Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce time by minimizing the cumbersome operations required of the user. [Solution] To achieve the above objective, an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a reading unit and a setting unit. The reading unit reads a sheet of paper on which a barcode is printed as image data. The setting unit sets the settings for saving the image data in the job setting information, which is information relating to saving the image data attached to the barcode. This reduces the complicated operations required by the user, thereby saving time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus applicable to reading of sheets such as manuscripts.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as an inkjet printer, a sensor for reading a barcode in which various settings such as paper type are hidden is attached. In this case, when a plurality of manuscript bundles to be read are read in one bundle, if there are a plurality of barcodes in the manuscript bundle, it is impossible to change job settings or the like.

[0003] For example, in Patent Document 1, a barcode printed on paper is read by a sensor, and a predetermined set value in a printer is set based on the barcode data. Thereby, it is intended to facilitate the factory shipment process. Also, in Patent Document 2, setting values are set based on the read barcode data. Thereby, by sequentially reading the set values and commands of various setting items represented by the barcode, it is intended to easily set various setting values.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, while Patent Documents 1 and 2 allow for changing job settings by reading barcodes, they do not allow for changing job settings when there are multiple barcodes in a stack of documents. In such cases, the user needs to operate by switching job settings for multiple stacks of documents.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce time by reducing the complicated operations required of the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a reading unit and a setting unit. The reading unit reads the paper on which the barcode is printed as image data. The setting unit sets the settings related to saving the image data in the job setting information, which is information related to saving the image data assigned to the barcode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can reduce time by reducing the complicated operations required of the user.

[0009] Furthermore, the effects described herein are not necessarily limited to those described herein, and may include any of the effects described herein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows an example of how to configure job settings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present invention.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, a reading unit 15, a setting unit 16, an image processing unit 17, and a printing unit 18.

[0014] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction device or printer, and is a device on which a platform application for image forming apparatuses (HyPas application, manufactured by Kyocera Document Solutions Corporation) can be installed.

[0015] The control unit 11 controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. For example, the control unit 11 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc. The control unit 11 also controls the operation of each block by reading and executing the control program stored in the memory unit 12, which will be described later.

[0016] The storage unit 12 stores control programs for controlling the image forming apparatus 10, as well as settings for various data such as font data related to printing. For example, the storage unit 12 may be a ROM (Read Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0017] The operation unit 13 allows the user to command various operations of the image forming apparatus 10 by performing predetermined operations. For example, the operation unit 13 may use buttons, a touch panel, or the like, and commands to execute various functions provided by the image forming apparatus, such as scanning, copying, and fax transmission, may be input.

[0018] The display unit 14 displays various information regarding the image forming apparatus 10. For example, a preview of a scanned document or the like may be displayed on the display unit 14. Also, for example, the display unit 14 may use a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like.

[0019] In addition to this, the display unit 14 may display an operation screen for operating the image forming apparatus 10. For example, as the operation screen, there may be a home screen for selecting any one of a plurality of functions executable by the image forming apparatus 10, and a setting screen for setting the setting items of each function.

[0020] The reading unit 15 reads a barcode printed on a sheet. For example, the reading unit 15 may include a light emitting unit that emits predetermined light, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting unit from a predetermined printing sheet. For example, the reading unit 15 reads the presence or absence of a barcode and job setting information hidden in the barcode based on the amount of light received from the light receiving unit.

[0021] That is, it can also be said that the reading unit 15 is a determination unit that makes determinations such as whether a barcode is printed on a document and whether the barcode is job setting information. Also, the reading unit 15 may use a media sensor, a line sensor, or a two-dimensional barcode sensor.

[0022] Also, the reading unit 15 generates image data by reading a document. Note that the generated image data may be stored in the storage unit 12 or may be saved by uploading it to the cloud.

[0023] The setting unit 16 sets the job setting information according to the job setting information of the barcode read (scanned) by the reading unit 15. For example, suppose the reading unit 15 scans the Nth document, which has a barcode printed on it that conceals the job setting information N. In this case, the setting unit 16 scans the (N+1)th document with job setting information N if the (N+1)th document does not have a barcode printed on it. Similarly, the setting unit 16 outputs the (N+3)th document with job setting information (N+2) if the (N+2)th document has a barcode printed on it that conceals the job setting information (N+2) and the (N+3)th document does not have a barcode printed on it.

[0024] In other words, if the document does not have a barcode, or if the document does not have a barcode with job setting information printed on it, the setting unit 16 scans the document using the job setting information read in the previous scan. Also, if there is new job setting information, the setting unit 16 scans using that job setting information. By repeating this process, it becomes possible to scan each document with the appropriate job setting information.

[0025] Here, job setting information refers to settings related to various jobs such as scanning, saving, and transferring. For example, scanning includes the scanning method such as ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) and double-sided scanning, the original document size such as automatic or A3, and the resolution (e.g., 300 dpi). Saving includes the file name including the date and sequential number, the saving format such as PDF, and the data saving location such as a designated folder or cloud. Transfer includes the destination to which the scanned data will be transferred. In addition to these, various other settings such as color selection and transmission resolution may also be included. Note that job setting information is not limited and may include various settings such as indexes. For example, the multifunction printer (MFP) may perform image processing according to a request from the HyPAS app. Alternatively, the image processing settings performed by the multifunction printer may be realized by decoding information embedded in the barcode.

[0026] Furthermore, the barcode contains barcode-concealed job information, which is information that has been barcoded by Kyocera Document Solutions after being recorded in a fixed format. In this embodiment, the barcode-concealed job information is used as a switching factor (flag) for the job setting information. Here, barcode-concealed job information refers to information in which the job setting information has been barcoded, that is, job setting information that is concealed by the barcode.

[0027] The image processing unit 17 performs image processing on the image data scanned from the reading unit 15. For example, the image processing may include scaling, density adjustment, gradation adjustment, image improvement, etc.

[0028] The printing unit 18 performs operations related to printing in the image forming apparatus. For example, the printing unit 18 transports the recording paper stored in the paper feed cassette using transport rollers and controls the ink head and other components to form scanned image data on the recording paper.

[0029] The configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is not limited. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may be a device that performs image processing including at least scanning, or it may be a printer, copier, scanner, fax machine, or a multifunction device having these functions. Also, for example, the image forming apparatus 10 may be equipped with a communication unit for uploading image data to the cloud.

[0030] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of how to configure job settings information.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, the reading unit 15 reads the document (step 101). The reading unit 15 determines whether or not the document has a barcode when it is read (step 102).

[0032] If the document contains a barcode (YES in step 102), the reading unit 15 determines whether the barcode contains job setting information or not (step 103).

[0033] If the barcode is job setting information (YES in step 103), the setting unit 16 outputs the job setting information for scanning the document using the job setting information of the barcode detected in step 103 (step 104).

[0034] Furthermore, if the document does not have a barcode (No. in step 102), or if barcode z is not job setting information (No. in step 103), the setting unit 16 outputs the job setting information for scanning the document using the job setting information from the previous barcode (step 105).

[0035] If there is no job setting information for the previous barcode (for example, when scanning the first document), the output will be based on the job setting information pre-configured in the device. Furthermore, the type of barcode printed on the document is not limited; it may be any barcode that fits a predetermined format (a supported barcode) when decoded.

[0036] As described above, the image forming apparatus 10 according to this embodiment comprises a reading unit that reads a sheet of paper on which a barcode is printed as image data, and a setting unit that sets settings related to the saving of image data in job setting information, which is information related to saving image data attached to the barcode. This reduces the complicated operations required by the user, thereby saving time.

[0037] Previously, it was possible to change job settings by scanning barcodes printed on paper. However, if multiple documents in a stack had barcodes printed on them, it was not possible to change the job settings. In this case, the user had to switch job settings each time a new barcode for a new job setting was detected, which was extremely cumbersome and time-consuming.

[0038] This technology works by scanning a document containing job setting information hidden by a barcode, then decoding the barcode and scanning subsequent documents using the image processing settings configured in the system. Furthermore, scanning a document with a barcode again decodes the barcode to obtain different job setting information, and then executing the job with the new image processing settings for subsequent documents. This allows the system to change the job settings each time a barcode containing the job settings is read, even with multiple document stacks, eliminating the need for the user to manually switch job settings. Therefore, it contributes to saving the user time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 10…Image forming apparatus 15…Reading section 16…Settings section

Claims

1. A reading unit that reads a sheet of paper with a barcode printed on it as image data, A setting unit sets the settings for saving the aforementioned image data in the job setting information, which is information related to saving the aforementioned image data that is attached to the barcode. An image forming apparatus comprising the following:

2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, When the reading unit reads a sheet of paper on which a barcode containing second job setting information different from the job setting information is printed, the setting unit changes the setting for saving the image data from the job setting information to the second job setting information. Image forming apparatus.

3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, If the reading unit reads a barcode to which the job setting information is not attached, the setting unit will continue the settings related to saving the image data to the job setting information. Image forming apparatus.

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