Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily recognize character information in a medium.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises a reading unit 2, a storage unit 9, a detection unit 11, and a conversion unit 12. The reading unit 2 reads a plurality of pieces of character information included in data and the density of each of the plurality of pieces of character information to generate image data including a plurality of pieces of read character information corresponding to the plurality of pieces of character information. The storage unit 9 stores a density threshold. The detection unit 11 detects, from among the plurality of pieces of read character information, the read character information with a density less than the density threshold. The conversion unit 12 converts the read character information detected by the detection unit 11 into corrected character information. The corrected character information is character information with a density higher than the density of the read character information detected by the detection unit 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for identifying a series of symbols that are the contents of a computer-readable medium. The invention described in Patent Document 1 receives an image of the series of symbols, and for each subset of the series of symbols, determines whether the symbol matches a retained symbol. If the symbol matches the retained symbol, a character identity related to the retained symbol is assigned to the symbol. On the other hand, if the symbol does not match the retained symbol, the non-matching symbol is retained, a character identity of the non-matching symbol is selected, and the selected character identity is assigned to the non-matching symbol, and a representation of the image of the series of symbols is created with the uniqueness of the assigned character. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,064,700 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the density of character information such as symbols in a computer-readable medium is low, the user cannot easily recognize the character information.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that allows a user to easily recognize character information on a medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading unit, a storage unit, a detection unit, and a conversion unit. The reading unit reads multiple pieces of character information included in data and the density of each piece of character information to create image data including multiple pieces of read character information corresponding to the multiple pieces of character information. The storage unit stores a density threshold. The detection unit detects, from the multiple pieces of read character information, read character information that is less than the density threshold. The conversion unit converts the read character information detected by the detection unit into corrected character information. The corrected character information is character information with a density higher than the density of the read character information detected by the detection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the user can easily recognize the text information in the medium. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an operation information input screen according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functions of a main body control unit of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an acquisition process according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0010] First, the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction peripheral.

[0011] 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body housing 1, a document reading device 2, a paper feed unit 3, an image forming unit 4, a transport mechanism 5, a discharge tray 7, an operation unit 8, a main body storage unit 9, a main body control unit 10, and a document transport device 30. The document reading device 2, the paper feed unit 3, the image forming unit 4, the transport mechanism 5, the main body storage unit 9, and the main body control unit 10 are arranged inside the main body housing 1. The document reading device 2 is an example of a "reading unit."

[0012] The document reading device 2 reads an image in the document D and outputs image data including the read image. The image includes multiple pieces of character information. The read image includes multiple pieces of read character information. Each of the multiple pieces of read character information corresponds to multiple pieces of character information. The output image data is sent to the main body control unit 10.

[0013] Specifically, the document reading device 2 is a scanner. The document reading device 2 has a contact glass 21 and a reading mechanism 22.

[0014] The reading mechanism 22 reads an image in the document D placed on the contact glass 21 and outputs image data including the read image. Specifically, the reading mechanism 22 has a light source, a carriage, an optical system, and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) image sensor.

[0015] The reading mechanism 22 also reads the density of each of the plurality of pieces of character information. The density of the character information includes, for example, contrast, brightness, sharpness, and saturation. Information indicating the density of each of the plurality of pieces of character information is sent to the main body control unit 10.

[0016] The document transport device 30 is attached to the main body casing 1. The document transport device 30 transports documents D. The document transport device 30 has a document placement tray 31, a document transport mechanism 32, and a document discharge tray 33.

[0017] The document transport mechanism 32 has rollers and guide members, and forms a document transport path 32L. The document transport mechanism 32 transports multiple documents D placed on the document loading tray 31 along the document transport path 32L, one document D at a time, to the document discharge tray 33 via the reading position R. The reading position R is a position where the document reading device 2 can read the image in the document D.

[0018] The sheet feeding unit 3 stores a plurality of sheets S and feeds the stored sheets S one by one. The sheets S are, for example, paper sheets.

[0019] The image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S fed by the paper feed unit 3. Specifically, the image forming unit 4 forms an image of one document D on each sheet S. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 4 includes an exposure device 41, a charging device 42, a developing device 43, a photosensitive drum 44, a transfer device 45, and a fixing device 46, and forms an image on the sheet S by electrophotography. The exposure device 41 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 44 based on image data. The charging device 42 uniformly charges the photosensitive drum 44 to a predetermined potential. The developing device 43 supplies toner to the photosensitive drum 44 and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 44. The transfer device 45 transfers the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 44 to the sheet S. The fixing device 46 fixes the toner image transferred to the sheet S to the sheet S.

[0020] The conveying mechanism 5 sequentially conveys a plurality of sheets S from the paper feed unit 3 to the discharge tray 7 via the image forming unit 4. In this embodiment, the conveying mechanism 5 includes a main body conveying mechanism 51.

[0021] The main body conveying mechanism 51 conveys the sheet S from the paper feed unit 3 to the outside of the main body housing 1 via the image forming unit 4. The main body conveying mechanism 51 has a plurality of rollers and a plurality of guide members.

[0022] The sheet S is discharged onto the discharge tray 7. The discharge tray 7 is provided outside the main body housing 1.

[0023] The operation unit 8 includes a touch panel 81 and a plurality of operation keys 82. The touch panel 81 includes a display and a touch sensor. The display is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display (Organic Electro Luminescence Display). The touch sensor is, for example, a resistive touch sensor. The plurality of operation keys 82 include, for example, a numeric keypad, a start key, and a cancel key. The touch panel 81 displays various screens.

[0024] The operation unit 8 receives operation information. When the operation unit 8 receives operation information from the user, it transmits the operation information to the main body control unit 10.

[0025] Next, an input method for inputting operation information according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an operation information input screen G1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the operation information input screen G1 is a screen for accepting correction processing. For example, the user presses the correction processing button. As a result, the correction processing is stored in the main body storage unit 9.

[0026] Next, functions of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing functions of the main body control unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in Fig. 3, the main body control unit 10 reads out a control program from the main body storage unit 9 and executes it.

[0027] The main body storage unit 9 stores various types of data. The main body storage unit 9 is configured with a storage device and a semiconductor memory. The storage device is configured with, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) and / or a solid state drive (SSD). The semiconductor memory is configured with, for example, a random access memory (RAM) and a read only memory (ROM).

[0028] In this embodiment, the main storage unit 9 stores density thresholds. The density thresholds indicate values ​​below which text information cannot be easily recognized by the user. The density thresholds include, for example, a contrast threshold, a brightness threshold, a sharpness threshold, and a saturation threshold. The main storage unit 9 may store multiple types of density thresholds (multiple correction levels). In particular, the main storage unit 9 stores density thresholds in advance.

[0029] In this embodiment, the main storage unit 9 stores multiple pieces of stored character information. The multiple pieces of stored character information include multiple types of stored character information. Each of the multiple types of stored character information includes stored character information of multiple densities. For example, the multiple pieces of stored character information include high-density stored character information "A," medium-density stored character information "A," and low-density stored character information "A." The multiple pieces of stored character information also include high-density stored character information "B," medium-density stored character information "B," and low-density stored character information "B." The multiple pieces of stored character information also include high-density stored character information "C," medium-density stored character information "C," and low-density stored character information "C." The high density is equal to or greater than a density threshold, and the medium and low densities are each less than a density threshold. The multiple pieces of stored character information may include emphasized character information, handwritten character information, and character information in multiple fonts. Specifically, the main storage unit 9 stores multiple pieces of stored character information in advance.

[0030] The main body control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit included in the image forming apparatus 100. The main body control unit 10 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The main body control unit 10 also includes an integrated circuit for image formation processing. The integrated circuit for image formation processing is configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). The main body control unit 10 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing a control program. Specifically, the main body control unit 10 includes a detection unit 11 and a conversion unit 12.

[0031] The detection unit 11 detects read character information that is less than a density threshold among the multiple read character information. For example, if the image data includes high-density read character information "A," medium-density read character information "B," and low-density read character information "C," the detection unit 11 detects the medium-density read character information "B" and the low-density read character information "C."

[0032] The conversion unit 12 converts the read character information detected by the detection unit 11 into corrected character information. The corrected character information is character information with a density higher than that of the read character information detected by the detection unit 11. For example, the conversion unit 12 converts medium-density read character information "B" into high-density stored character information "B" as corrected character information. Also, the conversion unit 12 converts low-density read character information "C" into high-density stored character information "C" as corrected character information.

[0033] In detail, the conversion unit 12 determines the correction character information by comparing the read character information detected by the detection unit 11 with a plurality of stored character information. For example, if it is determined that the medium-density read character information "B" matches the medium-density stored character information "B," it converts the medium-density read character information "B" into the high-density stored character information "B" as correction character information. Also, if it is determined that the low-density read character information "C" matches the low-density stored character information "C," it converts the low-density read character information "C" into the high-density stored character information "C" as correction character information.

[0034] The conversion unit 12 stores corrected image data, in which the read character information detected by the detection unit 11 is converted into corrected character information, in the main storage unit 9. For example, the conversion unit 12 stores corrected image data including high-density read character information "A," high-density stored character information "B," and high-density stored character information "C" in the main storage unit 9.

[0035] According to the embodiment described above, the user can easily recognize the character information in the corrected image data. In addition, since the read character information detected by the detector 11 is compared with a plurality of stored character information, a more accurate converted medium can be obtained.

[0036] Furthermore, based on the corrected image data, the image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S. For example, the image forming unit 4 produces a sheet S including high-density read character information "A", high-density stored character information "B", and high-density stored character information "C".

[0037] As described above, according to the embodiment, the user can easily recognize the text information on the sheet S.

[0038] Next, an acquisition method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the acquisition method according to the embodiment.

[0039] In step S101, the document reading device 2 reads an image in the document D and outputs image data including the read image. The process proceeds to step S102.

[0040] In step S102, the detection unit 11 determines whether or not there is read character information whose density is less than the density threshold. If it is determined that there is no read character information whose density is less than the density threshold (No in step S102), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0041] In step S103, the image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S fed by the paper feeding unit 3 based on the image data. The process then ends.

[0042] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is read character information with a density less than the density threshold (Yes in step S102), the process proceeds to step S104.

[0043] In step S104, the conversion unit 12 converts the read character information detected by the detection unit 11 into corrected character information. The process proceeds to step S105.

[0044] In step S105, the image forming unit 4 forms an image on the sheet S fed by the paper feeding unit 3 based on the corrected image data. The process then ends.

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the configurations and numerical values ​​shown in the above embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible without substantially departing from the effects of the present invention.

[0046] As described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, the main body storage unit 9 stores a plurality of pieces of stored character information in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. The image forming device may have a learning function. The image forming device may learn a plurality of pieces of stored character information and store them in the main body storage unit 9. [Industrial Applicability]

[0047] The present invention is useful in the field of image forming devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 2 Reading unit 3 Paper feed section 4 Image forming unit 5 Main body transport mechanism 7 Output tray 8 Control section 9 Storage section 11 Detection unit 12 Conversion unit 100 Image forming device

Claims

1. a reading unit that reads a plurality of pieces of character information included in the data and the density of each piece of character information to create image data including a plurality of read character information corresponding to the plurality of pieces of character information; a storage unit that stores a density threshold value; a detection unit that detects read character information that is less than the density threshold value from among the plurality of read character information; a conversion unit that converts the read character information detected by the detection unit into corrected character information; Equipped with The corrected character information is character information having a density higher than that of the read character information detected by the detection unit.

2. the storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of stored character information; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conversion unit determines the corrected character information by comparing the read character information detected by the detection unit with the plurality of pieces of stored character information.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the conversion unit converts the read character information detected by the detection unit into the corrected character information to generate corrected image data, which is then stored in the storage unit.

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