Patent Description:
A reading direction of a document is important information in investigating a defect in a scanned image. An image forming direction of a sheet is important information in investigating the defect in a printed image. If information about a sheet conveying direction, such as the reading direction and the image forming direction, is missing, the investigation of defect could take a lot of time and effort. <CIT> discloses an image processing apparatus for synthesizing a reading direction image with image data generated from a scanned sheet.

The present invention is defined by the subject-matter of the appended claims.

Embodiments provide an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus capable of easily specifying the conveying direction of the sheet.

In general, according to one embodiment, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a storage unit, a scanner, and a control unit. The storage unit is configured to store image data. The scanner is configured to read an image formed on a sheet and generate image data. The control unit is configured to combine a reading direction image indicating a reading direction in the scanner with the image data generated by the scanner, and record combined image data in the storage unit. The control unit is configured to determine a position where the reading direction image is disposed and a size of the reading direction image based on reading resolution indicating resolution of reading processing in the scanner and recorded resolution indicating resolution of the image data recorded in the storage unit.

As an image forming apparatus of an embodiment, an image forming apparatus capable of easily specifying a reading direction or an image forming direction can be provided. The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described in detail below.

<FIG> is an external view illustrating an example of an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus <NUM> according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a hardware block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. First, description will be made mainly using <FIG>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> is, for example, a multifunction machine. The image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a main control unit <NUM>, a sheet accommodation unit <NUM>, an operation panel <NUM>, a scanner <NUM>, and a printer <NUM>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> forms an image on a sheet using a developer. The developer is, for example, toner. In the following description, the developer will be described as toner. The sheet is, for example, paper or label paper. Any sheet may be used as long as the image forming apparatus <NUM> can form an image on a front surface of the sheet.

The operation panel <NUM> includes one or more operation keys <NUM> and a display <NUM>. The operation panel <NUM> receives an operation by a user. The operation panel <NUM> outputs a signal corresponding to the operation performed by a user to the main control part <NUM>.

The display <NUM> is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic electro luminescence (EL) display. The display <NUM> displays various information about the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

The printer <NUM> forms an image on the sheet based on image data generated by the scanner <NUM> or image data received via a network. The printer <NUM> forms the image using toner. A sheet on which the image is formed may be a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodation unit <NUM> or may be a hand-held sheet. In the following description, forming an image is also referred to as printing the image.

The sheet accommodation unit <NUM> accommodates the sheets used for image formation in the printer <NUM>.

The scanner <NUM> reads an image to be read based on brightness and darkness of light. The scanner <NUM> records the read image data. The recorded image data may be transmitted to another information processing apparatus via a network. An image indicated by the recorded image data may be formed on the sheet by the printer <NUM>.

Next, description will be made mainly using <FIG>. In <FIG>, the image forming apparatus <NUM> includes the main control unit <NUM>, the operation panel <NUM>, the scanner <NUM>, and the printer <NUM>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> includes a main CPU <NUM> in the main control unit <NUM>, a panel CPU <NUM> in the operation panel <NUM>, a scanner CPU <NUM> in the scanner <NUM>, and a printer CPU <NUM> in the printer <NUM>.

The main control unit <NUM> includes the main CPU <NUM>, a ROM <NUM>, a RAM <NUM>, an NVRAM <NUM>, a network controller <NUM>, an HDD <NUM>, a modem <NUM>, a page memory <NUM>, a page memory (PM) control unit <NUM>, and an image processing unit <NUM>.

The main CPU <NUM> controls an entire operation of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores data needed for control such as a control program. The RAM <NUM> temporarily stores data. The NVRAM <NUM> is a non-volatile memory.

The network controller <NUM> connects the image forming apparatus <NUM> and a network. The image forming apparatus <NUM> communicates with an external device, for example, a server, a personal computer (PC), and the like, via the network controller <NUM>. The HDD <NUM> stores data such as an image used for image formation and an image read by the scanner <NUM>. The HDD <NUM> is an example of a storage unit. Of the image data stored in HDD <NUM>, a header of the image data read by the scanner <NUM> contains information indicating reading resolution when reading and recorded resolution recorded in the HDD <NUM>. The modem <NUM> connects the image forming apparatus <NUM> and a telephone line.

The page memory <NUM> stores a plurality of pages of image data for each page. The page memory control unit <NUM> controls the page memory <NUM>. The image processing unit <NUM> performs image processing on the image data. Specific examples of image processing include color conversion processing, range correction processing, sharpness adjustment processing, gamma correction and halftone processing, and pulse width modulation processing (PWM). The image processing unit <NUM> may be installed using hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or may be implemented using software.

The operation panel <NUM> includes the panel CPU <NUM>, the operation key <NUM>, and the display <NUM>. The panel CPU <NUM> controls the operation panel <NUM>. The panel CPU <NUM> is connected to the main CPU <NUM> by a bus. If the panel CPU <NUM> receives an instruction about display from the main CPU, the panel CPU <NUM> controls a screen of the display <NUM> according to the received instruction. If the panel CPU <NUM> receives numerical values, processing to be executed, and setting information from the operation key <NUM>, the panel CPU <NUM> outputs data indicating the numerical values, processing to be executed, and setting information to the main CPU <NUM>. The operation key <NUM> is an input device for inputting processing to be executed, setting information, numerical values, and the like. As a specific example of information received by the operation keys <NUM>, various instructions and settings such as a type (size and orientation) of the sheet on which the image is to be formed and a magnification of image formation can be performed. The display <NUM> is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display <NUM> may be configured as a touch panel.

The scanner <NUM> includes the scanner CPU <NUM>, an image correction unit <NUM>, a reading control unit <NUM>, a charge coupled device (CCD) <NUM>, and an auto document feeder (ADF) <NUM>. The scanner CPU <NUM> controls the scanner <NUM>. The image correction unit <NUM> includes, for example, an A/D conversion circuit, a shading correction circuit, and a line memory. The A/D conversion circuit converts each of R, G, and B analog signals output from the CCD <NUM> into a digital signal. The ADF <NUM> is an automatic document feeder. The ADF <NUM> takes in the sheet set by the user into a conveyance path in a conveying direction according to the orientation in which the sheet is set. The ADF <NUM> conveys the sheet by rotating a conveying roller in the conveyance path, and the CCD <NUM> reads an image on the conveyed sheet.

The printer <NUM> includes the printer CPU <NUM>, a laser driver <NUM>, a conveyance control unit <NUM> and a control unit <NUM>. The printer CPU <NUM> controls the printer <NUM>. The laser driver <NUM> drives a laser to form an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor. The conveyance control unit <NUM> conveys a sheet on which an image is to be formed. The control unit <NUM> forms an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance control unit <NUM> by controlling a device such as the laser driver <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the printer <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the printer <NUM> is a quadruple-tandem type printer. However, the printer <NUM> need not be limited to the quadruple-tandem type printer.

The printer <NUM> includes an image forming unit <NUM>, a fixing unit <NUM> and a paper discharge unit <NUM>. The image forming unit <NUM> includes an intermediate transfer body <NUM>, development devices <NUM> to <NUM>, a plurality of primary transfer rollers <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>), a secondary transfer unit <NUM> and an exposure unit <NUM>.

The intermediate transfer body <NUM> may be configured using, for example, an endless belt. The intermediate transfer body <NUM> is rotated in a direction of arrow <NUM> by a roller. In this embodiment, upstream and downstream are defined based on the direction in which the intermediate transfer body <NUM> moves. Visible images generated by the development devices <NUM> to <NUM> is transferred onto the front surface of the intermediate transfer body <NUM>.

The development devices <NUM>-<NUM> use toners of different properties to form the visible images, respectively. For example, toners of different colors may be used in some development devices. As toners of different colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners may be used. In some development devices, toners decolored by external stimuli (for example, heat) may be used. In some development devices, special toner such as glossy toner and fluorescent toner may be used.

In <FIG>, the development device <NUM> is positioned most upstream of the four development devices, and the development device <NUM> is positioned most downstream of the four development devices.

The development devices <NUM>-<NUM> differ in the properties of the toner to be used, but have the same configuration. The development device <NUM> includes a development unit <NUM>, a photoreceptor drum <NUM>, a charger <NUM>, a cleaning blade <NUM>, and a development drum <NUM>. The development device <NUM> includes a development unit <NUM>, a photoreceptor drum <NUM>, a charger <NUM>, a cleaning blade <NUM>, and a development drum <NUM>. The development device <NUM> includes a development unit <NUM>, a photoreceptor drum <NUM>, a charger <NUM>, a cleaning blade <NUM>, and a development drum <NUM>. The development device <NUM> includes a development unit <NUM>, a photoreceptor drum <NUM>, a charger <NUM>, a cleaning blade <NUM>, and a development drum <NUM>.

In the following description, the development unit <NUM>, the development unit <NUM>, the development unit <NUM>, and the development unit <NUM> are referred to as a development unit <NUM> unless the development units are distinguished from each other. The same applies to a photoreceptor drum <NUM>, a charger <NUM>, a cleaning blade <NUM>, and a development drum <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a development device will be described by taking the development device <NUM> as an example. The development device <NUM> includes the development unit <NUM>, the photoreceptor drum <NUM>, the charger <NUM>, the cleaning blade <NUM> and the development drum <NUM>. The development unit <NUM> stores toner and carrier. The development unit <NUM> causes toner to adhere to the photoreceptor drum <NUM> by the development drum <NUM>.

The photoreceptor drum <NUM> has a photoreceptor (photosensitive region) on an outer peripheral surface thereof. The photoreceptor is, for example, an organic photoconductor (OPC). The photoreceptor drum <NUM> is exposed by the exposure unit <NUM> and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the front surface thereof.

The charger <NUM> uniformly charges the front surface of the photoreceptor drum <NUM>.

The cleaning blade <NUM> is, for example, a plate-like member. The cleaning blade <NUM> is made of rubber such as urethane resin, for example. The cleaning blade <NUM> removes toner adhering to the photoreceptor drum <NUM>.

Next, an outline of an operation of the development device <NUM> will be described. The photoreceptor drum <NUM> is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger <NUM>. Next, the exposure unit <NUM> irradiates the photoreceptor drum <NUM> with light. As a result, the potential of a region irradiated with light on the photoreceptor drum <NUM> varies. By this variation, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the front surface of the photoreceptor drum <NUM>. The electrostatic latent image on the front surface of photoreceptor drum <NUM> is developed with toner of the development unit <NUM>. That is, a visible image, which is an image developed with toner, is formed on the front surface of the photoreceptor drum <NUM>.

The primary transfer rollers <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>) transfer the visible images formed on the photoreceptor drums by the respective development devices <NUM> to <NUM> onto the intermediate transfer body <NUM>.

The secondary transfer unit <NUM> includes a secondary transfer roller <NUM> and a secondary transfer counter roller <NUM>. The secondary transfer unit <NUM> collectively transfers the visible images formed on the intermediate transfer body <NUM> onto a sheet on which an image is to be formed. Transfer by the secondary transfer unit <NUM> is realized by, for example, a potential difference between the secondary transfer roller <NUM> and the secondary transfer counter roller <NUM>.

The exposure unit <NUM> forms the electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photoreceptor drums of the development devices <NUM>-<NUM> with light. The exposure unit <NUM> includes a light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode (LED). In this embodiment, the exposure unit <NUM> includes the laser and operates under the control of the laser driver <NUM>.

The fixing unit <NUM> fixes the visible image onto the sheet by applying heat and pressure to the visible image transferred onto the sheet. The paper discharge unit <NUM> discharges the sheet on which the visible image is fixed by the fixing unit <NUM> to the outside of the image forming apparatus <NUM>.

Next, a reading direction image indicating the reading direction and an image forming direction image indicating the image forming direction will be described. The reading direction image and the image forming direction image are images for easily specifying the reading direction and the image forming direction by a serviceman who performs maintenance, inspection, and the like of the image forming apparatus. If the reading direction or the image forming direction is specified, the time and effort required to investigate a defect of the image forming apparatus can be greatly reduced compared with a case where the reading direction or image forming direction is not specified.

First, the reading direction image will be described. The reading direction image is an image indicating the reading direction in the scanner <NUM>. The reading direction image may be, for example, an image that indicates the reading direction in the scanner <NUM> according to the position of the reading direction image. When scanning a document, the image forming apparatus <NUM> combines a reading direction image indicating the reading direction in the scanner <NUM> with image data. Specifically, the reading direction image is combined with the image data as follows. The image processing unit <NUM> of the main control unit <NUM> combines the reading direction image with image data generated by scanning. The image processing unit <NUM> records image data combined with the reading direction image in the HDD <NUM>.

The reading direction in the scanner <NUM> is a sub-scanning direction of a line sensor, and is a direction from a side last read by the line sensor to a side first read by the line sensor, of four sides of the document.

Accordingly, the reading direction is uniquely determined, for example, if the side where reading is first started is specified. Therefore, the reading direction image in this embodiment is an image for specifying the side of the document on which reading is first started by the line sensor, of the four sides of the document. A specific description will be made with reference to the drawings. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a document. A document <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. Of the four sides of the document <NUM>, the side read first by the scanner <NUM> is denoted by reference numeral <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating combined image data in which the reading direction image is combined. A reading direction image <NUM> is combined with combined image data <NUM>. The reading direction image is constituted by using one or more symbols. In the example of <FIG>, two symbols (for example, a rectangle, more specifically a square) are disposed side by side in the direction perpendicular to the reading direction. As long as the reading direction can be determined, a specific shape and constitution of the reading direction image need not be limited. In the combined image data <NUM>, the side corresponding to side <NUM> of the document <NUM> is the side <NUM>. This side <NUM> is specified by the reading direction image <NUM> constituted of a combination of two symbols. As a result, the reading direction is easily specified.

Image data may be recorded in the HDD <NUM> at resolution different from resolution at which the document was read. For example, in some cases, the resolution when reading a document is <NUM> dpi, and the resolution of image data recorded in the HDD <NUM> is <NUM> dpi. In this case, if the reading direction image is combined as it is, a part of the reading direction image may be missing.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example in which a part of the reading direction image is missing. Since the resolution becomes smaller, the image data recorded in the HDD <NUM> also becomes a smaller image. Therefore, as illustrated in <FIG>, one symbol <NUM> constituting the reading direction image is combined, but the other symbol <NUM> is missing without being combined.

Therefore, the image processing unit <NUM> determines the position where the reading direction image is disposed and the size of the reading direction image based on reading resolution and recorded resolution so that a part of the reading direction image is not missing. Correction of a combining position and correction of the size of the reading direction image are collectively referred to as reading direction image correction processing. An example of the reading direction image correction processing will be described below.

First, coordinates of the combining position of each symbol in the reading direction image if the reading resolution and the recorded resolution are the same are set as (XPOS1, YPOS1) and (XPOS2, YPOS2), respectively. The reading resolution is set as IN_DPI and the recorded resolution is set as OUT DPI. A correction coefficient K is set as OUT_DPI/IN_DPI. The horizontal and vertical lengths of the reading direction image if the reading resolution and the recorded resolution are the same are set as XSIZE and YSIZE, respectively.

In this case, the image processing unit <NUM> derives (K×XPOS1, K×YPOS1) and (K×XPOS2, K×YPOS2) as coordinates of the corrected combining position. The image processing unit <NUM> derives K×XSIZE and K×YSIZE as corrected lengths in the horizontal direction and vertical direction of the reading direction image. For example, if the IN_DPI is <NUM> dpi and the OUT_DPI is <NUM> dpi, since the correction coefficient is <NUM>, the reading direction image becomes a symbol whose length and width are halved, respectively.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the reading direction image being combined after correction. As illustrated in <FIG>, both a symbol <NUM> and a symbol <NUM> of the reading direction image are not missing, and the size thereof is also corrected. By doing so, the reading direction can be specified even if the reading resolution and the recorded resolution are different. If the image data is printed, since the image data is printed after returning to the reading resolution, the size of the reading direction image is restored to the original size thereof, and thus the size of the reading direction image can be kept constant.

Next, the reading direction image during copying will be described. In copying, the document is read first, and magnification-varying (enlargement or reduction) is performed according to designated magnification, and the reading direction image is printed on a sheet of a designated size. If the position and size of the reading direction image change according to magnification-varying, the serviceman may not be able to determine whether or not the image printed on the sheet is the original image on the document or the reading direction image. The RAM <NUM> records whether or not to perform magnification-varying and the magnification when performing magnification-varying. The image processing unit <NUM> determines whether or not to perform magnification-varying and the like by referring to the RAM <NUM>.

Therefore, even when forming an image on a sheet by performing magnification-varying on the image, the image processing unit <NUM> combines the reading direction image with the image data without changing the position where the reading direction image is combined and the size of the reading direction image.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which an image is printed with no magnification. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which the image is reduced and printed. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a sheet on which the image is enlarged and printed.

All of <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> show that printing is performed without changing the position where each symbol <NUM> of the reading direction image is combined and the size of each symbol <NUM> of the reading direction image. By doing so, the serviceman can determine whether or not the image printed on the sheet is the original image on the document or the reading direction image.

Next, combining the image forming direction image indicating the image forming direction with the image data will be described. Here, the image forming direction is the conveying direction of the sheet passing through the secondary transfer unit <NUM>.

Accordingly, the image forming direction is uniquely determined, for example, if the side of the sheet that first passes through the secondary transfer unit <NUM> is specified. Therefore, the image forming direction image in this embodiment is an image specifying the side of the sheet that first passes through the secondary transfer portion <NUM> of the four sides of the sheet. The conveying direction of the sheet is determined by the orientation of the sheet in the sheet accommodation unit <NUM>. Therefore, the image processing unit <NUM> generates image data obtained by combining the image forming direction image according to the orientation of the sheets in the sheet accommodation unit <NUM>. The orientation of the sheet is recorded in the RAM <NUM> for each cassette of the sheet accommodation unit <NUM>. The image processing unit <NUM> records the combined image data in the HDD <NUM>. The image data recorded in the HDD <NUM> is output to the printer <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed sheet on which the image forming direction image is printed. A printed sheet <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. Of four sides of the printed sheet <NUM>, the side that first passes through the secondary transfer unit <NUM> is a side <NUM>. This side <NUM> is specified by two symbols <NUM> that constitute the imaging direction image. As a result, the image forming direction is easily specified.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the imaging direction image <NUM> is circular. That is, the symbols of the reading direction images illustrated in <FIG> and the symbols of the image forming direction image illustrated in <FIG> are in different styles. In the case of <FIG>, the reading direction image and the image forming direction image are in styles in which the shapes thereof are made different, respectively, in order to distinguish between the reading direction image and the image forming direction image, but the reading direction image and the image forming direction image may be in styles in which the size, color, density, pattern, and the like thereof are made different. Even when the image is subjected to magnification-varying and printed on the sheet, the image processing unit <NUM> combines the image forming direction image with the image data without changing the size of the image forming direction image. As a result, the serviceman can determine whether or not the image printed on the sheet is the original image on the document or the image forming direction image.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> can also combine the image forming direction image and the reading direction image to be printed. <FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of the sheet on which the image forming direction image and the reading direction image are printed. In the examples illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a size of the sheet is A4. In the examples illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the reading direction is a forward direction of A4. Here, the forward direction of A4 is a direction perpendicular to a short side of A4.

In the examples illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the orientation of the sheets in the sheet accommodation unit <NUM> is different by <NUM> degrees. Specifically, the orientation of the sheet in the example illustrated in <FIG> is such that the conveying direction of the sheet is the forward direction of A4. The orientation of the sheet in the example illustrated in <FIG> is the orientation (A4-R) in which the conveying direction of the sheet is perpendicular to the forward direction of A4.

Therefore, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, since the reading direction and the image forming direction are the same, a reading direction image <NUM> and an image forming direction image <NUM> are combined so as to indicate the same direction. On the other hand, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, since the reading direction and the image forming direction are different directions, the reading direction image <NUM> and the image forming direction image <NUM> are combined so as to indicate different directions. As such, since the reading direction and the printing direction can be easily specified, the time and labor required for the defect investigation by the serviceman can be greatly reduced.

As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the reading direction image <NUM> and the image forming direction image <NUM> are combined so as not to overlap each other. For example, two patterns of combining positions of the image forming direction image are prepared. One of the two patterns indicates a position when combining only the image forming direction image. The other indicates a position where the image forming direction image does not overlap with the reading direction image if the reading direction image and the image forming direction image are combined at the same time. As a result, the image processing unit <NUM> can combine the reading direction image and the image forming direction image so as not to overlap with each other.

Next, a reading mode and an image forming mode will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of a reading direction image for each reading mode. In the reading direction image, a pattern shape correlated with a selected reading mode is combined with the image data. The HDD <NUM> stores a plurality of types of reading modes as predetermined parameters when reading the document. The reading modes are displayed on the operation panel so as to be inputtable if the document is read, and the document is read with the parameter according to the selected mode. The image processing unit <NUM> records information on the selected reading mode in the HDD <NUM>.

The reading modes include, for example, a character reading mode, a photograph reading mode, a character and photograph reading mode, and the like. The character reading mode is a mode suitable for reading characters. The character reading mode is stored in the HDD <NUM> in correlation with a symbol <NUM> with a square, for example. The photograph reading mode is a mode suitable for reading a photograph.

The photograph reading mode is stored in the HDD <NUM> in correlation with, for example, a symbol <NUM> in which a square is divided into four. The character and photograph reading mode is suitable for reading a document containing both the character and the photograph. The character and photograph reading mode is stored in the HDD <NUM> in correlation with, for example, a symbol <NUM> in which a square is vertically divided into two. Others refer to a mode if reading is performed using a parameter other than the reading mode stored in the HDD <NUM>. Others, for example, are stored in the HDD <NUM> in correlation with a symbol <NUM> in which a square is hollowed out by a smaller square.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the image forming direction image for each image forming mode. In the image forming direction image, a pattern shape correlated with a selected image forming mode is combined with the image data. The HDD <NUM> stores a plurality of types of image forming modes as predetermined parameters when forming an image. The image forming mode is displayed on the operation panel so as to be inputtable if the image is formed, and the image is formed on the sheet with the parameter according to the selected mode.

The image forming modes include, for example, a character forming mode, a photograph forming mode, a character and photograph forming mode, a grayscale mode, and the like. The character forming mode is a mode suitable for reproducing characters on the sheet. The character forming mode is stored in the HDD in correlation with, for example, a symbol <NUM> with a circle. The photograph forming mode is a mode suitable for reproducing a photographic image on the sheet. The photograph forming mode is stored in the HDD <NUM> in correlation with, for example, a symbol <NUM> in which a circle is divided into four. The character and photograph forming mode is a mode suitable for forming an image containing both the character and the photograph on the sheet.

The character and photograph forming mode is stored in the HDD <NUM> in correlation with, for example, a symbol <NUM> in which a circle is vertically divided into two. The grayscale mode is a mode in which an image is formed on the sheet by achromatic shade without using a chromatic color. The grayscale mode is stored in the HDD <NUM> in correlation with, for example, a symbol <NUM> in which a circle is divided into three parts located in left, center, right, respectively. Others refer to a mode if an image is formed on the sheet using parameters other than the image forming mode stored in the HDD <NUM>. Others, for example, are stored in the HDD in correlation with a symbol <NUM> in which a circle is hollowed out by a small square.

In <FIG> and <FIG>, types of reading mode and image forming mode are in the styles, in which the shape is made different, respectively, but may be in the styles, in which the size, color, density, or pattern are made different, respectively. As a result, the serviceman can visually determine in which reading mode the document was read based on the reading direction image. The service person can visually determine in which image forming mode the printed sheet was printed based on the image forming direction image.

The process described above will be described with reference to a flowchart. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of combining the read image. The scanner <NUM> performs scanning processing (ACT <NUM>). Image data obtained by the scanning processing is recorded in the page memory <NUM>. The image processing unit <NUM> performs image processing on the image data recorded in the page memory <NUM>, and records the image data in the HDD <NUM> (ACT <NUM>).

The image processing unit <NUM> acquires the reading resolution, the recorded resolution, and the parameters of the reading mode from the image data recorded in the HDD <NUM> (ACT <NUM>). The image processing unit <NUM> determines whether or not the acquired reading resolution and recorded resolution are different (ACT <NUM>). If it is determined that the reading resolution and the recorded resolution are equal (NO in ACT <NUM>), the image processing unit <NUM> proceeds to ACT <NUM>. If it is determined that the reading resolution and the recorded resolution are equal (NO in ACT <NUM>), the image processing unit <NUM> performs the reading direction image correction processing described above (ACT <NUM>).

The image processing unit <NUM> combines the reading direction image (ACT <NUM>). Here, if the reading direction image correction processing is performed, the image processing unit <NUM> combines the reading direction image at the position and with the size derived by the reading direction image correction processing. If the reading resolution and the recorded resolution are equal, the image processing unit <NUM> combines the reading direction image at the position and with the size according to the reading resolution. The combined reading direction image is a pattern shape corresponding to the reading mode selected when reading the document. The image processing unit <NUM> records the combined image data in the HDD <NUM> (ACT <NUM>), and ends the process.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process of combining the reading direction image and the image forming direction image in copying. The scanner <NUM> performs scanning processing (ACT <NUM>). Image data obtained by scanning processing is recorded in the page memory <NUM>. The image processing unit <NUM> performs image processing on the image data recorded in the page memory <NUM>, and records the image data in the HDD <NUM> (ACT <NUM>).

The image processing unit <NUM> determines whether or not the image is to be copied by performing magnification-varying on the image (ACT <NUM>). If it is determined that the image is not to be copied by performing magnification-varying on the image (NO in ACT <NUM>), the image processing unit <NUM> proceeds to ACT <NUM>. If it is determined that the image is to be copied by performing magnification-varying on the image (YES in ACT <NUM>), the image processing unit <NUM> performs magnification-varying processing (ACT <NUM>). Magnification and the like to be used for performing magnification-varying on the image are recorded in the RAM <NUM> as described above. The image processing unit <NUM> combines the reading direction image (ACT <NUM>).

The image processing unit <NUM> acquires the orientation of the sheet on which an image is to be formed in the sheet accommodation unit <NUM> and the image forming mode (ACT <NUM>). The image processing unit <NUM> combines the image forming direction image according to the acquired orientation (ACT <NUM>). The combined image forming direction image is a pattern shape corresponding to the image forming mode selected when forming the image. The image processing unit <NUM> records the combined image data in the HDD <NUM> (ACT <NUM>). The image processing unit <NUM> converts the image data recorded in the HDD <NUM> into image data for printing (for example, raster data) and outputs the image data to the printer <NUM>. The printer <NUM> prints using the input image data (ACT <NUM>), and ends the process.

In the embodiments described above, a plurality of reading direction images in different styles may be provided. For example, reading direction images in different styles may be combined so that image data obtained from the document placed on a platen glass and image data obtained by the ADF <NUM> can be distinguished. If the ADF <NUM> is capable of reading both sides of the document, reading direction images in different styles may be combined so that image data obtained from a front surface and image data obtained from a back surface can be distinguished.

The main CPU <NUM> and the image processing unit <NUM> may be installed in the same processor.

This embodiment may be configured as an image processing apparatus that does not include the printer <NUM>.

According to the image forming apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment described above, an image forming apparatus capable of easily specifying the reading direction can be provided. Further, according to the image forming apparatus <NUM> of the embodiment, an image forming apparatus capable of easily specifying the selected reading mode can be provided.

The functions of the image forming apparatus in the embodiment described above may be realized by a computer. In that case, the functions of the image forming apparatus may be realized by allowing a program for realizing those functions to be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and causing the program recorded in this recording medium to be read into and executed by a computer system. The term "computer system" here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and the like, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into the computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include those that dynamically store a program for a short period of time, such as a communication channel for transmitting the program via a network such as the Internet and communication line such as a telephone line. In that case, the "computer-readable recording medium" may also include a memory that stores the program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that serves as a server or client. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above, or may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

Claim 1:
An image forming apparatus comprising:
a printer configured to form an image on a sheet, wherein the image forming apparatus comprises:
a storage unit configured to store image data and a reading mode that is a parameter when reading an image;
a scanner (<NUM>) configured to read an image formed on a sheet and generate image data; and
a control unit configured to combine a reading direction image that indicates a reading direction in the scanner and is a pattern shape based on the reading mode with the image data generated by the scanner, and record combined image data in the storage unit, wherein the reading mode is selected from one of a character reading mode, a photograph reading mode and a character and photograph reading mode,
wherein:
the control unit is configured to determine a position where the reading direction image is disposed and a size of the reading direction image based on reading resolution indicating resolution of reading processing in the scanner and recorded resolution indicating resolution of the image data recorded in the storage unit,
even when a magnification-varied image is formed on the sheet by performing magnification-varying on an image, the control unit is configured to combine the reading direction image with the image data without changing at least a size of the reading direction image,
the storage unit is further configured to store an image forming mode, which is a parameter when forming the image, and
the control unit is configured to combine an image forming direction image that indicates an image forming direction in the printer and is a pattern shape based on the image forming mode with the image data wherein the image forming mode is selected from one of a character forming mode, a photograph forming mode, a character and photograph forming mode and a grayscale mode.