Image processing device and image forming device

Abstract

An image processing device and an image forming device are provided, which can easily determine the conveying direction of a sheet. The image processing device of the embodiment has a storage unit, a scanner, and a control unit. The storage unit stores image data. The scanner reads an image formed on a sheet and generates image data. The control unit synthesizes a reading direction image representing the reading direction in the scanner with the image data generated by the scanner, and records the synthesized image data in the storage unit. The control unit determines the position where the reading direction image is arranged and the size of the reading direction image based on the reading resolution representing the resolution of the reading process in the reading unit and the recording resolution representing the resolution of the image data recorded in the storage unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. Background Art

[0002] In the investigation of scanned image defects, the reading direction of the original is important information. In the investigation of printed image defects, the image forming direction of the sheet is important information. If information related to the sheet conveying direction such as the reading direction and the image forming direction is missing, the investigation of the defect may require a lot of effort and time. Summary of the invention

[0003] Technical problem to be solved by the invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can easily determine the conveyance direction of a sheet.

[0005] Solutions for solving technical problems

[0006] The image processing device of the embodiment includes a storage unit, a scanner, and a control unit. The storage unit stores image data. The scanner reads an image formed on a sheet and generates image data. The control unit synthesizes a reading direction image indicating a reading direction in the scanner with the image data generated by the scanner, and records the synthesized image data in the storage unit. The control unit determines a position where the reading direction image is arranged and a size of the reading direction image based on a reading resolution indicating a resolution of a reading process in the scanner and a recording resolution indicating a resolution of the image data recorded in the storage unit.

[0007] The image forming device of the embodiment comprises: the above-mentioned image processing device; and a printer, which forms an image on a sheet, and the control unit, when changing the image magnification to form the image with the changed magnification on the sheet, also synthesizes the reading direction image with the image data in a manner that at least does not change the size of the reading direction image. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0009] Figure 2 1 is a hardware block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the printer 400.

[0011] Figure 4This is a diagram showing an example of a manuscript.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing synthesized image data in which the reading direction images are synthesized.

[0013] Figure 6 The diagram shows an example where a reading direction image is missing.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a figure which shows the synthesis example after correction.

[0015] Figure 8 The diagram shows an example of sheets on which images are printed at the same magnification.

[0016] Fig. 9 The figure shows an example of a sheet on which an image is reduced and printed.

[0017] Fig.10 This is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is enlarged and printed.

[0018] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of a printed sheet on which an image in the image forming direction is printed.

[0019] Fig.12 This is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image in the image forming direction and an image in the reading direction are printed.

[0020] Fig.13 This is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image in the image forming direction and an image in the reading direction are printed.

[0021] Fig.14 This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for synthesizing read images.

[0022] Fig.15 This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for combining an image in a reading direction and an image in a forming direction during copying.

[0023] Description of Reference Numerals

[0024] 1 ...image forming device; 101 ...main CPU; 102 ...ROM; 103 ...RAM; 111 ...image processing unit; 300 ...scanner; 400 ...printer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the image forming apparatus of the embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus capable of easily determining a reading direction or an image forming direction. Hereinafter, the image forming apparatus of the embodiment will be described in detail.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 21 is a hardware block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 1 The image forming device 1 is, for example, a multifunction machine. The image forming device 1 includes a main control unit 100, a sheet storage unit 140, an operation panel 200, a scanner 300, and a printer 400. The image forming device 1 forms an image on a sheet using a developer. The developer is, for example, a colorant. In the following description, the developer is described as a colorant. The sheet is, for example, paper or label paper. As long as the image forming device 1 can form an image on the surface of the sheet, any configuration is acceptable.

[0027] The operation panel 200 includes one or more operation keys 202 and a display 203. The operation panel 200 receives an operation from a user and outputs a signal corresponding to the operation performed by the user to the main control unit 100.

[0028] The display 203 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display 203 displays various information on the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0029] The printer 400 forms an image on a sheet based on the image data generated by the scanner 300 or the image data received via the network. The printer 400 forms the image using toner. The sheet on which the image is formed may be a sheet accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion 140 or a sheet manually inserted. In the following description, the formed image is also expressed as a printed image.

[0030] The sheet housing section 140 houses sheets used for image formation in the printer 400 .

[0031] The scanner 300 reads the image of the read object as light and dark. The scanner 300 records the read image data. The recorded image data can also be sent to other information processing devices via a network. The image represented by the recorded image data can also be formed on a sheet by the printer 400.

[0032] Next, mainly use Figure 2 For explanation. Figure 2 In the present invention, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a main control unit 100, an operation panel 200, a scanner 300, and a printer 400. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main CPU 101 in the main control unit 100, a panel CPU 201 of the operation panel 200, a scanner CPU 301 of the scanner 300, and a printer CPU 401 of the printer 400.

[0033] The main control section 100 includes a main CPU 101 , a ROM 102 , a RAM 103 , an NVRAM 104 , a network controller 105 , an HDD 106 , a modem 107 , a MEM 108 , a page memory 109 , a PM (page memory) control section 110 , and an image processing section 111 .

[0034] The main CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The ROM 102 stores data necessary for control such as a control program. The RAM 103 temporarily stores data. The NVRAM 104 is a nonvolatile memory.

[0035] The network controller 105 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a network. The image forming apparatus 1 communicates with external devices such as a server and a PC (Personal Computer) via the network controller 105. The HDD 106 stores data such as images used in image formation and images read by the scanner 300. The HDD 106 is an example of a storage unit. The header of the image data read by the scanner 300 in the image data stored in the HDD 106 includes information indicating the reading resolution during reading and the recording resolution recorded in the HDD 106. The modem 107 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a telephone line.

[0036] The page memory 109 stores the image data of a plurality of pages for each page. The page memory control unit 110 controls the page memory 109. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the image data. Specific examples of image processing include color conversion processing, range correction processing, sharpness adjustment processing, gamma correction / halftone processing, and pulse width modulation processing (PWM). The image processing unit 111 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or software.

[0037] The operation panel 200 has a panel CPU 201, an operation key 202, and a display 203. The panel CPU 201 controls the operation panel 200. The panel CPU 201 is connected to the main CPU 101 by a bus. When the panel CPU 201 receives an instruction about the display from the main CPU, it controls the screen of the display 203 according to the received instruction. When the panel CPU 201 receives a numerical value, a process of an execution object, and setting information from the operation key 202, it outputs data representing these to the main CPU 101. The operation key 202 is an input device for inputting the process of the execution object, setting information, numerical values, etc. As a specific example of the information accepted by the operation key 202, various instructions and settings such as the type (size and orientation) of the sheet material for image formation and the magnification of the image formation can be performed. The display 203 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL display. The display 203 can also be configured as a touch panel.

[0038] The scanner 300 has a scanner CPU 301, an image correction unit 302, a reading control unit 303, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 304, and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 305. The scanner CPU 301 controls the scanner 300. The image correction unit 302 has, for example, an A / D conversion circuit, a shading correction circuit, and a line memory. The A / D conversion circuit converts analog signals of R, G, and B output from the CCD 304 into digital signals, respectively. The ADF 305 is an automatic document conveying unit. The ADF 305 takes the sheet set by the user into the conveying path in the conveying direction corresponding to the set direction. The ADF 305 conveys the sheet by rotating the conveying rollers in the conveying path, and the CCD 304 reads the image on the conveyed sheet.

[0039] The printer 400 includes a printer CPU 401, a laser driver 402, a conveyance control unit 403, and a control unit 404. The printer CPU 401 controls the printer 400. The laser driver 402 drives a laser to form an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body. The conveyance control unit 403 conveys a sheet to be formed with an image. The control unit 404 forms an image on the sheet conveyed by the conveyance control unit 403 by controlling the laser driver 402 and other devices.

[0040] Figure 3 4 is a diagram showing an example of the internal structure of the printer 400. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 4 , the printer 400 is a four-tandem printer. However, the printer 400 is not limited to a four-tandem printer.

[0041] The printer 400 includes an image forming unit 10 , a fixing unit 30 , and a paper discharge unit 40 . The image forming unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer body 11 , developing devices 91 to 94 , a plurality of primary transfer rollers 17 ( 17 - 1 to 17 - 4 ), a secondary transfer unit 18 , and an exposure unit 19 .

[0042] The intermediate transfer body 11 may be formed using, for example, an endless belt. The intermediate transfer body 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow 1010 by rollers. In this embodiment, the upstream and downstream are defined based on the direction in which the intermediate transfer body 11 moves. The visible image generated by the developing devices 91 to 94 is transferred to the surface of the intermediate transfer body 11.

[0043] The developing devices 91 to 94 use toners of different properties to form visible images. For example, different color toners may be used in some of the developing devices. As toners of different colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) may be used. Toners whose colors are erased by external stimuli (such as heat) may be used in some of the developing devices. Special toners such as glossy toners and fluorescent toners may be used in some of the developing devices.

[0044] exist Figure 3 In the diagram, the developing device 91 is located most upstream among the four developing devices, and the developing device 94 is located most downstream among the four developing devices.

[0045] Although the properties of the toner used in the developing devices 91 to 94 are different, their structures are the same. The developing device 91 includes a developing unit 121, a photosensitive drum 131, a charger 141, a cleaning blade 151, and a developing drum 161. The developing device 92 includes a developing unit 122, a photosensitive drum 132, a charger 142, a cleaning blade 152, and a developing drum 162. The developing device 93 includes a developing unit 123, a photosensitive drum 133, a charger 143, a cleaning blade 153, and a developing drum 163. The developing device 94 includes a developing unit 124, a photosensitive drum 134, a charger 144, a cleaning blade 154, and a developing drum 164.

[0046] In the following description, the developing section 121 , the developing section 122 , the developing section 123 , and the developing section 124 are all referred to as the developing section 12 unless otherwise specifically distinguished. The same applies to the photosensitive drum 13 , the charger 14 , the cleaning blade 15 , and the developing drum 16 .

[0047] Hereinafter, the developing device 91 will be described as an example. The developing device 91 includes a developing unit 121, a photosensitive drum 131, a charger 141, a cleaning blade 151, and a developing drum 161. The developing unit 121 contains toner and carrier. The developing unit 121 causes the toner to adhere to the photosensitive drum 131 via the developing drum 161.

[0048] The photosensitive drum 131 has a photosensitive body (photosensitive area) on its outer peripheral surface. The photosensitive body is, for example, an organic photoconductor (OPC). The photosensitive drum 131 receives exposure from the exposure unit 19 and forms an electrostatic latent image on its surface.

[0049] The charger 141 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 .

[0050] The cleaning blade 151 is, for example, a plate-shaped member. The cleaning blade 151 is made of, for example, rubber such as polyurethane resin. The cleaning blade 151 removes toner attached to the photosensitive drum 131 .

[0051] Next, the outline of the operation of the developing device 91 is described. The photosensitive drum 131 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 141. Then, light is irradiated from the exposure unit 19 to the photosensitive drum 131. As a result, the potential of the region of the photosensitive drum 131 irradiated with light changes. According to this change, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 is developed by the toner of the developing unit 121. That is, a visible image as an image developed by the toner is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131.

[0052] The primary transfer rollers 17 ( 17 - 1 to 17 - 4 ) transfer the visible images formed on the photosensitive drums by the respective developing devices 91 to 94 to the intermediate transfer body 11 .

[0053] The secondary transfer unit 18 includes a secondary transfer roller 181 and a secondary transfer counter roller 182. The secondary transfer unit 18 transfers the visible image formed on the intermediate transfer body 11 to a sheet to be imaged. The transfer in the secondary transfer unit 18 is achieved, for example, by a potential difference between the secondary transfer roller 181 and the secondary transfer counter roller 182.

[0054] The exposure unit 19 forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating light to the photosensitive drums of the developing devices 91 to 94. The exposure unit 19 includes a light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode (LED). In the present embodiment, the exposure unit 19 includes a laser and operates under the control of the laser driver 402.

[0055] The fixing unit 30 heats and pressurizes the visible image transferred onto the sheet to fix the visible image onto the sheet. The paper discharge unit 40 discharges the sheet onto which the visible image has been fixed by the fixing unit 30 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0056] Next, a reading direction image indicating a reading direction and an image forming direction image indicating an image forming direction are described. The reading direction image and the image forming direction image are images used by service personnel who perform maintenance and inspection of the image forming device to easily determine the reading direction and the image forming direction. When the reading direction or the image forming direction is determined, the time and effort required for investigating a malfunction of the image forming device can be greatly reduced compared to a case where the reading direction or the image forming direction is not determined.

[0057] First, the reading direction image is described. The reading direction image is an image indicating the reading direction in the scanner 300. The reading direction image may be, for example, an image indicating the reading direction in the scanner 300 according to its position. When scanning a document, the image forming device 1 synthesizes the reading direction image indicating the reading direction in the scanner 300 with the image data. Specifically, it is as follows. The image processing unit 111 of the main control unit 100 synthesizes the reading direction image with the image data generated by the scanning. The image processing unit 111 records the image data synthesized with the reading direction image in the HDD 106.

[0058] The reading direction in the scanner 300 is the sub-scanning direction of the line sensor, and is a direction from the side read last by the line sensor among the four sides of the document toward the side read first by the line sensor.

[0059] Therefore, the reading direction is uniquely defined when the first side to start reading is determined, for example. Therefore, the reading direction image in this embodiment is an image that determines the first side to start reading by the line sensor among the four sides of the document. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a manuscript. Figure 4 The document 500 is shown in the middle. The side of the document 500 that is first read by the scanner 300 is denoted by reference numeral 510 .

[0060] Figure 5 6 is a diagram showing composite image data composited with a reading direction image. A reading direction image 601 is composited with the composite image data 600. The reading direction image is constructed using one or more symbols. Figure 5 In the example, two marks (e.g., rectangles, more specifically, squares) are arranged in a vertical direction relative to the reading direction. As long as the reading direction can be determined, the specific shape and structure of the reading direction image are not limited. In the synthetic image data 600, the edge corresponding to the edge 510 of the original 500 is the edge 610. The edge 610 is determined by the reading direction image 601 composed of the combination of the two marks. Thus, the reading direction is easy to determine.

[0061] Sometimes, the image data is recorded in HDD 106 at a resolution different from the resolution when the manuscript is read. For example, sometimes the resolution when the manuscript is read is 600 dpi, and the resolution of the image data recorded in HDD 106 is 300 dpi. In this case, when the reading direction image is directly synthesized, a part of the reading direction image may be missing.

[0062] Figure 6 1 is a diagram showing an example of a lack of an image in the reading direction. Since the resolution is reduced, the image data recorded in the HDD 106 is also reduced. Figure 6 As shown, although one mark 603 constituting the reading direction image is synthesized, the other mark 604 is not synthesized and is missing.

[0063] Therefore, the image processing unit 111 determines the position where the reading direction image is arranged and the size of the reading direction image based on the reading resolution and the recording resolution so that a part of the reading direction image is not missing. The correction of the synthesis position and the correction of the size of the reading direction image are combined and expressed as a reading direction image correction process. The following describes an example of the reading direction image correction process.

[0064] First, the coordinates of the composite positions of the marks in the reading direction image when the reading resolution and the recording resolution are the same are set to (XPOS1, YPOS1) and (XPOS2, YPOS2), respectively. The reading resolution is set to IN_DPI, and the recording resolution is set to OUT_DPI. The correction coefficient K is set to OUT_DPI / IN_DPI. The horizontal and vertical lengths of the reading direction image when the reading resolution and the recording resolution are the same are set to XSIZE and YSIZE, respectively.

[0065] At this time, the image processing unit 111 derives (K×XPOS1, K×YPOS1) and (K×XPOS2, K×YPOS2) as the coordinates of the corrected synthesis position. The image processing unit 111 derives K×XSIZE and K×YSIZE as the coordinates of the corrected synthesis position, respectively, and as the corrected lengths of the horizontal and vertical directions of the reading direction image. For example, when IN_DPI is 600dpi and OUT_DPI is 300dpi, the correction coefficient becomes 0.5, so the reading direction image becomes a mark of half the size in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0066] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a corrected synthesis example. Figure 7As shown, neither the mark 605 nor the mark 606 of the reading direction image is missing, and the size is also corrected. Thus, even if the reading resolution and the recording resolution are different, the reading direction can be determined. In the case of printing image data, since the image data is printed by restoring to the reading resolution, the size of the reading direction image is restored to the original size, so that the reading direction image can be kept at a constant size.

[0067] Next, the reading direction image during copying is described. During copying, the manuscript is first read, the magnification is changed (enlarged or reduced) according to the specified magnification, and then printed on a sheet of the specified size. When the position and size of the reading direction image change due to the change in magnification, there is a possibility that the technical service personnel cannot determine whether the image printed on the sheet is an image originally existing in the manuscript or a reading direction image. Whether the magnification has changed and the magnification when the magnification has changed are recorded in RAM 103. The image processing unit 111 determines whether the magnification has changed by referring to RAM 103.

[0068] Therefore, even when the image is formed on a sheet with the image magnification changed, the image processing unit 111 combines the reading direction image with the image data so that the position of the combined reading direction image and the size of the reading direction image do not change.

[0069] Figure 8 The diagrams show examples of sheets on which images are printed at the same magnification. Fig. 9 A diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is reduced and printed. Fig.10 The figure shows an example of a sheet on which an image is enlarged and printed.

[0070] exist Figure 8 , Fig. 9 , Fig.10 In either case, the position of each mark 620 of the composite reading direction image and the size of each mark 620 of the reading direction image are not changed. Thus, the service technician can determine whether the image printed on the sheet is an image originally present in the original or a reading direction image.

[0071] Next, the synthesis of the image forming direction image indicating the image forming direction and the image data will be described. Here, the image forming direction refers to the conveyance direction of the sheet passing through the secondary transfer unit 18 .

[0072] Therefore, the image forming direction is uniquely defined, for example, when the side that first passes through the secondary transfer section 18 is determined. Therefore, the image forming direction image in the present embodiment is an image that determines the side that first passes through the secondary transfer section 18 among the four sides of the sheet. The conveying direction of the sheet is defined by the orientation of the sheet in the sheet storage section 140. Thus, the image processing section 111 generates image data synthesized with the image forming direction image according to the orientation of the sheet in the sheet storage section 140. The orientation of the sheet is recorded in the RAM 103 according to the box of each sheet storage section 140. The image processing section 111 records the synthesized image data in the HDD 106. The image data recorded in the HDD 106 is output to the printer 400.

[0073] Fig.11 This is a diagram showing an example of a printed sheet on which an image in the image forming direction is printed. Fig.11 The printed sheet 630 is shown. The side that first passes through the secondary transfer unit 18 among the four sides of the printed sheet 630 is set as a side 631. The side 631 is determined by two marks 632 that constitute the image forming direction image. Thus, the image forming direction can be easily determined.

[0074] like Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 6 , the image forming direction image 632 is circular. That is, the reading direction image and the image forming direction image are in different forms. Fig.11 In the case of changing the image magnification and printing on the sheet, the image processing unit 111 combines the image forming direction image with the image data in a manner that does not change the size of the image forming direction image. Thus, the technical service personnel can determine whether the image printed on the sheet is an image originally existing in the original or an image forming direction image.

[0075] The image forming apparatus 1 can also print the image in the image forming direction by combining the image in the reading direction. Fig.12 as well as Fig.13 1 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image forming direction image and a reading direction image are printed. Fig.12 , Fig.13 In the examples shown, the size of the sheets is A4. Fig.12 , Fig.13 In the example shown, the reading direction is the positive direction of A4. The positive direction of A4 here refers to the direction perpendicular to the short side of A4.

[0076] exist Fig.12 , Fig.13 In the example shown, the orientation of the sheets in the sheet storage section 140 differs by 90°. Fig.12The orientation of the sheet in the illustrated example is such that the conveying direction of the sheet becomes the normal direction of A4. Fig.13 The orientation of the sheet in the illustrated example is an orientation (A4-R) in which the conveyance direction of the sheet is perpendicular to the normal direction of A4.

[0077] Therefore, in Fig.12 In the example shown, the reading direction and the image forming direction are the same direction, so the reading direction image 651 and the image forming direction image 652 are synthesized so as to indicate the same direction. Fig.13 In the example shown, the reading direction and the image forming direction are different directions, so the reading direction image 651 and the image forming direction image 652 are synthesized in a manner indicating different directions. Thus, the reading direction and the printing direction can be easily determined, thereby significantly reducing the time and effort required by technical service personnel in investigating a defect.

[0078] like Fig.12 , Fig.13 As shown, the reading direction image 651 and the image formation direction image 652 are synthesized in a non-overlapping manner. For example, two patterns of synthesis positions of the image formation direction images are prepared. One pattern indicates a position in the case where only the image formation direction image is synthesized. The other pattern indicates a position in which the image formation direction image does not overlap with the reading direction image when the reading direction image and the image formation direction image are synthesized simultaneously. Thus, the image processing unit 111 can synthesize the reading direction image and the image formation direction image in a non-overlapping manner.

[0079] The processing described above will be described using a flowchart. Fig.14 The flowchart shows the flow of processing for synthesizing the read image. The scanner 300 performs scanning processing (ACT 101). The image data obtained by the scanning processing is recorded in the page memory 109. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the image data recorded in the page memory 109, and records the image data in the HDD 106 (ACT 102).

[0080] The image processing unit 111 obtains the reading resolution and the recording resolution based on the image data recorded in the HDD 106 (ACT 103). The image processing unit 111 determines whether the obtained reading resolution and recording resolution are different (ACT 104). When the reading resolution and the recording resolution are equal (ACT 104: No), the image processing unit 111 proceeds to ACT 106. When the reading resolution and the recording resolution are different (ACT 104: Yes), the image processing unit 111 performs the above-mentioned reading direction image correction processing (ACT 105).

[0081] The image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image (ACT 106). Here, when performing the reading direction image correction processing, the image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image according to the position and size derived in the reading direction image correction processing. When the reading resolution and the recording resolution are equal, the image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image according to the position and size corresponding to the reading resolution. The image processing unit 111 records the synthesized image data in the HDD 106 (ACT 107), and ends the processing.

[0082] Fig.15 1 is a flowchart showing the process of combining the image in the reading direction and the image forming direction in copying. The scanner 300 performs scanning processing (ACT 201). The image data obtained by the scanning processing is recorded in the page memory 109. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the image data recorded in the page memory 109, and records the image data in the HDD 106 (ACT 202).

[0083] The image processing unit 111 determines whether to copy with a magnification change (ACT 203). When the image processing unit 111 copies without a magnification change (ACT 203: No), the image processing unit 111 proceeds to ACT 205. When the image processing unit copies with a magnification change (ACT 203: Yes), the image processing unit 111 performs a magnification change process (ACT 204). As described above, the magnification of the magnification change and the like are recorded in the RAM 103. The image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image (ACT 205).

[0084] The image processing unit 111 obtains the orientation of the sheet on which the image is formed in the sheet storage unit 140 (ACT 206). The image processing unit 111 synthesizes the image according to the acquired orientation to form a directional image (ACT 207). The image processing unit 111 records the synthesized image data in the HDD 106 (ACT 208). The image processing unit 111 converts the image data recorded in the HDD 106 into image data for printing (for example, raster data), and outputs it to the printer 400. The printer 400 prints using the input image data (ACT 209), and the processing ends.

[0085] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of reading direction images of different forms may be provided. For example, reading direction images of different forms may be synthesized so that image data obtained from a manuscript placed on the manuscript glass and image data obtained by ADF305 can be distinguished. In the case where ADF305 can perform double-sided reading of a manuscript, reading direction images of different forms may be synthesized so that image data obtained from the front surface and image data obtained from the back surface can be distinguished.

[0086] The main CPU 101 and the image processing unit 111 may be implemented in the same processor.

[0087] The present embodiment may be configured as an image processing apparatus without the printer 400 .

[0088] According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily determine a reading direction.

[0089] The functions of the image forming apparatus in the above-mentioned embodiment can also be realized by a computer. In this case, the program for realizing the function can also be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium can be read into the computer system and executed, thereby realizing the function. The "computer system" here refers to hardware including OS, peripheral devices, etc. "Computer-readable recording medium" refers to removable media such as floppy disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. "Computer-readable recording medium" refers to a medium that dynamically maintains a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line in the case of sending a program via a network such as the Internet, a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that maintains a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that becomes a server or client in this case. The above-mentioned program can also be used to realize part of the above-mentioned function, and the above-mentioned function can also be realized by combining it with a program recorded in a computer system.

[0090] Although several embodiments are described, these embodiments are only presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other ways, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the purpose of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and purpose of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image forming device, comprising: an image processing device; and Printers, which form images on sheets, The image processing device comprises: A storage unit for storing image data; a scanner that reads an image formed on a sheet and generates image data; and a control unit that combines a reading direction image indicating a reading direction in the scanner with the image data generated by the scanner and records the combined image data in a storage unit, The control unit determines a position for arranging the reading direction image and a size of the reading direction image based on a reading resolution indicating a resolution of a reading process in the scanner and a recording resolution indicating a resolution of image data recorded in the storage unit. When the control unit enlarges or reduces the image and forms the enlarged or reduced image on the sheet, the control unit also combines the reading direction image with the image data in a manner that at least does not change the size of the reading direction image. The control unit combines an image forming direction image indicating an image forming direction in the printer with the image data. The reading direction image and the image forming direction image are synthesized in a non-overlapping manner.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: When the control unit enlarges or reduces an image and forms the enlarged or reduced image on the sheet, the control unit combines the image forming direction image with the image data so as not to change at least the size of the image forming direction image.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The reading direction image and the image forming direction image are in different forms.

Images