Image processing device and image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image processing apparatus capable of easily identifying a transportation direction of a sheet, and an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus has a storage section, a scanner and a control part. The storage section stores image data. The scanner reads an image formed on the sheet and generates image data. The control part synthesizes a reading direction image that includes at least character information and indicates a reading direction in the scanner with the image data with respect to the image data generated by the scanner, and records synthesized image data to the storage section. The control part determines a position where the reading direction image is arranged and size of the reading direction image on the basis of reading resolution indicating resolution of reading processing in the reading part and recording resolution indicating resolution of the image data recorded in the storage section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] When investigating defects in scanned images, the reading direction of the document is important information.When investigating defects in printed images, the image formation direction on the sheet is important information.If information about the sheet transport direction, such as the reading direction and image formation direction, is missing, investigating the defect can be very time-consuming and labor-intensive. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-237874 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus that can easily specify the sheet conveying direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] An image processing device according to an embodiment includes a storage unit, a scanner, and a control unit. The storage unit stores image data. The scanner reads an image formed on a sheet and generates image data. The control unit combines the image data generated by the scanner with a reading direction image that includes at least character information and indicates the reading direction of the scanner, and records the combined image data in the storage unit. The control unit determines the position where the reading direction image is to be placed and the size of the reading direction image based on a reading resolution that indicates the resolution of the reading process in the scanner and a recording resolution that indicates the resolution of the image data to be recorded in the storage unit.The reading direction image indicates the reading direction of the scanner according to the content of the character information. . [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a hardware block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the internal configuration of a printer 400. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a document. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing composite image data in which a reading direction image is combined. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a missing portion in an image in the reading direction. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of synthesis after correction. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is printed at full size. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is printed in a reduced size. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is printed in an enlarged form. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a printed sheet on which an image is printed in the image forming direction. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image forming direction image and a reading direction image are printed. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image forming direction image and a reading direction image are printed. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a character pattern. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for synthesizing reading direction images. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for combining a reading direction image and an image forming direction image in copying. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily specify the reading direction or the image forming direction. The image forming apparatus according to the embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0008] FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment. First, explanation will be given mainly using FIG. 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is, for example, a multifunction peripheral. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main control unit 100, a sheet storage unit 140, an operation panel 200, a scanner 300, and a printer 400. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a sheet using a developer. The developer is, for example, toner. In the following explanation, the developer is described as toner. The sheet is, for example, paper or label paper. The sheet may be any material on whose surface the image forming apparatus 1 can form an image.

[0009] The operation panel 200 includes one or more operation keys 202 and a display 203. The operation panel 200 accepts operations by the user. The operation panel 200 outputs a signal to the main control unit 100 in accordance with the operation performed by the user.

[0010] The display 203 is an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, etc. The display 203 displays various information related to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0011] Printer 400 forms an image on a sheet based on image data generated by scanner 300 or image data received via a network. Printer 400 forms an image using toner. The sheet on which the image is formed may be a sheet stored in sheet storage unit 140 or a sheet manually inserted into manual feed tray 141. In the following description, forming an image is also referred to as printing an image.

[0012] The sheet storage section 140 stores sheets to be used for image formation in the printer 400. The manual feed tray 141 is used to place sheets to be used for image formation in the printer 400.

[0013] The scanner 300 reads the image of the object to be read as light and dark. The scanner 300 records the read image data. The recorded image data may be transmitted to another information processing device via a network. The image represented by the recorded image data may be formed on a sheet by the printer 400.

[0014] Next, explanation will be made mainly using Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, image forming apparatus 1 has a main control unit 100, an operation panel 200, a scanner 300, and a printer 400. Image forming apparatus 1 includes a main CPU 101 in main control unit 100, a panel CPU 201 in operation panel 200, a scanner CPU 301 in scanner 300, and a printer CPU 401 in printer 400.

[0015] The main control unit 100 includes a main CPU 101, a ROM 102, a RAM 103, an NVRAM 104, a network controller 105, an HDD 106, a modem 107, a page memory 109, a PM (page memory) control unit 110, and an image processing unit 111.

[0016] The main CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The ROM 102 stores data necessary for control, such as a control program. The RAM 103 temporarily stores data. The NVRAM 104 is a non-volatile memory. For example, error codes are stored in the NVRAM 104.

[0017] The network controller 105 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a network. The image forming apparatus 1 communicates with external devices such as a server or a PC (Personal Computer) via the network controller 105. The HDD 106 stores data such as images used in image formation and images read by the scanner 300. The HDD 106 is an example of a storage unit. Of the image data stored in the HDD 106, the header of the image data read by the scanner 300 contains information indicating the reading resolution at the time of reading and the recording resolution recorded on the HDD 106. The modem 107 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to a telephone line.

[0018] The page memory 109 stores image data for multiple pages, one page at a time. The page memory control unit 110 controls the page memory 109. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the image data. Specific examples of image processing include color conversion processing, range correction processing, sharpness adjustment processing, gamma correction / halftone processing, and pulse width modulation (PWM) processing. The image processing unit 111 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or may be implemented using software.

[0019] The operation panel 200 has a panel CPU 201, operation keys 202, and a display 203. The panel CPU 201 controls the operation panel 200. The panel CPU 201 is connected to the main CPU 101 via a bus. When the panel CPU 201 receives a display instruction from the main CPU, it controls the screen of the display 203 in accordance with the received instruction. When the panel CPU 201 receives a numerical value, a process to be executed, or setting information from the operation keys 202, it outputs data indicating these to the main CPU 101. The operation keys 202 are an input device for inputting a process to be executed, setting information, numerical values, etc. Specific examples of information received by the operation keys 202 include various instructions and settings such as the type of sheet on which an image is to be formed (size and orientation), the magnification of image formation, and image quality adjustment. The display 203 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display 203 may be configured as a touch panel.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 1 allows the user to set the document mode, color mode, and image quality adjustments for the copy, printer, scan, and fax functions from the operation panel 200. The document mode is a set of preset values, such as toner consumption, image density, color balance, background density, sharpness, noise reduction level, and various other values. The document mode includes, for example, a text mode, a photo mode, and a text-photo mode. The text mode is suitable for documents containing type. The photo mode is suitable for documents containing photographs. The text-photo mode is suitable for documents containing both type and photographs. The color modes include, for example, a full-color mode, a two-color mode, a single-color mode, and a black mode. In the full-color mode, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are used. In the two-color mode, two colors are used. In the single-color mode, one color is used. In the black mode, black (K) is used. The image quality adjustments include, for example, gamma correction and density correction. Gamma correction can correct the tone reproduction of each color: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Density correction can correct the shading of an image. The default value for density correction is 128, and the tolerance can be set between 0 and 255. The higher the value, the darker the image will be.

[0021] The scanner 300 includes a scanner CPU 301, an image correction unit 302, a reading control unit 303, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 304, and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 305. The scanner CPU 301 controls the scanner 300. The image correction unit 302 includes, for example, an A / D conversion circuit, a shading correction circuit, and a line memory. The A / D conversion circuit converts the R, G, and B analog signals output from the CCD 304 into digital signals. The ADF 305 is an automatic document feeder. The ADF 305 takes a sheet placed by a user into a conveyance path in a conveyance direction corresponding to the orientation of the sheet. The ADF 305 conveys the sheet by rotating conveyance rollers in the conveyance path, and the CCD 304 reads the image on the sheet being conveyed.

[0022] The printer 400 has a printer CPU 401, a laser driver 402, a transport control unit 403, and a control unit 404. The printer CPU 401 controls the printer 400. The laser driver 402 drives a laser to form an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive member. The transport control unit 403 transports a sheet on which an image is to be formed. The control unit 404 controls devices such as the laser driver 402 to form an image on the sheet transported by the transport control unit 403.

[0023] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the printer 400. In the example of Fig. 3, the printer 400 is a four-tandem type printer. However, the printer 400 does not have to be limited to a four-tandem type.

[0024] The printer 400 includes an image forming unit 10, a fixing unit 30, and a paper discharge unit 40. The image forming unit 10 includes an intermediate transfer body 11, developing devices 91 to 94, a plurality of primary transfer rollers 17 (17-1 to 17-4), a secondary transfer unit 18, and an exposure unit 19.

[0025] Intermediate transfer body 11 may be configured using, for example, an endless belt. Intermediate transfer body 11 is rotated in the direction of arrow 1010 by a roller. In this embodiment, upstream and downstream are defined based on the direction in which intermediate transfer body 11 moves. Visible images generated by developing devices 91-94 are transferred onto the surface of intermediate transfer body 11.

[0026] The developing devices 91 to 94 each form a visible image using toners with different properties. For example, some of the developing devices may use toners of different colors. As toners of different colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners may be used. Some of the developing devices may use toners whose color disappears when exposed to an external stimulus (for example, heat). Some of the developing devices may use special toners, such as glossy toners or fluorescent toners.

[0027] In FIG. 3, developing device 91 is located most upstream of the four developing devices, and developing device 94 is located most downstream of the four developing devices.

[0028] Developing devices 91 to 94 have the same configuration but use different toner properties. Developing device 91 includes a developing unit 121, a photosensitive drum 131, a charger 141, a cleaning blade 151, and a developing drum 161. Developing device 92 includes a developing unit 122, a photosensitive drum 132, a charger 142, a cleaning blade 152, and a developing drum 162. Developing device 93 includes a developing unit 123, a photosensitive drum 133, a charger 143, a cleaning blade 153, and a developing drum 163. Developing device 94 includes a developing unit 124, a photosensitive drum 134, a charger 144, a cleaning blade 154, and a developing drum 164.

[0029] In the following description, when there is no need to distinguish between developing units 121, 122, 123, and 124, they will be referred to as developing units 12. The same applies to photosensitive drum 13, charger 14, cleaning blade 15, and developing drum 16.

[0030] The developing device will be described below using developing device 91 as an example. Developing device 91 includes a developing unit 121, a photosensitive drum 131, a charger 141, a cleaning blade 151, and a developing drum 161. Developing unit 121 contains toner and carrier. Developing unit 121 causes toner to adhere to photosensitive drum 131 by developing drum 161.

[0031] The photosensitive drum 131 has a photosensitive body (photosensitive area) on its outer circumferential surface. The photosensitive body is, for example, an organic photoconductor (OPC). The photosensitive drum 131 is exposed by the exposure unit 19, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface. The charger 141 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 .

[0032] The cleaning blade 151 is, for example, a plate-shaped member. The cleaning blade 151 is made of, for example, rubber such as urethane resin. The cleaning blade 151 removes toner adhering to the photosensitive drum 131.

[0033] Next, an outline of the operation of the developing device 91 will be described. The photosensitive drum 131 is charged to a predetermined potential by the charger 141. Next, light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 131 from the exposure unit 19. This changes the potential of the area of ​​the photosensitive drum 131 irradiated with light. This change causes an electrostatic latent image to be formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131 is developed by toner in the developing unit 121. That is, a visible image, which is an image developed by the toner, is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 131.

[0034] The primary transfer rollers 17 (17-1 to 17-4) transfer the visible images formed on the photosensitive drums by the developing devices 91 to 94 onto the intermediate transfer body 11. The secondary transfer unit 18 includes a secondary transfer roller 181 and a secondary transfer opposing roller 182. The secondary transfer unit 18 transfers the visible image formed on the intermediate transfer body 11 all at once onto a sheet on which an image is to be formed. The transfer by the secondary transfer unit 18 is achieved by, for example, a potential difference between the secondary transfer roller 181 and the secondary transfer opposing roller 182.

[0035] The exposure unit 19 forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating light onto the photosensitive drums of the developing devices 91 to 94. The exposure unit 19 includes a light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode (LED). In this embodiment, the exposure unit 19 includes a laser and operates under the control of a laser driver 402.

[0036] The fixing unit 30 applies heat and pressure to the visible image transferred onto the sheet, thereby fixing the visible image onto the sheet. The paper discharge unit 40 discharges the sheet, on which the visible image has been fixed by the fixing unit 30, to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0037] Next, we will explain the reading direction image that indicates the reading direction and the image forming direction image that indicates the image forming direction. The reading direction image and the image forming direction image are images that allow service personnel who perform maintenance and inspection of the image forming device to easily identify the reading direction and the image forming direction. If the reading direction or the image forming direction is identified, the time and effort required to investigate a problem with the image forming device can be significantly reduced compared to when the reading direction or the image forming direction is not identified.

[0038] First, the reading direction image will be described. The reading direction image is an image that indicates the reading direction of the scanner 300. The reading direction image may be an image that indicates the reading direction of the scanner 300 depending on its position, for example. When the image forming apparatus 1 scans an original, it combines the reading direction image that indicates the reading direction of the scanner 300 with the image data. Specifically, this is as follows. The image processing unit 111 of the main control unit 100 combines the reading direction image with the image data generated by scanning. The image processing unit 111 records the image data combined with the reading direction image in the HDD 106.

[0039] The reading direction of scanner 300 is the sub-scanning direction of the line sensor, which is the direction from the side last read by the line sensor to the side where reading by the line sensor first begins among the four sides of the document.

[0040] Therefore, the reading direction is uniquely determined, for example, when the side where reading first begins is identified. Therefore, the reading direction image in this embodiment is an image that identifies the side of the four sides of the document where reading by the line sensor first begins. A specific explanation will be given using figures. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a document. FIG. 4 shows a document 500. Of the four sides of the document 500, the side that is first read by the scanner 300 is indicated by the reference numeral 510.

[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates composite image data combined with a reading direction image. A reading direction image 601 is combined with the composite image data 600. The reading direction image is a character pattern constructed using at least character information so that characters and character strings have meaning in natural language. The character information includes characters and letters. The reading direction image is composed of characters and character strings whose meaning can be identified by a service technician. The character information is stored, for example, in RAM 103. The character information may also include pictograms. The reading direction image may use lines (solid lines, dashed lines, dotted lines, etc.) or color the areas surrounding the characters and character strings to facilitate identification of the characters and character strings. In the example of FIG. 5, the reading direction image 601, "^Scanning Direction," is arranged perpendicular to the reading direction. As long as the reading direction can be determined, the specific shape and configuration of the reading direction image need not be limited. In the composite image data 600, the side corresponding to side 510 of the original 500 is side 610. This side 610 is identified by the content of the reading direction image 601. For example, in the example of Fig. 5, the side 610 is identified by the "^" in "^ScanningDirection". This makes it easy to identify the reading direction.

[0042] The edge 610 may also be identified by the character's orientation. The character's orientation is described below. The character's orientation is the direction in which the character image can be recognized as a character. For example, a character image of "H" can be recognized as the character "H" if it is aligned with the upright orientation, but if it is tilted 90 degrees from the upright orientation, it may be recognized as the character "I" or "E" instead of "H." For example, a character image of "m" can be recognized as the character "m" if it is aligned with the upright orientation, but if it is tilted 180 degrees from the upright orientation, it may be recognized as the character "w" instead of "m." In the example of FIG. 5, the upper side of the character's orientation for "^Scanning Direction" is identified as the edge 610. This makes it easy to identify the reading direction.

[0043] Image data may be recorded in HDD 106 at a resolution different from the resolution at which the original was read. For example, the resolution at which the original was read may be 600 dpi, but the resolution of the image data recorded in HDD 106 may be 300 dpi. In this case, if the reading direction image is combined as is, part of the reading direction image may be missing.

[0044] 6 is a diagram showing an example of missing reading direction images. Because the resolution is reduced, the image data recorded on the HDD 106 is also small. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the left side of "^Scanning Direction", which is the reading direction image 601, is synthesized, but the right side of "^ScanningDirection" is not synthesized and is missing.

[0045] Therefore, the image processing unit 111 determines the position where the reading direction image is to be placed and the size of the reading direction image based on the reading resolution and the recording resolution so that no part of the reading direction image is missing. The correction of the combining position and the correction of the size of the reading direction image are collectively referred to as the reading direction image correction process. An example of the reading direction image correction process will be described below.

[0046] First, let the coordinates of the composite position of the reading direction image when the reading resolution and the recording resolution are the same be (XPOS1, YPOS1) and (XPOS2, YPOS2). Let the reading resolution be IN_DPI and the recording resolution be OUT_DPI. Let the correction coefficient K be OUT_DPI / IN_DPI. Let the horizontal and vertical lengths of the reading direction image when the reading resolution and the recording resolution are the same be XSIZE and YSIZE, respectively.

[0047] At this time, the image processing unit 111 derives (K×XPOS1, K×YPOS1) and (K×XPOS2, K×YPOS2) as the coordinates of the corrected composition position. The image processing unit 111 derives K×XSIZE and K×YSIZE as the corrected lengths in the horizontal and vertical directions of the reading direction image as the coordinates of the corrected composition position. For example, when IN_DPI is 600 dpi and OUT_DPI is 300 dpi, the correction coefficient is 0.5, so the reading direction image becomes a symbol that is half the size in both the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0048] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of composition after correction. As shown in FIG. 7, the reading direction image 601, "^Scanning Direction," is not missing, and its size is also corrected. In this way, the reading direction can be identified even if the reading resolution and the recording resolution are different. When the image data is printed, the image data is returned to the reading resolution and printed, so the size of the reading direction image is restored to its original size, and the reading direction image can be maintained at a constant size.

[0049] Next, the reading direction image during copying will be described. When copying, the original is first read, and then the magnification (enlargement or reduction) is performed according to the specified magnification, and the image is printed on a sheet of the specified size. If the position or size of the reading direction image changes according to the magnification, the service person may not be able to determine whether the image printed on the sheet is the image that was originally on the original or is a reading direction image. Whether or not to change the magnification and the magnification when changing the magnification are recorded in RAM 103. The image processing unit 111 determines whether or not to change the magnification by referring to RAM 103.

[0050] Therefore, even when the image is scaled and formed on a sheet, the image processing unit 111 combines the reading direction image with the image data without changing the position where the reading direction image is combined and the size of the reading direction image.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is printed at the same size, Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is printed at a reduced size, and Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a sheet on which an image is printed at an enlarged size.

[0052] 8, 9, and 10 show that the reading direction image 620 is printed without changing the position where it is combined and the size of the reading direction image 620. In this way, the service technician can determine whether the image printed on the sheet is the image that was originally on the document or whether it is a reading direction image.

[0053] Next, the synthesis of an image formation direction image indicating the image formation direction with image data will be described. Here, the image formation direction is the conveyance direction of the sheet passing through the secondary transfer unit 18.

[0054] Therefore, the image formation direction is uniquely determined, for example, when the side that first passes through the secondary transfer unit 18 is identified. Therefore, the image formation direction image in this embodiment is an image that identifies the side that first passes through the secondary transfer unit 18 out of the four sides of the sheet. The sheet transport direction is determined by the orientation of the sheet in the sheet storage unit 140. Therefore, the image processing unit 111 generates image data that combines the image formation direction image according to the orientation of the sheet in the sheet storage unit 140. The sheet orientation is recorded in the RAM 103 for each cassette in the sheet storage unit 140. The image processing unit 111 records the combined image data in the HDD 106. The image data recorded in the HDD 106 is output to the printer 400.

[0055] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a printed sheet on which an image formation direction image is printed. Fig. 11 shows a printed sheet 630. Of the four sides of the printed sheet 630, the side that first passes through the secondary transfer unit 18 is designated as side 631. This side 631 is identified by an image formation direction image 632. This makes it easy to identify the image formation direction.

[0056] The configuration of the image forming direction image 632 is the same as that of the reading direction image, so a description thereof will be omitted, but it is necessary to be able to determine the image forming direction. In FIG. 11, the image forming direction image 632, "^Printing Direction," is arranged perpendicular to the reading direction. Also in FIG. 11, the side 631 is identified by the "^" in "^Printing Direction" or the direction in which the characters "^Printing Direction" are formed. This makes it easy to identify the reading direction. Even when the image is scaled and printed on the sheet, the image processing unit 111 combines the image forming direction image with the image data without changing the size of the image forming direction image. This allows the service technician to determine whether the image printed on the sheet is an image that was originally on the document or an image forming direction image.

[0057] The image forming apparatus 1 can also combine and print an image forming direction image and a reading direction image. FIGS. 12 and 13 are diagrams showing an example of a sheet on which an image forming direction image and a reading direction image are printed. In the examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the sheet size is A4. In the examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the reading direction is the forward direction of the A4. The forward direction of the A4 here is the direction perpendicular to the short side of the A4.

[0058] 12 and 13, the orientations of the sheets in the sheet storage unit 140 differ by 90°. Specifically, the orientation of the sheets in the example shown in Fig. 12 is such that the sheet conveyance direction is the forward direction of A4 paper. The orientation of the sheets in the example shown in Fig. 13 is such that the sheet conveyance direction is perpendicular to the forward direction of A4 paper (A4-R).

[0059] 12, the reading direction and the image forming direction are the same, so the reading direction image 651 and the image forming direction image 652 are combined to indicate the same direction. On the other hand, in the example shown in Fig. 13, the reading direction and the image forming direction are different, so the reading direction image 651 and the image forming direction image 652 are combined to indicate different directions. In this way, the reading direction and the print direction can be easily identified, which significantly reduces the time and effort required for a service technician to investigate a problem.

[0060] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the reading direction image 651 and the image forming direction image 652 are combined so as not to overlap. For example, two patterns of combining positions for the image forming direction image are prepared. One of these indicates the position when only the image forming direction image is combined. The other indicates the position where the image forming direction image does not overlap the reading direction image when the reading direction image and the image forming direction image are combined simultaneously. This allows the image processing unit 111 to combine the reading direction image and the image forming direction image so that they do not overlap.

[0061] Next, an example of a character pattern will be described.

[0062] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a character pattern. The example of the character pattern shown in Fig. 14 indicates that it is a pattern indicating the scanning direction, an error code number indicating the content of the error when an error occurs, that the color mode when copying is full color mode, that the original mode is text mode, and that the image quality adjustment on the operation panel is +1 step of density correction.

[0063] This allows the service person to visually determine, based on the character pattern, what settings the user used to execute scanning and copying.

[0064] The above-described processing will be explained using a flowchart. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for combining a reading direction image and an image forming direction image in copying. The scanner 300 performs scanning processing (ACT101). The image data obtained by the scanning processing is recorded in the page memory 109. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the image data recorded in the page memory 109, and records the image data in the HDD 106 (ACT102).

[0065] The image processing unit 111 acquires the reading resolution and the recording resolution from the image data recorded in the HDD 106 (ACT103). The image processing unit 111 determines whether the acquired reading resolution and the recording resolution are different (ACT104). If the reading resolution and the recording resolution are the same (ACT104: NO), the image processing unit 111 proceeds to ACT106. If the reading resolution and the recording resolution are the same (ACT104: NO), the image processing unit 111 performs the above-mentioned reading direction image correction process (ACT105).

[0066] The image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image (ACT106). Here, if the reading direction image correction process has been performed, the image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image at the position and size derived by the reading direction image correction process. If the reading resolution and the recording resolution are equal, the image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image at the position and size according to the reading resolution. The image processing unit 111 records the synthesized image data in the HDD 106 (ACT107) and ends the process.

[0067] 16 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for synthesizing a reading direction image and an image forming direction in copying. The scanner 300 performs a scan process (ACT201). The image data obtained by the scan process is recorded in the page memory 109. The image processing unit 111 performs image processing on the image data recorded in the page memory 109, and records the image data in the HDD 106 (ACT202).

[0068] The image processing unit 111 determines whether or not to change the magnification and make a copy (ACT203). If the image processing unit 111 does not change the magnification and make a copy (ACT203: NO), the process proceeds to ACT205. If the image processing unit 111 changes the magnification and make a copy (ACT203: YES), the image processing unit 111 performs a magnification change process (ACT204). The magnification and the like to be changed are recorded in the RAM 103 as described above. The image processing unit 111 synthesizes the reading direction image (ACT205).

[0069] The image processing unit 111 acquires the orientation of the sheet on which an image is to be formed in the sheet storage unit 140 and the image formation mode (ACT206). The image processing unit 111 synthesizes an image formation direction image according to the acquired orientation (ACT207). The image processing unit 111 records the synthesized image data in the HDD 106 (ACT208). The image processing unit 111 converts the image data recorded in the HDD 106 into image data for printing (e.g., raster data) and outputs it to the printer 400. The printer 400 prints using the input image data (ACT209), and the process ends.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, a plurality of reading direction images of different modes may be provided. For example, reading direction images of different modes may be combined so that image data obtained from a document placed on the platen glass can be distinguished from image data obtained by the ADF 305. If the ADF 305 can read both sides of a document, reading direction images of different modes may be combined so that image data obtained from the front side can be distinguished from image data obtained from the back side. The main CPU 101 and the image processing unit 111 may be implemented in the same processor. This embodiment may be configured as an image processing apparatus that does not include the printer 400.

[0071] According to the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily specify the reading direction.

[0072] The functions of the image forming apparatus described above may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a program for implementing the functions may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include media that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs over a network such as the Internet or a telephone line, or media that store programs for a fixed period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system serving as a server or client. The program may be a program that implements only a portion of the functions described above, or may be a program that can be implemented in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0073] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...image forming apparatus, 101...main CPU, 102...ROM, 103...RAM, 111...image processing unit, 300...scanner, 400...printer

Claims

1. a storage unit that stores image data; a scanner that reads an image formed on a sheet and generates image data; a control unit that combines the image data generated by the scanner with a reading direction image that includes at least character information and indicates a reading direction in the scanner, and records the combined image data in a storage unit; the control unit determines a position where the reading direction image is to be arranged and a size of the reading direction image based on a reading resolution indicating a resolution of a reading process in the scanner and a recording resolution indicating a resolution of image data to be recorded in the storage unit; The reading direction image indicates the reading direction of the scanner according to the content of the character information. Image processing device.

2. a printer for forming an image on the sheet; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit combines an image forming direction image, which includes at least character information and indicates an image forming direction in the printer, with the image data.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming direction image indicates the image forming direction in the printer according to the content of character information.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the reading direction image and the image forming direction image contain different character information.

Images