JP2001245116A - Document reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To expedite read processing, when an once-read document is re-read. SOLUTION: The image information read from a document D is turned into coded information through compressing and encoding of the MH method and so on. This coded information is printed on the back side of the document D by a printer 30. When the document D is re-read, a contact sensor 31 detects the encoded information to determine whether it is the document D that has been read once. If there exist a coded, information, it determines as being read once and it reads the encoded information to decode it into the original image information and outputs it to an image processing apparatus 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an original reading apparatus for reading an original and outputting the image information to an image processing apparatus such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a display, and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A document reading apparatus is generally provided integrally with an image processing apparatus such as a multifunction machine in which a copier, a printer, a facsimile apparatus, etc. are integrated, and a light source for scanning the entire surface of a document conveyed at a constant speed. The image data is read by a scanner unit including a CCD, and the read image information is output to an image processing apparatus. Then, copying is performed based on the image information, or transmission is performed by facsimile communication.

[0003]

In an analog copier equipped with a conventional document reading device, when reading a document repeatedly, the entire document conveyed at a constant speed must be read each time even if the same document is read. However, the speed of reading the same original document could not be significantly improved.

In a digital copying machine or a multifunction peripheral, a page memory is provided in a main body, and when a document is repeatedly read, image information is stored in the page memory and output from the information in the memory. it can. However, a large-capacity memory is required to hold the image information of the document as read data, and the cost is high. In particular, in order for the image processing apparatus to function as a file server, a larger memory is required.

[0005] Further, if a document that has been read once is read at a different time, the document reading device cannot recognize whether the document is once read.
The original must be read again, which is inefficient in such a case.

When a document copied based on image information read by a document reading device or a document output with image information received by facsimile communication is copied again or transmitted by facsimile, the image deteriorates and becomes difficult to see. Does not withstand subsequent use. Further, when transmitting image information, if a large amount of image information is transmitted, the communication time becomes longer, which affects other image processing and other devices. Further, if an abnormality occurs in the document reading device, copying and facsimile transmission cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a document reading apparatus capable of performing subsequent processing without reading image information of a document again when reading the same document and outputting image information. . Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus that can efficiently perform image processing using the document reading apparatus.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, the same original is read next time by compressing and encoding the image information of the original read for the first time and recording the encoded information on the original. At this time, by reading the encoded information, the image information can be output without reading the image information of the original again.

That is, reading means for reading image information from a document, coding means for compressing the image information into coded information, recording means for recording the coded information on the document,
The image processing apparatus includes: encoded information reading means for reading encoded information of a document; restoring means for restoring the read encoded information into the image information; and output means for outputting the restored image information to an image processing apparatus. is there.

Further, a document discriminating means for discriminating whether a document is a read document or an unread document based on the presence or absence of the coded information of the document is provided. The image information based on the encoded information is output to the image processing apparatus. When there is no encoded information, it is determined that the original is the first original, and the image information of the original is read and output to the image processing apparatus.

As described above, image information can be obtained by reading the encoded information only by recording the encoded information, which is more compressed than the image information, on the document, and the time required for reading is greatly reduced. And a series of operation times from reading of a document to image processing such as copying and facsimile transmission can be shortened. Further, it is not necessary to store the image information in the memory.

Here, if the recording means is arranged so as to face the reading means, the encoded information can be recorded on the other side opposite to the one side on which the image of the document exists. At this time, by setting the recording position of the recording unit near the reading position of the reading unit on the downstream side in the document conveyance direction, immediately after the reading of the image information is completed, the encoded information is recorded on the document, or Encoding information can be recorded while reading image information. As a result, the reading time of the original can be reduced, and the processing speed can be increased.

In an image processing apparatus for performing desired image processing on image information output from a document reading apparatus, the encoded information is used to transmit the image information via a communication line. The data is converted to the determined communication method and transmitted. Alternatively, the encoded information is transmitted as it is, for example, in the form of an attached file, and the attached file of the received encoded information is restored to image information, and predetermined image processing such as printing on a recording material is performed. As described above, when the encoded information is transmitted as compared with the case where the image information is transmitted as it is, the communication time is shortened because the data amount is reduced.

If the encoded information is also printed on the recording material on which the image information is printed, the image information can be output based on the encoded information. Although the image is degraded by repeating the image processing, the content of the coded information is not degraded, so that a good image can always be obtained by using the coded information. Therefore, this recording material can be used as a substitute for the original document. In addition,
In order to distinguish between the image information and the encoded information, it is preferable to print them on the front and back surfaces of the recording material.

Further, if the input coded information is stored after being read or transmitted from a document, the image processing apparatus has a file server function. That is, even if there is no original document, desired image processing can be performed based on the stored encoded information, and time for reading the document is not required, and efficient image processing can be performed.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) As shown in FIG. 1, a document reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided integrally with an image processing apparatus 1 such as a copying machine or a multifunction peripheral. It is incorporated in a document table cover 4 which is installed on the upper surface of the cabinet 2 above the document table 3 so as to be freely opened and closed. An original guide 5 on which an original D is placed is placed on the original platen cover 4.
A conveyance path 7 is formed to reach the paper discharge space 6 below the document guide 5 through the upper surface of the document D. The document reading apparatus includes a conveyance unit that conveys the document D along the conveyance path 7 and a document D that has been conveyed.
And reading control means for controlling the transport means and the reading means based on a document reading command from the main body control unit 8 of the image processing apparatus 1.

The conveying means includes a pickup roller 10 for taking out the uppermost original D from the originals D stacked on the original guide 5, a pair of separation rollers 11 for preventing double feeding of the originals D, and a pair of PSs for timing the conveyance. A roller (registration roller) 12, a transport belt 13 for transporting the document D to a predetermined position on the document table 3, and a pair of discharge rollers 14 for sending the document D to the discharge space 6, in this order from the upstream in the transport direction. Lined up.

The transport belt 13 is wound around a drive roller 15 and a driven roller 16, and the transport belt 13 is rotated by the rotation of the drive roller 15. Then, between the pickup roller 10 and the separation roller 11,
A separation plate 17 is provided so as to be able to enter and exit the conveyance path 7 to regulate the leading end of the document D. A paper input sensor 18 is provided downstream of the separation roller 11 and detects that the document D has been conveyed past the separation roller 11.

The reading means includes a scanner unit 19 having a light source such as a fluorescent lamp and a CCD, and a scanner unit 19.
And a moving mechanism using a motor, a belt, and the like for reciprocating along the document table 3, and are arranged below the document table 3 in the main body cabinet 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the reading control means includes an image information input and memory unit 21 to a document reading control unit 20;
A data compression unit 22, an encoded information printing unit 23, an encoded information reading unit 24, a data decompressing unit 25, and a paper transport control unit 26 are connected, and each unit is configured to be capable of two-way communication. Also, although the scanner unit control unit 27 is connected to the main body control unit 8, the main body control unit 8 and the original reading control unit 20 can also perform bidirectional communication, so that the main body side scanner unit 19 can be controlled from the original reading device side. Can be.

The image information input and memory section 21 reads the original D at a resolution (for example, 200 dpi) specified by the scanner unit 19 on the main body side, and temporarily stores the image information in a RAM or the like. The data compression section 22 compresses the image information input and the image information stored in the memory section 21 into encoded information. The encoded information printing unit 23 controls the printing device 30 for printing encoded information on the document D. The coded information reading unit 24 controls the contact sensor 31 that reads coded information printed on the document D. The data decompression unit 25 decompresses and restores the encoded information read by the encoded information reading unit 24 to the original image information. The paper transport control unit 26 controls a series of operations from document setting to discharge, and controls driving of each roller of the transport means and the belt 13. The scanner unit control unit 27 controls reading of a document on the document table 3 by controlling a CCD and a light source.

As the printing apparatus 30, a label printer, a thermal printer, or the like is used, and can print limited numbers, characters, and symbols, and can print the paper width of the document D. The printing device 30 is mounted on the document table cover 4 facing the document table 3 downstream of the transport belt 13 and prints on the back surface of the document D having an image on the front surface. The contact sensor 31 uses an image sensor, and is disposed near the downstream side of the paper input sensor 18. That is, the contact sensor 31 and the printing device 30 are arranged along the transport path 7 to read and print the coded information on the document D.

The original reading control section 20 controls the above-described sections as a whole, outputs image information to the main body control section 8, and the main body control section 8 performs copying and copying based on the input image information. It performs desired image processing such as facsimile transmission and the like, and cooperates with each other to control a series of operations from reading of the document D to image processing.

The original reading control section 20 detects the presence or absence of encoded information of the original D based on the output from the close contact sensor 31, and thereby reads the original D or the unread original D.
A document discriminating function for discriminating whether the document D has encoded information and outputs the image information obtained by restoring the encoded information to the main body control unit 8; The lever image information is output to the main body control unit 8.

Next, a series of operations when reading the document D will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 3, the entire flow is roughly divided into a first process for printing encoded information on a document D.
Copy or facsimile transmission (FAX transmission) of document D by reading the flow of
A second series of operations is performed, and a series of operations is completed by continuously performing this flow.

In the first flow shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of originals D are set on an original guide 5 of an original reading apparatus in a state where an image is placed on the original guide 5 with its surface facing up, and the positions are fixed by a separation plate 17. I have. As shown in FIG. 5, when the start switch is turned on, the conveyance is started, the uppermost document D is taken out by the counterclockwise rotation of the pickup roller 10, and the both rollers 10 are taken by the clockwise rotation of the separation roller 11. , 11 is lifted, the regulation is released, and only one document D is supplied to the transport path 7. When the rotation of both rollers 10 and 11 is stopped, the separation plate 17 descends by its own weight and shuts off the conveyance path 7.

When the paper feed sensor 18 is turned on and off, the passage of the document D is detected. When the paper feed sensor 18 is turned on, the leading edge of the document D is detected. When the paper feed sensor 18 is turned off, the trailing edge of the document D is detected. Based on the on / off state, the document reading control unit 20 determines the document size. The PS roller 12 and the conveyance belt 1 are
3 is controlled, and as shown in FIG.
When the document D passes through the rollers 12, the document D is sent by the transport belt 13 in parallel to the document table 3, and is accurately sent by the scanner unit 19 to a reading position which can read the entire surface of the document set according to the document size. Is temporarily stopped. Thereafter, the image information is sequentially read from the top while the scanner unit 19 is moved along the document D,
Temporarily store in memory.

Next, the image information is taken out from the memory,
This is compressed into encoded information. An example of the method will be described with reference to FIG. MH (Modified Huffman) which basically treats the read original D as a continuous white or black matrix and converts the encoded data into binary coded information corresponding to the run length of each of the white and black runs to realize data compression. Use the method. For example, FIG.
A part of the A4 original D shown in FIG.
There are S Gothic, 12 point images. When this document D is read at a resolution of 100 dpi, the total number of bits per line is 827 bits as shown in FIG.
Then, the image information on one line of the document D is divided into run lengths, which are the lengths of the white run and the black run, as follows. White 140 Black 3 White 12 Black 2 White 6 Black 2 White 11 Black 2 White 4 Black 3 White 9 Black 2 White 4 Black 3 White 11 Black 2 White 611 This is the white run, and the run length is a binary code for each black run. The code corresponding to the run length of the color is selected from the code table represented by. For example, “white 4” is “1011”, “black 2”
Is "11", and the run length in one line is coded based on this code table, as shown in FIG. 7C. In the figure, the combination of "1" and "0" in the upper row is the encoded information. Thus, 827
The bit image information is converted into 88-bit encoded information by encoding, and is compressed to about 1/10.

In general, since the compression rate of the MH method is binary encoded information in consideration of the appearance of run-length, a very high compression rate is realized. / 5 to 1/20. Therefore,
If this coded information is printed in a font size of the same size as one pixel of the reading resolution, the data compression ratio is the ratio of the occupied portion of the coded information to the document D as it is. There is a speed improvement effect. In addition, 100 dpi (the size of one pixel is about 0.25
The font size equivalent to 4 mm) is about 0.7 points when the size of one point is 0.351 mm.

The resolution of the encoded information is made equal to the resolution of the CCD in the scanner unit. For example, an image read at 200 dpi is 200 dpi
This means that the image becomes the coded information as the image of i, and the original image can be completely restored when the compression is decompressed. If you read at 200 dpi, thin it out and get 1
If the coding information is converted to 00 dpi, the capacity of the coding information is reduced, and the printing range is reduced. However, when the image is restored, the original image cannot be restored.

Although the MH method is used here as a compression method, the use of the MR (Modified Read) method generally has a data compression effect of about 1.2 to 3.5 times that of the MH method. Therefore, a reading speed improvement effect of 6 to 70 times can be obtained.

Then, the image information is converted into the coded information as described above, and as shown in FIG. 8, by driving the transport belt 13 for a predetermined time, the leading end of the document D reaches below the printing device 30. The document D is transported to the printing position and temporarily stopped. At this point, since the encoding of the image information has been completed, the encoding information is printed and recorded on a specific portion at the front end of the back surface of the document D by the printing device 30. When printing is completed, the conveyance belt 13 is driven to convey the document D, and the document D is directed to the paper discharge roller 14 along the guide plate 32 of the conveyance path 7 and is discharged to the paper discharge space 6 by the paper discharge roller 14. You. The above operation is performed by the document guide 5
Is repeated until the original D is no longer present.

The image information is read from the original D, and a flow for printing the encoded information is executed. The read image information is output to the main body control unit 8 to perform desired image processing such as copying or FAX transmission. May go.

Next, in the second flow shown in FIG. 9, the original guide
Set to. The encoded information printed at this time is the original D
On the back. When the start switch is turned on, the pickup roller 10 and the separation roller 1 are turned on.
1 rotates, and only the uppermost original D is supplied. The leading edge of the document D is detected by the paper input sensor 18, and reading of the coded information printed at a specific location on the back surface of the document D is started by the contact sensor 31. The close contact sensor 31 stops reading when the document D passes through the paper input sensor 18 and is turned off. By arranging the close contact sensor 31 on the upstream side of the PS roller 12 in this way, encoded information can be detected quickly, and subsequent unnecessary operations can be eliminated, thereby improving efficiency. In addition, since the encoded information is recorded at the leading end of the document D, it can be detected immediately from the start of the conveyance, and the subsequent operation can proceed smoothly.

If the document D has coded information, the coded information is read by the contact sensor 31, the read coded information is decompressed and restored to the original image information, and output to the main body control unit 8. Then, while performing image processing such as copying or facsimile transmission, the original D is directly sent to the paper discharge roller 14 by the PS roller 12 and the transport belt 13, and is discharged to the paper discharge space 6 by the paper discharge roller 14.

If the original D has no encoded information,
Since it is necessary to read the entire surface of the document, the document D is accurately transported to the reading position by the PS roller 12 and the transport belt 13, and the image information of the document D is read by the scanner unit 19. Thereafter, the transport belt 13 and the discharge roller 1
The document D is discharged to the paper discharge space 6 by 4. This series of operations is repeated until there is no document D in the document guide 5.

Further, in the original reading apparatus, the image information can be read even when the original D is placed directly on the original plate 3 with the original plate cover 4 opened. After reading the document D, the document D is transported to the printing position, and the encoded information obtained by compressing the image information can be printed.

Next, a description will be given of a method of using the obtained coded information in the image processing apparatus 1 having the above-described document reading apparatus. This image processing apparatus 1 includes a general telephone line,
It is connected to a communication line such as a dedicated line, and has a normal facsimile communication function for transmitting and receiving image information to and from another facsimile apparatus and image processing apparatus, and an Internet facsimile communication function using the Internet.

In general, facsimile communication (FAX communication)
As shown in FIG. 10, the transmitting side converts the image information input from the document reading device into predetermined facsimile compressed data such as MH information by the MH, MR or MMR method on the transmitting side, and then transmits the data to the communication line. Via FAX. On the other hand, the receiving side prints the received data on a recording material such as paper. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 11, when the transmitting side decompresses the encoded information to the original image information and restores it, the image information is similarly converted to a predetermined method such as MH information and transmitted. There is also. However, such a communication method requires a large amount of data to be transmitted,
The communication time becomes longer. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 1 uses the coded information having a small data amount to send
As a transmission method, a function as shown in FIG. 12 is provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 13, an encoded information conversion / processing section 40 is connected to the main body control section 8. The encoded information conversion / processing unit 40 converts the data of the encoded information as it is in the MH, MR, or MMR format for FAX communication to perform the FAX communication shown in FIG.
A first transmission function of converting the information into a predetermined format and transmitting the information, a second transmission function of transmitting the encoded information shown in FIG. A function of decompressing encoded information when received in a file format and restoring it to image information, and a first transmission function depending on whether or not a device such as an image processing device of a transmission destination has the above-described document reading device. Or a function of selecting one of the second transmission functions. The presence / absence of the document reading device in the destination device can be determined by a signal transmitted according to the communication protocol, or by inputting the status of the destination in advance.

FIG. 14 shows the procedure of FAX communication in the first transmission function. In this communication, the other party is a facsimile apparatus or an image processing apparatus without a document reading device. Since the encoding information has exactly the same concept as the compression of the MH method or the like specified in the FAX communication, it is used as it is. First, the image processing apparatus 1 on the transmission side converts the numeral in FIG. 7C, which is the encoded information of the document, as it is into an electrical signal of MH information by, for example, the MH method and transmits it using a communication line. . On the other hand, the receiving device
Performs signal processing on the received signal to restore image information,
For example, printing is performed on a recording material. Alternatively, it may be stored in a file as image data.

FIG. 15 shows the procedure of FAX communication in the second transmission function. In this communication, the other party is a facsimile device and an image processing device having a document reading device. First, the image processing device 1 on the transmission side performs a process of directly converting the encoded information into an attached file. At this time,
By adding identification information indicating that the attached file is encoded information, subsequent processing can be easily executed. Then, the transmission is performed using the communication line. On the other hand, when the receiving device receives the signal, it decompresses the attached file, restores the coded information to image information, and performs printing and storage. If an Internet network is used, the encoded information can be converted into image data for electronic mail and transmitted as an attached file.

As described above, by selecting one of the transmission functions according to the other party's equipment, the image information can be transmitted at high speed by using the coded information having a small amount of data, and can be transmitted through the communication line. The time can be significantly reduced. Therefore, the processing speed of the image processing apparatus 1 is increased, and high performance can be achieved.

Further, the main body control section 8 is connected to an encoded information memory section 41 and an encoded information output sheet printing section 42. The coded information memory unit 41 stores coded information read in the past, and can take out the coded information and copy or fax it when necessary. Information display, search, deletion, rearrangement, and the like are performed using an input from an operation panel unit of the main body or using dedicated software on a personal computer.

By providing the memory unit 41, the following functions are added to the image processing apparatus 1. Since a large amount of image information once read is accumulated as encoded information, it is not necessary to read the same document again, and the image processing apparatus 1 can be used as a simple file server. Moreover, since the amount of data to be stored is small, a large-capacity memory is not required. When the document reading device cannot be used due to a failure or the like, if the encoded information for the image information to be copied or transmitted by facsimile is stored, it can be read out from the memory unit 41 to perform a desired process. When the encoded information is read out from the memory unit 41 and transmitted by facsimile, the image information of the original can be read and copied using an original reading device. The reverse case is also possible. Therefore, two processes can be executed simultaneously. By reading a test pattern original such as a solid black original or a gradation original for image quality adjustment with an original reading device in advance and storing the encoded information in the memory unit 41, even if there is no test pattern original, the print quality can be improved. You can check.

Further, the encoded information output paper printing unit 42
Recording material such as output paper on which read image information is printed, or F
This is for printing encoded information on a recording material on which image information received by AX communication is printed. Since the encoded information is printed on the back surface opposite to the front surface of the recording material on which the image information is printed, a printing device having a double-sided printing function on the main body side may be used as the printing device. Alternatively, a dedicated printing device may be separately provided and arranged so that printing can be performed on the back surface of the recording material.

The printing section 42 operates when the encoding mode is set by input from operation keys or the like, and controls the printing apparatus. The encoding mode is a mode in which encoded information is printed on a recording material that has been subjected to image processing and output during copying or FAX reception. When the encoding mode is set, an image that is the same size or reduced size of the original document is printed on the front surface of the recording material by the main body side printing device, and a predetermined position on the back surface of the recording material, The encoded information is printed at a position corresponding to the leading side of. When the image information of the recording material on which the encoded information is printed is read by the document reading device, the encoded information may be read, so that the recording material can be used as a substitute for the original document. Therefore, even if a document is output by copying or receiving a fax, if the document is copied or faxed again and output, if the image information is based on the encoded information, the image does not deteriorate.

(Second Embodiment) In the document reading apparatus of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Different from the embodiment. That is, the transport path 7 extends from the original guide 5 to the discharge space 6 below the original guide 5 along the guide plate 45, passing over the upper surface of the original table 3 above the scanner unit 19. Along the transport path 7, the pickup roller 10, the separation roller 1
1, a PS roller 12 and a paper discharge roller 14 are provided.

A printing device 30 provided inside the document table cover 4 is provided to face the scanner unit 19 with the document table 3 interposed therebetween. Here, the scanner unit 1
Reference numeral 9 denotes a home position for reading an image of the document D conveyed on the conveyance path 7, reads the conveyed document D in a stationary state, and scans the document D placed on the upper surface of the document table 3. The image is read while reciprocating along the document table 3. Therefore, the printing device 30 is positioned such that the printing position of the printing device 30 is downstream from the reading position S of the scanner unit 19 in the transport direction when the printing position is at the home position.
Is arranged.

Other configurations of the original reading apparatus and the image processing apparatus are the same as those of the first embodiment. In addition, a separate printing device may be provided so that printing can be performed on the document D directly placed on the upper surface of the document table 3.

Next, the operation when reading the original D will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described based on. First, when encoding information is printed on the document D, a plurality of documents D are set on the document guide 5 with the image side facing up, and the separation plate 1
At 7 the position is fixed. As shown in FIG. 18, when the start switch is turned on, the conveyance is started, and only one document D is supplied to the conveyance path 7 by the rotation of the pickup roller 10 and the separation roller 11.

When the leading edge of the document D is detected by turning on the paper input sensor 18 and the trailing end of the document D is detected by turning off the paper input sensor 18, the size of the document being conveyed can be recognized based on the on / off state. The driving of the PS roller 12 and the paper discharge roller 14 is controlled based on the document size, and the document can be accurately stopped at a required position.

Then, as shown in FIG.
After passing through the S roller 12, the document D is sent in parallel to the document table 3 and reaches above the scanner unit 19. When the document D passes the reading position S of the scanner unit 19, the scanner unit 19 reads an image of the moving document D. The leading end of the document D comes into contact with the guide plate 45, changes its direction toward the paper discharge roller 14, and is further conveyed to the paper discharge roller 14. At this time,
The read image information is temporarily stored in the memory,
Retrieve image information from memory, compress it, and
It is encoded information as in the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the trailing edge of the document D passes through the reading position S and reaches below the printing apparatus 30, the discharge roller 14 is stopped to temporarily stop the document D.
At this point, image reading has all been completed, and encoding of image information has also been completed. Original D by printing device 30
The encoding information is printed and recorded on a specific portion near the rear end of the back surface of the recording medium. As a result, the time from image reading to printing can be reduced, and the processing capability can be improved.

When the printing is completed, the paper discharge roller 14 is driven, and the document D is discharged to the paper discharge space 6. This series of operations is repeated until there is no document D in the document guide 5. When printing the encoded information, the document D may be printed while being transported.

Next, when reading the original D on which the encoded information is recorded, the contact information sensor 31 reads the encoded information printed on the rear end of the back surface of the original D. As shown in FIG. Must be read before the leading end of the mark reaches point b. That is, when the encoded information is not printed on the document D, the image of the document D needs to be read by the scanner unit 19. Therefore, the distance from the point a to the point b immediately after passing through the paper input sensor 18 is set to be equal to or longer than the longitudinal length L of the maximum original that can be read by the original reading device.

As shown in FIG. 22, the original D on which the encoded information is recorded is set on the original guide 5 with its front side up, and the topmost original D is supplied by turning on the start switch. You. When the leading edge of the document D is detected by the paper input sensor 18, the contact sensor 31 starts operating. When the trailing end of the document D passes through the paper input sensor 18 and the paper input sensor 18 is turned off and the document D passes through the close contact sensor 31, reading of the encoded information is stopped.

The read encoded information is decompressed and restored to the original image information, and output to the main body control unit 8. And the first
Copy or FAX by the same method as in the embodiment.
While performing image processing such as transmission, the original D is
The paper is sent to the paper discharge roller 14 by the S roller 12 and discharged to the paper discharge space 6.

If the original D has no encoded information,
Since it is necessary to read the entire surface of the document, the scanner unit 19 reads the image information of the document D while accurately transporting the document D to the reading position by the PS roller 12.
Thereafter, the document D is discharged to the discharge space 6 by the discharge rollers 14. This series of operations is applied to the document guide 5 by the document D.
Repeat until there are no more.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope of the present invention. For example, the document reading device is not limited to the one provided in the image processing apparatus and capable of continuously reading documents, and may be an image scanner that reads documents one by one. May be taken into a personal computer and displayed on a display device. That is, the personal computer becomes the image processing device. In this case, since the document cannot be conveyed, the printing device and the contact sensor may be arranged so as to face the document table.

As a method of recording encoded information on a document,
Printing may be performed with ink containing a magnetic material, and the encoded information is read by a magnetic sensor. According to this method, the encoded information can be read even if the original is dirty, and the method is resistant to dirt. Further, the encoded information may be recorded with a fluorescent paint. In this case, since the encoded information is not visible to the naked eye, it can be recorded on the surface where the image of the document exists, and it is possible to correspond to a double-sided document. Further, in addition to the encoded information, other information, for example, a record of facsimile transmission may be simultaneously recorded on the document. Also, printing may be performed on the back side when the document is at the reading position, and it is not necessary to transport the document to the recording position.

Instead of recording all the encoded information on the original, identification information such as symbols and names representing the encoded information is recorded, and the encoded information is stored in the memory of the original reading control unit or the main body control unit. To save. If the encoded information is stored, the capacity of the memory can be reduced as compared with the case where the document information is stored. Then, when the identification information is read from the document, the encoded information corresponding to the identification information may be called, restored to image information, and output. Alternatively, a two-dimensional barcode may be created as the encoding information based on the image information and printed, thereby reducing the printing space.

[0063]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the encoding speed based on the image information is recorded on the original, and the encoded information is read, so that the reading speed at the next reading of the same original is read. , And can perform high-speed processing when reading a large number of documents. Further, the time from reading the document to performing image processing can be greatly reduced, and the speed of the image processing apparatus can be increased when image processing is performed on the document once read.

Further, since the image processing can be performed by handling the compressed encoded information without storing the image information in the memory, the memory for storing the image information can be eliminated or used. However, the memory capacity can be small, and the cost can be reduced.

Here, if the encoded information is stored in the memory instead of the image information, a large amount of information can be stored with a small capacity, and a file server function can be realized. Therefore, copying or facsimile transmission becomes possible by reading the stored encoded information,
Even if an abnormality occurs in the document reading apparatus, the image processing apparatus can execute desired image processing based on the encoded information, thereby improving the function.

By transmitting the image information using the encoded information, the communication time can be reduced as compared with the case where the image information is transmitted as it is. Moreover, if the stored encoded information is used, it is not necessary to read the original, and the time required for reading the original can be saved.
In addition, by printing the encoded information on the recording material output by the image processing, the image information can be obtained from the encoded information at the next copy or facsimile transmission. Can be prevented, and can be used as a substitute for the original document.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus including a document reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a document reading apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an overall flowchart of image processing for a document;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for recording encoded information on a document.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a document reading device when a document is placed;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a document reading apparatus when reading a document.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining encoding of a document image;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a document reading device when encoding information is recorded on a document.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for reading encoded information of a document.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of normal fax transmission.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart for transmitting encoded information by normal FAX transmission.

FIG. 12A is a diagram illustrating an outline of FAX transmission by a first transmission function, and FIG. 12B is a diagram illustrating an outline of a FAX transmission by a second transmission function.

FIG. 13 is a control block diagram of an image processing apparatus including a document reading device.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of FAX transmission by a first transmission function.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of FAX transmission by the second transmission function.

FIG. 16 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing apparatus including a document reading device according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart for recording encoded information on a document.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a document reading device when a document is placed.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a document reading apparatus when reading a document.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a document reading device when encoding information is recorded on a document.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a document reading device when reading encoded information of a document;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart for reading encoded information of a document.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing apparatus 5 Document guide 7 Transport path 8 Main body control unit 10 Pickup roller 11 Separation roller 12 PS roller 13 Transport belt 14 Discharge roller 18 Paper input sensor 19 Scanner unit 20 Document reading control unit 30 Printing device 31 Contact sensor

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinya Kishi 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Inside (72) Inventor Kenji Tanaka 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Incorporated F term (reference) 5C062 AB17 AB22 AB42 AC04 AC09 AC25 5C072 AA05 BA03 NA04 NA08 RA04 WA02 XA01

Claims (15)

[Claims] A reading unit that reads image information from a document; a coding unit that compresses the image information to generate coded information; a recording unit that records the coded information on the document; An output unit configured to output the image information of the original to an image processing apparatus based on the encoded information. 2. An image processing apparatus comprising: encoded information reading means for reading encoded information of a document; and restoring means for restoring the read encoded information to the image information, wherein the output means performs image processing on the restored image information. 2. The document reading device according to claim 1, wherein the document is output to a device. 3. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a document discriminating means for discriminating whether a document is a read document or an unread document based on the presence or absence of encoded information of the document. 3. The document reading device according to claim 2, wherein the image reading device reads the image information of the document when there is no encoded information and outputs the read image information to the image processing device. 4. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the recording device is disposed so as to face the reading device with the document therebetween.
Or the original reading device according to 3. 5. The document according to claim 1, further comprising a transport unit for transporting the document, transporting the document to a recording position for recording encoded information on the document, and temporarily stopping the document. Reader. 6. The document reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a recording position of the recording means is set in the vicinity of a reading position by the reading means and on a downstream side in a document conveying direction. 7. An encoding unit compresses image information by taking an image as a black-and-white matrix, expressing the run lengths of a black run and a white run for each line by binary codes corresponding to the respective run lengths. 4. The original reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the original is converted into encoded information. 8. An image processing apparatus comprising: the document reading device according to claim 1; and image processing means for performing desired image processing on image information output from the document reading device. apparatus. 9. An image processing apparatus comprising the document reading device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the image reading device transmits and receives image information read by the document reading device via a communication line.
An image processing apparatus comprising: an encoded information conversion unit that converts encoded information from the document reading device into a predetermined communication method and transmits the converted information. 10. An image processing apparatus comprising the original reading apparatus according to claim 1, 2 or 3, and transmitting and receiving image information read by the original reading apparatus via a communication line. An image processing apparatus comprising: encoded information conversion means for transmitting encoded information as it is. 11. The encoded information converting means transmits the encoded information as an attached file.
0. The image processing apparatus according to item 0. 12. The image processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising an encoded information processing unit for restoring encoded information received via a communication line into image information. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: an encoded information printing unit that prints encoded information corresponding to the image information on a recording material on which the image information is printed. . 14. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the printing unit prints the encoded information on the back surface opposite to the front surface of the recording material on which the image information is printed. 15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a storage unit for storing the input encoded information.