Image processing system, image reading system, and program

Abstract

Compared to a configuration that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information obtained by scanning one side of the document, this method suppresses erroneous detection of the document's edge position. [Solution] The image processing system includes a processor, which determines the temporary positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from a preset reference position from the image information read from the first side of the document, determines the temporary positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the reference position from the image information read from the second side of the document, compares the temporary positions of corresponding edges in the main scanning direction of the document, and determines that there is a false detection of the temporary position of the edge if the temporary positions of corresponding edges are different.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image processing system, an image reading system, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an image reading apparatus. This image reading apparatus includes a reading unit, a driving unit, a storage unit, and a control unit. The reading unit reads a document and outputs a reading result of the document. The driving unit relatively moves the document and the reading unit in a relative movement direction. The storage unit stores reading image data based on the reading result, and the analysis image data based on the reading result for discriminating whether it is a document area or a background area outside the document area. The control unit performs a stain detection process for detecting a stain position of the reading unit in a pixel column direction intersecting with the relative movement direction, and a cutting process for cutting out the document area from the reading image data based on the analysis image data. Also, in the cutting process, the control unit searches for an edge candidate position where the background area changes to the document area from the edge in the pixel column direction in the analysis image data toward the inside. Then, when the searched edge candidate position corresponds to the stain position, the control unit continues the search. On the other hand, when the searched edge candidate position does not correspond to the stain position, the control unit cuts out the document area from the reading image data at the searched edge candidate position.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] This disclosure aims to suppress erroneous detection of the edge position of a document compared to a configuration that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information obtained by scanning one side of the document. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image processing system according to the first aspect of this disclosure includes a processor, which determines the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the original document from a preset reference position from image information read from the first side of the original document, determines the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the original document from the reference position from image information read from the second side of the original document, compares the provisional positions of corresponding edges in the original document's main scanning direction, and determines that there is a false detection of the provisional position of the edge if the provisional positions of corresponding edges are different.

[0006] In the image processing system of the second embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor sets the temporary position of an edge to the correct position of the edge if the temporary positions of corresponding edges are the same, and sets the temporary position of the edge closer to the center position of the main scan in the original document to the correct position of the edge if the temporary positions of corresponding edges are different.

[0007] In the third aspect of the present disclosure, the image processing system, in the image processing system of the first aspect, includes the processor setting the temporary position of an edge to the correct position of the edge if the temporary positions of corresponding edges are the same, and, if the temporary positions of corresponding edges are different, analyzing the image information of the region between the temporary position of the edge closer to the center in the main scanning direction of the document and the temporary position of the edge further from the center to determine whether the document is present or not, and if it is determined that the document is absent, setting the temporary position of the edge closer to the center of the main scan in the document to the correct position of the edge, and if it is determined that the document is present, setting the temporary position of the edge further from the center to the correct position of the edge.

[0008] In the image processing system of the fourth aspect of this disclosure, the reference position is the starting position of the main scan in the reading of the original document, in the image processing system of the first aspect.

[0009] In the fifth aspect of the present disclosure, the image processing system is an image processing system in the first aspect, wherein the reference position is the central position of the main scan in the reading of the original document.

[0010] An image processing system according to the sixth aspect of this disclosure, in an image processing system according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the processor acquires information regarding the standard size of a document and determines the standard size of the document from the positive position of the edges on both sides of the document.

[0011] An image reading system according to the seventh aspect of this disclosure comprises, in the image reading system according to the first aspect, a first reading unit arranged on a transport path for a document and reading the first side of the document; a second reading unit arranged on the transport path and reading the second side of the document; and an image processing system according to the first aspect that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the image information read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit.

[0012] A program according to the eighth aspect of this disclosure causes a computer to perform a process that includes: determining the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from a preset reference position from image information read from the first side of the document; determining the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the reference position from image information read from the second side of the document; comparing the provisional positions of corresponding edges in the main scanning direction of the document, and determining that there is a false detection in the provisional position of the edge if the provisional positions of the corresponding edges are different. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] In the first aspect of this disclosure, the image processing system can suppress erroneous detection of the edge position of the document compared to a configuration that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information obtained by reading one side of the document.

[0014] In the image processing system of the second aspect of this disclosure, compared to a configuration in which the positions of the edges on both sides of the main scanning direction of the original document, obtained from image information read from one side of the original document, are set to the correct edge positions, it is possible to suppress missetting of the edge positions of the original document.

[0015] In the image processing system of the third aspect of this disclosure, compared to a configuration in which the positions of the edges on both sides of the main scanning direction of the original document, obtained from image information read from one side of the original document, are set to the correct edge positions, it is possible to suppress missetting of the edge positions of the original document.

[0016] In the image processing system of the fourth aspect of this disclosure, compared to a configuration in which the reference position is set to a position outside the range of the main scan, false detection of the edge position of the original document can be suppressed.

[0017] In the image processing system of the fifth aspect of this disclosure, compared to a configuration in which the reference position is set to a position outside the range of the main scan, false detection of the edge position of the original document can be suppressed.

[0018] The image processing system in the sixth aspect of this disclosure can determine the standard size of the original document.

[0019] In the seventh aspect of this disclosure, the image reading system can suppress erroneous detection of the edge position of the document compared to a configuration that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information obtained by reading one side of the document.

[0020] The program according to the eighth aspect of this disclosure can suppress erroneous detection of the edge position of the document compared to the case in which the position of the edges on both sides in the main scanning direction of the document is determined from image information read from one side of the document. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0021] [Figure 1] This is a side cross-sectional view of a document reading device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the document reading device. [Figure 3] A drawing for comparing both edges of the image information on the front surface of the original document and both edges of the image information on the back surface. [Figure 4] A drawing for comparing both edges of the image information on the front surface of the original document and both edges of the image information on the back surface. [Figure 5] A drawing for comparing both edges of the image information on the front surface of the original document and both edges of the image information on the back surface. [Figure 6] A drawing for comparing both edges of the image information on the front surface of the original document and both edges of the image information on the back surface. [Figure 7] A drawing for comparing both edges of the image information on the front surface of the original document and both edges of the image information on the back surface. [Figure 8] A flowchart for explaining the document reading operation of the document reading apparatus of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] A side cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the document reading apparatus of this embodiment is an example of the image reading system of the present disclosure. Since the image processing system of the present disclosure is used in this image reading system, the image processing system of the present disclosure is similarly used in the document reading apparatus of this embodiment.

[0023] In the description of the document reading apparatus of this embodiment, FIGS. 1 to 8 are used. In this specification and the drawings, W indicates the device width direction (width direction), D indicates the device depth direction (depth direction), and H indicates the device vertical direction (vertical direction). Also, the width direction, the depth direction, and the vertical direction are orthogonal to each other.

[0024] [Document Reading Apparatus] As shown in Figure 1, the document reader 1 of this embodiment is a device that reads an image formed on a document P. The document reader 1 reads the image on the document P when the document P is placed on the document tray 71. The document reader 1 can also read the image on the document P using the transport unit 10, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the document reader 1 has an automatic duplex document feeder. This automatic duplex document feeder is a device that can selectively read images formed on the top surface (front surface) or both sides of the document P that is loaded on the loading tray.

[0025] The document reading device 1 comprises a transport unit 10, a scanner 70, a scanner 40, and a controller 50.

[0026] <Conveying section 10> As shown in Figure 1, the transport unit 10 sequentially transports documents P one by one from a bundle of documents P. The transport unit 10 comprises a housing 10A, a document stacking section 11, a document storage section 12, and a transport means 30.

[0027] The housing 10A is box-shaped with a portion of one side in the width direction being open. The various components of the transport unit 10 are housed inside this housing 10A. A transport passage 20, which is an example of a transport path, is formed inside the housing 10A. Specifically, the transport passage 20 is a passage that starts on the upper side of the housing 10A, at one end in the width direction, folds back to the one end at the other end in the width direction of the housing 10A, and ends on the lower side of the housing 10A, at one end in the width direction. In other words, the transport unit 10 transports the document P along the transport passage 20 inside the housing 10A. The direction in which the transport unit 10 transports the document P is indicated as the transport direction R.

[0028] (Manuscript loading section) The document stacking section 11 is configured to hold stacks of documents P. The document stacking section 11 is located on one end of the housing 10A in the width direction and is positioned outside the housing 10A. The document stacking section 11 includes a document tray 9, a side guide 61, and a stack detection sensor 140.

[0029] The document tray 9 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the depth and width directions. The document tray 9 is connected to one end of the housing 10A and is configured so that documents P are loaded onto its loading surface. The document tray 9 is inclined toward the transport passage 20, with the connection part to the housing 10A being the lowest point. Documents P of uniform size and orientation are loaded onto the document tray 9. Alternatively, multiple documents P of different sizes and orientations may be loaded onto the document tray 9 in a mixed state. In this embodiment, the method in which multiple documents P of different sizes and orientations are loaded and scanned is called mixed mode.

[0030] The side guides 61 are plates that extend in the width direction and stand upright from the document tray 9. The side guides 61 are arranged in pairs, spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to the document transport direction R (depth direction). The side guides 61 position the document P in the depth direction by pressing down on its depth-direction end. The side guides 61 are configured so that the spacing distance in the depth direction can be changed within a defined range by a sliding groove (not shown). In other words, the side guides 61 can guide the document P in accordance with variations in its size and orientation.

[0031] In mixed mode, multiple documents of different sizes and orientations are stacked on the document tray 9, with their edges held down by the side guides 61.

[0032] The loading detection sensor 140 is positioned at the leading edge of the document tray 9 in the transport direction R, and detects whether or not a document P is loaded in the document tray 9.

[0033] (Manuscript storage section 12) The document storage section 12 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the depth and width directions. The document storage section 12 is located on one end of the housing 10A in the width direction and is positioned outside the housing 10A. The document storage section 12 is located below the document stacking section 11, following the transport passage 20. The document storage section 12 stores the document P after scanning has been completed, as will be described later.

[0034] (Conveying means 30) As shown in Figure 1, the transport means 30 transports the document P along the transport passage 20 from the document stacking section 11 to the document storage section 12 inside the housing 10A. The transport means 30 comprises a transport roll 8, a plurality of roll pairs, a sensor, and a platen member 39.

[0035] The conveying means 30 comprises a plurality of roll pairs, arranged in order from the upstream side in the conveying direction R: a first roll 31, a second roll 32, a third roll 33, a fourth roll 34, a fifth roll 35, and a sixth roll 36. The plurality of roll pairs are arranged so as to straddle the conveying passage 20 and are rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown). The fourth roll 34 is a register roll. Hereinafter, the fourth roll 34 will be referred to as the register roll 34.

[0036] Furthermore, the transport means 30 includes, as sensors, a register sensor 37 and an out sensor 38, arranged in order from the upstream side in the transport direction R.

[0037] The register sensor 37 is positioned downstream of the register roll 34 in the transport passage 20 in the transport direction R, and detects the presence or absence of the original document P before reading, as described later.

[0038] The out sensor 38 is positioned downstream of the register sensor 37 in the transport direction R and detects the presence or absence of the document P after scanning.

[0039] The platen member 39 is positioned downstream of the register sensor 37 in the transport direction R, and upstream of the out sensor 38 in the transport direction R. The platen member 39 presses the document P, which has been fed by the register roll 34, downward against the first platen glass 72A, which will be described later.

[0040] <Scanner 70> As shown in Figure 1, the scanner 70 has the function of reading an image formed on the original document P. The scanner 70 is positioned on the transport passage 20 and reads the image formed on the surface S, which is the first surface of the original document P, that is transported by the transport unit 10. The scanner 70 is an example of the first reading unit of this disclosure.

[0041] The scanner 70 comprises a housing 70A, a document glass 71, a platen glass 72, a full-rate carriage 73, and a half-rate carriage 74. The scanner 70 also comprises an imaging lens 76, a CCD image sensor 77, and a guide member 82.

[0042] The housing 70A is positioned below the housing 10A of the transport unit 10 and is a box that extends from the other end of the housing 10A toward the other end. The housing 70A houses the various components of the scanner 70.

[0043] The document tray 71 is located below the document storage unit 12 and forms the top surface of the scanner 70. The document tray 71 is used when reading an image formed on the document P without using the transport unit 10.

[0044] The platen glass 72 is made of a plate-shaped glass and constitutes part of the document table 71. The platen glass 72 allows light to pass through for reading the image formed on the document P. The platen glass 72 has a first platen glass 72A and a second platen glass 72B.

[0045] The first platen glass 72A is a plate-shaped glass on which the original document P is placed while remaining stationary during scanning.

[0046] The second platen glass 72B is formed to be elongated in the depth direction and is positioned below the platen member 39, facing the platen member 39. The second platen glass 72B serves as a light aperture for reading the image on the surface S of the document P while the document P is being transported by the transport unit 10.

[0047] The full-rate carriage 73 is positioned below the second platen glass 72B and is a component that guides light toward the original document P transported by the transport unit 10. The full-rate carriage 73 has a scanner light source 81 and a first mirror 75A. The scanner light source 81 irradiates light onto the original document P. The first mirror 75A receives the reflected light obtained from the original document P.

[0048] The full-rate carriage 73 has a moving mode in which it moves in the width direction below the first platen glass 72A, and a stationary mode in which it remains stationary below the second platen glass 72B. When a document P is loaded on the document glass 71, the full-rate carriage 73 operates in the moving mode. On the other hand, when a document P is loaded on the document tray 9, the full-rate carriage 73 operates in the stationary mode.

[0049] The half-rate carriage 74 is positioned below the first platen glass 72A and scans the entire first platen glass 72A to read the image. The half-rate carriage 74 also supplies reflected light obtained from the full-rate carriage 73 to the CCD image sensor 77, which will be described later. When a document P is loaded on the document glass 71, the half-rate carriage 74 operates in moving mode. On the other hand, when a document P is loaded on the document tray 9, the half-rate carriage 74 operates in stationary mode.

[0050] The half-rate carriage 74 has a second mirror 75B and a third mirror 75C. The second mirror 75B is positioned opposite the first mirror 75A and reflects the reflected light from the first mirror 75A to the third mirror 75C. The third mirror 75C is positioned opposite the second mirror 75B and reflects the reflected light from the second mirror 75B to the CCD image sensor 77, which will be described later.

[0051] The imaging lens 76 is positioned below the first platen glass 72A, opposite the third mirror 75C. The imaging lens 76 optically reduces the image of the reflected light reflected by the third mirror 75C.

[0052] The CCD image sensor 77 is an imaging unit positioned on the same optical axis as the imaging lens 76, facing it. The CCD image sensor 77 receives the optical image reduced by the imaging lens 76, converts it into an electrical signal, and reads the image of the original document P.

[0053] The guide member 82 is a projection positioned between the first platen glass 72A and the second platen glass 72B. The guide member 82 guides the original document P, which has passed between the second platen glass 72B and the platen member 39, toward the fifth roll 35.

[0054] <Scanner 40> As shown in Figure 1, the scanner 40 has the function of reading an image formed on the original document P. The scanner 40 is positioned on the transport passage 20 and reads an image formed on the back surface B (the surface opposite to the front surface S), which is the second surface of the original document P that is transported by the transport unit 10. Specifically, the scanner 40 is located inside the housing 10A of the transport unit 10 and downstream of the fifth roll 35. The scanner 40 is an example of the second reading unit of this disclosure.

[0055] Scanner 70 and scanner 40 read the images formed on both sides of the original document P.

[0056] <Controller 50> As shown in Figure 2, the controller 50 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 52A, ROM (Read Only Memory) 52B, RAM (Random Access Memory) 52C, storage 52D, input / output unit 56, and network interface (Network I / F) 58. Each component is connected to the others via a bus 52E so that they can communicate with each other.

[0057] The CPU 52A is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 52A reads a program from the ROM 52B or storage 52D and executes the program using the RAM 52C as a working area. The CPU 52A is an example of the processor of this disclosure. The control program executed by the CPU 52A is an example of an information processing program. The CPU 52A controls each of the above components and performs various calculations according to the program recorded in the ROM 52B or storage 52D.

[0058] ROM52B stores various programs and data. RAM52C temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. Storage52D consists of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs, including the operating system, and various data.

[0059] The input / output unit 56 receives signals between the document reading device 1 and its various components, such as the transport unit 10 and the scanners 70 and 40, in order to enable the document reading device 1 to perform its functions.

[0060] Network I / F58 is an interface for communicating with other devices such as databases and servers (not shown in the diagram), and standards such as Ethernet®, FDDI, and Wi-Fi® are used.

[0061] Next, the flow of the image reading operation by the document reading device 1 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 8.

[0062] In step S202, when the document reader 1 starts reading with the document P loaded in the document tray 9, the CPU 52A controls each component of the document reader 1 to start transporting the document P.

[0063] In step S204, the CPU 52A causes the scanner 70 to read the surface S of the document P being transported. The image information (also called reading information) of the surface S read by the scanner 70 is stored in the memory area of ​​the controller 50. This memory area is, for example, RAM 52C and storage 52D.

[0064] In step S206, the CPU 52A determines the temporary positions SE of the edges E on both sides of the original document P in the main scanning direction from the image information read by the scanner 70. Specifically, the CPU 52A determines the temporary positions SE of both edges E from a preset reference position RP from the image information of the read surface S. More specifically, the CPU 52A determines the temporary position SE1 of edge E1 (the upper edge in Figure 3) from the image information of the read surface S. Similarly, the CPU 52A determines the temporary position SE2 of edge E2 (the lower edge in Figure 3) from the image information of the read surface S. In this embodiment, the temporary positions SE of the edges E of the surface S are determined by analyzing the image information of the read surface S. Also, in Figure 3, arrow Y indicates the main scanning direction, and arrow X indicates the sub-scanning direction.

[0065] In this embodiment, as an example, the starting position of the main scan during document P is set as the reference position RP.

[0066] In step S208, the CPU 52A causes the scanner 40 to read the back side B of the document P being transported. The image information of the back side B read by the scanner 40 is stored in the memory area of ​​the controller 50.

[0067] In step S210, the CPU 52A determines the temporary positions BE of both edges E of the original document P from the image information read by the scanner 40. Specifically, the CPU 52A determines the temporary positions BE of both edges E from the reference position RP from the image information of the back surface B that has been read. More specifically, the CPU 52A determines the temporary position BE1 of edge E1 from the image information of the back surface B that has been read. Similarly, the CPU 52A determines the temporary position BE2 of edge E2 from the image information of the back surface B that has been read. In this embodiment, the temporary position BE of edge E on the back surface B is determined by analyzing the image information of the back surface B that has been read.

[0068] In step S212, the CPU 52A compares the temporary positions of corresponding edges E in the main scanning direction of the document P. Specifically, the CPU 52A compares whether the temporary position SE1 of edge E1 on the front surface S of the document P matches the temporary position BE1 of edge E1 on the back surface B. The CPU 52A also compares whether the temporary position SE2 of edge E2 on the front surface S of the document P matches the temporary position BE2 of edge E2 on the back surface B. If, as a result of the comparison, either temporary position SE1 and temporary position BE1, or temporary position SE2 and temporary position BE2 do not match (see Figures 4 to 6), i.e., they are different, the CPU 52A determines that there is a false detection of the temporary position of edge E. On the other hand, if both temporary position SE1 and temporary position BE1, and temporary position SE2 and temporary position BE2 match (see Figure 3), the CPU 52A determines that there is no false detection of the temporary position SE of edge E. In Figures 3 to 6, "OK" indicates that the provisional positions SE of the corresponding edges E on the surface S and back surface B coincide. Conversely, "NG" in Figures 3 to 6 indicates that the provisional positions SE of the corresponding edges E on the surface S and back surface B do not coincide.

[0069] If CPU 52A determines that there is no false detection, it sets the temporary position SE of edge E on surface S to the correct position and proceeds to step S214. If CPU 52A determines that there is a false detection, it proceeds to step S220.

[0070] In step S214, the CPU 52A performs image processing on the image information of the surface S of the original document P.

[0071] In step S216, the CPU 52A stores the processed image information (processing data) of the surface S on which image processing has been performed in the storage area of ​​the controller 50.

[0072] In step S218, CPU 52A performs image processing on the image information of the back side B of the original document P.

[0073] In step S220, the CPU 52A stores the processed image information (processing data) of the back surface B, which has undergone image processing, in the storage area of ​​the controller 50.

[0074] In step S222, the CPU 52A determines the correct position of both edges E from the temporary positions SE of both edges E on the front surface S of the document P and the temporary positions BE of both edges E on the back surface B. Specifically, for edges E whose temporary positions do not match among temporary positions SE1 and BE1, and temporary positions SE2 and BE2, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position SE of the edge E closer to the center position of the main scan on the document P as the correct position of edge E. The center position of the main scan is the center position in the main scan area. The center position of the main scan is the position indicated by CP in Figures 3 to 6. For example, as shown in Figure 4, if a piece of paper D is attached to the scanner 70, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position BE2 of the back surface B, which is closer to the center position CP, as the temporary position SE2 of the front surface S and the temporary position BE2 of the back surface B do not match. Furthermore, for example, as shown in Figure 5, if paper fragments D are attached to both sides of the scanner 70 in the main scanning direction, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position BE1 of the back surface B, which is closer to the central position CP, to the correct position because the temporary position SE1 of the front surface S and the temporary position BE1 of the back surface B do not coincide. Similarly, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position BE2 of the back surface B, which is closer to the central position CP, to the correct position because the temporary position SE2 of the front surface S and the temporary position BE2 of the back surface B do not coincide. Also, for example, as shown in Figure 6, if paper fragments D are attached to one side of the scanner 70 in the main scanning direction and paper fragments D are attached to the other side of the scanner 40 in the main scanning direction, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position SE1 of the front surface S, which is closer to the central position CP, to the correct position because the temporary position SE1 of the front surface S and the temporary position BE1 of the back surface B do not coincide. Furthermore, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position BE2 of the back surface B, which is closer to the central position CP, to the correct position because the temporary position SE2 of the front surface S and the temporary position BE2 of the back surface B do not coincide.

[0075] In step S224, the CPU 52A performs image processing on the image information of the surface S of the original document P.

[0076] In step S226, the CPU 52A determines, based on the image processing results, whether or not the original document P exists in the region between the temporary position and the actual position of the original document surface S. If the CPU 52A determines that the original document P does not exist, it sets the temporary position SE of the edge E closer to the central position CP on the original document P to the actual position of the edge and proceeds to step S216. On the other hand, if the CPU 52A determines that the original document P exists, it sets the temporary position BE2 of the edge E farther from the center to the actual position of edge E2 (see Figure 7) and proceeds to step S228.

[0077] In step S228, the CPU 52A resizes the processed image information of the surface S and stores that information (processed data) in the memory area of ​​the controller 50. After that, the CPU 52A proceeds to step S218.

[0078] When step S220 is completed, the CPU 52A terminates the image reading operation by the document reader 1.

[0079] Information regarding the standard size of the document P may be stored in ROM 52B, RAM 52C, or storage 52D. In this case, CPU 52A may obtain information regarding the standard size of the document P and determine the standard size of the document P from the positive position of the edges E on both sides of the document P. Information regarding the standard size of the document P may be pre-stored in ROM 52B and storage 52D. Alternatively, information regarding the standard size of the document P may be obtained via network I / F 58 and temporarily stored in RAM 52C.

[0080] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the CPU 52A compares the provisional positions of corresponding edges E of the document P, and determines that there is a false detection of the provisional position of edge E if the provisional positions of the corresponding edges E are different. Therefore, compared to a configuration that determines the positions of edges E on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information read from one side of the document P, for example, false detection of the edge position of the document P can be suppressed.

[0081] In this embodiment, if the temporary positions of corresponding edges E are the same, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position of edge E to the correct position of edge E. If the temporary positions of corresponding edges E are different, the CPU 52A sets the temporary position of edge E closer to the central position CP of the main scan on the document P to the correct position of edge E. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the positions of both edges E of the document P, obtained from image information read from one side of the document P, are set to the correct position of edge E, it is possible to suppress incorrect setting of the edge positions of the document P.

[0082] In this embodiment, if the temporary positions of corresponding edges E differ, the CPU 52A analyzes the image information of the region between the temporary position of the edge E closer to the center in the main scanning direction of the document P and the temporary position of the edge E further from the center to determine whether or not the document P is present. If the CPU 52A determines that the document P is absent, it sets the temporary position of the edge E closer to the center position CP in the main scanning direction of the document P to the correct edge position. If the CPU 52A determines that the document P is present, it sets the temporary position of the edge E further from the center to the correct edge position. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the positions of both edges E of the document P, determined from the image information obtained by scanning one side of the document P, are set to the correct edge position, it is possible to suppress the missetting of the edge position of the document P.

[0083] In this embodiment, the reference position RP is set as the starting position of the main scan during document P reading. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the reference position RP is set to a position outside the main scan range, it is possible to suppress false detection of the edge position of the document P.

[0084] In this embodiment, the CPU 52A acquires information regarding the standard size of the document P and determines the standard size of the document P from the positive positions of both edges E of the document P. Therefore, the standard size of the document P can be determined.

[0085] (Other embodiments) In the embodiments described above, the starting position of the main scan in reading the document P is set as the reference position RP, but this disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the reference position RP may be set as the central position CP of the main scan in reading the document P. In this case, similar to the case where the reference position RP is set as the starting position of the main scan, false detection of the edge position of the document P can be suppressed compared to a configuration in which the reference position RP is set at a position outside the range of the main scan.

[0086] The image reading system disclosed herein may be applied to the image forming apparatus 100 shown in Figure 9. This image forming apparatus 100 comprises the document reading device 1 of the above-described embodiment and an image forming unit 110. Specifically, in the image forming apparatus 100, the image forming unit 110 is located below the document reading device 1. The image forming unit 110 has the function of forming an image on a medium such as paper. The image forming unit 110 can also form an image read by the document reading device 1 on the medium. The effects and advantages obtained with the document reading device 1 can also be achieved with the image forming apparatus 100.

[0087] The processing performed by the controller 50 described above can also be implemented by a dedicated hardware circuit. In this case, it may be performed by one piece of hardware or by multiple pieces of hardware.

[0088] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a broad type of processor, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0089] Furthermore, the processor operations in the above embodiment may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Alternatively, some or all of the operations performed by specific multiple processors in the above embodiment may be integrated and performed by a single processor. In addition, the order of each processor operation is not limited to the order described in the above embodiment, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0090] Furthermore, the program for operating the controller 50 may be provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), or it may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in memory or storage. This program may also be provided, for example, as a standalone application software, or it may be incorporated into the software of each device as a function of the controller 50.

[0091] Although this disclosure has described specific embodiments in detail, this disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of this disclosure.

[0092] (Note) (((1))) Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, From the image information obtained by scanning the first side of the document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction, relative to a predetermined reference position, are determined. From the image information obtained by scanning the second side of the aforementioned document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the reference position are determined. The temporary positions of corresponding edges in the main scanning direction of the document are compared, and if the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are different, it is determined that there is a false detection in the temporary position of the edge. Image processing system. (((2))) The aforementioned processor, If the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are the same, the temporary position of the edge is set to the actual position of the edge. If the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are different, the temporary position of the edge closer to the center of the main scan in the original document is set to the actual position of the edge. The image processing system described in (((1))). (((3))) The aforementioned processor, If the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are the same, the temporary position of the edge is set to the actual position of the edge. If the provisional positions of the corresponding edges are different, the image information of the region between the provisional position of the edge closer to the center in the main scanning direction of the document and the provisional position of the edge further from the center is analyzed to determine whether the document is present or not. If it is determined that there is no original document, the temporary position of the edge near the center of the main scan on the original document is set to the correct position of the edge. The image processing system according to (((1))), wherein, when it is determined that the aforementioned document is present, the temporary position of the edge on the side furthest from the center is set to the correct position of the edge. (((4))) The image processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein the reference position is the starting position of the main scan in reading the original document. (((5))) The image processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein the reference position is the central position of the main scan in reading the original document. (((6))) The aforementioned processor, Obtain information regarding the standard size of the manuscript, An image processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), which determines the standard size of the original document from the positive position of the edges on both sides of the original document. (((7))) A first reading unit is positioned on the document transport path and reads the first side of the document, A second reading unit is positioned on the transport path and reads the second side of the original document, An image processing system according to any one of the following items (((1))) to (((6))) that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the image information read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit, An image reading system equipped with [a specific feature]. (((8))) On the computer, From the image information obtained by scanning the first side of the document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction, relative to a predetermined reference position, From the image information obtained by scanning the second side of the aforementioned document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the aforementioned reference position are determined, The temporary positions of corresponding edges in the main scanning direction of the aforementioned document are compared, and if the temporary positions of corresponding edges are different, it is determined that there is a false detection in the temporary position of the edge. A program that performs a process that includes this.

[0093] The image processing system in (((1))) can suppress erroneous detection of the document's edge position compared to a configuration that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information obtained by scanning one side of the document. In the image processing system described in (((2))), compared to a configuration in which the positions of the edges on both sides of the main scanning direction of the original document, obtained from image information scanned from one side of the original document, are set to the correct edge positions, it is possible to suppress missetting of the edge positions of the original document. In the image processing system described in (((3))), compared to a configuration in which the positions of the edges on both sides of the main scanning direction of the original document, obtained from image information scanned from one side of the original document, are set to the correct edge positions, it is possible to suppress missetting of the edge positions of the original document. In the image processing system (((4))), compared to a configuration in which the reference position is set to a position outside the range of the main scan, false detection of the document's edge position can be suppressed. In the image processing system (((5))), compared to a configuration in which the reference position is set to a position outside the range of the main scan, false detection of the document's edge position can be suppressed. The image processing system (((6))) can determine the standard size of the original document. The image reading system in (((7))) can suppress erroneous detection of the document's edge position compared to a configuration that determines the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information obtained by reading one side of the document. The program in (((8))) can suppress false detection of the document's edge position compared to the method of determining the position of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from image information obtained by scanning one side of the document. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 1. Document scanning device 100 Image forming apparatus P Manuscript BE temporary position SE temporary position S surface (first side) B Back side (second side)

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, From the image information obtained by scanning the first side of the document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction, relative to a predetermined reference position, are determined. From the image information obtained by scanning the second side of the aforementioned document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the reference position are determined. The temporary positions of corresponding edges in the main scanning direction of the document are compared, and if the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are different, it is determined that there is a false detection in the temporary position of the edge. Image processing system.

2. The aforementioned processor, If the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are the same, the temporary position of the edge is set to the actual position of the edge. If the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are different, the temporary position of the edge closer to the center of the main scan in the original document is set to the actual position of the edge. The image processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned processor, If the temporary positions of the corresponding edges are the same, the temporary position of the edge is set to the actual position of the edge. If the provisional positions of the corresponding edges are different, the image information of the region between the provisional position of the edge closer to the center in the main scanning direction of the document and the provisional position of the edge further from the center is analyzed to determine whether the document is present or not. If it is determined that there is no original document, the temporary position of the edge near the center of the main scan on the original document is set to the correct position of the edge. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein, when it is determined that the original document is present, the temporary position of the edge on the side farther from the center is set to the correct position of the edge.

4. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the reference position is the starting position of the main scan in reading the original document.

5. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the reference position is the central position of the main scan in reading the original document.

6. The aforementioned processor, Obtain information regarding the standard size of the manuscript, An image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which determines the standard size of the original document from the positive position of the edges on both sides of the original document.

7. A first reading unit is positioned on the document transport path and reads the first side of the document, A second reading unit is positioned on the transport path and reads the second side of the original document, An image processing system according to claim 1, which determines the positions of the edges on both sides of the main scanning direction of the original document from the image information read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit, An image reading system equipped with [a specific feature].

8. On the computer, From the image information obtained by scanning the first side of the document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction, relative to a predetermined reference position, From the image information obtained by scanning the second side of the aforementioned document, the provisional positions of the edges on both sides of the document in the main scanning direction from the aforementioned reference position are determined, The temporary positions of corresponding edges in the main scanning direction of the aforementioned document are compared, and if the temporary positions of corresponding edges are different, it is determined that there is a false detection in the temporary position of the edge. A program that performs a process that includes this.

Images