Image reading device and image forming device

Abstract

This system allows for easy data conversion of images representing multiple documents into a consolidated image arranged in the user's desired configuration. [Solution] The control unit 291 displays a settings screen on the display unit 24, and the input receiving unit 23 receives settings input from the user. When the input receiving unit 23 receives a command to execute a scan, the image reading device 20 reads the document placed on the document tray 33. The images acquired by the image reading device 20 are stored in the image memory 26. After all documents have been read, the image generation unit 28 reads the image data from the image memory 26 and generates a composite image according to the sheet size, page orientation, arrangement method, and output method set by the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, an image reading apparatus capable of reading and digitizing a large number of business cards and the like is known. In such an image reading apparatus, there are methods of reading an image of a document (business card) placed on a platen glass or pulling out a document placed on a document tray into a conveyance path and reading the image of the document while it passes through the conveyance path. Patent Document 1 describes a method of easily identifying the document that is the source of each image even for an image obtained by collectively reading a plurality of types of documents.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When reading and digitizing a document such as a business card, it is convenient to be able to create an aggregated image in which each image read within the area of one page of sheet is arranged. Furthermore, it is even more convenient if the arrangement method when arranging each image can be appropriately selected. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe the arrangement method of the read images and the like.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to enable easy digitization of each image indicating a plurality of documents as an aggregated image arranged in an array desired by the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image reading device of the present invention comprises an image reading unit that reads images of multiple documents, a first image storage unit that stores each image obtained by the image reading unit from reading multiple documents, an input receiving unit that receives from a user an arrangement method for the images stored in the image storage unit to be used when arranging the images on a sheet for one page, and an image generation unit that generates a consolidated image in which each image stored in the image storage unit is arranged in an area corresponding to the sheet for one page according to the arrangement method received by the input receiving unit.

[0007] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned image reading device and an image forming unit that prints an image onto paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, when multiple business cards or other documents are read by an image reader, the user can set the method for aggregating the read images. This allows the images representing multiple documents to be easily digitized as a consolidated image arranged in the user's desired order. In particular, when reading a large number of business cards or other documents and digitizing and managing them, setting the aggregation method before reading can reduce the time and effort required after reading. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a front cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This is a front cross-sectional view of the image reading device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the image reading device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows a magnified view of the document transport path in an image reading device. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an enlarged view of an alternative document transport path in an image reading device. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] This diagram shows an example of a settings screen displayed on the display unit. [Figure 8]This figure shows an example of how images are arranged. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of how images are arranged. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of how images are arranged. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of how images are arranged. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of how images are arranged. [Figure 13] This is a flowchart illustrating the process of reading a document using an image reader. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an image forming apparatus to which an image reading device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading device 20 and an image forming unit 21. In this embodiment, an image forming unit 21 employing an electrophotographic method will be described as an example, but an image forming unit employing an inkjet method may also be used.

[0011] The image reading device 20 has an imaging unit (CCD sensor, contact image sensor) that optically reads the image of the document, and the analog output of this imaging unit is converted into a digital signal to generate image data representing the image of the document.

[0012] The image forming unit 21 prints the image indicated by the above image data on paper, and includes an image forming unit 3M for magenta, an image forming unit 3C for cyan, an image forming unit 3Y for yellow, and an image forming unit 3Bk for black. In any of the image forming units 3M, 3C, 3Y, and 3Bk, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is uniformly charged, the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is exposed to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is developed into a toner image, and the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 4 is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 5. Thereby, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 5. This color toner image is secondarily transferred to the paper P conveyed from the paper feeding unit 14 through the main conveyance path 8 in the nip region N between the intermediate transfer belt 5 and the secondary transfer roller 6.

[0013] After that, the fixing device 15 heats and presses the paper P to fix the toner image on the paper P by thermocompression bonding, and further discharges the paper P to the paper discharge tray 17 through the discharge roller 16. <000***87>

[0014] Also, when the image of the original M is also used on the back surface of the paper P, the paper P is conveyed to the discharge roller 16 in front of the paper discharge tray 17, and a switchback conveyance is performed in which the discharge roller 16 is temporarily stopped and then rotated reversely. The paper P is returned to the main conveyance path 8 through the reverse conveyance path 9 from the conveyance roller 18, the front and back of the paper P are reversed, the image of the original M is formed on the back surface of the paper P by the image forming unit 21, and the paper P is discharged to the paper discharge tray 17 through the discharge roller 16.

[0015] Next, the image reading device 20 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the image reading device 20 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the image reading device 20, showing a state in which the original conveyance unit 31 is opened.

[0016] [[ID=**15]] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image reading apparatus 20 includes a document conveyance unit 31 and a reading unit 32. The document conveyance unit 31 includes a document tray 33, a paper feed roller 34, a conveyance belt 35, a retard roller 36, a registration roller 37, a plurality of conveyance rollers 38, a first discharge roller 39, a first paper discharge tray 40, a contact image sensor (CIS) 42, a second discharge roller 48, and a second paper discharge tray 49, etc. <00,00096><00,00097><00,00098>In the document conveyance unit 31, when the document M is placed on the document tray 33, the paper feed roller 34 pulls out the document M from the document tray 33, and the document M is guided and conveyed to the linear conveyance path 45 through between the conveyance belt 35 and the retard roller 36. <00,00099><00,00100><00,00101>As shown in FIG. 2, a curved conveyance path 46 having a curved shape is connected to a branch position BP in the middle of the linear conveyance path 45. A switching claw 44 is provided at the branch position BP. The shaft at the left end of the switching claw 44 is reciprocally rotated within a certain rotation range by an actuator (not shown). The tip of the switching claw 44 is directed obliquely upward or in the horizontal direction by the control of the actuator by the control unit (FIG. 6). When the tip of the switching claw 44 is directed obliquely upward, the document M is guided and conveyed from the linear conveyance path 45 to the curved conveyance path 46, and when the tip of the switching claw 44 is directed in the horizontal direction, the document M is conveyed through the entire linear conveyance path 45. <00,00102><00,00103><00,00104>In the linear conveyance path 45, the document M is conveyed from the registration roller 37 through between the contact image sensor 42 and the shading roller 41 to reach the switching claw 44, and the document M is guided horizontally by the switching claw 44 and discharged to the second paper discharge tray 49 through the second discharge roller 48. <00,00105><00,00106><00, ,00107>Also, in the curved conveyance path 46, the document M that has been guided downward by the switching claw 44 is conveyed to the first platen glass 51, and the document M passes over the first platen glass 51 and is discharged to the first paper discharge tray 40 by the first discharge roller 39. <00,00108><00,00109><00,00110>The reading unit 32 includes, for example, a first platen glass 51, a second platen glass 52, a carriage 54, an optical system unit 55, a condensing lens 56, and a CCD sensor 11.

[0022] In the reading unit 32, the carriage 54 includes a light source 54A that illuminates the original document with light, and a mirror 54B that reflects the light reflected from the original document M. The optical system unit 55 also includes a mirror 55A and a mirror 55B. Mirror 55A receives the light reflected by the mirror 54B of the carriage 54 and redirects it approximately vertically downward. Mirror 55B redirects the light reflected by mirror 55A approximately horizontally and guides it through the condensing lens 56 to the CCD sensor 11.

[0023] The carriage 54 and optical unit 55 are mounted to be reciprocally movable along a rail in a sub-scanning direction X perpendicular to the main scanning direction Y, and are moved in the sub-scanning direction X while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship by a known drive mechanism powered by a stepping motor (not shown).

[0024] Two hinges 58 are provided spaced apart at one end of the upper surface 32a of the reading unit 32. These hinges 58 support the document transport unit 31 so that it can be opened and closed, allowing the user to open and close the document transport unit 31.

[0025] Here, the image reading device 20 has five types of reading modes for reading the image of the original document M: a stationary document reading mode, a first-transport document single-sided reading mode, a second-transport document single-sided reading mode, a first-transport document double-sided reading mode, and a second-transport document double-sided reading mode. When the input receiving unit 23, which will be described later, receives a selection instruction to select one of these reading modes, the image of the original document M is read under the control of the control unit 291, which will be described later, using the reading mode indicated by this selection instruction.

[0026] The static document scanning mode is the operation of scanning the image of the face-down front surface of the document M placed on the second platen glass 52. When the static document scanning mode is selected, the document transport unit 31 is opened, and with the second platen glass 52 of the scanning unit 32 open, the document M is placed on the second platen glass 52 with its surface facing downwards, and the document transport unit 31 is closed, and the document M placed on the second platen glass 52 is held down by the document transport unit 31.

[0027] In the reading unit 32, the carriage 54 and the optical system unit 55 are moved in the sub-scanning direction X while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship, and the light from the light source 54A of the carriage 54 is shone on the front surface of the document M via the second platen glass 52. The light reflected from the front surface of the document M is then reflected by the mirror 54B of the carriage 54. Furthermore, this light is reflected by the mirrors 55A and 55B of the optical system unit 55 and enters the CCD sensor 11 through the condensing lens 56. The CCD sensor 11 repeatedly reads the image of the front surface of the document M in the main scanning direction Y (a direction perpendicular to the sub-scanning direction X).

[0028] The first transport document single-sided scanning mode is an operation in which an image of the upper-facing front side of a document M placed on the document tray 33 (the side that is facing upward when the document M is placed on the document tray 33 is the target of scanning) is scanned while the document M is being transported. When the first transport document single-sided scanning mode is selected, as shown in Figure 4, the document transport unit 31 is closed and the document M is placed on the document tray 33 with its front side facing upward. The document M is pulled out of the document tray 33 by the paper feed roller 34 and transported through the straight transport path 45. Furthermore, the document M is transported from the straight transport path 45 to the curved transport path 46 by the switching claw 44, passes over the first platen glass 51 and is discharged into the first output tray 40.

[0029] In the reading unit 32 (an example of the second reading unit in the claims), the carriage 54 and the optical system unit 55 are positioned at predetermined locations below the first platen glass 51. The light source 54A of the carriage 54 illuminates the front surface of the document M through the first platen glass 51, and the light reflected from the front surface of the document M is reflected by the mirrors 54B, 55A, and 55B and enters the CCD sensor 11 through the focusing lens 56. The CCD sensor 11 repeatedly reads the image of the front surface of the document M in the main scanning direction Y.

[0030] The second transport document single-sided scanning mode is an operation in which the image of the downward-facing front surface of the document M placed on the document tray 33 (the side facing downward when the document M is placed on the document tray 33 is the target of scanning) is read while the document M is being transported. When the second transport document single-sided scanning mode is selected, as shown in Figure 5, the document transport unit 31 is closed and the document M is placed on the document tray 33 with its front surface facing downward. The document M is pulled out of the document tray 33 by the paper feed roller 34 and transported through the linear transport path 45. The document M then passes over the contact image sensor 42 and is discharged from the linear transport path 45 to the second output tray 49 by the switching claw 44. The contact image sensor 42 (an example of the first reading unit in the claims) repeatedly reads the image of the downward-facing front surface of the document M passing between the contact image sensor 42 and the shading roller 41 in the main scanning direction Y.

[0031] The first document transport double-sided scanning mode is an operation in which images of both sides of a document M placed on the document tray 33 are read while the document M is being transported. When the first document transport double-sided scanning mode is selected, as shown in Figure 4, the document transport unit 31 is closed and the document M is placed on the document tray 33 with its front side facing upwards. The document M is pulled out of the document tray 33 by the paper feed roller 34 and transported through the straight transport path 45. The document M passes over the contact image sensor 42 and is guided from the straight transport path 45 to the curved transport path 46 by the switching claw 44, and is transported over the first platen glass 51 and discharged to the first output tray 40. The contact image sensor 42 reads the image of the back side of the document M, which is facing downwards, as it passes between the contact image sensor 42 and the shading roller 41.

[0032] Furthermore, in the reading unit 32, the light source 54A of the carriage 54 illuminates the front surface of the document M through the first platen glass 51, and the light reflected from the front surface of the document M is reflected by the mirrors 54B, 55A, and 55B and enters the CCD sensor 11 through the condensing lens 56, thereby reading the image of the document M. In other words, the side of the document M that is facing upward when placed on the document tray 33 is the target of reading by the reading unit 32, and the side of the document M that is facing downward when placed on the document tray 33 is the target of reading by the contact image sensor 42.

[0033] The second document transport double-sided scanning mode is an operation that reads images of the front and back sides of the document M placed on the document tray 33 by repeating the second document transport single-sided scanning mode twice. In the second document transport double-sided scanning mode, the document M placed on the document tray 33 is transported along the path from document tray 33 → linear transport path 45 → second output tray 49, and the contact image sensor 42 reads the image of the front side of the document M facing downwards (first second document transport single-sided scanning mode). After this, assuming that the user picks up the document M from the second output tray 49, flips the document M over, and places it back on the document tray 33, the document M is transported again along the path from document tray 33 → linear transport path 45 → second output tray 49, and the contact image sensor 42 reads the image of the back side of the document M facing downwards (second second second document transport single-sided scanning mode).

[0034] The curved transport path 46 is suitable for transporting documents made of thin, flexible paper that are long in the transport direction. The straight transport path 45 is suitable for transporting documents that are not easily bent or are short in the transport direction, such as business cards and other cards. Therefore, it is preferable to select the first transport document single-sided scanning mode or the first transport document double-sided scanning mode when scanning images of documents made of thin, flexible paper that are long in the transport direction, and to select the second transport document single-sided scanning mode or the second transport document double-sided scanning mode when scanning images of documents that are not easily bent or are short in the transport direction, such as business cards and other cards.

[0035] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in Figure 6, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading device 20, an image forming unit 21, an input receiving unit 23, a display unit 24, an image memory 26, a storage unit 27, an image generation unit 28, a control unit 29, and the like.

[0036] The input receiving unit 23 is equipped with hard keys such as a numeric keypad, an enter key, and a start key. The input receiving unit 23 receives various instructions based on the user's operation of each of the above keys. The display unit 24 consists of a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, etc.

[0037] The screen of the display unit 24 has a touch panel integrated into it. The touch panel is a so-called resistive or capacitive touch panel that detects contact (touch) by the user's finger or other object and the position of that contact, and outputs a detection signal indicating the coordinates of that contact position to the control unit 291.

[0038] The image memory (an example of the first storage unit in the claims) 26 temporarily stores image data read and acquired by the CCD sensor 11 and contact image sensor 42 of the image reading device 20.

[0039] The storage unit (an example of the second storage unit in the claims) 27 is a large-capacity storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that stores various application programs and various data.

[0040] The image generation unit 28 is, for example, an image processing circuit that creates an aggregated image for storing or printing multiple images indicated by the image data acquired by the image reading device 20 on a single-page sheet. The generation of the aggregated image by the image generation unit 28 will be explained in detail later.

[0041] The control unit 29 consists of a processor, RAM (Random Access Memory), and ROM (Read Only Memory). The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 29 functions as a control unit 291 when the control program stored in the ROM or memory unit 27 is executed by the processor.

[0042] The control unit 291 comprehensively controls the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 291 also functions as a processing unit, executing various processes necessary for image formation by the image forming apparatus 10. Furthermore, the control unit 291 receives user input based on detection signals output from the touch panel or operations on the hard keys of the input receiving unit 23. For example, the control unit 291 accepts touch operations on the GUI (Graphical User Interface) displayed on the screen of the display unit 24 via the touch panel. In addition, the control unit 291 has a function to control the display operation of the display unit 24.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 291 controls motors, actuators, clutches, etc., for operating the paper feed roller 34, transport belt 35, registration roller 37, each transport roller 38, shading roller 41, first discharge roller 39, second discharge roller 48, switching claw 44, etc. in the document transport section 31 of the image reading device 20, and operates them to pull the document M out of the document tray 33 and transport it through the straight transport path 45 or the curved transport path 46.

[0044] In the image forming apparatus 10, under the control of the control unit 291, when the image reading device 20 reads images from multiple cards, the image memory 26 temporarily stores the image data representing the read images. The image generation unit 28 creates a composite image by arranging the images represented by the image data on a single-page sheet according to the settings set on the setting screen shown in Figure 7. Then, the storage unit 27 stores the composite image. Alternatively, the image forming unit 21 prints the composite image.

[0045] Figure 7 shows an example of a setting screen for setting the image arrangement used when generating a consolidated image based on images obtained by having the image reader 20 read multiple cards such as business cards. The control unit 291 displays this setting screen on the display unit 24 before the image reader 20 performs document reading. This setting screen is used to receive from the user the arrangement method for each image used when generating a consolidated image in which each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reader 20 is placed on a single-page sheet. Hereinafter, the storage of the consolidated image generated by the image generation unit 28 by the storage unit 27 or printing by the image forming unit 21 will be referred to as "output".

[0046] In Figure 7, the user specifies the output size (size of one page of the sheet) from the dropdown list 71. When the user presses the pulldown button 711 of the dropdown list 71 and the input reception unit 23 receives a pulldown display instruction via the touch panel, the control unit 291 displays an image showing the output size candidates in a pulldown menu, as shown in the example in Figure 7. When the user presses the image portion that displays the desired size and the input reception unit 23 receives a size selection instruction, the control unit 291 sets the size indicated by the size selection instruction, for example, "A4" in Figure 7, as the sheet size.

[0047] Radio button 72 is an image for receiving the specification of the sheet orientation. When a user presses any of the radio buttons 72 and the corresponding instruction is received by the input receiving unit 23 via the touch panel, the control unit 291 sets the sheet orientation corresponding to that instruction. Here, sheet orientation "vertical" means the long side of the sheet is vertical and the short side is horizontal, and sheet orientation "horizontal" means the long side of the sheet is horizontal and the short side is vertical.

[0048] The drop-down list 73 displays the arrangement method for each image used when generating a consolidated image by arranging each image stored in the image memory 26 after scanning the document by the image reader 20 onto a single-page sheet. When the user presses the pull-down button 731 and the input reception unit 23 receives a pull-down display instruction via the touch panel, the control unit 291 displays a pull-down image showing candidates for the arrangement method to be output, as shown in the example in Figure 7. When the user presses the image portion that displays the desired arrangement method and the input reception unit 23 receives a method selection instruction, the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method indicated by the method selection instruction as the arrangement method to be used when arranging each of the images on the sheet.

[0049] Furthermore, the radio button 74 is an image that accepts the selection of the storage location for the generated aggregated image, in other words, whether to store the aggregated image created by the image generation unit 28 in the storage unit 27, have the image forming unit 21 print it, or have both storage by the storage unit 27 and printing by the image forming unit 21. When the user presses the "Save" radio button 74, the input reception unit 23 receives an instruction to store the image in the storage unit 27 via the touch panel, and the control unit 291 sets the storage unit 27 as the storage location. Note that if login information is received by the input reception unit 23 through user operation and the control unit 291 approves the user's login through login authentication, the user box in the storage unit 27 assigned to each user ID may be set as the storage location without relying on the instruction based on the radio button 74. The control unit 291 sets the values ​​of each item, such as sheet size, sheet orientation, arrangement method, and output settings, as the image arrangement settings.

[0050] The method for arranging each image obtained by scanning multiple documents with the image reading device 20 will be explained. Figures 9 and 10 show an example of how to arrange images when the orientation of one page sheet is portrait.

[0051] When the user selects the arrangement method "left to right, top to bottom" by operating the drop-down list 73 on the settings screen shown in Figure 7, and the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method to "left to right, top to bottom", the image generation unit 28 arranges each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reading device 20 in the order they were read, in the area corresponding to one page of a sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 9(A). In other words, the image generation unit 28 places the first image on the upper left, the second on the upper right, the third on the lower left, and the fourth on the lower right in the area corresponding to the sheet. In this example, it is assumed that the sheet size is set to "A4" and the sheet orientation to "portrait".

[0052] Here, the image generation unit 28 first detects the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the original document for each of the above images and calculates, using a known calculation method, how many images can be arranged in the area corresponding to the selected size sheet. For example, the image generation unit 28 calculates how many images can be arranged horizontally based on the horizontal dimension of the selected size sheet, the horizontal dimension of the predetermined margins (here, the margin R1 from the side edge of the sheet to the image in the horizontal direction, and the margin R2 between images), and the horizontal dimension of the original document for each image. Furthermore, the image generation unit 28 calculates how many images can be arranged vertically based on the vertical dimension of the selected size sheet, the vertical dimension of the predetermined margins (here, the margin R11 from the side edge of the sheet to the image in the vertical direction, and the margin R12 between images), and the vertical dimension of the original document for each image. The examples shown in Figures 9 and 10 show cases where two images can be arranged vertically and two horizontally in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0053] If there are five or more of each of the above images, the image generation unit 28 arranges the images across multiple sheets. For example, if the image memory 26 stores six image data, the image generation unit 28 places four images on the first sheet, and then places the remaining two images on the second sheet.

[0054] Next, when the user selects the arrangement method "right to left, top to bottom" by operating the drop-down list 73 on the settings screen shown in Figure 7, and the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method to "right to left, top to bottom", the image generation unit 28 arranges each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reading device 20 in the order they were read, in the area corresponding to one page sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 9(B). In other words, the image generation unit 28 places the first image on the upper right, the second on the upper left, the third on the lower right, and the fourth on the lower left in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0055] When the user operates the dropdown list 73 on the settings screen shown in Figure 7 to select the arrangement method "left to right, bottom to top" in the input receiving unit 23, and the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method to "left to right, bottom to top", the image generation unit 28 arranges each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reading device 20 in the order they were read, in the area corresponding to one page sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 9(C). In other words, the image generation unit 28 places the first image on the lower left, the second on the lower right, the third on the upper left, and the fourth on the upper right in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0056] When the user selects the "right to left, bottom to top" arrangement method by operating the drop-down list 73 on the settings screen shown in Figure 7, and the input receiving unit 23 receives this instruction, and the control unit 291 has set the arrangement method to "right to left, bottom to top", the image generation unit 28 arranges each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reading device 20 in the order they were read, in the area corresponding to one page sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 9(D). In other words, the image generation unit 28 arranges the first image on the lower right, the second on the lower left, the third on the upper right, and the fourth on the upper left in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0057] Furthermore, the control unit 291 also displays the arrangement method shown in Figure 8 in the dropdown list 73 of the settings screen shown in Figure 7, in response to the user's operation of the scroll bar 731.

[0058] In the arrangement method shown in Figure 8, when the user inputs a method selection instruction to the input receiving unit 23 to select the arrangement method "top to bottom, left to right," and the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method to "top to bottom, left to right," the image reading device 20 reads each image obtained from reading multiple documents and arranges them in the order they were read, in the area corresponding to one page sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 10(A). In other words, the image generation unit 28 places the first image on the upper left, the second on the lower left, the third on the upper right, and the fourth on the lower right in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0059] Furthermore, in the arrangement method shown in Figure 8, when the user inputs a method selection instruction to the input receiving unit 23 to select the arrangement method "bottom to top, left to right," and the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method to "bottom to top, left to right," the image reading device 20 reads each image obtained from reading multiple documents and arranges them in the order they were read in the area corresponding to one page sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 10(B). In other words, the image generation unit 28 places the first image on the lower left, the second on the upper left, the third on the lower right, and the fourth on the upper right in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0060] Furthermore, in the arrangement method shown in Figure 8, when the user inputs a method selection instruction to the input receiving unit 23 to select the arrangement method "top to bottom, right to left," and the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method to "top to bottom, right to left," the image reading device 20 reads each image obtained from reading multiple documents and arranges them in the order they were read in the area corresponding to one page sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 10(C). In other words, the image generation unit 28 places the first image on the upper right, the second on the lower right, the third on the upper left, and the fourth on the lower left in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0061] Furthermore, in the arrangement method shown in Figure 8, when the user inputs a method selection instruction to the input receiving unit 23 to select the arrangement method "bottom to top, right to left," and the control unit 291 sets the arrangement method to "bottom to top, right to left," the image reading device 20 reads each image obtained from reading multiple documents and arranges them in the order they were read in the area corresponding to one page sheet, in the order of the numbers shown in the arrangement diagram 10(D). In other words, the image generation unit 28 places the first image on the lower right, the second on the upper right, the third on the lower left, and the fourth on the upper left in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0062] Furthermore, the method of arranging images when the sheet orientation is set to "landscape" will be explained using Figures 11 and 12. In Figures 11 and 12, the sheet size is A4, the image data represents a typical business card size, and the image generation unit 28 arranges eight images on one page of the sheet.

[0063] In this case as well, as described above, the image generation unit 28 first detects the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the original document for each image and calculates, using a known calculation method, how many images can be arranged in the area corresponding to the selected size sheet. The examples shown in Figures 11 and 12 show cases where the sheet size is A4 and the sheet orientation is set to landscape, and two images can be arranged vertically and four horizontally in the area corresponding to the sheet.

[0064] For example, if the arrangement method is set to "left to right, top to bottom," the image generation unit 28 arranges each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reading device 20 in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 11(A) in the area corresponding to the sheet. Also, if the user sets the arrangement method to "right to left, top to bottom," the image generation unit 28 arranges each of the above images in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 11(B). Furthermore, if "left to right, bottom to top" is set, the image generation unit 28 arranges each of the above images in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 11(C). In addition, if "right to left, bottom to top" is set, the image generation unit 28 arranges each of the above images in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 11(D).

[0065] Furthermore, if the arrangement method is set to "top to bottom, left to right," the image generation unit 28 arranges each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reading device 20 in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 12(A). Also, if the user sets the arrangement method to "bottom to top, left to right," the image generation unit 28 arranges each of the above images in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 12(B). Furthermore, if "top to bottom, right to left" is set, the image generation unit 28 arranges each of the above images in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 12(C). In addition, if "bottom to top, right to left" is set, the image generation unit 28 arranges each of the above images in the order of the numbers shown in Figure 12(D).

[0066] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the document reading process by the image reading device 20. First, the control unit 291 displays the setting screen shown in Figure 7 on the display unit 24. When this setting screen is displayed, the image arrangement setting for each image obtained by having the image reading device 20 read multiple documents is received by the input reception unit 23. Furthermore, when the input reception unit 23 receives a scan execution instruction, the control unit 291 sets the image arrangement setting for the generation of a composite image of the above images and causes the image reading device 20 to read the multiple documents placed on the document tray 33 (S12). Alternatively, the control unit 291 causes the image reading device 20 to read the multiple documents placed on the second platen glass 52. Here, if the control unit 291 receives a scan execution instruction along with the image arrangement setting from the input reception unit 23 while documents are placed on the document tray 33, it is preferable to transport the documents via the linear transport path 45 and have the contact image sensor 42 read the documents. For example, whether a document is placed in the document tray 33 is detected by a known document detection sensor consisting of an optical sensor or a mechanical switch, and the control unit 291 receives a signal from the document detection sensor indicating that a document is placed in the document tray 33 and determines that a document is placed in the document tray 33.

[0067] Each image obtained by reading multiple documents by the image reading device 20 is temporarily stored in the image memory 26. After the image reading device 20 has finished reading all documents, the image generation unit 28 generates a combined image (S13) according to the settings set in process S11.

[0068] If the output setting configured in process S11 is "save" (S14; save), the control unit 291 stores the aggregated image in the storage unit 27 (S15). If the output setting configured in process S11 is "print" (S14; print), the control unit 291 has the image forming unit 21 print the aggregated image on paper (S16). If the output setting configured in process S11 is "save and print" (S14; save and print), the control unit 291 stores the aggregated image in the storage unit 27 and has the image forming unit 21 print the aggregated image on paper (S17). Once the output of the aggregated image is complete, the control unit 291 may erase the image data stored in the image memory 26.

[0069] As described above, according to this embodiment, when multiple business cards or other documents are read by the image reading device 20, the user can set the aggregation method (arrangement method) for each scanned image, making it easy to digitize the images representing multiple documents as an aggregated image arranged in the user's desired arrangement. In particular, when scanning a large number of business cards or the like for data conversion and management, setting the aggregation method before scanning can reduce the time and effort required after scanning.

[0070] It should be noted that the configuration and processing described in the above embodiment are merely one embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention is not intended to be limited to that configuration and processing. For example, if the storage unit 27 stores the history of settings on the setting screen shown in Figure 7, and the user later wants to have the image reader 20 read multiple business cards or cards and output them with the same settings, the control unit 291 may read the settings from the storage unit 27 and set them according to the instructions entered into the input reception unit 23 by the user. This makes it easier to generate aggregated images with the settings that have been set once.

[0071] Alternatively, the storage unit 27 may store a link between the user ID of the user who logged into the image forming apparatus 10 and the settings on the settings screen. In this case, when the display unit 24 displays the settings screen shown in Figure 7 after the user logs into the image forming apparatus 10, the control unit 291 reads the previously set settings from the storage unit 27 and displays a settings screen on the display unit 24 that reflects those settings. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Image reading device 21 Image forming unit 23 Input Reception Section 24 Display 26 Image memory 27 Memory section 28 Image generation unit

Claims

1. An image reading unit that reads images from multiple documents, The image reading unit includes a first image storage unit that stores each image obtained by reading multiple documents, An input receiving unit that receives from the user the method of arranging the images stored in the image storage unit onto a single-page sheet, An image reading device comprising: an image generation unit that generates an aggregated image in which each image stored in the image storage unit is arranged in an area corresponding to one page of a sheet according to an arrangement method received by the input receiving unit.

2. The image reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that causes the image reading unit to read the image of the document after the input receiving unit has received the setting input for the arrangement method.

3. A document tray on which multiple documents are placed, A linear transport path that transports documents, one by one, that are pulled out from a plurality of documents placed on the document tray, and discharges the documents to a first discharge tray, The system further includes a curved transport path that branches off from the straight transport path and discharges the document to a second discharge tray different from the first discharge tray, The image reading unit comprises a first image reading unit provided on the straight transport path and a second image reading unit provided on the curved transport path. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein when the control unit receives an instruction from the input reception unit to generate the aggregated image while a document is placed on the document tray, the control unit transports the document along the linear transport path and has the first image reading unit read the document.

4. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein when the input receiving unit receives a size specification instruction specifying the size of the sheet, the image generation unit obtains size information indicating the size of each of the multiple originals, calculates the number of images that can be placed in the area corresponding to the size specified by the size specification instruction using the corresponding original size of each image stored in the image storage unit, and generates the aggregated image by placing the calculated number of images on the sheet for one page.

5. An image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, An image forming unit that prints an image onto paper, An image forming apparatus equipped with [a specific feature].

6. The image reading device according to claim 2 or claim 3, An image forming unit that prints an image onto paper, It includes a data storage unit for storing data, The input receiving unit receives a selection instruction for one of the following methods for outputting the aggregated image: the storage unit stores the aggregated image, the image forming unit prints the image indicated by the aggregated image, or the storage unit stores the aggregated image and the image forming unit prints the image indicated by the aggregated image. The control unit controls the output of the aggregated image according to the output method of the aggregated image received by the input receiving unit, in an image forming apparatus.

Images