Image data encoding / decoding system

Abstract

To form an image reduced in noise generation using a plurality of image forming devices while making use of paper memory print effectively.SOLUTION: An image data encoding / decoding system includes: image forming devices 1, 2 including image reading sections 12, 22, respectively; means for acquiring information on a noise occurrence period when the image reading sections 12, 22 of the respective image forming devices 1, 2 read images; encoded data creation means for creating encoded data in an area that avoids a region where image noise occurs at a noise occurrence period when the image reading sections 12, 22 of the all used image forming devices 1, 2 read images and encoding an original image, the encoded date being read by the image reading sections 12, 22 of the respective image reading device 1, 2 to be decoded; and image forming means for outputting, as an image, the encoded data created by the encoded data creation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image data encoding / decoding system for generating encoded images. [Background technology]

[0002] Image data generated by a computer may be printed using a printing device that is not connected to a network. In such cases, a technology known as "paper memory print" is used, in which an image (encoded image) obtained by encoding data to be printed by the printing device is printed on paper and carried around, and the encoded image printed on the sheet is read using a scanner device, decoded, and output as document image data.

[0003] When using paper memory prints, when an encoded image is read by a scanner, noise can occur due to the operating characteristics of the scanner's driving parts or vibrations of devices that operate in conjunction with the scanner, making it impossible to properly read the encoded image.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses technology relating to an image reading device that includes an image reading unit that reads an image, a data conversion unit that encodes and converts image data of the image read by the image reading unit into an image pattern, and a data inverse conversion unit that decodes the image pattern into the image data before it was encoded, in which the data conversion unit generates an image pattern P2 that avoids areas where there is image noise that occurs at a specific period when the image is read by the image reading unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6856406 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Here, a user who owns two or more types of image forming devices may want to output images using these two or more types of image forming devices, for example, when an original with only black characters is read and output by the image reading unit of a stencil printing device, and an original with red and black characters is read and output by the image reading unit of an inkjet printing device.

[0007] However, the areas where noise occurs often differ for each image reading unit, and with the image reading device described in Patent Document 1, when it is desired to output an image using two or more types of image forming devices, it is not possible to identify the areas where noise occurs, and there is a risk that accurate image output cannot be performed.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and has as its object to provide an image data encoding / decoding system that can effectively utilize paper memory prints and use multiple image forming devices to form images with reduced noise generation.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and has as its object to provide an image data encoding / decoding system that effectively utilizes paper memory prints and uses multiple image forming devices to form images with reduced noise generation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the image data encoding / decoding system according to the present invention is characterized by: an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit; a means for acquiring information regarding a noise occurrence period when the image is read by the image reading unit of the image forming apparatus; an encoded data creating means for creating encoded data to be read and decoded by the image reading units of the image forming apparatus in an area avoiding an area where image noise occurs due to a noise generation cycle when the image reading units of all the image forming apparatuses to be used generate image noise, and encoding an original image; an image forming means for outputting the encoded data created by the encoded data creating means; The reason is that it is equipped with the following features. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the features of the image data encoding / decoding system of the present invention, it is possible to effectively use paper memory prints and form images with reduced noise using a plurality of image forming apparatuses. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image data encoding / decoding system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic flow of processing by an image data encoding / decoding system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 5 is a flowchart showing a process flow of a generation process of encoded original data in the image data encoding / decoding system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4A] 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow of reading and printing processing from encoded original data in the image data encoding / decoding system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4B] 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow of reading and printing processing from encoded original data in the image data encoding / decoding system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image data encoding / decoding system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are designated by the same or equivalent reference numerals throughout the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product. In addition, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios.

[0014] The embodiments described below are merely examples of devices for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and the technical idea of ​​the present invention does not limit the arrangement of each component to that described below. Various modifications can be made to the technical idea of ​​the present invention within the scope of the claims.

[0015] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of an image data encoding / decoding system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image data encoding / decoding system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the image data encoding / decoding system of this embodiment includes a first image forming apparatus 1, a second image forming apparatus 2, a tablet terminal 3, and a computer 4.

[0017] The first image forming device 1 is a stencil printing device that uses monochrome ink. After a prepared master is clamped and wrapped around a rotating drum, paper is fed onto the drum and, as the drum rotates, the paper is pressed against the drum by a press roll to perform printing.

[0018] The first image forming apparatus 1 has an operation panel unit 11, an image reading unit 12, an encoded data analysis unit 13, a first data decoding unit 14, a first drum image forming unit 16, and an encoded data receiving unit 18.

[0019] The operation panel unit 11 has, for example, a touch panel and a liquid crystal display panel (neither of which is shown) that is disposed on the rear side of the touch panel and displays various display screens.

[0020] The image reading unit 12 has a light source lamp, an optical system such as a condenser lens and a mirror for forming an image, and a photoelectric conversion unit such as a CCD, reads an image of a document, and outputs the image as image data. The image reading unit 12 stores information about the noise generation period when the image reading unit 12 reads an image in a storage unit (not shown) as read information.

[0021] The encoded data analysis unit 13 analyzes the encoded image data received from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3 .

[0022] The first data decoding unit 14 decodes the encoded image data received from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3, and obtains image formation data.

[0023] Based on the image formation data decoded by the first data decoding unit 14, the first drum image forming unit 16 generates master image data (first image formation data) for making a master.

[0024] The encoded data receiving unit 18 receives encoded image data from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3.

[0025] The second image forming device 2 is an inkjet printing device capable of color printing, and is an inkjet printer that performs color printing on transported paper by, for example, ejecting a total of four colors of ink, cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), from an inkjet head based on drop data data (second image forming data).

[0026] The second image forming apparatus 2 has an operation panel section 21, an image reading section 22, an encoded data analysis section 23, a data decoding section 24, an image forming section 25, and an encoded data receiving section .

[0027] The operation panel unit 21 has, for example, a touch panel and a liquid crystal display panel (neither of which is shown) that is disposed on the rear side of the touch panel and displays various display screens.

[0028] The image reading unit 22 has a light source lamp, an optical system such as a condenser lens and a mirror for forming an image, and a photoelectric conversion unit such as a CCD, and reads an image of a document and outputs the image as image data. The image reading unit 22 stores information about the noise generation period when the image reading unit 22 reads an image in a storage unit (not shown) as read information.

[0029] The encoded data analysis unit 23 analyzes the encoded image data received from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3 .

[0030] The data decoding unit 24 decodes the encoded image data received from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3, and obtains image formation data.

[0031] The image forming unit 25 generates drop data for ejecting ink from the inkjet head based on the image forming data decoded by the data decoding unit 24.

[0032] The encoded data receiving unit 26 receives encoded image data from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3 .

[0033] The tablet terminal 3 is a portable terminal that establishes wireless communication with the computer 4, the first image forming apparatus 1, and the second image forming apparatus 2, and transmits and receives various data such as read information and encoded image data.

[0034] The tablet terminal 3 includes an operation panel unit 31 , a read information acquisition unit 32 , and a communication unit 33 .

[0035] The operation panel unit 31 has, for example, a touch panel and a liquid crystal display panel (neither of which is shown) that is disposed on the rear side of the touch panel and displays various display screens.

[0036] The read information acquiring unit 32 acquires read information from the first image forming apparatus 1 and the second image forming apparatus 2, the read information being information relating to the noise occurrence period during image reading.

[0037] The communication unit 33 establishes wireless communication with the computer 4, the first image forming apparatus 1, and the second image forming apparatus 2.

[0038] The computer 4 is configured by a general-purpose computer such as a PC (personal computer). The computer 4 includes a CPU and memory that execute various processes based on programs, and executes various processes such as print settings and generation of encoded image data.

[0039] The computer 4 includes a print output destination determination unit 41 , an encoded original data generation unit 42 , and an encoded data transmission unit 43 .

[0040] The print output destination determination unit 41 determines, based on a user operation, to which of the first image forming apparatus 1 and the second image forming apparatus 2 an area of ​​the document data is to be output.

[0041] The encoded original data generation unit 42 creates encoded data to be read and decoded by the image reading unit 12 of the first image forming device 1 and the image reading unit 22 of the second image forming device 2 in an area avoiding areas where image noise occurs during image reading by the image reading units of all image forming devices used (here, the first image forming device 1 and the second image forming device 2), encodes the original image, and generates encoded image data.

[0042] Since the image reading unit 12 of the first image forming device 1 and the image reading unit 22 of the second image forming device 2 each have a different noise generation period when reading an image, by encoding the original image in an area avoiding the areas where each image noise occurs, it is possible to prevent noise generation regardless of which image reading unit is used to read the image.

[0043] The encoded data transmission unit 43 transmits the encoded image data generated by the encoded document data generation unit 42 to the first image forming apparatus 1 and the second image forming apparatus 2 via the tablet terminal 3.

[0044] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic flow of processing by the image data encoding / decoding system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, the tablet terminal 3 establishes wireless communication with the first image forming apparatus 1 and the second image forming apparatus 2, and transmits read information.

[0046] The tablet terminal 3 synchronizes information with the computer 4, and synchronizes the read information of the first image forming apparatus 1 and the second image forming apparatus 2.

[0047] Based on the read information, the computer 4 creates an original image in an area avoiding areas where image noise occurs due to the noise generation period when the image is read by the image reading unit of all image forming devices used, and encodes the original image to generate encoded original data D101.

[0048] The encoded original data D101 includes first encoded original data D101a which is data for the first image forming apparatus 1, and second encoded original data D101b which is data for the second image forming apparatus 2. In this example, since a drum having black ink is set in the first image forming apparatus 1, the first encoded original data D101a includes image data to be printed in black. The second encoded original data D101b includes image data to be printed in other colors.

[0049] Therefore, the first data decoding section 14 of the first image forming apparatus 1 decodes the first encoded original data D101a of the encoded original data D101 to obtain first image forming data D102. Meanwhile, the data decoding section 24 of the second image forming apparatus 2 decodes the second encoded original data D101b of the encoded original data D101 to obtain second image forming data D103.

[0050] Then, the first image forming device 1 makes a master based on the first image formation data D102, wraps the made master around a rotating drum, feeds paper onto the drum, and prints by pressing the fed paper against the drum while rotating the drum, thereby obtaining a printed paper P102.

[0051] Moreover, the second image forming apparatus 2 performs printing by ejecting ink from the inkjet head based on the second image formation data D103, and obtains a printed sheet of paper P103.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process flow of generating encoded original data in the image data encoding / decoding system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 3, in step S101, the tablet terminal 3 determines whether or not a wireless connection has been established with two or more image forming apparatuses.

[0054] If the tablet terminal 3 determines that a wireless connection has been established with two or more image forming devices (step S101; YES), in step S103, the tablet terminal 3 acquires read information from the first image forming device 1 and the second image forming device 2.

[0055] In step S105, the tablet terminal 3 determines whether the read information has been synchronized with the computer 4.

[0056] When the computer 4 and the read information are synchronized (step S105; YES), in step S107, the computer 4 calculates a noise occurrence area when generating encoded original data based on the read information.

[0057] In step S109, the computer 4 encodes the original image in an area avoiding areas where image noise occurs due to the noise generation period when the image reading units of the first image forming device 1 and the second image forming device 2 read images, and generates encoded image data.

[0058] In step S111, the computer 4 transmits the generated encoded image data to the first image forming apparatus 1 and the second image forming apparatus 2 via the tablet terminal 3.

[0059] 4A and 4B are flowcharts showing the process flow of reading and printing processing from encoded original data in the image data encoding / decoding system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4A, in step S201, the tablet terminal 3 determines whether or not a wireless connection has been established with two or more image forming apparatuses.

[0061] If the tablet terminal 3 determines that a wireless connection has been established with two or more image forming devices (step S201; YES), in step S203, the tablet terminal 3 sets the collaboration function with two or more image forming devices to on.

[0062] In step S205, the tablet terminal 3 specifies the number of copies to be printed and sets program printing to ON, based on a user operation.

[0063] In step S207, the tablet terminal 3 determines whether or not scanning of the encoded original has been started by a user operation.

[0064] If it is determined that scanning of the encoded original has started (step S207; YES), then in step S209, the tablet terminal 3 receives the read encoded original data.

[0065] In step S211, it is determined whether the set number of copies to be printed is equal to or greater than a predetermined number X of copies.

[0066] If it is determined that the number of copies to be printed is equal to or greater than the predetermined number X (step S211; YES), then in step S213, the tablet terminal 3 designates the first image forming device 1 as the output destination; if it is determined that the number of copies to be printed is less than the predetermined number X (step S211; NO), then in step S215, the tablet terminal 3 designates the second image forming device 2 as the output destination.

[0067] In step S217, a determination is made as to whether the designated output destination device designated in step S213 or step S215 is the same as the device on which the user scanned.

[0068] If it is determined that the designated output destination device is the same as the device used by the user for scanning (step S217; YES), then in step S221, the computer 4 issues an instruction to decode the encoded original data held therein.

[0069] On the other hand, if it is determined that the designated output destination device is different from the device used by the user to scan (step S217; NO), then in step S219, the computer 4 transmits the encoded original data to an image forming device different from the device used to scan.

[0070] The image forming apparatus that receives the encoded original data decodes the received encoded original data to generate image formation data.

[0071] In step S225, if the image forming engine is not a stencil engine (NO), in this case, it is the second image forming apparatus 2, so in step S227, the second image forming apparatus 2 executes image forming processing based on the decrypted second image forming data.

[0072] On the other hand, in step S225, if the image forming engine is a stencil (YES), the first image forming apparatus 1 may be either a stencil printer capable of two-color printing or a monochrome stencil printer. Note that in the first embodiment, the first image forming apparatus 1 is described as a monochrome stencil printer, and in the second embodiment described later, the first image forming apparatus 1 is described as a stencil printer capable of two-color printing.

[0073] Therefore, in step S229, if there are two image forming engines (YES), since the stencil printing device is compatible with two-color printing, the second image forming device 2 separates the decoded image forming data and makes plates using the separated second drum image forming data for the second drum on the second drum.

[0074] Thereafter, in step S233, the second image forming apparatus 2 makes a plate on the first drum using the separated first drum image forming data for the first drum.

[0075] On the other hand, if there is only one image forming engine (NO) in step S229, in step S233, the second image forming device 2 makes a plate on the first drum using the image forming data as first drum image forming data for the first drum without separating the image forming data.

[0076] In step S235, printing is performed according to the number of copies to be printed by the image forming apparatus and the program print settings.

[0077] In this way, according to the image data encoding / decoding system 100 of this embodiment 1 of the present invention, even when image data generated by a computer is printed using multiple image forming devices that are not connected to a network, paper memory prints can be effectively used to form images with reduced noise.

[0078] <Embodiment 2> In the first embodiment, the first image forming apparatus 1 is described as a monochrome stencil printing apparatus, whereas in the second embodiment, the first image forming apparatus is described as a two-color stencil printing apparatus.

[0079] The first image forming apparatus 1A of the second embodiment is a stencil printing apparatus compatible with two-color printing, and has a first drum compatible with the first color and a second drum compatible with the second color. A master made based on the first drum image formation data is clamped and wound around the rotating first drum, and a master made based on the second drum image formation data is clamped and wound around the rotating second drum. Then, a sheet is fed to the first drum, and the sheet is pressed against the first drum by a press roll while the first drum is rotating, and then the sheet is fed to the second drum, and the sheet is pressed against the second drum by a press roll while the second drum is rotating, thereby performing two-color printing.

[0080] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image data encoding / decoding system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] 5, the image data encoding / decoding system 100A of this embodiment includes a first image forming device 1A, a second image forming device 2, a tablet terminal 3, and a computer 4. Among these components, the components other than the first image forming device 1A are the same as those of the image data encoding / decoding system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0082] The first image forming apparatus 1 has an operation panel section 11, an image reading section 12, an encoded data analysis section 13, a first data decoding section 14, a second data decoding section 15, a first drum image forming section 16, a second drum image forming section 17, and an encoded data receiving section 18. Of these components, the components other than the first data decoding section 14, the second data decoding section 15, the first drum image forming section 16, and the second drum image forming section 17 are the same as those of the image data encoding / decoding system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] The first data decoding unit 14 decodes the encoded image data received from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3, and obtains first drum image forming data for the first drum.

[0084] The second data decoding unit 15 decodes the encoded image data received from the computer 4 via the tablet terminal 3, and obtains second drum image forming data for the second drum.

[0085] The first drum image forming unit 16 generates master image data (first drum image forming data) for making a master for the first drum based on the first drum image forming data decoded by the first data decoding unit 14.

[0086] Based on the second drum image formation data decoded by the second data decoding unit 15, the second drum image forming unit 17 generates master image data (second drum image formation data) for making a master for the second drum.

[0087] In this way, when the first image forming apparatus 1A is a stencil printing device compatible with two-color printing and has a first drum compatible with the first color and a second drum compatible with the second color, the user can easily obtain the required printed matter without having to perform any complicated steps (for example, first drum printing produces XX sheets, first drum printing + second drum printing produces △△ sheets, etc.), thereby reducing the burden of printing operations.

[0088] (Additional Note) This application discloses the following inventions.

[0089] (Appendix 1) an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit; a means for acquiring information regarding a noise occurrence period when the image is read by the image reading unit of the image forming apparatus; an encoded data creating means for creating encoded data to be read and decoded by the image reading units of the image forming apparatus in an area avoiding an area where image noise occurs due to a noise generation cycle when the image reading units of all the image forming apparatuses to be used generate image noise, and encoding an original image; an image forming means for outputting the encoded data created by the encoded data creating means; An image data encoding / decoding system comprising:

[0090] As a result, even when image data generated by a computer is printed using multiple image forming devices that are not connected to a network, paper memory prints can be effectively used to form images with reduced noise. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 1,1A 1st image forming device 2 Second image forming device 3. Tablet devices 4. Computer 11 Operation panel section 12 Image reading unit 13. Encoded Data Analysis Unit 14 First data decoding unit 15 Second data decoding unit 16 First drum image forming unit 17 Second drum image forming unit 18 Encoded data receiver 21 Operation panel section 22 Image reading unit 23 Encoded Data Analysis Unit 24 Data Decoding Section 25 Image forming section 26 Encoded data receiver 31 Operation panel section 32 Read information acquisition unit 33 Communications Department 41 Print output destination determination unit 42 Encoded manuscript data generation unit 43 Encoded data transmission unit 100,100A Image data encoding / decoding system

Claims

[Claim 1] an image forming apparatus having an image reading unit; a means for acquiring information regarding a noise occurrence period during image reading by the image reading unit of the image forming apparatus; an encoded data creating means for creating encoded data to be read and decoded by the image reading units of the image forming apparatus in an area avoiding an area where image noise occurs due to a noise generation cycle when the image reading units of all the image forming apparatuses to be used generate image noise, and encoding an original image; an image forming means for outputting the encoded data created by the encoded data creating means; An image data encoding / decoding system comprising:

Images