Image reading device, image forming apparatus, and multifunctional machine

Abstract

To provide an image reading device, an image forming apparatus, and a multifunctional machine that allow a user to be easily aware of the occurrence of an abnormality in the operation of image formation or image reading even when the operation is not suspended.SOLUTION: As processing when an abnormality detection unit detects that an abnormality occurs in an image forming operation performed by an image forming unit 110 or a reading operation performed by a scanner unit 120, an image forming apparatus composes a notification image that is an image for notifying the occurrence of the abnormality, with one of a printing target image and a read image stored in a storage unit 151 in which the occurrence of the abnormality is detected. The image obtained through the composition is formed on a printing paper or displayed on a touch panel display 140.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and a multifunction peripheral. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, some devices that perform image formation or image reading operations continue to operate even if an abnormality (error) occurs during operation. The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is one such example, and does not interrupt printing even if a printing error occurs unless the error is fatal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-170643 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as in the above-described conventional technology, if an operation is not interrupted even when an abnormality occurs, the abnormality may also appear in the image formation or image reading results obtained by that operation. This may cause inconvenience to users who expect abnormal-free images. For example, an abnormality may appear in the image formation or image reading results so inconspicuous that it cannot be noticed unless the user checks carefully. In such cases, the user may not notice the abnormality immediately after obtaining the results, but may notice it after some time has passed, by which point it may already be difficult to re-obtain the image formation or image reading results.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming device, an image reading device, and a multifunction peripheral that allow a user to easily notice an abnormality in an image forming or image reading operation even if the operation is not interrupted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image reading device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a reading unit that performs a reading operation to read a document and generate a read image showing the reading result, a memory unit that stores the read image, an abnormality detection unit that detects the occurrence of an abnormality in the reading operation, and a control unit. The processing executed by the control unit includes a first image output processing that outputs the read image stored in the memory unit to an external device, and a second image output processing that, as a processing executed when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence of the abnormality, does not execute the first image output processing, but instead combines an alarm image, which is an image that notifies the occurrence of the abnormality, with the read image stored in the memory unit and outputs the combined image to an external device.

[0007] In addition, an image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium, a memory unit that stores a target image that is the subject of the image forming operation, an abnormality detection unit that detects the occurrence of an abnormality in the image forming operation, and a control unit, and the processing executed by the control unit includes a first image forming processing that controls the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation on a medium based on the target image stored in the memory unit, and a second image forming processing that, when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence of the abnormality, does not execute the first image forming processing, but instead combines an alarm image that is an image that notifies the occurrence of the abnormality with the target image stored in the memory unit, and controls the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation on a medium based on the combined image.

[0008] A multifunction peripheral according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium, a reading unit that performs a reading operation to read an original and generate a read image showing the reading result, a storage unit that stores a target image that is a target of the image forming operation and the read image, an abnormality detection unit that detects the occurrence of an abnormality in at least one of the image forming operation and the reading operation, and a control unit, and processing executed by the control unit includes a first image forming process that controls the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation on a medium based on the target image stored in the storage unit, and and a process for performing, as a process when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence of the abnormality, either a first image output process for outputting the read image stored in the storage unit to the outside, a second image formation process for not executing the first image formation process and the first image output process, and combining an alert image, which is an image that notifies the occurrence of the abnormality, with one of the target image and the read image stored in the storage unit that corresponds to the detection of the occurrence of the abnormality by the abnormality detection unit, and controlling the image formation unit to perform the image formation operation on a medium based on the combined image, or a second image output process for outputting the combined image to the outside. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the image reading device of the first aspect, when an abnormality occurs in the image reading operation, a notification image notifying the occurrence of the abnormality is superimposed on the read image showing the reading result in response to the abnormality being detected by the abnormality detection unit. The output result of the read image is likely to be visually inspected by the user. Therefore, the user can easily notice that an abnormality has occurred in the reading operation based on the notification image superimposed on the read image.

[0010] According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect, when an abnormality occurs in the image forming operation, a notification image notifying the occurrence of the abnormality is superimposed on the target image that is the target of the image forming operation in response to the detection of the abnormality by the abnormality detection unit. The medium on which the target image is formed is likely to be visually inspected by the user. Therefore, the user can easily notice that an abnormality has occurred in the image forming operation based on the notification image superimposed on the target image.

[0011] The multifunction peripheral according to the third aspect achieves the same effects as those of the first aspect or the second aspect. Note that the multifunction peripheral according to the third aspect may be provided with an abnormality detection unit that only detects the occurrence of an abnormality in the image forming operation, or that only detects the occurrence of an abnormality in the reading operation, or that detects both of these. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is an example of a notification image to be combined with a scanned image or an image to be printed that is output by the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is an example of a scanned image or an image to be printed, on which a notification image is combined, output by the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed when an abnormality occurs in an image forming operation or a reading operation. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a multifunction peripheral according to a second embodiment, which is another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is an example of a setting screen for user input displayed on the touch panel display of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 6 is an example of a scanned image or an image to be printed, on which a notification image is combined, output by the multifunction peripheral of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] A multifunction peripheral 100 according to a first embodiment, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. As shown in Figure 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 (which corresponds to the "image reading device," "image forming device," and "multifunction peripheral" of the present invention) has an image forming unit 110, a scanner unit 120, a first abnormality detection unit 130, a touch panel display 140, and a control unit 150.

[0014] Image forming unit 110 performs an image forming operation to form an image to be formed (hereinafter referred to as the "image to be printed") on printing paper. Image forming unit 110 has a head that deposits ink on printing paper and a transport unit that transports the printing paper relative to the head. The image forming operation is performed by the head depositing ink on the printing paper while the transport unit transports the printing paper. The image to be printed in the image forming operation may be one sent from an external device, or may be an image showing the results of scanner unit 120 reading an original (hereinafter referred to as the "read image").

[0015] The scanner unit 120 performs a reading operation to read a document. The scanner unit 120 has a reading unit that reads the document and a transport unit that transports the document to the reading surface. The document is, for example, a sheet-like medium such as printing paper, paper, or cloth on which an image is formed or on which characters, figures, etc. are handwritten. The reading operation is performed by the reading unit reading characters, figures, images, etc. formed on the surface of the document facing the reading unit while the transport unit transports the document. The scanner unit 120 generates a read image read by the reading operation.

[0016] The first abnormality detection unit 130 detects the occurrence and content of abnormalities occurring in the image forming operation of the image forming unit 110 and the reading operation of the scanner unit 120. Abnormalities that the first abnormality detection unit 130 can detect include, for example, a double feed, in which the conveying unit conveys multiple or more overlapping sheets of printing paper or originals, a jam, in which printing paper or originals get stuck in the conveying path, and skew, in which printing paper or originals are conveyed at an angle. The first abnormality detection unit 130 includes a sensor that optically detects these abnormalities. The first abnormality detection unit 130 may also include a sensor that captures an image of the state of the image formed on the printing paper. The captured image is output to the control unit 150, and as described below, the second abnormality detection unit 152 detects the expansion / contraction, curvature, etc. of the image. The first abnormality detection unit 130 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality while distinguishing whether it corresponds to a double feed, a jam, skew, etc. The detection result by the first abnormality detection unit 130 is output to the control unit 150.

[0017] The touch panel display 140 has a screen for displaying characters, images, and the like. For example, an image read by the scanner unit 120 is displayed as a preview on this screen. A setting screen including a control image for user input is also displayed on this screen. The touch panel display 140 can accept user input using this setting screen. When a finger or the like touches the screen, the touch panel display 140 detects the contact position and outputs the detection result to the control unit 150. This allows various user inputs to be made via the setting screen displayed on the touch panel display 140.

[0018] The control unit 150 has hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage unit 151 consisting of a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and software stored in the storage unit 151. The control unit 150 executes various processes through cooperation between this hardware and software.

[0019] Control unit 150 performs a process (corresponding to the "first image forming process" of the present invention) to cause image forming unit 110 to perform an image forming operation based on image data of an image to be printed received from an external device such as a PC. Control unit 150 also performs a process (corresponding to the "first image reading process" of the present invention) to cause scanner unit 120 to perform a reading operation and to display the read image generated by scanner unit 120 on touch panel display 140. In this process, image data of the image to be printed and the read image are stored in storage unit 151.

[0020] Control unit 150 also performs processing as second abnormality detection unit 152. Second abnormality detection unit 152 detects the occurrence and content of abnormalities in the reading operation of scanner unit 120 and the image forming operation of image forming unit 110, based on the image read by scanner unit 120 and the imaging result by first abnormality detection unit 130. Abnormalities that second abnormality detection unit 152 can detect include, for example, expansion or contraction of an image due to slippage of the original document or print paper when the conveying unit conveys the original document or print paper, a curve in the read image due to a change in the conveying angle of the original document or print paper, the appearance of a foreign object in the read image, a blank page included in the original document, etc. Second abnormality detection unit 152 can detect the occurrence of these abnormalities while distinguishing which abnormality it corresponds to.

[0021] According to the detection results of the first abnormality detection unit 130 and the second abnormality detection unit 152, it is possible to detect which type of abnormality, A to C, the abnormality that has occurred corresponds to. Abnormality A is skewed documents or blank pages. Abnormality B is double feeding or jamming of documents. Abnormality C is stretching or curving of images or the presence of foreign matter.

[0022] When either the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152 detects the occurrence of an abnormality, the control unit 150 acquires the type of abnormality based on the detection results of these detection units. Then, the control unit 150 selectively executes first to third processes depending on the acquired type of abnormality. Table 1 below shows the correspondence between the type of abnormality and the process to be executed.

[0023] [Table 1]

[0024] The first process corresponding to abnormality A is a process of correcting the scanned image or the image to be printed and outputting it. Skewed originals or printed paper and blank pages, which correspond to abnormality A, are abnormalities that can be corrected. For example, the tilt of an image caused by skewed originals or printed paper can be corrected by rotating the image. Also, blank pages can be corrected by deleting the part of the image that corresponds to the blank page.

[0025] The second process for abnormality B is a process for suspending the operation in which the abnormality was detected. Multifeeding of documents or a jam, which corresponds to abnormality B, can be a relatively serious abnormality that is difficult to correct. For this reason, the scanning operation or image forming operation that was being performed when the abnormality was detected is suspended.

[0026] The third process, which corresponds to abnormality C, is a process in which the operation in which the abnormality was detected continues as is. In the third process, the image is not corrected as in the first process. While the stretching, curvature, and inclusion of foreign matter in the image, which correspond to abnormality C, are unlikely to cause major problems in the output result, interrupting the operation due to an abnormality of this magnitude could actually be detrimental to the user. For this reason, the reading operation or image formation operation that was being performed when the abnormality was detected continues as is.

[0027] The first process and the second process can each be set to switch between on and off as shown in Table 1. The control unit 150 performs the setting to switch between on and off the first process and the second process based on a user input via the touch panel display 140.

[0028] When the first process is set to ON, control unit 150 executes the first process when first abnormality detection unit 130 or second abnormality detection unit 152 detects the occurrence of abnormality A. In contrast, when the first process is set to OFF, even if first abnormality detection unit 130 or second abnormality detection unit 152 detects the occurrence of abnormality A, control unit 150 does not execute the first process, that is, does not correct the image, and executes the third process.

[0029] When the second process is set to ON, the control unit 150 executes the second process when the occurrence of abnormality B is detected by the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152. In contrast, when the second process is set to OFF, even if the occurrence of abnormality B is detected by the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152, the control unit 150 does not execute the second process, that is, it does not interrupt the operation, and executes the third process.

[0030] However, when the third process is performed, the image formation or reading operation continues, but the image is not corrected. As a result, the image formed on the printing paper or the image displayed on the touch panel display 140 may be stretched or curved. This may cause inconvenience to users who expect an image without abnormalities. For example, these abnormalities in the image may appear so slight that they are difficult to notice without careful inspection. In such cases, the user may not notice the abnormality immediately after obtaining the results, but may notice it later, by which point it may be difficult to re-obtain the image formation or reading results.

[0031] Therefore, in the third process, the control unit 150 according to this embodiment combines a notification image, which is an image that notifies the user of the occurrence of an abnormality, with the image to be printed or the scanned image indicated by the image data stored in the storage unit 151. The notification image 161 in Fig. 2 is an example of such an image, and displays the words "<Reading error>" indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the reading operation and the words "Document slip" indicating the nature of the abnormality.

[0032] The control unit 150 determines the position and size at which to combine the notification image depending on the content of the abnormality indicated by the detection result of the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152, for example, the type of abnormality. Ranges R1 and R2 in Fig. 3 represent the position and size at which the notification image is combined in image 162, which is the image to be printed or the scanned image. Range R1 corresponds to a position and size near the center of image 162 that is large and easily noticeable. Range R2 corresponds to a position and size near the corner of image 162 that is small and difficult to notice.

[0033] For example, if the first process or the second process is turned off and the third process is executed despite the occurrence of abnormality A or B, the notification image is composited in a conspicuous position and size as shown in range R1 in Fig. 3. On the other hand, if the occurrence of abnormality C is detected and the third process is executed, the notification image is composited in an inconspicuous position and size as shown in range R2 in Fig. 3.

[0034] In addition to the above, the control unit 150 may determine the content of the notification image to be synthesized according to the content of the abnormality indicated by the detection result of the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152. The content of the notification image determined here includes the color of the characters, the type of font, the background color, the background image, etc. For example, when the notification image is synthesized in the range R1 in the image 162 as described above, the characters may be displayed in red, and when the notification image is synthesized in the range R2 in the image 162 as described above, the characters may be displayed in black.

[0035] The read image onto which the notification image has been combined is output by being displayed on the touch panel display 140. The read image onto which the notification image has been combined may be output by being formed on a printing paper by the image forming operation of the image forming unit 110. The image to be printed onto which the notification image has been combined is output by being formed on a printing paper by the image forming operation of the image forming unit 110.

[0036] The flow of processing performed by the control unit 150 when an abnormality occurs in the image forming operation or the reading operation will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0037] First, when the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152 detects the occurrence of an abnormality (S1), the control unit 150 determines the type of abnormality based on the detection result by the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152 (S2). If the control unit 150 determines that the type of abnormality is A (S2, A), the control unit 150 determines whether the first process is set to on or off (S3). If the control unit 150 determines that the first process is set to on (S3, on), the control unit 150 executes the first process (S4). That is, after correcting the scanned image or the image to be printed, it is output to the print medium or the touch panel display 140. If the control unit 150 determines that the first process is set to off (S3, off), the control unit 150 executes S7. The process of S7 will be described later.

[0038] If it is determined in S2 that the type of abnormality is B (S2, B), the control unit 150 determines whether the second process is set to on or off (S5). If it is determined that it is set to on (S5, on), the control unit 150 executes the second process (S6). That is, the reading operation or image forming operation is interrupted. If it is determined that it is set to off (S5, off), the control unit 150 executes S7. The process of S7 will be described later.

[0039] If it is determined in S2 that the type of abnormality is C (S2, C), the control unit 150 executes a third process (S7). In the third process of S7, the control unit 150 combines a notification image with the read image or the image to be printed at a position, size, and text color according to the type of abnormality, and either displays the combined read image on the touch panel display 140, or causes the image forming unit 110 to perform an image forming operation for the combined image to be printed.

[0040] According to the present embodiment described above, if an abnormality occurs in the reading operation or the image forming operation, a notification image notifying the occurrence of the abnormality is superimposed on the read image or the image to be printed in response to detection of the abnormality by the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152. There is a high possibility that the output result of the read image on the touch panel display 140 or the output result of the image to be printed on the printing paper will be visually inspected by the user. For this reason, the user can easily notice that an abnormality has occurred in the operation based on the notification image superimposed on the read image or the image to be printed.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the first anomaly detection unit 130 and the second anomaly detection unit 152 detect not only the occurrence of an anomaly but also the content of the anomaly. Then, the position and size at which the alarm image is synthesized and the content of the alarm image (text color, etc.) are determined according to the content of the anomaly, specifically, the type of anomaly (see Table 1 above). This makes it possible to adjust the position and size of the alarm image to make it more noticeable to the user (see range R1 in FIG. 3 ) or to make it less noticeable (see range R2 in FIG. 3 ), depending on the content of the anomaly. Furthermore, it becomes possible to adjust the content of the alarm image, specifically, the text color of the alarm image, to make it more noticeable to the user or less noticeable.

[0042] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, as shown in Table 1, depending on which of types A to C the abnormality in the reading operation corresponds to, an appropriate process is selectively executed from among the first process (process for correcting the abnormality and outputting the read image), the second process (process for interrupting the reading operation), and the third process (process for outputting the notification image combined with the read image or the image to be printed without correcting the abnormality). The first and second processes can be set to on or off based on user input.

[0043] [Second embodiment] A multifunction peripheral 200 according to a second embodiment, which is another embodiment of the present invention, will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 7. The configuration of the multifunction peripheral 200 has much in common with the configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the following description will mainly focus on the differences between the multifunction peripheral 200 and the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment will be used for the common configuration, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0044] 5, the multifunction device 200 (corresponding to the "image reading device," "image forming device," and "multifunction device" of the present invention) differs from the multifunction device 100 in that a control unit 250 is used instead of the control unit 150. The control unit 250 executes substantially the same processes as the control unit 150, but unlike the control unit 150, the user can set the position and size at which the notification image is to be combined, as well as the content of the notification image.

[0045] Specifically, the following settings regarding the synthesis of the notification image can be made based on user input via the touch panel display 140. The first is a setting as to whether or not to synthesize the notification image with the image to be printed or the scanned image. The second is a setting as to the position at which the notification image will be synthesized within the image. The third is a setting as to the size at which the notification image will be synthesized within the image. The fourth is a setting as to the content of the notification image.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a setting screen IM for user input displayed on the image touch panel display 140 for these four settings. The setting screen IM includes control images C1 to C5 for user input for making the four settings. The control image C1 allows the user to input either on or off regarding the setting of whether or not to synthesize a notification image. On corresponds to synthesizing a notification image, and off corresponds to not synthesizing a notification image. The control image C2 is an image that allows the user to input x and y coordinate values ​​within one page of an image regarding the setting of the position at which to synthesize a notification image.

[0047] The control image C3 is an image that allows the user to input whether the page on which the notification image is to be composited should be the page on which the abnormality occurred or the page following that, regarding the setting of the position on which the notification image is to be composited. The control image C4 is an image that allows the user to input a numerical value representing the size, regarding the setting of the size on which the notification image is to be composited. The control image C5 is an image that allows the user to select the color of the text on the notification image, regarding the setting of the content of the notification image.

[0048] Like the control unit 150, the control unit 250 executes processing according to the type of abnormality indicated by the detection result of the first abnormality detection unit 130 or the second abnormality detection unit 152, based on the correspondence in Table 1 above. Thus, when the third processing is executed, if the notification image composition has been set to OFF through the setting screen IM of FIG. 6, the notification image composition is not performed, and a normal scanned image or image to be printed is output (corresponding to the "first image reading processing" or "first image forming processing" of the present invention). On the other hand, if the notification image composition has been set to ON through the setting screen IM of FIG. 6, the notification image is composited with the scanned image or image to be printed, and then the scanned image or image to be printed is output (corresponding to the "second image reading processing" or "second image forming processing" of the present invention). Thus, selecting either an image output with a composited notification image or an image output without a composited notification image based on the ON / OFF setting of the notification image composition corresponds to "selecting whether to perform the first image output processing or the second image output processing depending on the setting when the setting of whether to composite the notification image has been set" of the present invention.

[0049] When synthesizing the notification image, the position, size, and text color are set using the setting screen IM in Fig. 6. Image 262 in Fig. 7 shows the scanned image or image to be printed with the notification image synthesized in this way. Image 262 includes image 262a corresponding to the page on which the abnormality occurred and image 262b corresponding to the page following that. The notification image is synthesized in range R3 of image 262b. The page for which range R3 is set, as well as its position and size within the page, correspond to the settings already made using the setting screen IM in Fig. 6.

[0050] 7, when a notification image is superimposed on a page other than the page on which the abnormality occurred, it is preferable to superimpose the notification image with information specifying the page on which the abnormality occurred. For example, it is preferable that the number of the page on which the abnormality occurred is included in the notification image.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the user can set whether to composite the notification image and the composite position of the notification image according to their preference. In particular, the user can set whether to composite the notification image onto the page where an abnormality occurred in the reading operation or onto the page following that. Note that instead of the page following the page where the abnormality occurred, the notification image may be composited onto the page before the page where the abnormality occurred, or onto any other page. Furthermore, a new page may be added after the last page of the scanned image before composite or the image to be printed, and the notification image may be composited onto that new page.

[0052] <Modification> Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations should not be considered to be limited to these embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0053] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention is embodied as a multifunction peripheral 100 or 200 that includes both the image forming unit 110 and the scanner unit 120. However, the present invention may also be embodied as an image forming apparatus such as a printer that includes only the image forming unit 110 and does not include the scanner unit 120. In this case, abnormality detection is performed on the image forming operation of the image forming unit 110, and a notification image is synthesized on the image to be printed. Alternatively, the present invention may be embodied as an image reading apparatus such as a dedicated scanner that does not include the image forming unit 110 and includes only the scanner unit 120. In this case, abnormality detection is performed on the reading operation of the scanner unit 120, and a notification image is synthesized on the read image.

[0054] Furthermore, both the multifunction peripherals 100 and 200 according to the above-described embodiments have a configuration capable of detecting abnormalities in both the image forming operation of the image forming unit 110 and the reading operation of the scanner unit 120. However, these multifunction peripherals may have a configuration capable of detecting abnormalities in only one of the image forming operation of the image forming unit 110 and the reading operation of the scanner unit 120. In this case, a configuration is adopted in which the notification image is synthesized for only one of the read image and the image to be printed.

[0055] In the first embodiment, the position and size of the notification image to be combined and the content of the notification image are determined depending on the type of abnormality. Alternatively, only one or two of the position and size of the notification image to be combined and the content of the notification image may be determined depending on the type of abnormality.

[0056] In the second embodiment described above, the position and size of the notification image to be combined and the content of the notification image are set based on a user input via the touch panel display 140. Alternatively, only one or two of the position and size of the notification image to be combined and the content of the notification image may be set based on a user input.

[0057] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, a notification image may be superimposed on a page other than the page on which an abnormality occurred in the scanned image or the image to be printed. In particular, when an abnormality is detected in the image formation operation, it may be difficult to superimpose the notification image on the page on which image formation is currently being performed. In this case, the superimposition process of the notification image can be easily realized by adopting a configuration in which the notification image is superimposed on a page subsequent to the page on which image formation was being performed when the abnormality occurred.

[0058] Furthermore, the image forming unit 110 according to the above-described embodiment performs an image forming operation by depositing ink on printing paper. The ink deposition may be by an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method. The present invention may also be applied to a multifunction peripheral or image forming apparatus having a laser-type image forming unit that performs an image forming operation by depositing toner on printing paper instead of depositing ink on printing paper. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100, 200 multifunction device 110 Image forming unit 120 Scanner unit 130 First abnormality detection unit 140 Touch Panel Display 150, 250 control section 152 Second abnormality detection unit

Claims

1. a reading unit that performs a reading operation to read an original and generate a read image showing the reading result; a storage unit that stores the scanned image; an abnormality detection unit that detects occurrence of an abnormality in the reading operation; and a control unit, The process executed by the control unit is a first image output process for outputting the scanned image stored in the storage unit to an external device; a second image output process in which, as a process when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence of the abnormality, the first image output process is not executed, but a notification image that notifies the occurrence of the abnormality is synthesized with the read image stored in the storage unit, and the synthesized image is output to an external device; An image reading device comprising:

2. an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium; a storage unit that stores a target image that is a target of the image forming operation; an abnormality detection unit that detects occurrence of an abnormality in the image forming operation; and a control unit, The process executed by the control unit is a first image forming process for controlling the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation on a medium based on the target image stored in the storage unit; a second image forming process in which, as a process when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence of the abnormality, the first image forming process is not executed, a notification image that notifies the occurrence of the abnormality is synthesized with the target image stored in the storage unit, and the image forming unit is controlled so as to perform the image forming operation on a medium based on the synthesized image; An image forming apparatus comprising:

3. the abnormality detection unit is further capable of detecting the content of the abnormality, The image reading device described in claim 1, characterized in that, in the second image output process, the control unit determines at least one of the position and size at which the alarm image is synthesized into the read image and the content of the alarm image depending on the content of the abnormality detected by the abnormality detection unit.

4. 4. The image reading device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit determines the color of the characters displayed in the notification image as the content of the notification image.

5. further comprising an input unit for accepting user input; The control unit at least one of whether to combine the notification image and a position at which the notification image is combined in the read image can be set based on a user input via the input unit, When it has been set whether or not to combine the notification image, selecting whether to execute the first image output process or the second image output process in accordance with the setting content; The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the position at which the notification image is to be synthesized in the read image has already been set, in the second image output process, the notification image is synthesized at the position in the read image indicated by the setting content.

6. The image reading device according to claim 5 , wherein the control unit can set the position at which the notification image is to be combined in the read image to either the page on which the abnormality occurred or another page.

7. further comprising an input unit for accepting user input; The control unit at least one of whether or not to combine the notification image and a position at which the notification image is combined in the target image can be set based on a user input via the input unit, When it has been set whether or not to combine the notification image, selecting whether to execute the first image forming process or the second image forming process according to the setting content; The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, when a position at which the notification image is to be synthesized within the target image has already been set, in the second image forming process, the notification image is synthesized at a position within the target image indicated by the set content.

8. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit is capable of setting the position at which the notification image is to be combined in the target image to be either the page on which the abnormality occurred or another page.

9. which of a plurality of types of abnormality corresponds to which of a plurality of processes is to be executed; the anomaly detection unit is further capable of detecting, as the content of the anomaly, which of the plurality of types the anomaly corresponds to, the plurality of processes include at least one of a first process of executing the first image output process while correcting the abnormality and a second process of interrupting the reading operation and not executing either the first image output process or the second image output process, and a third process of executing the second image output process without correcting the abnormality, The image reading device according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence and content of the abnormality, the control unit executes, among the plurality of processes, a process corresponding to the content of the abnormality indicated by the detection result by the abnormality detection unit.

10. further comprising an input unit for accepting user input; the plurality of processes includes the second process, The control unit 10. The image reading device according to claim 9, wherein the process associated with at least one of the plurality of types is selected from the second process and the third process based on the user input via the input unit.

11. which of a plurality of types of abnormality corresponds to which of a plurality of processes is to be executed; the anomaly detection unit is further capable of detecting, as the content of the anomaly, which of the plurality of types the anomaly corresponds to, the plurality of processes include at least one of a first process of executing the first image forming process while correcting the abnormality and a second process of interrupting the image forming operation and not executing either the first image forming process or the second image forming process, and a third process of executing the second image forming process without correcting the abnormality, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence and content of the abnormality, the control unit executes, among the plurality of processes, a process corresponding to the content of the abnormality indicated by the detection result by the abnormality detection unit.

12. further comprising an input unit for accepting user input; the plurality of processes includes the second process, The control unit 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the process associated with at least one of the plurality of types is selected from the second process and the third process based on the user input via the input unit.

13. an image forming unit that performs an image forming operation to form an image on a medium; a reading unit that performs a reading operation to read an original and generate a read image showing the reading result; a storage unit that stores a target image that is a target of the image forming operation and the read image; an abnormality detection unit that detects the occurrence of an abnormality in at least one of the image forming operation and the reading operation; and a control unit, The process executed by the control unit is a first image forming process for controlling the image forming unit to perform the image forming operation on a medium based on the target image stored in the storage unit; a first image output process for outputting the scanned image stored in the storage unit to an external device; As a process when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence of the abnormality, the first image formation process and the first image output process are not executed, and a notification image that notifies the occurrence of the abnormality is synthesized with one of the target image and the read image stored in the storage unit that corresponds to the detection of the occurrence of the abnormality by the abnormality detection unit, and a second image formation process is executed to control the image formation unit to perform the image formation operation on a medium based on the synthesized image, and a second image output process is executed to output the synthesized image to an external device. A multifunction peripheral comprising:

14. which of a plurality of types of abnormality corresponds to which of a plurality of processes is to be executed; the anomaly detection unit is further capable of detecting, as the content of the anomaly, which of the plurality of types the anomaly corresponds to, the plurality of processes include at least one of a first process of executing either the first image forming process or the first image output process while correcting the abnormality, a second process of interrupting the image forming operation or the reading operation and not executing any of the first image forming process, the second image forming process, the first image output process, and the second image output process, and a third process of executing either the second image forming process or the second image output process without correcting the abnormality, The multifunction peripheral according to claim 13, wherein, when the abnormality detection unit detects the occurrence and content of the abnormality, the control unit executes, among the plurality of processes, a process corresponding to the content of the abnormality indicated by the detection result by the abnormality detection unit.

15. further comprising an input unit for accepting user input; the plurality of processes includes the second process, The control unit 15. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 14, wherein the process associated with at least one of the plurality of types is selected from the second process and the third process based on the user input via the input unit.

16. further comprising an input unit for accepting user input; The control unit at least one of whether to combine the notification image with the read image or the target image can be set based on a user input via the input unit, When it has been set whether or not to combine the notification image, selecting whether to execute the first image output process or the second image output process according to the setting content, or selecting whether to execute the first image forming process or the second image forming process according to the setting content, The multifunction device according to claim 13, characterized in that, when the position at which the notification image is to be synthesized within the scanned image or the target image has already been set, in the second image output process or the second image forming process, the notification image is synthesized at the position within the scanned image or the target image indicated by the setting content.

17. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 16, wherein the control unit can set the position at which the notification image is to be combined into the scanned image or the target image, whether it is the page on which the abnormality occurred or another page.

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