JP6128322B2 - Image reading device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus.

  In an image reading apparatus that reads an image, the read image is temporarily stored in a storage unit, the output timing is adjusted, the image is read from the storage unit, and is output to a subsequent device or the outside.

  An enlarged or reduced image may be acquired. As one method in the conventional image reading apparatus, there is a method of changing the relative speed between the document and the sensor in one direction of the image. For example, when enlarging, the relative speed between the document and the sensor is made slower than the normal speed to enlarge in one direction, and the other direction is electronically enlarged to enlarge the entire image. Yes. In this case, the time until the reading of the document is completed is longer than that in the case of the same magnification.

  When the document reading time is within the same time, the enlargement process may be performed electronically. In this case, the data amount of the enlarged image is larger than the data amount of the same size image. Accordingly, the time required to store the image in the storage unit also takes time when the image is enlarged as compared with the case of the same magnification, and the processing for storing the image in the storage unit within the reading time is completed. Without waiting for the next reading.

  On the other hand, when an image is output to a subsequent apparatus or the outside, a value reduction process is performed to reduce the gradation of each pixel from the gradation at the time of reading due to the data transfer band and the like. If this price reduction process is performed, the amount of data decreases compared to before the price reduction. Therefore, if the reduced image is stored in the storage unit, the time required to store the image in the storage unit is shorter than when the image is not reduced.

  When enlarging the image, it is performed on the image before the reduction. Therefore, the data amount increases by the enlargement process compared to the case where the data amount is equal, and the data amount decreases by the value reduction process compared to before the data amount is reduced. If the increase exceeds the decrease, the time for storing the enlarged and reduced image in the storage unit may exceed the time required for reading, and the reading may be awaited.

  Such a problem is more conspicuous in an image reading apparatus provided with a plurality of reading units. For example, there is an image reading apparatus having a reading unit that reads an image on the front side of a document and a reading unit that reads an image on the back side of the document. In the image reading apparatus having such a configuration, the time required for reading is compared with a configuration in which the image on the front side and the image on the back side of the document are read in parallel, the image on the front side is read and then the document is reversed and the image on the back side is read. Is shortened.

  In the case of the image reading apparatus having such a configuration, the storage unit stores two pages of images, that is, the front image and the back image. If images for two pages on the front and back sides are stored in the storage unit within the reading time for one original that reads the front and back images in parallel, continuous reading can be realized without stopping the reading unit. The

  For example, in Patent Document 1, the resolution in the sub-scanning direction of the read image is halved, the data amount is halved, and the data amount of the image for two pages of the front and back is set as the data amount for one page in the reading time for one original. It is stored in the storage unit. In addition, if the above-described value reduction processing is used to reduce both the front and back images, the amount of data is reduced as compared with the case where no reduction is performed, and 2 within the reading time for one original. You may memorize | store the image which reduced the value for a page in a memory | storage part.

  However, when the enlargement process is performed, for example, even if the value is reduced, it may not be enough to read the enlarged image for two pages in the storage unit in the storage time for one page. In such a case, an interval is required for reading each document, and the time required for the entire reading becomes longer than when enlargement is not performed.

JP 2006-013882 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that does not increase the time required for the entire reading even when reading an image with enlargement.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a reading unit that reads an image in multiple values, an image degree conversion unit that converts the resolution of the read image, a storage unit that stores an image, and a reduction or enlargement of an image according to a reduction ratio The reduction / enlargement unit performs reduction / enlargement processing according to the reduction / enlargement unit that performs the reduction process, and the reduction / enlargement rate and the resolution of the image after the resolution conversion by the resolution conversion unit. The image reduced by the value reduction means is stored in the storage means, or the multi-valued image after resolution conversion is stored in the storage means, and the image read from the storage means is reduced / enlarged by the reduction / enlargement means And an image reading apparatus having control means for controlling whether the value is reduced by the value reducing means.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there are provided a first reading unit that reads an image on one side of a document with multiple values, a first resolution conversion unit that converts the resolution of an image read by the first reading unit, and the other side of the document. A second reading means for reading the image of the surface in multiple values, a second resolution converting means for converting the resolution of the image read by the second reading means, a storage means for storing the image, and an image according to the scaling ratio. First and second reduction / enlargement means for enlarging or reducing, first and second devaluation means for performing reduction processing, resolution conversion by the reduction / enlargement ratio and the first and second resolution conversion means Depending on the resolution of a subsequent image, the image that has been reduced and enlarged by the first and second reduction / enhancement means and reduced by the first and second reduction / reduction means is stored in the storage means, or resolution conversion is performed. The later multi-valued image is stored in the storage means and the storage means A control unit that controls whether the first or second reduction / enlargement unit performs reduction / enlargement processing according to the enlargement / reduction rate and reduces the value by the first or second reduction unit. The image reading apparatus is characterized.

  The invention according to claim 3 of the present application provides the first and second reductions when the control means in the invention of claim 2 reduces and enlarges the image read from the storage means. An image reading apparatus characterized by performing a reduction / enlargement process in parallel according to a reduction / enlargement ratio by an enlargement unit, and performing a control to reduce the value in parallel by the first and second reduction units.

  The invention described in claim 4 of the present application further includes first and second image processing means for processing an image in the configuration of the invention described in claim 2 or claim 3 of the present application, and the control means. In the case of storing in the storage means after performing the enlargement / reduction processing and the value reduction, the image processing by the first and second image processing means is performed together with the enlargement / reduction processing by the first and second reduction / enlargement means. When the image is read out and stored in the storage unit by the first and second reduction units, and the image read out from the storage unit is subjected to reduction / enlargement processing and reduction, the data is read out from the storage unit. The image is subjected to image processing by the first or second image processing means together with the enlargement / reduction processing by the first or second enlargement / reduction means, and then the value is reduced by the first or second value reduction means. An image characterized by control A winding device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, even when reading an image with enlargement, the reading can be performed without increasing the time required for the entire reading, and the resolution of the image after resolution conversion even with enlargement. There is an effect that processing in the case of equal magnification and reduction can be performed under the above conditions.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when reading an image with enlargement in a configuration in which both sides of a document are read in parallel, reading can be performed without increasing the time required for the entire reading. Even in the case of enlargement, there is an effect that it is possible to perform processing in the case of equal magnification and reduction according to the resolution condition of the image after resolution conversion.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to speed up the processing when outputting the enlarged image.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, image processing other than enlargement / reduction can be performed in an order corresponding to the change of the enlargement / reduction processing order.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing diagram of an example of the operation | movement in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the modification in one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the operation | movement in the modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a timing diagram of an example of the operation | movement in the modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of another example of the operation | movement in the modification of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows another modification in one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of an example of the operation | movement in another modification of one Embodiment of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a reading unit, 12 is a processing unit, 13 is a storage unit, 14 is a control unit, 21 is a scaling unit, 22 is a reduction unit, 23 is an image processing unit, and 24 is a resolution conversion unit.

  The reading unit 11 reads an image on a document with multiple values. The number of reading units 11 is not limited to one, and a plurality of reading units 11 may be provided and read in parallel. As the reading method, various known methods may be used.

  The processing unit 12 performs various processing on the image read by the reading unit 11 and stores it in the storage unit 13 or reads out the image stored in the storage unit 13 and performs various processing as an output image. Output. Here, it is assumed that the output image is a reduced image. The output image is output to various subsequent devices such as an image forming apparatus or the outside.

  In this example, the processing unit 12 includes a reduction / enlargement unit 21, a reduction unit 22, an image processing unit 23, and a resolution conversion unit 24. The enlargement / reduction unit 21 reduces or enlarges an image in accordance with a pre-specified enlargement / reduction ratio. The devaluation unit 22 performs a process of reducing the number of gradations below the number of gradations of the given image. For example, the 256 gradation pixel values of a given image are converted into 128, 64, 32, 16, 8, 4, and 2 gradation pixel values. The process of converting to a two-tone pixel value is generally called binarization, and various known methods such as a dither method and an error diffusion method may be used. Various other known methods may be used for conversion to other gradations. The image processing unit 23 may perform various image processes other than the enlargement / reduction unit 21, the value reduction unit 22, and the resolution conversion unit 24. The resolution conversion unit 24 converts the resolution of the image read by the reading unit 11.

  The storage unit 13 stores an image. The image to be stored may be a multi-valued image read by the reading unit 11 or an image reduced by the value reduction unit 22 under the control of the control unit 14.

  The control unit 14 controls the reading unit 11, the processing unit 12, and the like, and performs control to read an image and output it as an output image. As the control, when the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is equal or reduced, the multi-valued image read by the reading unit 11 is reduced by the reduction / enlargement unit 21 according to the enlargement / reduction rate, thereby reducing the value. The image whose value is reduced by the unit 22 is stored in the storage unit 13 and is output as an output image while being read from the storage unit 13. When the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is enlargement, the multi-value image read by the reading unit 11 is stored in the storage unit 13 as multi-values, and the multi-value image read from the storage unit 13 is stored. The enlargement / reduction unit 21 performs enlargement in accordance with the enlargement / reduction rate, the reduction unit 22 reduces the value, and performs control to output the output image. If the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the reading unit 11, the above-described control is performed after the resolution conversion unit 24 converts the resolution of the image read by the reading unit 11. Various processes in the image processing unit 23 are also performed before the value reduction processing by the value reduction unit 22.

  FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the configuration surrounded by the broken line may not be processed. FIG. 2A shows a case where the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is equal or reduced. In this case, for the multi-valued image read by the reading unit 11, when the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the reading unit 11, the resolution conversion unit 24 converts the resolution of the image read by the reading unit 11. . The reduction / enlargement unit 21 reduces the image according to the enlargement / reduction ratio. The processing of the enlargement / reduction unit 21 is not substantially performed when the enlargement / reduction ratio is 100% and the same magnification is designated. When image processing is performed on the reduced image, the image processing unit 23 performs image processing, and the value reduction unit 22 reduces the value. The image reduced in this way is stored in the storage unit 13. At the time of output, it may be output as an output image while being read from the storage unit 13.

  On the other hand, FIG. 2 (B) shows a case where the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is enlargement. For a multi-valued image read by the reading unit 11, if the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the reading unit 11, the resolution conversion unit 24 converts the resolution of the image read by the reading unit 11. In this case, the image is stored in the storage unit 13 as a multi-value without performing the reduction / enlargement process by the reduction / enlargement unit 21 or the reduction process by the reduction unit 22. When outputting, a multi-valued image is read out from the storage unit 13, enlarged according to the enlargement / reduction ratio by the enlargement / reduction unit 21, and when image processing is performed on the enlarged image, the image processing unit 23 Image processing is performed, the value is reduced by the value reduction unit 22, and output as an output image.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart of an example of the operation according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3A, the same magnification is specified, and the gradation value is reduced by, for example, 256 gradations to 16 gradations so that the pixel value becomes half the number of bits. ing. In this case, the data amount is halved due to the reduction in value. Therefore, for example, even if the read image of the first page is reduced by the value reduction unit 22 in parallel with the reading of the image of the second page and stored in the storage unit 13, the reading of the second page is completed. Storage of the first page image is completed. Therefore, reading of the image of the third page is not waited.

  FIG. 3B shows, as a comparative example, the enlargement process by the enlargement / reduction unit 21 and the reduction by the reduction unit 22 before being stored in the storage unit 13 under the conditions shown in FIG. The case where the process was performed is shown. The enlargement / reduction ratio is 400%. In this case, for example, the read image of the first page is enlarged by the reduction / enlargement unit 21 in parallel with the reading of the image of the second page, the value is reduced by the value reduction unit 22, and stored in the storage unit 13. The data amount of the image is quadrupled by the enlargement process by the reduction / enlargement unit 21, and the data amount is halved by the reduction process by the reduction unit 22, but the image data read by the reading unit 11 The amount of data is twice that of the amount. Accordingly, the storage of the image of the first page is not completed until the reading of the second page is completed, and the reading of the image of the third page is waited until the storage is completed.

  In FIG. 3C, the image is stored in the storage unit 13 according to an example of the above-described operation, and the enlargement process by the reduction / enlargement unit 21 and the value reduction process by the value reduction unit 22 are read while reading. Shows the case to do. In this case, for example, the read first page image is stored in the storage unit 13 in parallel with the reading of the second page image, and the first page image is read by the end of reading the second page image. Is stored in the storage unit 13. Therefore, there is no waiting for the reading of the third and subsequent pages.

  As described above, even when the enlargement / reduction ratio designates enlargement, reading is performed without waiting for the reading unit 11. In addition, when the enlargement / reduction ratio designates equal magnification or reduction, the reduced image is stored in the storage unit 13, and more images are stored than when the reduction is not performed. .

  In the above description, the resolution setting is not taken into consideration, but when the resolution conversion unit 24 converts the resolution to a resolution lower than that of the reading unit 11, the image data amount by the resolution conversion is higher than that before the resolution conversion. decreasing. Therefore, even if it is enlarged, writing to the storage unit 13 may be completed in a time required for one reading. For this reason, taking into account the resolution after conversion as well as the enlargement / reduction ratio, the time required to write the image after the resolution conversion, enlargement / reduction, and reduction processing to the storage unit 13 and one reading are required. The time may be compared to control whether the value is reduced and stored in the storage unit 13 or whether the multi-valued image after resolution conversion is stored in the storage unit 13.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 31 is a first reading unit, 32 is a second reading unit, 41 is a first scaling unit, 42 is a second scaling unit, 43 is a first price reduction unit, and 44 is a second price reduction unit. , 45 is a first image processing unit, 46 is a second image processing unit, 47 is a first resolution conversion unit, and 48 is a second resolution conversion unit. In this modified example, an example in which the reading unit 11 includes the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32, and the processing unit 12 has a configuration for performing processing corresponding to each of them. Is shown.

  The first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 provided in the reading unit 11 each read an image on a document with multiple values. For example, the first reading unit 31 reads an image on one side of the original, and the second reading unit 32 reads an image on the other side of the original. The first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 have a function of reading an image in parallel.

  The enlargement / reduction unit 21, the reduction unit 22, the image processing unit 23, and the resolution conversion unit 24 provided in the processing unit 12 include configurations corresponding to the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32, respectively. Yes. The first reduction / expansion part 41 and the second reduction / expansion part 42 as the reduction / expansion part 21, the first reduction part 43 and the second reduction part 44 as the reduction part 22, and the first as the image processing part 23. The image processing unit 45 and the second image processing unit 46 are provided, and the resolution conversion unit 24 includes a first resolution conversion unit 47 and a second resolution conversion unit 48, respectively. The respective functions are as described as the enlargement / reduction unit 21, the reduction unit 22, the image processing unit 23, and the resolution conversion unit 24.

  The control unit 14 performs the above-described control. When the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is equal to or reduced, the multi-valued image read by the first reading unit 31 is reduced by the first reduction / enlargement unit 41 according to the reduction / enlargement ratio, and the first reduction is performed. The image that has been reduced by the value converting unit 43 is stored in the storage unit 13. Further, the multi-valued image read by the second reading unit 32 is reduced by the second reduction / enlargement unit 42 according to the reduction / enlargement ratio, and the image reduced by the second reduction unit 44 is stored in the storage unit 13. Remember me. At the time of output, the reduced image is read from the storage unit 13 and output as an output image.

  When the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is enlargement, the multi-valued images read by the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 are stored in the storage unit 13 as multi-values. At the time of output, the multi-valued image read from the storage unit 13 is enlarged by the first reduction / enlargement unit 41 or the second reduction / enlargement unit 42 according to the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the first reduction unit 43 or second The value is reduced by the value reduction unit 44 and output as an output image. Alternatively, the multi-valued image read out from the storage unit 13 is enlarged in accordance with the enlargement / reduction ratio in parallel by the first enlargement / reduction unit 41 and the second reduction / enlargement unit 42, and the first reduction unit 43 and the first reduction unit 43 The value may be reduced in parallel with the 2-value reduction unit 44 and output as an output image.

  If the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the reading unit 11, the resolution of the image read by the first reading unit 31 is converted by the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the image read by the second reading unit 32 is converted. The above-described control is performed after the resolution is converted by the second resolution converter 48. Various processes in the first image processing unit 45 and the second image processing unit 46 are also performed before the devaluation process by the first devaluation unit 43 and the second depreciation unit 44.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an example of the operation in the modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the configuration surrounded by the broken line may not be processed. FIG. 5A shows a case where the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is equal or reduced. In this case, for the multi-valued image read by the first reading unit 31, if the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the first reading unit 31, the image read by the first reading unit 31 is the first value. The resolution conversion unit 47 performs resolution conversion. Then, the first enlargement / reduction unit 41 reduces the image according to the enlargement / reduction ratio. Note that the processing of the first enlargement / reduction unit 41 is not substantially performed when the enlargement / reduction ratio is 100% and the same magnification is designated. When image processing is performed on the reduced image, the first image processing unit 45 performs image processing. Then, the first price reduction unit 43 reduces the price. In addition, regarding the multi-valued image read by the second reading unit 32, when the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the second reading unit 32, the image read by the second reading unit 32 is converted to the second resolution conversion unit. 48, the resolution is converted. The second enlargement / reduction unit 42 reduces the image according to the enlargement / reduction ratio. Note that the processing of the second enlargement / reduction unit 42 is not substantially performed when the enlargement / reduction ratio is 100% and the same magnification is designated. When image processing is performed on the reduced image, the second image processing unit 46 performs image processing. Then, the value is reduced by the second price reduction unit 44. In this way, the image that has been reduced by the first reduction unit 43 and the second reduction unit 44 is stored in the storage unit 13. At the time of output, it may be output as an output image while being read from the storage unit 13.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5B shows a case where the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is enlargement. For a multi-valued image read by the first reading unit 31, if the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the first reading unit 31, the image read by the first reading unit 31 is converted by the first resolution conversion unit 47. Convert the resolution. In addition, regarding the multi-valued image read by the second reading unit 32, when the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the second reading unit 32, the image read by the second reading unit 32 is converted to the second resolution conversion unit. 48, the resolution is converted. When the reduction / enlargement ratio is enlarged, the image read by the first reading unit 31 or the image converted by the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the image read by the second reading unit 32 or the second resolution conversion unit 48 are used. The resolution-converted image is stored in the storage unit 13 with multiple values. Then, a multi-valued image is read out from the storage unit 13 at the time of output, is enlarged according to the enlargement / reduction ratio by the first enlargement / reduction unit 41 or the second enlargement / reduction unit 42, and image processing is performed on the enlarged image. When performing, image processing is performed by the first image processing unit 45 or the second image processing unit 46, the value is reduced by the first decrementing unit 43 or the second degrading unit 44, and output as an output image. .

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart of an example of the operation in the modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6A, the same magnification is designated, and the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the second resolution conversion unit 48 convert the resolution to half of the reading resolution, and the first reduction unit 43 and the second reduction value. The pixel value is reduced by the unit 44 so that the pixel value becomes half the number of bits. For example, when the reading resolution is 600 dpi, the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the second resolution conversion unit 48 convert it to 400 dpi, and, for example, 256 gradations are converted by the first reduction unit 43 and the second reduction unit 44. The value is reduced to 16 gradations. In this case, the data amount becomes 4/9 due to the resolution conversion, and further the data amount becomes ½ due to the reduction in value, and the data amount becomes 2/9 compared with the read image. Therefore, even if two pages of images are combined, the data amount is 4/9 compared with the data amount of the images read by the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32. For example, images of two pages of the front and back of the first document read by the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 are read in parallel with the reading of the second document, and the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the second Even when the resolution conversion by the resolution conversion unit 48 and the value reduction processing by the first value reduction unit 43 and the second value reduction unit 44 are performed and stored in the storage unit 13, the reading of the second original is completed. Up to this point, the image storage for two pages has been completed for the first document. Therefore, there is no waiting for reading of the images of the third and subsequent originals.

  FIG. 6B shows, as a comparative example, enlargement processing by the first expansion / contraction unit 41 and the second expansion / contraction unit 42 before being stored in the storage unit 13 under the conditions shown in FIG. The case where the value reduction process by the 1 value reduction part 43 and the 2nd value reduction part 44 is performed is shown. The enlargement / reduction ratio is 400%. In this case, for example, the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the second resolution conversion unit 48 convert the resolution of an image of two pages of the read first original in parallel with the reading of the second original image. The first reduction / expansion unit 41 and the second reduction / expansion unit 42 enlarge the image, the first reduction unit 43 and the second reduction unit 44 reduce the value, and the storage unit 13 stores the value. The data amount of the image read by the resolution conversion by the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the second resolution conversion unit 48 is 4/9, but the image is enlarged by the first reduction / enlargement unit 41 and the second reduction / enlargement unit 42. The amount of data is 4 times, and the amount of data for one page is 16/9. Although the data amount is halved by the devaluation process by the first decrementing unit 43 and the second degrading unit 44, the data amount for one page is 8/9 of the data amount of the read image. It becomes. When two pages of images are stored in the storage unit 13, the storage of the images of the two pages of the first document is not completed until the reading of the second document is completed, and 3 until the storage is completed. The reading of the image of the first original is awaited.

  In FIG. 6C, according to an example of the above-described operation, the read image is subjected to resolution conversion by the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the second resolution conversion unit 48 and stored in the storage unit 13, while being read, The case where the enlargement process by the 1st reduction / expansion part 41 and the 2nd reduction / expansion part 42 and the reduction process by the 1st reduction part 43 and the 2nd reduction part 44 is shown is shown. In this case, for example, the data amount of the image of two pages of the first original read is 4/9 of the image read per page by resolution conversion, and is also 8/9 for the two pages. Therefore, even if resolution conversion is performed on the image of two pages of the first document and the image is stored in the storage unit 13, two pages of the first document are read before the reading of the second document is completed. This completes the storage of the image in the storage unit 13 and does not wait for the reading of the third and subsequent originals.

  As described above, even when the enlargement / reduction ratio specifies enlargement, reading of the original by the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 is not awaited. In addition, when the enlargement / reduction ratio designates equal magnification or reduction, the reduced image is stored in the storage unit 13, and more images are stored than when the reduction is not performed. .

  Note that when enlargement is instructed, the image is stored in the storage unit 13 without being decremented, so that two pages of images are stored at the reading resolution until one reading (one document) is completed. If not stored in the unit 13, resolution conversion is performed by resolution conversion by the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the second resolution conversion unit 48 without causing the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 to wait. Reading is done.

  Also, since the amount of data is reduced compared to the scanned image due to resolution conversion and value reduction, resolution conversion, expansion, and reduction processing are performed depending on the enlargement / reduction ratio even when enlargement is specified. Even if two pages of images are stored in the storage unit 13, there may be a case where the reading of one (one original) is completed. For example, the time required to write two pages of images after the resolution conversion, reduction / enlargement, and value reduction processing to the storage unit 13 is compared with the time required to read once (one original). Thus, it may be controlled whether the storage unit 13 stores the value after performing the value reduction processing or stores the multi-valued image after resolution conversion in the storage unit 13.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of another example of the operation in the modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the configuration surrounded by the broken line may not be processed. In this example, an operation example in the case where an image read from the storage unit 13 is processed in parallel when the reduction / enlargement ratio is enlargement is shown. Note that the case where the enlargement / reduction ratio is equal or reduced is as described with reference to FIG.

  When the specified enlargement / reduction ratio is enlargement, the operation until the image is stored in the storage unit 13 is as described with reference to FIG. That is, for a multi-valued image read by the first reading unit 31, when the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the first reading unit 31, the image read by the first reading unit 31 is converted to the first resolution conversion unit. 47, the resolution is converted. In addition, regarding the multi-valued image read by the second reading unit 32, when the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the second reading unit 32, the image read by the second reading unit 32 is converted to the second resolution conversion unit. 48, the resolution is converted. Then, an image read by the first reading unit 31 or an image converted by the first resolution converting unit 47 and an image read by the second reading unit 32 or an image converted by the second resolution converting unit 48 are converted into multi-values. The data is stored in the storage unit 13 as it is.

  In another example of this operation, at the time of output, a multi-value image for one page is read from the storage unit 13 and enlarged by the first enlargement / reduction unit 41 in accordance with the enlargement / reduction ratio. When image processing is performed, image processing is performed by the first image processing unit 45, the value is reduced by the first value reduction unit 43, and output as an output image. In parallel with this, a multi-valued image for the next page is read from the storage unit 13 and enlarged according to the enlargement / reduction ratio by the second enlargement / reduction unit 42, and image processing is performed on the enlarged image. In the case of performing image processing, image processing is performed by the second image processing unit 46, the value is reduced by the second value reduction unit 44, and an output image is output. As a result, processing is performed in parallel on images for two pages at the time of output.

  Note that the timing chart until an image is stored in the storage unit 13 in another example of this operation is as shown in FIG. 6, and therefore illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

  Another example of this operation is that the operation after the image is read from the storage unit 13 is different from the example of the operation shown in FIG. 5, and the enlargement / reduction ratio is increased together with the example of the operation shown in FIG. Is designated, the reading of the original by the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 is not awaited. In addition, when the enlargement / reduction ratio designates equal magnification or reduction, the reduced image is stored in the storage unit 13, and more images are stored than when the reduction is not performed. .

  Depending on the relationship between the resolution, the enlargement / reduction ratio, the number of gradations for reduction, etc., the storage unit 13 may store the reduced value and then store the multi-valued image after resolution conversion. As described with reference to the example of the operation shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing another modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 51 is a third reduction / enlargement unit, 52 is a fourth reduction / enlargement unit, 53 is a third reduction unit, 54 is a fourth reduction unit, 55 is a third image processing unit, and 56 is a fourth image. It is a processing unit. In the modification shown in FIG. 4, the configuration used when storing the reduced image in the storage unit 13 and the configuration used when reading the image from the storage unit 13 and reducing the value are shared. However, FIG. 8 shows an example in which these are configured differently and whether or not each is used is switched. Differences from the modification shown in FIG. 4 will be mainly described.

  In the processing unit 12 in this modification, the first expansion / contraction unit 41, the second expansion / contraction unit 42, the third expansion / contraction unit 51, and the fourth expansion / contraction unit 52 as the expansion / contraction unit 21 are used as the reduction unit 22. The first reduction unit 43, the second reduction unit 44, the third reduction unit 53, and the fourth reduction unit 54 are used as the image processing unit 23, the first image processing unit 45, the second image processing unit. 46, a third image processing unit 55, and a fourth image processing unit 56, respectively. The respective functions are as described for the enlargement / reduction unit 21, the value reduction unit 22, and the image processing unit 23.

  The control unit 14 performs the above-described control. When the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is equal to or reduced, the multi-valued image read by the first reading unit 31 is reduced by the first reduction / enlargement unit 41 according to the reduction / enlargement ratio, and the first reduction is performed. The image that has been devalued by the value unit 43 is stored in the storage unit 13. In addition, the multi-valued image read by the second reading unit 32 is reduced by the second reduction / enlargement unit 42 according to the enlargement / reduction ratio, and the image reduced by the second reduction unit 44 is stored in the storage unit 13. Remember me. At the time of output, the reduced image is read from the storage unit 13 and output as an output image. In this case, the processing by the third reduction / enlargement unit 51, the third image processing unit 55, and the third reduction unit 53, and the fourth reduction / enlargement unit 52, the fourth image processing unit 56, and the fourth reduction unit 54. Processing by is not performed.

  When the pre-designated reduction / enlargement ratio is enlargement, the multi-valued images read by the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 are stored in the storage unit 13 as multi-values. In this case, the processing by the first reduction / enlargement unit 41, the first image processing unit 45, and the first reduction unit 43, and the second reduction / enlargement unit 42, the second image processing unit 46, and the second reduction unit 44. Processing by is not performed. When outputting a multi-value image for one page from the storage unit 13 at the time of output, the third enlargement / reduction unit 51 enlarges the image according to the enlargement / reduction ratio, and performs image processing on the enlarged image. Image processing is performed by the third image processing unit 55, the value is reduced by the third value reduction unit 53, and output as an output image. In parallel with this, a multi-valued image for the next page is read from the storage unit 13 and enlarged according to the enlargement / reduction ratio by the fourth enlargement / reduction unit 52, and image processing is performed on the enlarged image. Is performed, the image processing is performed by the fourth image processing unit 56, the value is reduced by the fourth value reduction unit 54, and output as an output image. As a result, processing is performed in parallel on images for two pages at the time of output.

  If the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the reading unit 11, the resolution of the image read by the first reading unit 31 is converted by the first resolution conversion unit 47 and the image read by the second reading unit 32 is converted. The above-described control is performed after the resolution is converted by the second resolution converter 48.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an operation in another modification of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the configuration surrounded by the broken line may not be processed. The case where the enlargement / reduction ratio is equal or reduced is as described with reference to FIG. Note that the third reduction / enlargement unit 51, the third image processing unit 55, the third reduction unit 53, the fourth reduction / enlargement unit 52, the fourth image processing unit 56, and the fourth reduction unit 54 perform processing. Not performed.

  When the specified enlargement / reduction ratio is enlargement, the operation until the image is stored in the storage unit 13 is as described with reference to FIG. That is, for a multi-valued image read by the first reading unit 31, when the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the first reading unit 31, the image read by the first reading unit 31 is converted to the first resolution conversion unit. 47, the resolution is converted. In addition, regarding the multi-valued image read by the second reading unit 32, when the reading resolution is different from the reading resolution of the second reading unit 32, the image read by the second reading unit 32 is converted to the second resolution conversion unit. 48, the resolution is converted. Then, an image read by the first reading unit 31 or an image converted by the first resolution converting unit 47 and an image read by the second reading unit 32 or an image converted by the second resolution converting unit 48 are converted into multi-values. The data is stored in the storage unit 13 as it is. The first reduction / enlargement unit 41, the first image processing unit 45, the first reduction unit 43, the second reduction / enlargement unit 42, the second image processing unit 46, and the second reduction unit 44 perform processing. Not performed.

  When outputting the output image, the multi-valued image for one page is read from the storage unit 13 and enlarged according to the enlargement / reduction ratio by the third enlargement / reduction unit 51, and image processing is performed on the enlarged image. When performing, image processing is performed by the third image processing unit 55, the value is reduced by the third value reduction unit 53, and output as an output image. In parallel with this, a multi-valued image for the next page is read from the storage unit 13 and enlarged according to the enlargement / reduction ratio by the fourth enlargement / reduction unit 52, and image processing is performed on the enlarged image. Is performed, the image processing is performed by the fourth image processing unit 56, the value is reduced by the fourth value reduction unit 54, and output as an output image. As a result, processing is performed in parallel on images for two pages at the time of output.

  Note that the timing chart until an image is stored in the storage unit 13 in another example of this operation is as shown in FIG. 6, and therefore illustration and description thereof are omitted here.

  An example of the operation in this other modified example is different from the modified example shown in FIG. 4 in that it has a configuration for performing processing after an image is read from the storage unit 13. In addition to the example of the operation shown, even when the enlargement / reduction ratio specifies enlargement, reading of the original by the first reading unit 31 and the second reading unit 32 is not awaited. In addition, when the enlargement / reduction ratio designates equal magnification or reduction, the reduced image is stored in the storage unit 13, and more images are stored than when the reduction is not performed. .

  Depending on the relationship between the resolution, the enlargement / reduction ratio, the number of gradations for reduction, etc., the storage unit 13 may store the reduced value and then store the multi-valued image after resolution conversion. As described with reference to the example of the operation shown in FIG.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Reading part, 12 ... Processing part, 13 ... Memory | storage part, 14 ... Control part, 21 ... Reduction / enlargement part, 22 ... Decrease-value part, 23 ... Image processing part, 24 ... Resolution conversion part, 31 ... 1st reading , 32 ... second reading unit, 41 ... first reduction / enlargement unit, 42 ... second reduction / enlargement unit, 43 ... first reduction unit, 44 ... second reduction unit, 45 ... first image processing unit , 46: second image processing unit, 47: first resolution conversion unit, 48: second resolution conversion unit, 51: third reduction / enlargement unit, 52 ... fourth reduction / enlargement unit, 53 ... third reduction unit, 54 ... Fourth value reduction unit, 55 ... Third image processing unit, 56 ... Fourth image processing unit.

Claims (4)

  Reading means for reading an image in multiple values, image degree conversion means for converting the resolution of the read image, storage means for storing the image, reduction / enlargement means for reducing or enlarging the image according to the enlargement / reduction ratio, and reduction The value reduction means for performing the process, and the reduction / enlargement processing by the reduction / enlargement means according to the reduction / enlargement ratio and the resolution of the image after resolution conversion by the resolution conversion means, The image is stored in the storage unit, or the multi-valued image after resolution conversion is stored in the storage unit, and the image read from the storage unit is reduced and enlarged by the reduction and enlargement unit, and the value is reduced by the reduction unit. An image reading apparatus comprising control means for controlling whether to do.   First reading means for reading an image on one side of a document with multiple values, first resolution conversion means for converting the resolution of an image read with the first reading means, and first reading for images on the other side of the document with multiple values 2 reading means, second resolution converting means for converting the resolution of the image read by the second reading means, storage means for storing the image, and first and second for enlarging or reducing the image according to the enlargement / reduction ratio According to the enlargement / reduction means, the first and second reduction means for performing the reduction processing, and the reduction / enlargement ratio and the resolution of the image after the resolution conversion by the first and second resolution conversion means, An image reduced and enlarged by the first and second reduction / enhancement means and reduced by the first and second reduction means is stored in the storage means, or a multi-valued image after resolution conversion is stored in the storage means The image read and stored from the storage means is the first or Image reading apparatus characterized by comprising control means for controlling whether the reduced value of at Chijimi拡 treated the first or second down value means in accordance with the contraction 拡率 second Chijimi拡 means.   When the image read from the storage means is reduced or enlarged, the control means performs the enlargement / reduction processing according to the enlargement / reduction ratio in parallel by the first and second enlargement / reduction means, and the first The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control is performed to reduce the value in parallel by the second value reducing means.   Further, the image processing apparatus includes first and second image processing means for performing processing on an image, and the control means performs the first enlargement process and the value reduction process and then stores the first and second image processing means in the storage means. The image processing by the first and second image processing means is performed together with the enlargement / reduction processing by the second reduction / enlargement means, and then the value is reduced by the first and second value reduction means and stored in the storage means, When the image read from the storage means is to be reduced / enlarged and reduced, the first or second image together with the reduction / enlargement process by the first or second enlargement / reduction means for the image read from the storage means. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein after the image processing by the processing unit is performed, the first or second devaluation unit performs a control to reduce the value.

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