Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can promptly present to the user any dirt adhering to the reading unit. [Solution] The image forming apparatus comprises a display unit, a document transport unit for transporting a document, a reading unit for reading the document and generating document data including a plurality of line data, a dirt detection unit for detecting dirt in the reading unit based on the generated plurality of line data, and a control unit that, when dirt is detected in the reading unit, stops transporting the document to the document transport unit and displays on the display unit the number of pages of the document at the time the dirt was detected, and the location of the dirt in the reading unit corresponding to the detected dirt in the generated document data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 detects whether there are abnormal pixels caused by dirt existing at the reading position based on a plurality of line data output from the document reading means when a reserved job is executed. When abnormal pixels are detected, a predetermined message is notified to the user, and an instruction is input as to whether to output the document determined to have abnormal pixels.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, when reading a document using a scanner, dirt may adhere to the reading unit. In this case, it is preferable to promptly present the dirt adhering to the reading unit to the user. Patent Document 1 does not solve such a problem. Therefore, an aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide an image forming apparatus capable of promptly presenting the dirt adhering to the reading unit to the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a display unit, a document transport unit for transporting a document, a reading unit for reading the document and generating document data including a plurality of line data, a dirt detection unit for detecting dirt in the reading unit based on the generated plurality of line data, and a control unit that, when dirt is detected in the reading unit, stops transporting the document to the document transport unit and displays on the display unit the number of pages of the document at the time the dirt was detected and the location of the dirt in the reading unit corresponding to the detected dirt in the generated document data. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the structure of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] Figure 3 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a flowchart showing an example of a stain detection process. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of manuscript data containing abnormal data. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a pause screen displayed on the display unit during single-sided printing. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a pause screen displayed on the display unit during double-sided printing. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a pause screen displayed on the display unit during consolidated printing. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of manuscript data that contains some abnormal data. [Figure 12] This figure shows an example of a pause screen displayed on the display unit during single-sided printing. [Figure 13]This figure shows an example of a pause screen related to the first modified example. [Figure 14] This diagram illustrates the process of deleting abnormal data. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] (First Embodiment) The first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 12. In the drawings, the same or similar elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0008] Figure 1 shows an example of the structure of an image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 has a copying function, a scanning function, etc. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on paper indicated by the original data generated when the image reading device 102 reads the original document G. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 100 transmits the original data generated when the image reading device 102 reads the original document G to a terminal device (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus 100 via a network.

[0009] The image reading device 102 comprises a document placement table 130a, a reading unit 130, and a document transport unit 160. The document placement table 130a is made of transparent glass on which the document G is placed and is located on top of the image reading device 102. The document transport unit 160 is located above the document placement table 130a.

[0010] The document transport unit 160 is positioned above the reading unit 130 and is scalable to open and close relative to the reading unit 130, and transports the document G. The document transport unit 160 includes a document placement tray 161 and a document output tray 162. The user places the document G on the document placement tray 161. The document transport unit 160 transports the document G, which consists of one or more pages, placed on the document placement tray 161, one page at a time to the document reading position P. Alternatively, the document G may be placed manually by opening the top of the document placement table 130a. The document output tray 162 is where the documents G that have been read by the reading unit 130 and then output are placed.

[0011] The reading unit 130 reads the original document G and generates original document data including a plurality of line data. The reading unit 130 includes an original document window 130b and a scanning optical system 130c including a plurality of light sources. The original document window 130b is disposed at the original document reading position P. The reading unit 130 reads the original document G conveyed to the original document reading position P by the original document conveying unit 160 line by line along the main scanning direction D1 (see FIG. 7) by scanning the scanning optical system 130c, and generates a plurality of line data. Alternatively, the reading unit 130 reads the original document G placed on the original document placing table 130a line by line along the main scanning direction D1, and generates a plurality of line data. Then, the reading unit 130 generates original document data including a plurality of line data.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a display unit 201, an operation unit 202, a storage unit 203, an original document conveying unit 160, a reading unit 130, a stain detection unit 204, an image forming unit _205, a paper conveying unit 206, and a control unit 207.

[0013] The display unit 201 displays information presented to the user. For example, the display unit 201 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, or the like. The operation unit 202 receives operations by the user. For example, the operation unit 202 is constituted by a touch panel or the like. Note that a touch panel display in which the operation unit 202 and the display unit 201 are integrally configured may be configured.

[0014] The storage unit 203 is a storage medium capable of storing programs, various data, and the like. The storage unit 203 is constituted by one or more ROMs (Read Only Memory), one or more RAMs (Random Access Memory), one or more HDDs (Hard Disk Drive), or a combination thereof.

[0015] The dirt detection unit 204 detects the dirt of the reading unit 130 based on a plurality of line data. When the same abnormal candidate that is at the same position, has the same size, and has the same color in the sub-scanning direction D2 (see FIG. 7) is included in all of the plurality of line data, the dirt detection unit 204 detects the dirt of the reading unit 130.

[0016] The image forming unit 205 attaches a coloring material to the paper to form an image based on the original data. For example, the image forming unit 205 is configured by a laser printer using an electrophotographic method, and forms an image on the paper by attaching toner, which is a coloring material, to the paper. Alternatively, the image forming unit 205 may be configured by an inkjet printer using an inkjet method. When the image forming unit 205 is configured by an inkjet printer, an image is formed on the paper by attaching ink, which is a coloring material, to the paper.

[0017] The paper conveyance unit 206 conveys the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 205 to a paper discharge port (not shown).

[0018] The control unit 207 executes various processes according to the programs and data stored in the storage unit 203. For example, the control unit 207 is configured by a control circuit including one or more processors such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0019] When the dirt of the reading unit 130 is detected, the control unit 207 stops the conveyance of the original G by the original conveyance unit 160, and causes the display unit to display the page number of the original when the dirt is detected and the dirt location of the reading unit 130 corresponding to the detected dirt in the generated original data. Further, when the dirt of the reading unit 130 is detected, the control unit 207 causes the display unit 201 to display the original data including the abnormal data.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0021] In step S301, the control unit 207 determines whether or not a document G has been placed on the document tray 161 or the document stand 130a. For example, the document transport unit 160 detects a document G placed on the document tray 161, and if the document G is in a state where it can be transported, the control unit 207 determines that a document G has been placed.

[0022] In step S302, the control unit 207 sets job information. The job information indicates settings related to the copy function, scan function, etc. Furthermore, the job information indicates information for setting single-sided printing, double-sided printing, etc. For example, when the operation unit 202 receives an operation to input information indicated by the job information, the control unit 207 sets job information indicating the information input by the operation received by the operation unit 202.

[0023] In step S303, the control unit 207 starts executing the job based on the job information set in step S302.

[0024] In step S304, the control unit 207 causes the first page of one or more documents G placed in the document tray 161 to be transported to the document reading position P by the document transport unit 160. Specifically, the control unit 207 causes the first page of one or more documents G placed in the document tray 161 to be transported to the document reading position P by the document transport unit 160.

[0025] In step S305, the control unit 207 initializes the line number ia and the number of lines Xa in which an anomaly candidate was detected to 0.

[0026] In step S306, the reading unit 130 increments the line number ia by one and acquires one line data LD (see Figure 7). Specifically, the reading unit 130 scans the scanning optical system 130c to read one line along the main scanning direction D1 of the document G transported to the document reading position P by the document transport unit 160, and acquires line data LD. The reading unit 130 divides the document G into a total of N line data LDs and reads them. The total number of lines N is a predetermined integer of 2 or more. The single line data LD represents the image of the document G read along the main scanning direction D1 within the range of the document window 130b.

[0027] Furthermore, the stain detection unit 204 assigns a line number ia to each line data LD. ia is an integer between 1 and N. In the following description, the stain detection unit 204 assigns line number ia=1 to the first line data LD acquired along the sub-scanning direction D2 for the original document G. The reading unit 130 then sequentially increments the line numbers by one in the sub-scanning direction D2. The control unit 207 then proceeds to step S401, which is illustrated in Figure 4.

[0028] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 following Figure 3.

[0029] In step S401, the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether the line number ia assigned to the most recent line data LD acquired in step S306, as illustrated in Figure 3, is 1. In other words, the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether the most recently acquired line data LD is the first line data LD.

[0030] If the line number ia assigned to the most recent line data LD in step S401 is 1, the control unit 207 proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if the line number ia assigned to the most recent line data LD in step S401 is not 1, the control unit 207 proceeds to step S402.

[0031] In step S402, the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether the line number Xa in which an abnormality candidate was detected is the line number ia-1 that was read. If all line data LDs contain an abnormality candidate before the most recent line data LD acquired by the reading unit 130 is obtained, then the line number Xa in which an abnormality candidate was detected is the line number ia-1 that was read. On the other hand, if there are line data LDs that do not contain an abnormality candidate before the most recent line data LD is generated, then the line number Xa in which an abnormality candidate was detected is not equal to the line number ia-1.

[0032] If the line number Xa in step S402 in which an abnormality candidate was detected is not the line number na-1 that was read, the control unit 207 proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if the line number Xa in step S402 in which an abnormality candidate was detected is the line number ia-1 that was read, in step S403 the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether the most recent line data LD acquired contains the same abnormality candidate that is in the same position, size, and color as the first line. For example, if dirt adheres to the document window 130b, all line data LD read after the dirt adheres will contain an abnormality candidate showing the same linear image in the same position, size, and color in the sub-scanning direction D2.

[0033] If, in step S403, it is determined that the most recent line data LD does not contain the same abnormal candidate that is in the same position, size, and color as the first line, the control unit 207 proceeds to step S405. On the other hand, if, in step S403, it is determined that the most recent line data LD obtained contains the same abnormal candidate that is in the same position, size, and color as the first line, the dirt detection unit 204 increases the number of lines Xa in which an abnormal candidate has been detected by one in step S404.

[0034] In step S405, the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether or not all line data LD has been read. That is, the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether or not all of the document G that was transported to the document reading position P in step S304 as illustrated in Figure 3 or step S506 as illustrated in Figure 5 has been read. If the number of lines read ia reaches the total number of lines N, the control unit 207 determines that all lines have been read. On the other hand, if the number of lines read ia does not reach the predetermined total number of lines N, the control unit 207 determines that not all lines have been read.

[0035] If it is determined in step S405 that not all lines have been read, the control unit 207 returns to step S306, as illustrated in Figure 3. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S405 that all lines have been read, the control unit 207 proceeds to step S501, as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0036] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment, following Figure 4.

[0037] In step S501, the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether the number of lines Xa in which anomaly candidates are detected is equal to the total number of lines N. If the number of lines Xa in which anomaly candidates are detected is equal to the total number of lines N in step S501, in step S502, the dirt detection unit 204 detects dirt on the reading unit 130 and determines the page in which the number of lines Xa in which anomaly candidates are detected is equal to the total number of lines N as the page with detected abnormal data.

[0038] In step S503, the contamination detection unit 204 performs contamination determination processing on the page preceding the abnormal data detection page. Details of the contamination determination processing on the page preceding the abnormal data detection page will be described later with reference to Figure 6.

[0039] In S504, the control unit 207 temporarily suspends the execution of the job. Specifically, the control unit 207 stops transporting the document G to the document transport unit 160. Furthermore, the control unit 207 stops the execution of the process of outputting the document data. For example, if the job indicates that it will perform a copy function, the control unit 207 stops the image forming unit 205 from forming an image on paper based on the document data. Also, for example, if the job indicates that it will perform a scan function, the control unit 207 stops the process of outputting document data based on one or more documents G read by the reading unit 130. If the reading unit 130 is dirty, the image forming apparatus 100 may continue to generate document data containing abnormal data. However, when the image forming apparatus 100 detects dirt in the reading unit 130, it temporarily suspends the execution of the job to avoid continuing to generate document data containing abnormal data.

[0040] In step S505, the control unit 207 displays the pause screen on the display unit 201.

[0041] On the other hand, if the number of lines in which anomaly candidates are detected in step S501 is not equal to the total number of lines N, the control unit 207 executes a process to output the original data and proceeds to step S506. For example, if the job indicates that it will perform a copy function, the process to output the original data is to have the image forming unit 205 form an image on the paper based on the original data. For example, if the job indicates that it will perform a scan function, the process to output the original data is to store the original data based on the original G read by the reading unit 130 in the storage unit 203.

[0042] In step S506, the control unit 207 determines whether or not all pages have been scanned. For example, if the document transport unit 160 transports the document G from the document tray 161, the control unit 207 determines that not all pages have been scanned. On the other hand, for example, if the document transport unit 160 transports all the documents G placed in the document tray 161 and does not transport any more documents G from the document tray 161, the control unit 207 determines that all pages have been scanned.

[0043] If it is determined in step S506 that not all pages have been scanned, in step S507 the control unit 207 transports the next page of one or more documents G placed in the document tray 161 to the document scanning position P using the document transport unit 160. Then the control unit 207 returns to step S305, as illustrated in Figure 3. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S506 that all pages have been scanned, in step S508 the control unit 207 terminates the execution of the job.

[0044] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the dirt detection process performed in step S503 of Figure 5.

[0045] In step S601, the dirt detection unit 204 sets the number of lines Xb in which abnormal data was detected for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page to 0.

[0046] In step S602, the contamination detection unit 204 identifies the trailing line data LD on the page preceding the abnormal data detection page. The trailing line data LD is the Nth line data LD that has been read. In the contamination detection process for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page, the contamination detection unit 204 assigns line number ib=1 to the trailing line data LD. In other words, the contamination detection unit 204 assigns line number 1 to the Nth line data LD that has been read. In the contamination detection process for the page preceding the above data detection page, the line number ib assigned to the line data LD is incremented by one each time in the reverse order of reading.

[0047] In step S603, the contamination detection unit 204 determines whether the number of lines Xb on which abnormal data was detected for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page is line number ib-1. That is, when the contamination detection unit 204 determines whether abnormal data is included in the line data LD from the trailing end for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page, if abnormal data is included in all line data LD determined up to the most recent time, the contamination detection unit 204 determines that the number of lines Xb on which abnormal data was detected for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page is line number ib-1. On the other hand, when the contamination detection unit 204 determines whether abnormal data is included in the line data LD from the trailing end for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page, if abnormal data is not included in all line data LD determined up to the most recent time, the contamination detection unit 204 determines that the number of lines Xb on which abnormal data was detected for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page is not line number ib-1.

[0048] If, in step S603, the line number Xb on the page preceding the page where abnormal data was detected is not line number ib-1, then in step S604, the stain detection unit 204 determines that the original data on the page preceding the page where abnormal data was detected does not contain abnormal data. The control unit 208 then terminates the stain detection process for the page preceding the page where abnormal data was detected.

[0049] On the other hand, if in step S603 the number of lines Xb in which abnormal data was detected on the page preceding the abnormal data detection page is line number ib-1, then in step S605 the dirt detection unit 204 determines whether the same abnormal data as the first line of the abnormal data detection page is included in the line data LD identified in step S602.

[0050] If, in step S605, the line data LD identified in step S602 does not contain any abnormal data that is in the same position, size, and color as the abnormal data on the first line of the abnormal data detection page, the control unit 207 proceeds to step S604. In other words, if the line data LD identified in step S602 does not contain any abnormal data that is the same as the abnormal data on the first line of the abnormal data detection page, the stain detection unit 204 determines that the original data of the page preceding the abnormal data detection page does not contain any abnormal data. The control unit 207 then terminates the stain detection process for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page.

[0051] On the other hand, if in step S605 the same abnormal data, which is in the same position, size, and color as the abnormal data on the first line of the abnormal data detection page, is included in the line data LD identified in step S602, then in step S606 the dirt detection unit 204 increases the number of lines Xb in which abnormal data was detected by one, setting Xb = Xb + 1 for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page.

[0052] In step S607, the contamination detection unit 204 determines whether line number ib is equal to or greater than a threshold. In other words, the contamination detection unit 204 determines whether it has identified a number of line data LD equal to or greater than a threshold for the page preceding the abnormal data detection page.

[0053] If it is determined in step S607 that line number ib is not equal to or greater than the threshold, in step S608 the dirt detection unit 204 identifies line data LD in the opposite direction to the sub-scanning direction D2 on the page preceding the abnormal data detection page. The dirt detection unit 204 then assigns the line number ib = ib + 1 to the line data LD identified in step S608. The control unit 207 then returns the process to step S603.

[0054] On the other hand, if in step S607 it is determined that line number ib is equal to or greater than the threshold, in step S609 the stain detection unit 204 determines the page before the page immediately preceding the page on which abnormal data was detected as the abnormal data detection page. In other words, the control unit 207 determines the page number of the previous page as the page number of the original document G when the stain was detected, if the position of the abnormal data in the sub-scanning direction D2 of the original document G when the stain was detected by the reading unit 130 is the same as the position of the abnormal data in the sub-scanning direction of the previous page of the original document immediately preceding the original document when the stain was detected. Therefore, when the control unit 207 performs the scanning function, it stores the original document data of page M until the reading unit 130 reads the original document on page M+1 and determines that the scanned original document data does not contain any abnormal data. Then, the control unit 207 finishes performing the stain detection process for the page before the page on which abnormal data was detected.

[0055] Next, we will explain the document data containing abnormal data, referring to Figure 7. Figure 7 shows an example of document data containing abnormal data when a document with 1 to 3 pages is read by the reading unit 130.

[0056] Document data 701 shows the document data obtained when the reading unit 130 reads the first page of the document G. Document data 702 shows the document data obtained when the reading unit 130 reads the second page of the document G. Document data 703 shows the document data obtained when the reading unit 130 reads the third page of the document G.

[0057] The original data 702 contains abnormal data 711. Abnormal data 712 is the same abnormal data 711. Specifically, abnormal data 711 runs from one end to the other along the sub-scanning direction D2 in the original data 702. In other words, all line data LD included in the original data 702 contains abnormal data. Also, the original data 703 contains abnormal data 712. Abnormal data 712 runs from one end to the other along the sub-scanning direction D2 in the original data 703. In other words, all line data LD included in the original data 703 contains abnormal data.

[0058] Furthermore, in the image shown by the original data 703, the linear image shown by abnormal data 712 is included at the same position as the linear image shown by abnormal data 711. For all of the multiple line data LDs included in the original data 703, the same abnormal data is included that is at the same position, the same size, and the same color as the abnormal data included in the line data LDs included in the original data 702.

[0059] Figure 8 shows an example of a pause screen 801 displayed on the display unit 201 during single-sided printing. The pause screen 801 includes image 802, image 803, a "Reset document and resume job" button 804, a "Resume job as is" button 805, and a cancel button 806.

[0060] Image 802 shows the original data 702 illustrated in Figure 7. By including image 802 in the pause screen 801, the image forming apparatus 100 can initially present the user with an image showing the original data 702 containing the abnormal data 711.

[0061] Image 803 includes a region 807 that schematically shows the document window 130b. Region 807 includes information 808 indicating the location of contamination. The information 808 indicates the location of contamination on the reading unit 130 that is the cause of the abnormal data 711 to 712. If the location of contamination on the reading unit 130 is not indicated, the user may not understand the reason why the document data contains abnormal data. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 may repeatedly generate document data containing abnormal data and output such document data. However, by including image 803 in the pause screen 801, the image forming apparatus 100 can make the user aware of the location of contamination on the reading unit 130. In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 can prompt the user to clean the document window 130b by indicating the location of contamination on the reading unit 130, and the user can easily clean the document window 130b.

[0062] Furthermore, the control unit 207 performs a process to turn on or blink the light source of the contaminated area among the multiple light sources included in the scanning optical system 130c. This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to make the user aware of the contaminated area of ​​the reading unit 130 and prompt the user to remove the contaminated area from the document window 130b.

[0063] Furthermore, the pause screen 801 displays the message, "There is a possibility that dust has settled on the second page of the document. Please check the document window, remove the dirt, and then reload the document from the second page and resume the job." In other words, the control unit 207 displays the page number of the document G at the time the reading unit 130 detected the dirt on the display unit 201. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 prompts the user to clean the document window 130b to remove the dirt that caused the abnormal data 711 to 712, and also resumes the job execution from the page of the document G at the time the dirt was detected, and starts re-reading.

[0064] Furthermore, the pause screen 801 includes the message, "If there are no problems with the preview screen, please resume the job." This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to let the user know that they have the option of resuming the job execution.

[0065] When the job indicates that it will perform the copy function, and the operation unit 202 receives the operation to select the "reset the document and resume job" button 804, the control unit 207 terminates the paused state of the job execution and resumes the job for the document G from the page onward where the abnormal data was detected. For example, in this example, since the page on which the abnormal data was detected is the second page, the control unit 207 resumes the job execution and restarts rescanning for the document G from the second page onward. The document data 702 and 703, which include the abnormal data 711 and 712, are not the result the user intended. However, the control unit 207 causes the reading unit 130 to perform the rescanning process from the document G on the page where the stain was detected. This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to avoid unnecessary output.

[0066] When the job indicates that it will perform the scanning function, and the operation unit 202 receives an operation to select the "Reset document and resume job" button 804, the control unit 207 terminates the paused state of the job execution and executes a process to delete the document data based on the document G from the page where abnormal data was detected onwards from the storage unit 203.

[0067] For example, suppose that document data 701 to 703 are stored in the storage unit 203. In this example, since the page where abnormal data is detected is the second page, the control unit 207 executes the process of deleting document data 702 and document data 703 from the storage unit 203. Then, the control unit 207 resumes job execution for the documents G from the page where abnormal data is detected onwards. In other words, the control unit 207 resumes job execution for the documents G from the second page onwards. Before the operation unit 202 accepts the operation of selecting the "Reset documents and resume job" button 804, the user shall re-place all documents G from the page where abnormal data is detected onwards, out of all documents G ejected to the document output tray 162, into the document placement tray 161.

[0068] Furthermore, if the operation unit 202 receives an operation to select the "Resume Job As Is" button 805, the control unit 207 terminates the paused state of job execution and resumes job execution. In this case, the operation unit 202 will accept the operation to select the "Resume Job As Is" button 805 without the user having to re-place the document G ejected into the document output tray 162 into the document placement tray 161. Also, if the operation unit 202 receives an operation to select the cancel button 806, the control unit 207 terminates job execution.

[0069] Figure 9 shows an example of a pause screen 901 displayed on the display unit 201 during double-sided printing. For example, in double-sided printing, when printing one page on each side of the paper, odd-numbered pages and even-numbered pages are printed on the same sheet of paper. Therefore, an image based on original data without abnormal data and an image based on original data containing abnormal data are printed on the same sheet of paper.

[0070] Therefore, the pause screen 901 displays the message, "There is a possibility that dust has settled on the second page of the document. Please check the document window, remove the dirt, and then reload the document from the first page and resume the job." This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to prompt the user to remove the dirt that caused the abnormal data 711 to 712, and to restart the job execution from the page corresponding to the image shown on the paper on which the document data containing the abnormal data 711 is printed, and to start rescanning.

[0071] Figure 10 shows an example of a pause screen 1001 that is displayed on the display unit 201 when the collated printing setting is enabled. In this disclosure, the collated printing setting means printing multiple pages on one side of a sheet of paper.

[0072] The pause screen 1001 includes aggregated document data 1002. The control unit 207 displays aggregated document data, which is obtained by aggregating the document data of multiple documents G that are to be rescanned, on the display unit 201.

[0073] For example, when printing two pages on each side of a sheet of paper, an image based on original data without abnormal data and an image based on original data with abnormal data will be printed on the same side of the paper. Note that the pause screen 1001 illustrates the case of printing two pages on each side of a sheet of paper, but it is not intended to limit the process to printing two pages on each side of a sheet of paper. For example, when printing four pages on each side of a sheet of paper, an image based on original data without abnormal data, an image based on original data with abnormal data, and an image based on original data with abnormal data will be printed on the same side of the paper.

[0074] Furthermore, the pause screen 1001 displays the message, "There is a possibility that dust has settled on the second page of the document. Please check the document window, remove the dirt, and then reload the document from the first page and resume the job." In other words, if the unit 207 is set to print multiple documents G together, and if dirt is detected in the reading unit 130 on any of the documents G, it will provide information to start re-reading from the first page of the document in the combined print setting. This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to prompt the user to clean the document window 130b to remove the dirt causing the abnormal data, and to prompt the user to reprint from the paper on which the document data containing the abnormal data was printed.

[0075] Figure 11 shows an example of document data containing some abnormal data when a document with 1 to 3 pages is read by the reading unit 130. The difference between document data 1101 to 1103 and document data 701 to 703 illustrated in Figure 7 is that document data 1101 includes abnormal data 1111.

[0076] If dirt adheres to the document window 130b while the reading unit 130 is reading the first page of the document G, the line data LD included in the document data 1101 corresponding to the first page of the document G will contain abnormal data 1111. Since the abnormal data is not included in any of the line data LD included in the document data 1101, the dirt detection unit 204 does not determine the first page of the document G as an abnormal data detection page in step S502 as illustrated in Figure 5. On the other hand, since all of the line data LD included in the document data 1102 contain the same abnormal data at the same position, size, and color in the sub-scanning direction D2, the dirt detection unit 204 determines the second page of the document G as an abnormal data detection page in step S502. Therefore, in step S503 as illustrated in Figure 5, the dirt detection unit 204 performs a dirt detection process on the first page, which is the page before the abnormal data detection page. Then, in step S609 as illustrated in Figure 6, the stain detection unit 204 determines the first page of the original document G as the page for detecting abnormal data.

[0077] Figure 12 shows an example of a pause screen 1201 displayed on the display unit 201 during single-sided printing. The pause screen 1201 includes image 1202 and image 1203. Image 1203 is the same as 803 illustrated in Figure 8, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0078] Image 1202 shows the original document data 1101 illustrated in Figure 11. In other words, Image 1202 shows the original document data corresponding to the page on which the abnormal data, which is the first page, was detected. By including Image 1202 in the pause screen 1201, the image forming apparatus 100 can first present the user with an image showing the original document data 1101 containing the abnormal data 1111.

[0079] Furthermore, the pause screen 1201 displays the message, "There is a possibility that dust has settled on the first page of the document. Please check the document window, remove the dirt, then re-set the document from the first page and resume the job." This allows the image forming apparatus 100 to prompt the user to remove the dirt that caused the abnormal data 1111 to 1113, and to prompt the user to resume the job execution from the document G corresponding to the document data 1101 containing the abnormal data 1111, and start re-scanning.

[0080] When the job indicates that it will perform a copy function, and the operation unit 202 receives an operation to select the "Reset document and resume job" button 804, the control unit 207 terminates the paused state of the job execution and resumes the job execution for the document G from the page before the page where the abnormal data was detected. For example, in this example, since the page where the abnormal data was detected is the second page of the document G, the control unit 207 resumes the job execution and starts rescanning for the document G from the first page onward.

[0081] When the job indicates that it will perform the scanning function, and the operation unit 202 accepts the operation of selecting the "Reset document and resume job" button 804, the control unit 207 terminates the paused state of the job execution and executes a process to delete the document data based on the document G from the page before the page where the abnormal data detection page is located from the storage unit 203. For example, suppose that document data 701 to 703 are stored in the storage unit 203. In this example, since the page where the abnormal data detection page is the first page of the document G, the control unit 207 executes a process to delete document data 701 to 703 from the storage unit 203. Then, the control unit 207 resumes the job execution from the document G of the page immediately preceding the page where the abnormal data detection page is located. For example, in this example, the control unit 207 resumes the job execution from the first page of the document G.

[0082] Based on the above, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can promptly present to the user any dirt adhering to the reading unit 130.

[0083] (First torture) As a first modification according to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 may prompt the user to re-place all documents in the document tray 161, then feed through the documents G without reading the pages prior to the page where abnormal data is detected, and then resume job execution for the documents G from the page where abnormal data is detected onward.

[0084] Figure 13 shows an example of the pause screen 1301 according to this modified example.

[0085] The pause screen 1301 includes images 1302 and 1303, a "Reset document and resume job" button 804, a "Resume job as is" button 805, and a cancel button 806. Image 1302 shows the document data based on document G on page 123. Image 1302 shows that the document data based on document G on page 123 contains abnormal data. Image 1303, the "Reset document and resume job" button 804, the "Resume job as is" button 805, and the cancel button 806 are the same as the images 803, "Reset document and resume job" button 804, the "Resume job as is" button 805, and the cancel button 806 exemplified in Figure 8, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0086] If the dirt detection unit 204 detects abnormal data from the document data based on the document G on page 123, the document output tray 162 may contain documents from pages 1 to 123, as well as documents G from page 123 onwards. In this case, it may be burdensome for the user to search for the document G on page 123 among the multiple documents G output to the document output tray 162 and then re-insert the document G. Therefore, as illustrated in the pause screen 1301, the pause screen 1301 displays the message, "There is a possibility that dirt has settled on the document from page 123. Please check the document window, remove the dirt, and then re-insert all documents and resume the job. Output will start from page 123." This allows the image forming apparatus 100 according to this modified example to have the user re-insert all documents G without requiring the user to search for the document G corresponding to the page with abnormal data detection among the multiple documents G output to the document output tray 162. This improves user convenience.

[0087] When the operation unit 202 receives an operation to select the "Reset document and resume job" button 804, the control unit 207 transports the document G pages prior to the page to be rescanned to the document transport unit 160 without having the reading unit 130 read them. For example, when the pause screen 1301 illustrated in Figure 13 is displayed on the display unit 201, the control unit 207 executes a process to transport the document G pages 1 to 122 to the document transport unit 160 without having the reading unit 130 read them. In other words, when the control unit 207 resumes job execution after detecting dirt on the reading unit 130, it transports the document G pages prior to the page to be rescanned to the document transport unit 160 without having the reading unit 130 read them. Then, the control unit 207 has the reading unit 130 read the document G pages 123 and onward. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this modified example improves user convenience by having all the original documents G re-placed in the original document tray 161 after resuming job execution, while suppressing power consumption by not scanning all the original documents G again.

[0088] (Second variation) As a second modification according to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 may prompt the user to place all documents back into the document tray 161, and then resume job execution while retaining the job information.

[0089] For example, if a job indicates that it will perform a scanning function, and the operation unit 202 receives an operation to select the "Reset document and resume job" button 804 as illustrated in Figure 13, the control unit 207 in this modified example terminates the paused state of job execution, retains the job information, and executes a process to delete the document data based on the document G from the page onward where abnormal data was detected from the storage unit 203. Then, the control unit 207 executes a process to have the reading unit 130 read all pages of the document G in order. In other words, if dirt is detected in the reading unit 130, the control unit 207 retains the job settings and resumes job execution. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 in this modified example can execute jobs more efficiently than when the job information is reset, while improving user convenience by having the user re-place all documents in the document tray 161 after resuming job execution without requiring the user to perform the operation of inputting the information indicated by the job information again.

[0090] (Third variation) As a third modification according to this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 may delete abnormal data from the original document data.

[0091] In this modified example, the control unit 207 executes a process to delete abnormal data from each of the multiple line data LDs and does not execute the process when dirt is detected in the reading unit 130. Specifically, the control unit 207 determines whether or not the abnormal data can be deleted based on at least one of the location and range of the abnormal data. If the control unit 207 determines that the abnormal data can be deleted, it executes a process to delete the abnormal data from each of the multiple line data LDs. Furthermore, the control unit 207 does not stop the transport of the document G to the document transport unit 160 and does not display a pause screen on the display unit 201.

[0092] Figure 14 is a diagram illustrating the process of deleting abnormal data.

[0093] Manuscript data 1401 shows an example of manuscript data including abnormal data 1402. Manuscript data 1403 shows an example of manuscript data with abnormal data 1402 removed.

[0094] For example, the control unit 207 removes the abnormal data 1402 from the original data by masking the area containing the abnormal data 1402. For example, in the original data 1403, the area 1404 containing the abnormal data is masked in white, so that the image based on the original data 1403 does not include the linear image indicated by the abnormal data 1402. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this modified example outputs original data that does not contain the abnormal data, depending on at least one of the location and range of the abnormal data. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this modified example can continue executing the job even if it detects abnormal data.

[0095] Furthermore, the control unit 207 may, after deleting abnormal data from each of the multiple line data LDs, notify the user of information indicating that dirt has been detected in the reading unit 130. For example, the control unit 207 may notify the user of information indicating that dirt has been detected in the reading unit 130 by displaying the message "There is a possibility of dirt in the document window" on the display unit 201. In this way, the image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment can make the user aware that there is dirt in the reading unit 130 even when document data that does not contain abnormal data is output.

[0096] The processes performed in the above embodiments are not limited to the processing modes exemplified in each embodiment. The functional blocks described above may be implemented using either logic circuits (hardware) formed on an integrated circuit or software using a CPU. The processes performed in the above embodiments may be executed on multiple computers. For example, some of the processes performed on the image forming apparatus 100 may be performed on other computers, or all of the processes may be shared and executed on multiple computers.

[0097] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be replaced with configurations substantially identical to those shown in the embodiments, configurations that produce the same effects, or configurations that can achieve the same objectives. This disclosure also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Furthermore, new technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 100 Image forming apparatus, 102 Image reading apparatus, 130 Reading unit, 130a Document placement table, 130b Document window, 130c Scanning optical system, 160 Document transport unit, 161 Document placement tray, 162 Document output tray, 201 Display unit, 202 Operation unit, 203 Storage unit, 204 Detection unit, 205 Image forming unit, 206 Paper transport unit, 207 Control unit, 701 Document data, 702 Document data, 703 Document data, 711 Error data, 712 Error data, 801 Pause screen, 802 Image, 803 Image, 804 "Reset document and resume job" button, 805 "Resume job as is" button, 806 Cancel button, 807 Area, 808 Location displayed information, 901 Pause screen, 1001 Pause screen, 1002 Aggregated original data, 1101 original data, 1103 original data, 1111 abnormal data, 1113 abnormal data, 1201 pause screen, 1202 image, 1203 image, 1301 pause screen, 1302 image, 1303 image, 1401 original data, 1402 abnormal data, 1403 original data, 1404 area

Claims

1. Display unit and The document transport unit that transports the documents, A reading unit reads the aforementioned document and generates document data including multiple line data, A dirt detection unit detects dirt in the reading unit based on the generated plurality of line data, A control unit that, when a stain is detected in the reading unit, stops the transport of the document to the document transport unit, and displays the number of pages in the document at the time the stain was detected, and the location of the stain in the reading unit corresponding to the detected stain in the generated document data, on the display unit. An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stain detection unit detects stains if all of the plurality of line data contain the same abnormal data which is at the same position, size, and color in the sub-scanning direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit determines the number of pages of the previous page of the original document as the number of pages of the original document when the stain was detected, if the position of the abnormal data in the sub-scanning direction of the original document when the stain was detected is the same as the position of the abnormal data in the sub-scanning direction of the previous page of the original document.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit causes the original data, including the abnormal data, to be displayed on the display unit when the dirt is detected.

5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit is configured for aggregated printing of multiple documents, and if the stain is detected on any of the multiple documents, it provides information to start re-scanning from the first page of the document in the aggregated printing configuration.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the control unit displays aggregated document data obtained by aggregating the document data of each of the plurality of documents that are to be rescanned on the display unit.

7. The reading unit is equipped with multiple light sources, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit performs a process of turning on or blinking the light source of the soiled area among the plurality of light sources.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the control unit detects contamination in the reading unit and restarts the job, it transports the original documents of pages prior to the page on which the re-reading process is to be performed to the document transport unit without having the reading unit read them.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit, when the dirt is detected, retains the settings related to the job and resumes the execution of the job.

10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit performs a process to delete the abnormal data from each of the plurality of line data, and does not perform the process when dirt is detected.

11. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the control unit deletes the abnormal data from the plurality of line data and then notifies information indicating that the dirt has been detected.

Images