Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image reading apparatus capable of easily reading a document image even when the number of document sheets is large.SOLUTION: An image reading apparatus 100 includes a reading unit 10, a storage unit 40, and a control unit 30. The reading unit 10 reads a document image and generates document image data. The storage unit 40 stores a plurality of folders F. The control unit 30 causes the document image data to be stored in a designated folder among the plurality of folders F. An upper limit of capacity is set for each of the plurality of folders F. When a capacity of the document image data exceeds remaining capacity indicating a remaining storable capacity of the designated folder, the control unit 30 controls the storage unit 40 such that a part of the document image data is stored in the designated folder and a remainder of the document image data is stored in a non-designated folder different from the designated folder.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading device and an image forming device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses are known that are capable of saving image data obtained by reading an image of a document in a folder (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-81592 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the number of pages of a document is large, the file size of the image data becomes large. However, with the image forming device described in Patent Document 1, if the file size of the image data is large, there is a possibility that the remaining capacity of the destination folder will be insufficient and the image data will not be saved in the folder. As a result, there is a possibility that the document images will have to be read again. Therefore, when the number of pages of a document is large, it is not easy to read the document images.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide an image reading device and an image forming device that can easily read document images even when there are a large number of documents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An image reading device according to the present invention includes a reading unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads an original image and generates original image data. The storage unit stores a plurality of folders. The plurality of folders are capable of storing the original image data. The control unit causes the original image data to be stored in a designated folder among the plurality of folders. The designated folder indicates a folder among the plurality of folders designated by a user as a storage destination for the original image data. Each of the plurality of folders has a set upper limit on capacity. When the volume of the original image data exceeds the remaining capacity of the designated folder, which indicates the remaining storage capacity of the designated folder, the control unit controls the storage unit to store a portion of the original image data in the designated folder and store the remainder of the original image data in a non-designated folder different from the designated folder.

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the image reading apparatus described above and an image forming section, which forms an image based on the document image data. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, even when there are a large number of original documents, the original images can be easily read. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus including an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a storage unit. [Figure 3] 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image reading method of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart illustrating an image reading method of the image reading apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and description thereof will not be repeated.

[0011] An embodiment of an image forming apparatus 300 including an image reading device 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming apparatus 300 including an image reading device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a storage unit 40.

[0012] 1, the image forming apparatus 300 includes an image reading device 100, an image forming unit 20, a paper feed cassette 130, a conveying unit 140, and a discharge unit 170. The image forming apparatus 300 is, for example, an electrophotographic monochrome multifunction peripheral.

[0013] The image reading device 100 includes an image reading unit 10, a control unit 30, a storage unit 40, a document table 12, a document transport device 110, a display unit 120, and an input unit 125. The image reading unit 10 corresponds to an example of a "reading unit."

[0014] The image reading unit 10 reads an original image formed on an original M to generate original image data. The original image data indicates an original image having multiple pages. In more detail, the image reading unit 10 reads an original image formed on an original M transported by the original transport device 110 or an original image formed on an original M placed on the original table 12 to generate original image data.

[0015] The image forming unit 20 forms an image on a recording medium P based on the document image data.

[0016] The control unit 30 is a hardware circuit configured by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 30 controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 300 by the processor reading and executing a control program stored in the storage unit 40. The control unit 30 controls, for example, the image reading unit 10 and the storage unit 40.

[0017] The storage unit 40 is configured with a hard disk drive (HDD), a random access memory (RAM), and a read-only memory (ROM). The storage unit 40 may also include an external memory. The external memory is a removable medium. Examples of the external memory that the storage unit 40 includes include a universal serial bus (USB) memory and a secure digital (SD) card. The storage unit 40 stores various data and control programs for controlling the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 300. The control programs are executed by the control unit 30.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the storage unit 40 stores a plurality of folders F. The plurality of folders F can store document image data. The plurality of folders F include a personal folder and a shared folder F4. In this embodiment, the plurality of folders F include three personal folders and one shared folder F4. The three personal folders include a personal folder F1, a personal folder F2, and a personal folder F3.

[0019] A personal folder is a folder F assigned to each user. In this embodiment, personal folder F1 is a folder F assigned to user A. In other words, personal folder F1 is a folder F that is available to user A. Personal folder F2 is a folder F assigned to user B. In other words, personal folder F2 is a folder F that is available to user B. Personal folder F3 is a folder F assigned to user C. In other words, personal folder F3 is a folder F that is available to user C.

[0020] The shared folder F4 is shared with all users. In other words, the shared folder F4 is a folder F that is available to all users.

[0021] A capacity limit is set for each of the multiple folders F. In this embodiment, a capacity limit of 10 MB is set for personal folder F1, personal folder F2, and personal folder F3. A capacity limit of 100 MB is set for shared folder F4.

[0022] Referring again to Figure 1, display unit 120 is a display with a touch panel function capable of displaying software buttons, and is arranged on the operation panel. Such a touch panel function can serve as both display unit 120 and input unit 125. Display unit 120 displays images.

[0023] The input unit 125 is, for example, an operation panel having a touch panel function and various hardware buttons. Instructions are input to the input unit 125 by the user. For example, the user operates the input unit 125 to specify a folder F in which to save document image data generated by reading a document image formed on a document M. In this specification, the folder F specified by the user as the destination for saving document image data among multiple folders F may be referred to as a "specified folder."

[0024] The paper feed cassette 130 contains recording media P for printing. When printing, the recording media P in the paper feed cassette 130 is transported by the transport unit 140 so as to pass through the image forming unit 20 and be discharged from the discharge unit 170.

[0025] The control unit 30 stores the original image data in a designated folder among the multiple folders F. For example, if user A designates personal folder F1, the control unit 30 stores the original image data in personal folder F1, which is available to user A. If the size of the original image data exceeds the remaining capacity, the control unit 30 controls the storage unit 40 to store a portion of the original image data in the designated folder. The remaining capacity indicates the remaining storage capacity of the designated folder. The control unit 30 controls the storage unit 40 to store the remaining original image data in a non-designated folder. The non-designated folder indicates a folder different from the designated folder. In other words, if the size of the original image data exceeds the remaining capacity, the control unit 30 splits the original image data and stores it in the designated folder and the non-designated folder. Therefore, the original image data can be stored even if the size of the original image data exceeds the remaining capacity. As a result, even if the number of pages of the original M is large, the original images can be easily read.

[0026] An image reading method of the image reading device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8. Figures 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing the image reading method of the image reading device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Figures 4 to 6 are diagrams showing the display unit 120. The image of the original M is read by executing the processes of steps S102 to S110 shown in Figure 3 and steps S111 to S119 shown in Figure 4.

[0027] Step S102: Control unit 30 specifies a designated folder. More specifically, the user operates input unit 125 to specify folder F in which to save the document image. As a result, control unit 30 specifies folder F specified by the user as the designated folder. The process proceeds to step S104.

[0028] Step S104: The image reading unit 10 reads the document image formed on the document M and generates document image data. The process proceeds to step S106.

[0029] Step S105: The control unit 30 determines whether the size of the document image data exceeds the remaining capacity of the designated folder. If the control unit 30 determines that the size of the document image data exceeds the remaining capacity of the designated folder (Step S105: Yes), the process proceeds to Step S107. If the control unit 30 determines that the size of the document image data does not exceed the remaining capacity of the designated folder (Step S105: No), the process proceeds to Step S106.

[0030] Step S106: The control unit 30 controls the storage unit 40 to store the document image data in a designated folder, and the process ends.

[0031] Step S107: The control unit 30 displays a cancel confirmation image G1 on the display unit 120, as shown in FIG. 5. The cancel confirmation image G1 includes a message image m1, a Yes button image b1, and a No button image b2. The cancel confirmation image G1 is an image for selecting whether or not to cancel saving of the original image data. The message image m1 is an image showing the message "The specified folder is out of space. Do you want to cancel saving?" The Yes button image b1 is an image showing a button for selecting to cancel saving of the original image data. The No button image b2 is an image showing a button for selecting not to cancel saving of the original image data. The input unit 125 detects whether the Yes button image b1 or the No button image b2 has been pressed. The processing proceeds to step S108.

[0032] Step S108: The control unit 30 determines whether or not to cancel the saving of the document image data. If the input unit 125 detects that the Yes button image b1 has been pressed in the cancel confirmation image G1, the control unit 30 determines that the saving of the document image data has been canceled. If the control unit 30 determines that the saving of the document image data has been canceled (step S108: Yes), the process proceeds to step S109. If the input unit 125 detects that the No button image b2 has been pressed in the cancel confirmation image G1, the control unit 30 determines that the saving of the document image data has not been canceled. If the control unit 30 determines that the saving of the document image data has not been canceled (step S108: No), the process proceeds to step S110.

[0033] Step S109: The control unit 30 deletes the document image data, and the process ends.

[0034] Step S110: As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 30 displays a non-designated folder save confirmation image G2 on the display unit 120. The non-designated folder save confirmation image G2 includes a message image m2, a Yes button image b1, and a No button image b2. The non-designated folder save confirmation image G2 is an image for selecting whether to save the remaining document image data in a different folder (non-designated folder). The message image m2 is an image displaying the message "Do you want to save the remaining document image data in a different folder?" The Yes button image b1 is an image displaying a button for selecting to save the remaining document image data in a different folder. The No button image b2 is an image displaying a button for selecting not to save the remaining document image data in a different folder. The input unit 125 detects whether the Yes button image b1 or the No button image b2 has been pressed. The process proceeds to step S111 shown in FIG. 4.

[0035] Step S111: The control unit 30 determines whether or not to save the remaining document image data in a different folder (non-designated folder). If the input unit 125 detects that the No button image b2 has been pressed in the non-designated folder save confirmation image G2, the control unit 30 determines that the remaining document image data will not be saved in a different folder. If the control unit 30 determines that the remaining document image data will not be saved in a different folder (step S111: No), the process proceeds to step S118. If the input unit 125 detects that the Yes button image b1 has been pressed in the non-designated folder save confirmation image G2, the control unit 30 determines that the remaining document image data will be saved in a different folder. If the control unit 30 determines that the remaining document image data will be saved in a different folder (step S111: Yes), the process proceeds to step S112.

[0036] Step S112: The control unit 30 specifies a folder (non-specified folder) different from the specified folder as the destination for saving the remaining original image data. For example, the control unit 30 specifies the shared folder F4, which is different from the personal folder (personal folder F1, personal folder F2, or personal folder F3) specified by the user, as the destination for saving the remaining original image data. Note that a selection image may be displayed on the display unit 120 to prompt the user to select the destination for saving the remaining original image data, and the user may select the destination for saving the remaining original image data. The process proceeds to step S114.

[0037] Step S114: Control unit 30 controls storage unit 40 to save a portion of the document image data in the designated folder and to save the remaining document image data in a folder other than the designated folder (non-designated folder). In other words, if the volume of the document image data exceeds the remaining capacity, control unit 30 controls storage unit 40 to save the remaining document image data in shared folder F4. Processing proceeds to step S116.

[0038] Step S116: As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 30 displays a destination image G3 on the display unit 120. The destination image G3 includes a message image m3, a folder image m4, and a page image m5. The destination image G3 indicates the destination of the document image data and the saved pages. The message image m3 indicates the message "Scanning is complete. The scanned file is located in the following location." The folder image m4 indicates folder F, the destination of the document image data. The page image m5 indicates the pages saved in folder F. In other words, if the remaining document image data is saved in a non-designated folder, the control unit 30 displays an image indicating information about the non-designated folder on the display unit 120. Specifically, the control unit 30 displays an image (destination image G3) indicating the pages saved in the designated folder and the pages saved in the non-designated folder on the display unit 120.

[0039] Step S118: The control unit 30 saves a part of the document image data in a designated folder and deletes the rest of the document image data. The process proceeds to step S119.

[0040] Step S119: The control unit 30 displays a save destination image G4 on the display unit 120, as shown in FIG. 8. The save destination image G4 includes a message image m6, a save folder image m7, and a save page image m8. The save destination image G4 is an image indicating the save destination of the document image data and the saved page. The message image m6 is an image indicating the message "Only part of the scan is complete. The scanned file can be found in the following location." The save folder image m7 is an image indicating folder F, the save destination of the document image data. The save page image m8 is an image indicating the page saved in folder F, the save destination.

[0041] As described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, when the volume of the document image data exceeds the remaining storage capacity of the designated folder, the control unit 30 controls the storage unit 40 to store a portion of the document image data in the designated folder and the remaining document image data in a non-designated folder different from the designated folder. Therefore, even when the volume of the document image data exceeds the remaining storage capacity, the document image data can be stored. As a result, even when the document M contains a large number of pages, the document images can be easily read.

[0042] Furthermore, when the remaining document image data is saved in a non-designated folder, the control unit 30 causes an image showing information about the non-designated folder to be displayed on the display unit 120. This allows the user to easily confirm the save destination of the divided image files.

[0043] In addition, the control unit 30 causes the display unit 120 to display an image showing the pages saved in the designated folder and the pages saved in the non-designated folders. Therefore, the user can easily check which pages are saved in which folders F.

[0044] Furthermore, if the volume of the document image data exceeds the remaining capacity, the control unit 30 controls the storage unit 40 to store the remaining document image data in the shared folder F4. Therefore, the remaining document image data is stored in the shared folder F4, which is set to have a relatively large capacity. As a result, the possibility of running out of capacity can be reduced.

[0045] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings (FIGS. 1 to 8). However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The drawings mainly show each component in a schematic manner for ease of understanding, and the thickness, length, number, etc. of each component shown in the drawings may differ from the actual components due to the convenience of creating the drawings. Furthermore, the materials, shapes, dimensions, etc. of each component shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited, and various modifications are possible within a range that does not substantially depart from the effects of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0046] The present invention can be used in the fields of image reading devices and image forming devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10 Image reading unit (reading unit) 20 Image forming unit 30 Control Unit 40 Storage section 100 Image reader 120 Display section 300 Image forming device F Folder F1, F2, F3 Personal Folders F4 Shared Folder M Manuscript

Claims

1. a reading unit that reads an original image and generates original image data; a storage unit that stores a plurality of folders in which the document image data can be saved; a control unit that stores the document image data in a designated folder among the plurality of folders; Equipped with the designated folder indicates a folder designated by a user as a destination for saving the document image data among the plurality of folders, A capacity upper limit is set for each of the plurality of folders, The control unit controls the memory unit to store a portion of the original image data in the designated folder and store the remainder of the original image data in a non-designated folder different from the designated folder when the capacity of the original image data exceeds the remaining capacity indicating the remaining storage capacity of the designated folder.

2. Further comprising a display unit for displaying an image, The image reading device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, when saving the remaining document image data in the non-designated folder, causes the display unit to display an image showing information about the non-designated folder.

3. the document image data indicates a document image having a plurality of pages; The image reading device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display an image showing the pages stored in the designated folder and the pages stored in the non-designated folder.

4. The plurality of folders are: A personal folder assigned to each user, Shared folders that are shared with all users Including, 3. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the storage unit to store the remaining document image data in the shared folder when the size of the document image data exceeds the remaining capacity.

5. The image reading device according to claim 1 or 2; an image forming unit that forms an image based on the document image data; An image forming apparatus comprising:

Images