     (Facsimile Mode) 
     When the MFP  2  is used as a facsimile apparatus, the communication portion  24  can be connected with the facsimile apparatus through the network  4 . In addition, when the communication portion  24  is provided with a modem function, it becomes possible to connect with the facsimile apparatus through a telephone line. Note that, a facsimile function of the MFP  2  can be controlled from each of the PCs by installing a FAX driver in the administrator PC  1  or the client PC  3 . 
     Each portion composing the MFP  2  according to the present embodiment is controlled by the device control portion  22 , and monitors an operation instruction from the input key  28   c  such as the input key group provided in the operation portion  28  as well as guides and displays information to be notified to the user, such as information of the state of the MFP  2 , through the display portion  28   a  accurately. Moreover, information of each portion composing the MFP  2  controlled by the device control portion  22  is managed in the managing portion  23 , and based on the information, the device control portion  22  controls the operation of the entire MFP  2 . 
     In  FIG. 2 , the administrator PC  1  is comprised of, for example, a general purpose computer and is comprised of a CPU  11  which controls an operation of the client PC  1 , a RAM  12  which serves as an execution area of a control program etc., a ROM  13  which stores a control program and data etc., a storage portion  14  which is comprised of an HDD etc., an input portion  15  which is comprised of pointing devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, a display portion  16  such as an LCD, a communication portion  17  which is a communication interface connecting to the network  4 , an output portion  18  which outputs data to an external device such as a printer, and a system bus  19  which connects these portions to each other. A printer driver  14   a  which is necessary to execute printing in the MFP  2  is stored, for example, in the storage portion  14  and the CPU  11  reads it out into the RAM  12  when executing printing. 
     The main characteristic portion of the present invention is to enable input setting of initial set values (printing conditions) of a printer driver  14   a  as intended by a user as well as to suppress erroneous input by causing the MFP  2  to read predetermined printed matter. As a configuration therefore, the MFP  2  is provided with an image reading portion  29  corresponding to an image reading portion which optically reads printed matter (document) to input image data, a printing set value judging portion which judges printing set value when printed matter is printed from the input image data, and an initial set value input portion which inputs the judged printing set values as initial set values of the printer driver  14 A. The printing set value portion is realized by the image reading portion  29 , the document type automatic discriminating portion  30 , the image processing portion  27 , and the device control portion  22 . In addition, the initial set value input portion is realized by the device control portion  22  and the operation portion  28 . 
     For example, the MFP  2  may read the printed matter as shown in  FIG. 3  by the image reading portion  29  to input image data, and judge printing set values when the printed matter is printed from the image data. The printing set value judging portion is able to judge at least one of setting values of a sheet size, monochrome or color, N-up printing, single-sided or double-sided. Description will be given for a specific judging method by the printing set value judging portion with reference to  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 15B  described below. 
       FIG. 3  is a view showing an example of printed matter printed with printing set values of double-sided, two-up, color, and A4, where  5  denotes printed matter. A system administrator etc., only by preparing a plurality of types of such printed matter in advance and causing the MFP  2  to read desired printed matter, is capable of input setting of the printing set values when the printed matter is printed as the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a.    
     Specifically, when the user gives a display instruction of an initial set value input screen ( FIG. 16  described below) from the operation portion  28 , a message for urging the display portion  28   a  to set the printed matter is displayed. When the user, for example, sets the printed matter  5  as shown in  FIG. 3  to the MFP  2  and instructs to start reading, the image reading portion  29  reads the printed matter  5  to input image data. Then the printing set value judging portion judges printing set values when the printed matter  5  is printed from the image data input by the image reading portion  29 . In the case of the printed matter  5 , it is judged as double-sided, two-up, color, and A4. 
     The initial set value input portion sets the printing set values judged by the printing set value judging portion to the initial set value input screen of the printer driver  14   a . In the case of the printed matter  5 , for each of items of “single-sided/double-sided”, “N-up printing”, “monochrome/color”, and “sheet size”, double-sided, two-up, color, and A4 are set, respectively. Then, it is possible for a user to change the initial set values set to the initial set value input screen at any time. The user is able to change initial set values from the touch panel portion  28   b , the input key  28   c  etc., of the operation portion  28 . 
     In the above, each of printing set values (double-sided, two-up, color, and A4) obtained from the printed matter  5  is used as initial set values of the printer driver  14   a . A user such as a system administrator may input printing set values other than single-sided/double-sided, N-up printing, monochrome/color, and a sheet size as the occasion demands. In this way, it is possible to facilitate input of the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  and to suppress erroneous input. For example, when printing set values for the above-described ecology-printing are obtained from the printed matter  5 , it is also possible to use the printing set values as the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a.    
     In addition, although setting values for each function (in the case of the printer function, the number of sheets to be printed, single-sided/double-sided, N-up printing, a sheet size, monochrome/color, a sheet discharging tray, a sheet feeding cassette, density, output etc.) are stored in the MFP  2 , each of the printing set values obtained from the printed matter  5  can be set as a set value of the MFP 2 . For example, in the case of a printer function or a copy function, since each function has each of the set values of the above-described single-sided/double-sided, N-up printing, monochrome/color, a sheet size, each of the printing set values obtained from the printed matter  5  can be set as each set value of these items. 
     Here, the printing set value judging portion is able to judge at least one of setting values of a sheet size, monochrome/color, N-up printing, single-sided or double-sided. Description will hereinafter be given to a specific example of a judging method of a sheet size by the printing set value judging portion based on  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view showing an example of main portions of the image reading portion  29  shown in  FIG. 2 . The image reading portion  29  is provided with such main portions as a document transport path  293  from a document placement tray  291  to a document discharging tray  292 , a first image reading portion  294  which reads an image of a first surface (front side) of the document, and a second image reading portion  295  which reads an image of a second surface (back side) of the document. The document is transported through the document transport path  293  from the document placement tray  291  to the document discharging tray  292 . A pick-up roller  296  and a separation roller  297  are arranged on an upstream side end of the document transport path  293  in the direction of transporting the document, and the document placed on the document placement tray  291  is supplied to the document transport path  293  sheet by sheet, by the pick-up roller  296  and the separation roller  297 . In addition, a discharging roller  298  is arranged on a downstream side end of the document transport path  293  in the direction of transporting the document, and the document having been transported through the document transport path  293  is discharged to the document discharging tray  292  by the discharging roller  298 . 
     In the middle of the document transport path  293 , an image reading position A for the first image reading portion  294  and an image reading position B for the second image reading portion  295  are provided. In an upstream side of the image reading position A in the direction of transporting the document, transport rollers  299 ,  300 , and a curving portion  301  of the document transport path  293  are arranged in this order in the direction of transporting the document. The transport rollers  299  and  300 , respectively, are driven by a document transporting motor (not-shown), and transport the document toward the image reading position A. The curving portion  301  is curved convexly in the direction of lower-left in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the document transport path  293  between the image reading position A and the image reading position B, a bend portion  302  convex upward and a bend portion  303  convex downward are provided. A driven roller  304  is arranged on the bend portion  302 , and a transport roller  305  is arranged in the vicinity of an upstream side of the bend portion  303 . The transport roller  305  is driven by a document transporting motor to transport the document toward the document reading position B. 
     The first image reading portion  294  is provided with a first scanning unit  294   c  having an exposure lamp  294   a  and a first reflection mirror  294   b , a second scanning unit  294   f  having a second reflection mirror  294   d  and a third reflection mirror  294   e , an imaging lens  294   g , and a CCD sensor  294   h . Light irradiated from the exposure lamp  294   a  and reflected on the first surface of the document, is sequentially reflected by the first reflection mirror  294   b , a second reflection mirror  294   d , and a third reflection mirror  294   e  to be incident on the imaging lens  294   g . The imaging lens  294   g  forms an image of incident light on the CCD sensor  294   h . The CCD sensor  294   h  photoelectrically converts the light of the image formed by the imaging lens  294   g  and reads as image data. 
     The first scanning unit  294   c  and the second scanning unit  294   f , respectively, are configured so as to be displaceable to the vertical scanning direction along with platen glass  306  on which a document is placed when an image of the document is read by a document fixing system. The first image reading portion  294  displaces the first scanning unit  294   c  and the second scanning unit  294   f  in the vertical scanning direction, thereby making it possible to read the image of the document placed and fixed on the platen glass  306  and obtain the image data of the image of the document. 
     Here, positions of the first scanning unit  294   c  and the second scanning unit  294   f  when reading an image in a so-called document moving system which reads the image of the document being transported through the document transport path  293 , are set to a home position of the first scanning unit  294   c  and the second scanning unit  294   f  when reading an image in the so-called document fixing method which reads the image of the document placed on the platen glass  306 . 
     In addition, platen glass  307  is arranged on the image reading position A, and the light emitted from the exposure lamp  294   a  irradiates the document through the platen glass  307 . On a wall surface facing the platen glass  307  of the document transport path  293  in the image reading position A, a standard white board  308  which is used for shading compensation is arranged 
     The second image reading portion  295  is provided with an exposure lamp  295   a , a plurality of reflection mirrors  295   b ,  295   c ,  295   d , and  295   e , an imaging lens  295   f , and a CCD sensor  295   g . Light irradiated from the exposure lamp  295   a  and reflected on the second surface of the document, is sequentially reflected by reflection mirrors  295   b  to  295   e  to be incident on the imaging lens  295   f . The imaging lens  295   f  forms an image of incident light on the CCD sensor  295   g . The CCD sensor  295   g  photoelectrically converts the light of the image formed by the imaging lens  295   f  and reads as image data. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the image reading portion  29  is provide with the first image reading portion  294  and the second image reading portion  295  which are independent for reading the front side or the back side of the document, and therefore, able to read the both sides of the document while transporting the document. When the document is transported to the image reading position A, it is possible to calculate the width of the read document by counting the number of pixels in a main scanning direction of the document read by the CCD sensor  294   h  in the first image reading portion  294 . In addition, it is possible to calculate the length of the read document by counting the pulse number of document transporting from the time point when the front end part of the document is detected at the image reading position A to when the rear end part of the document passes through the image reading position A. 
     According to the above, it is possible to judge the sheet size of the document. In this way, judging processing of the sheet size is executed by the image reading portion  29  and the device control portion  22 . 
     Next, description will be given for a specific example of a judging method of monochrome/color and single-sided/double-sided by a printing set value judging portion based on  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of a document type automatic discriminating portion  30  shown in  FIG. 2 . In the figure, the document type automatic discriminating portion  30  is comprised of a document type judging portion  31 , a color monochrome judging portion  32  and a blank document judging portion  33 . The document type judging portion  31  judges a type of document read in the image reading portion  29 . Here, types of documents to be judged include a character document, a printing photograph document, and a character printing photograph document in which characters and printed photographs are mixed. 
     Moreover, the document type automatic discriminating portion  30  is provided with the color monochrome judging portion  32  for performing automatic color discrimination processing (ACS: Auto Color Selection) which is processing for discriminating whether the read document is a color document or a monochrome document based on the above image data, and the blank document judging portion  33  for performing judgment processing for judging whether or not it is a blank document (plain document or not), in addition to the above-described document type judging portion  31 . Further, image data of RGB output from the document type automatic discriminating portion  30 , a color monochrome judgment signal indicating a judgment result by the color monochrome judging portion  32 , a document type judgment signal indicating a judgment result by the document type judging portion  31  and a blank document judgment signal indicating a judgment result by the blank document judging portion  33  are input into the image processing portion  27  at a post-stage. 
     In the above description, it is possible to judge whether a document is monochrome or color by the color monochrome judging portion  32  provided in the document type automatic discriminating portion  30 . Additionally, it is possible to judge whether or not respective of the front side and the back side of a document is blank by the blank document judging portion  33 . This makes it possible to judge whether a document is single-sided or double-sided. In this way, judgment processing for judging monochrome/color and single-sided/double-sided is executed by the document type automatic discriminating portion  30  and the device control portion  22 . 
     Next, description will be given for a specific example of a judging method of N-up printing by the printing set value judging portion based on  FIG. 6  to  FIG. 15B . The example explains about the case of using a method of detecting a blank between, printing areas, but not limited thereto, and for example, it may be allowed to use a method of detecting a page number added to each page, a method of detecting a partition line added between N-up areas, and the like. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration example of the image processing portion  27  shown in  FIG. 2 . In the figure, the image processing portion  27  is comprised of an area separating portion  271 , a character rectangle judging portion  272 , and a white level judging portion  273 . The area separating portion  271  is a processing portion for separating image data that is input by reading a document in the image reading portion  29  into a predetermined area (character area). The area separating portion  271  has connectivity  271   a , degree of complexity  271   b  and a maximum-minimum density difference  271   c  as a parameter, to separate an area of image data. 
     Here, to obtain the connectivity  271   a , first, the density is digitalized using any threshold value in the judging area in the case of separating an area. Then, a maximum length of the value with high density (large value) continuously connecting in every direction serves as the connectivity  271   a . Here, it is judged as characters, in a case where the connectivity  271   a  is large. 
     Further, the degree of complexity  271   b  refers to what a density difference from a next pixel is added in a judging area in the case of separating an area. 
     The degree of complexity  271   b  can be specifically obtained as follows. That is, degree of complexity indicates a density difference of a next pixel, when a pixel density for each of coordinates shown in  FIG. 9  described below is D(x,y). 
     
       
         
           
             
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     Degree of complexity  271   b =(main scanning direction degree of complexity+vertical scanning direction degree of complexity)/2 
     The degree of complexity  271   b  can be calculated using the above formula. Here, it is judged as a dot image, when the degree of complexity  271   b  is large. 
     Additionally, the maximum-minimum density difference  271   c  refers to a density difference between maximum density and minimum density in the judging area in the case of separating an area. It is judged as characters when the maximum-minimum density difference  271   c  is large, and is judged as a photograph when small. 
     The character rectangle judging portion  272  is a processing portion for making a character-judged space rectangular and managing upper-left coordinates and upper-right coordinates of the rectangle. 
     The white level judging portion  273  is a processing portion for judging a white part (white area, blank) of image data. Specifically, each of main scanning and vertical scanning has white judgment as an initial value. When images other than white come in, operation (processing) for judging the initial value of the white judgment as an effective image is performed. 
     First, description will be given for area separation processing by the area separating portion  271 . The area separation processing is processing for cutting image data into areas based on the connectivity  271   a , the degree of complexity  271   b  and the maximum-minimum density difference  271   c , and a judging area of area separation is judged by using an extent of 7×7 pixels of processing pixels as a center. 
     Here,  FIG. 7  is a graph showing an example of a relation between the maximum-minimum density difference  271   c  and the degree of complexity  271   b . Since there is a tendency that the greater the maximum-minimum density difference  271   c  is, the greater a density difference between a ground and a character is, a possibility of a character is high. On the other hand, a dot image in which many dots are present, has a rapid density change between a ground and a dot part, and the degree of complexity  271   b  which is an average of the density difference of adjacent pixels thus becomes large. Therefore, the larger the degree of complexity  271   b  is, the higher a possibility of dot judgment is. On the other hand, since the density of a photograph changes smoothly, both of the maximum-minimum density difference  271   c  and the degree of complexity  271   b  become smaller. 
     Further, since the larger the connectivity  271   a  is, the higher a possibility of a character is, a judgment result is obtained from three input which are a connection average length which is a result of the connectivity  271   a , a density difference average value of the adjacent pixels of the degree of complexity  271   b  and the maximum-minimum density difference  271   c , as a judgment result, by digitizing and outputting like a letter ( 0 ), a dot ( 1 ), a photograph ( 2 ) and others ( 3 ). 
     Subsequently, description will be given for character rectangle judgment processing by the character rectangle judging portion  272  by using  FIG. 8 . First, a character is surrounded by a rectangle, and the font size is calculated from the number of pixels of a longer side thereof. Specifically, it is calculated from “font size=A (arbitrary values) x the number of pixels of rectangle of character”. Here, for example, 1 dot of font is defined as 75 dpi. When the resolution for scanning a character is 600 dpi, the above arbitrary value A can be calculated as A=75/600. 
     Here, in the case of character judgment, a character is stored as a rectangle block of a character. For example, in the case of a rectangle block shown in  FIG. 9 , upper-left coordinates (Xs, Ys) and upper-right coordinates (Xe, Ye) are stored. 
     In the case of a rectangle block in  FIG. 8 , it is managed in the state shown in  FIG. 10 , for example. That is, coordinates showing “h” (upper-left coordinates (3, 2)-lower-right coordinates (15, 14)) are stored in an address  1 , and coordinates showing “r” (upper-left coordinates (20, 2)-(33, 14)) are stored in an address  2 . 
     Description will be given for processing for determining a rectangle for the case of  FIG. 11  as an example. First, confirmation is made for whether there is a dot in the main scanning direction (in the direction of 1-18 pixels), and if there is a dot, upper-left coordinates (Xs, Ys) and lower-right coordinates (Xe, Ye) are stored as rectangular coordinates before determination. Then, when the stored coordinates exist next to a value between Xs and Xe of the main scanning coordinates of other rectangular coordinates before determination, the rectangle is combined. 
     Specifically, when “line that is currently scanned (current line number)−Ye=1” is satisfied as a condition, the rectangle before determination serves as a determined rectangle (condition  1 ). Further, when the main scanning Xs is next to (adjoining) the main scanning Xe, rectangles are combined (condition  2 ). At this time, the upper-left coordinates (Xs, Ys) select a minimum value, and the lower-right coordinates (Xe, Ye) select a maximum value. 
     In the case of an example of  FIG. 11 , when the first line is scanned, a dot is detected at (X, Y)=(2, 1). Therefore, as a rectangle before determination, the upper-left coordinates (Xs=2, Ys=1) and the lower-right coordinates (Xe=2, Ye=1) are stored as a rectangle  1  as shown in  FIG. 12A . 
     Subsequently, when the second line is scanned, a dot is detected at (X, Y)=(12, 2). Therefore, as a rectangle before determination, the upper-left coordinates (Xs=12, Ys=2) and the lower-right coordinates (Xe=12, Ye=2) are stored as a rectangle  2  as shown in  FIG. 12B . 
     Here, when the scanning of the second line is finished, the rectangle  1  of a rectangle before determination satisfies the condition  1  (current line number ( 2 )−Ye ( 1 )=1). Therefore, the rectangle  1  becomes a determined rectangle as shown in  FIG. 12C , and a current rectangle  2  moves to the rectangle  1 . 
     Here, appearance of the determined rectangle is shown in  FIG. 12D . In  FIG. 12D , a determined rectangle  1 , x-side length (“1”) and y-side length (“1”) of the determined rectangle  1  are stored. 
     Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 13A , the third line is scanned, then the upper-left coordinates (Xs=10, Ys=3) and the lower-right coordinates (Xe=10, Ye=3) are stored as the rectangle  2  before determination. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 13B , the upper-left coordinates (Xs=11, Ys=3) and the lower-right coordinates (Xe=11, Ye=3) are stored as a rectangle  3  before determination. 
     Here, when Xs and Xe are compared, the values that are stored in the rectangles  1  to  3  satisfy the condition  2 . The rectangle  1  to the rectangle  3  are then combined to be stored. That is, a minimum value and a maximum value are stored as the upper-left pixels (Xs=10, Ys=2) and a lower-right pixels (Xe=12, Ye=3), respectively, in the rectangle  1 . 
       FIG. 13D  shows the determined rectangle at the time of finishing 15 lines. Further,  FIG. 14  is a figure showing the state of the determined rectangle. Additionally, the side-length of the main scanning and the side-length of the vertical scanning direction can be calculated from Xe−Xs+1 and Ye−Ys+1, respectively. In the case of the determined rectangle  2 , the side-length of the main scanning (number of pixels) is calculated as “7”. 
     Note that, when the value “1” used in the above-described condition expressions 1 and 2 is set to a value of “2” or larger, it is possible to prevent a character judgment mistake and shortening of a side-length due to a structure of a radical of a character or the like. For example, in the case of “line that is currently scanned (current line number)−Ye=2” in the condition expression 1, it is found that the determined rectangle  2  shown in  FIG. 14  is bonded to a determined rectangle  4  and the side-length of the vertical scanning direction (number of pixels) becomes “13”, thus becomes a side-length further close to a character. 
     Here, as a processing order of pixels, processing is performed in the direction of a broken-line arrow shown in the above-described  FIG. 8 . That is, processing of pixels is performed in the main scanning direction (toward the right side from the left side of the first line of  FIG. 8 ). When a rectangular part that is judged as a new character then appears, the part is assigned as a rectangle block of a character. 
     Further, when the rectangle blocks adjoin each other, the rectangle blocks are further bonded regarding the blocks as one rectangle. A bond of the rectangle blocks may be performed between lines. That is, characters arranged in a predetermined space are judged as the same rectangle block, and are bonded as one block. 
     Subsequently, description will be given for white level judgment processing performed by the white level judging portion  273 . The white level judgment processing is to provide white level judging memory for the main scanning and the vertical scanning respectively and set an initial value to a white level value (here, “1”). Then, when each pixel is other than “white”, the value is replaced with an effective image judgment value (here, “0”). Pixels that become “1” both in the main scanning direction and the vertical scanning direction are judged as a white state, that is, a blank. 
     Then, the device control portion  22  performs processing for identifying blank parts of image data. Specifically, the blank parts are judged by referring to the above-described white level judging memory for the main scanning and white level judging memory for the vertical scanning. Subsequently, judgment is made for whether or not they are N-up printing based on a distribution state of the parts judged as blanks, which makes it possible to specify the N number. Specifically, in the case of an example of  FIG. 15B , the image data of a document read by the image reading portion  29  is divided into rectangle blocks  1  to  4  by the area separating portion  271  and the character rectangle judging portion  272 . Then, the white level judging portion  273  replaces judgment values of pixels corresponding to these rectangle blocks  1  to  4  with “0” for the white level judging memory for the main scanning and the white level judging memory for the vertical scanning, and a part where the judgment value of a pixel is “1” is judged as a blank. In the case of the example, it is possible to judge as FOUR-UP according to a distribution state of the blank part. 
     In this way, judgment processing of N-up printing is performed by which the image processing portion  27  and the device control portion  22  detect a blank part between printing areas. 
       FIG. 16  is a diagram showing an example of an initial set value input screen displayed on a displaying portion  28   a  of the MFP  2 , and in the figure,  40  denotes an initial set value input screen,  41  denotes a preview button,  42  denotes a test printing button,  43  denotes a preview display area,  44  denotes an OK button, and  45  denotes a cancel button. As described above, when the MFP  2  is operated by users such as an administrator to be instructed to select “initial set value input” from a menu or the like, in the case of printed matter  5  in which a printing set values obtained by reading the printed matter  5  of  FIG. 3  by the above-described method are displayed on the display portion  28   a  as initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  in the state of setting on the initial set value input screen  40  of the printer driver  14   a , “double-sided”, “two-up”, “color” and “A4” are set and displayed on the initial set value input screen  40  as printing set values of each item of single-sided/double-sided, N-up printing, monochrome/color and a sheet size. 
     An administrator inputs printing set values for items other than the above-described single-sided/double-sided, N-up printing monochrome/color and sheet size as appropriate, and when agreeing with the initial set values set in the initial set value input screen  40 , presses the OK button  44 , which are stored in the HDD  25  of the MFP  2  as initial set values of a printer driver. Otherwise, then the cancel button  45  is pressed to cancel the initial set value input processing. Further, when the initial set values set to the initial set value input screen  40  are desired to be changed, the administrator operates the touch panel portion  28   b  and the input key  28   c  of the operation portion  28 , and presses the OK button  44  after changing to the desired initial set values. In this case, the initial set values after changing are stored in the HDD  25 . 
     In this way, the administrator operates the MFP  2  to display the initial set value input screen  40  on the touch panel portion  28   b , and after adjusting the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  on the initial set value input screen  40  as appropriate, it is possible to store the initial set values in the MFP  2 . 
     Here, at the time of performing printing by a printer function, accessing to the MFP  2  is made through the printer driver  14   a  from an administrator PC  1  or the client PC  3 . Therefore, each PC (printer driver  14   a ) stores the initial set values inside the MFP  2  as described above so that updating judgment of the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  can be performed easily without taking labor of accessing an external device such as a server apparatus. For example, when the printer driver  14   a  accesses to the MFP  2 , it is possible to judge whether or not the updating is made by comparing the initial set values that are set in the printer driver  14   a  and the initial set values that are stored in the MFP  2  for each item. Then, in the case of judging it is updated, the initial set values that are set in the printer driver  14   a  may be updated to the initial set values that are stored in the MFP  2  for the updated item. 
     Further, in a case where the initial set values are updated, the MFP  2  can transmit the initial set values that are stored in the MFP  2  to the administrator PC  1  according to operation by an administrator or the like. In the administrator PC  1 , the initial set values that are received from the MFP  2  can be set as the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  based on operation by an administrator. Then, the administrator may operate the administrator PC  1 , and transmit the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  that are set as described above to the other client PC  3  to set in each client PC  3 . 
     In this way, since the initial set value input screen  40  can be displayed in the state where printing set values of printed matter are set when inputting the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  from the MFP  2 , a user such as an administrator, even in the case of being unfamiliar, is not confused with input setting of the initial set values, and an actual printing set values of printed matter are diverted so that a user can set as intended, and erroneous input of the initial set values can be prevented. 
     In  FIG. 16 , when the preview button  41  on the initial set value input screen  40  is pressed, it is possible to display a preview image based on the initial set values before being changed or after being changed by a user in a preview display area  43 . Additionally, when the test printing button  42  on the initial set value input screen  40  is pressed, it is possible to perform test printing based on the initial set values before being changed or after being changed by a user. In this case, it is assumed that the MFP  2  is provided with a preview function and a test printing function. 
     When the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  are input from a PC such as the administrator PC  1 , it is hard to image actual printed matter by the initial set values that are input, however, when the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  are input by the MFP  2 , it is easy to perform confirmation of printed matter by performing test printing on site, confirmation of a printed image by the preview function, and the like. Additionally, since the initial set values can be input while seeing a printing result with the MFP  2 , detailed settings of density, a color tone, a blank, a binding margin, and the like can be performed easily. 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart for explaining an example of an initial set value inputting method by the MFP  2  of the present invention. A user such as an administrator operates the operation portion  28  of the MFP  2  to instruct to display the initial set value input screen  40  ( FIG. 16 ) of the printer driver  14   a  which is installed in the administrator PC  1  (step S 1 ). The MFP  2 , receiving this display instruction, reads a document (printed matter  5 ) to judge the printing set values at the time of printing the printed matter  5  (step S 2 ), and the judged printing set values are set and displayed on the initial set value input screen  40  (step S 3 ). 
     Next, a user performs adjustment to the desired initial set values on the initial set value input screen  40  displayed on the touch panel portion  28   b  of the operation portion  28  (step S 4 ), and the MFP  2  judges whether or not the initial set values are reflected (step S 5 ). That is, when the OK button  44  of the initial set value input screen  40  is pressed (in the case of YES), the initial set values input in the initial set value input screen  40  are stored in the HDD  25  as the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  (step S 6 ). Further, at the step S 5 , when the OK button  44  of the initial set value input screen  40  is not pressed (in the case of NO), processing is repeated after returning to the step S 4 , however, when the cancel button  45  is pressed, or when detecting that the OK button  44  is not pressed for a predetermined time, display of the initial set value input screen  40  may be finished to cancel initial set value input processing. 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart for explaining an example of initial set value updating processing in the administrator PC  1 . In the example, description will be given for a case where the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  subjected to input setting in the MFP  2  are transmitted to the administrator PC  1 . First, the administrator PC  1  judges whether or not the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  are received from the MFP  2  (step S 11 ), and when judging that the initial set values are received from the MFP  2  (in the case of YES), whether or not the initial set values that are set in the printer driver  14   a  differ from the initial set values obtained from the MFP  2  is judged (step S 12 ). Further, at the above step S 11 , when judging that the initial set values are not received from the MFP  2  (in the case of NO), the procedure moves to a waiting receiving state at the step S 11 . 
     Next, the administrator PC  1 , when judging that the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  are the same as the initial set values of the MFP  2  at the step S 12  (in the case of NO), notifies a user of no setting change (step S 13 ), and moves to a step S 17 . Additionally, when judging that the initial set values of the printer driver  14   a  differ from the initial set values of the MFP  2  at the step S 12  (in the case of YES), an initial set value changing screen  50  as shown in  FIG. 19  is displayed (step S 14 ), and the administrator PC  1  judges whether or not the initial set values are reflected (step S 15 ). That is, when an OK button  51  of the initial set value change screen  50  is pressed (in the case of Yes), the initial set values that are changed on the initial set value change screen  50  are set in the printer driver  14   a  (step S 16 ). Further, when a cancel button  52  of the initial set value change screen  50  is pressed, or when detecting that the OK button  51  is not pressed for a predetermined time at the step S 15  (in the case of NO), the initial set values are not changed, and the initial set values that are set in the printer driver  14   a  are used as they are (step S 17 ). 
     As described above, printed matter printed in monochrome, TWO-UP and double-sided is read with the MFP by a user such as an administrator so that it is possible to perform input setting of initial set values of a printer driver, and a load of input work of the initial set values is thus able to be reduced. 
     According to the present invention, predetermined printed matter is read with an image forming apparatus, a user is thereby able to perform input setting of initial set values (printing conditions) of a printer driver as intended as well as suppress erroneous input.