Control device and program

Abstract

To execute, in parallel, reading of image data of a document by a document reading device, and outputting of the image data of the document onto a medium by an output device even when compositing additional images from the compositing start position, which is determined once reading of the document has been completed.SOLUTION: A control device includes a processor, the processor instructs a document reading device that reads a document at a first speed to read image data of the document, and controls an output device that outputs the image onto a medium at a second speed that is faster than the first speed so as to start the output of the image data of the document to the medium after a waiting period corresponding to the start position of the additional image composition, which is determined when the reading is completed, has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a document reading device reads an image of a document in response to a reading instruction, outputs image data, an image memory stores this image data, an output device executes an output process of performing copying onto a sheet and discharging the sheet based on the image data in the image memory, and a control unit gives a reading instruction to the document reading device and outputs an output instruction at a timing such that the output process by the output device ends when the reading of the document by the document reading device ends. A copying machine is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When using a document reading device that reads a document at a first speed and an output device that outputs an image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed, it may be possible to execute the reading of the image data of the document by the document reading device and the output of the image data of the document to the medium by the output device in parallel. In such a case, if a configuration is adopted in which output by the output device begins only after a waiting period has elapsed to coincide the start of scanning by the document scanner with the end of scanning by the document scanner and the end of output by the output device, then even if an attempt is made to synthesize an additional image from the synthesis start position determined when the document scanning is complete, the image data for the synthesis start position may have already been output at that point. In other words, it may not be possible to perform the scanning of the document image data by the document scanner and the output of the document image data to the medium by the output device in parallel when synthesizing an additional image from the synthesis start position determined when the document scanning is complete.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to enable the reading of image data of a document by a document scanning device and the output of image data of the document to a medium by an output device to be performed in parallel, even when an additional image is synthesized from a synthesis start position determined when the document scanning is completed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is a control device comprising a processor, wherein the processor instructs a document scanning device that scans the document at a first speed to scan the document image data, and controls an output device that outputs the image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed, such that the output of the document image data to the medium begins after a waiting time has elapsed, corresponding to the start position of the synthesis of an additional image determined to be completed when the scanning is finished. The invention described in claim 2 is a control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor uses as the sum of a first waiting time for coordinating the end of reading in the document reading device with the end of output in the output device, and a second waiting time corresponding to the synthesis start position. The invention described in claim 3 is a control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the processor calculates the second waiting time based on the position of the trailing end in the sub-scan direction of the composite region in which the additional image is synthesized and the length of the composite region in the sub-scan direction. The invention described in claim 4 is a control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor controls the output device so that, after the reading by the document reading device is completed, the image data of the composite region in which the additional image is synthesized is output from the image data of the document. The invention described in claim 5 is a control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the processor controls the output device so that the additional image is superimposed on the image data of the composite region and output after the reading by the document reading device is completed. Claim 6 The invention described herein is a control device comprising a processor, wherein the processor instructs a document reader that reads the document at a first speed to read the image data of the document, and controls an output device that outputs the image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed, such that when a first synthesis start position is set as the synthesis start position for an additional image determined to be completed when the reading is finished, the output of the image data of the document to the medium starts after a first waiting time has elapsed since the reading started, and when a second synthesis start position is set which is closer to the leading edge in the sub-scanning direction than the first synthesis start position, the output of the image data of the document to the medium starts after a second waiting time has elapsed which is longer than the first waiting time since the reading started. Claim 7The invention described herein is a program for realizing a function that provides a computer with a function to instruct a document scanning device to read image data of a document at a first speed, and a function that provides a control device for outputting an image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed, such that the output of the image data of the document to the medium begins after a waiting time has elapsed, corresponding to the starting position for the synthesis of an additional image determined to be completed after the reading has started. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the invention of claim 1, the reading of image data of a document by the document scanning device and the output of image data of the document to a medium by the output device can be performed in parallel, even when an additional image is synthesized from a synthesis start position determined when the document scanning is completed. According to the invention of claim 2, the waiting time from the start of document scanning to the start of image data output can be calculated by dividing it into a first waiting time to coincide the end of document scanning with the end of image data output, and a second waiting time corresponding to the start position of the composite of the additional image. According to the invention of claim 3, the second waiting time corresponding to the starting position of the synthesis of the additional image can be made appropriate to the trailing end position and length in the sub-scanning direction of the synthesis region in which the additional image is synthesized. According to the invention of claim 4, after the document reading is completed, image data of the composite region in which the additional image is synthesized can be output. According to the invention of claim 5, after the document scanning is completed, the additional image can be superimposed on the image data of the composite region and output. Claim 6 According to this invention, the reading of image data of a document by a document scanning device and the output of image data of the document to a medium by an output device can be performed in parallel, even when an additional image is synthesized from a synthesis start position determined when the document scanning is completed. Claim 7According to this invention, the reading of image data of a document by a document scanning device and the output of image data of the document to a medium by an output device can be performed in parallel, even when an additional image is synthesized from a synthesis start position determined when the document scanning is completed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a copying system in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a document scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an output device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of printing an additional image on carbon copy paper. [Figure 6] This graph shows the conventional output start timing. [Figure 7] This graph shows the output start timing in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of an image processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart of the reading routine of the image processing device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows the process for calculating the output start timing. [Figure 11] This is a flowchart of the output routine of the image processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] [Overview of this Embodiment] This embodiment provides a control device that instructs a document reading device to read image data of a document at a first speed, and after a waiting time corresponding to the start position of compositing an additional image determined to be completed after the reading starts, controls the output device that outputs an image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed to start outputting the image data of the document to the medium. Also, this embodiment can also be said to provide a control device that instructs a document reading device to read image data of a document at a first speed, and after the reading is completed, controls the output device that outputs an image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed so that the image data at the start position of compositing an additional image determined to be completed among the image data of the document is output to the medium.

[0011] Here, the additional image is an image added to the image data. In the following, the image of the annotation may be taken as an example of the additional image for explanation, but it is not limited to this, and any image containing any information may be used. The medium is an object used to convey some information and is capable of outputting image data. Examples of the medium include paper, plastic sheets, etc. In the following, paper will be taken as an example for explanation. The control device may be a device that only controls the reading of the image data of the document by the document reading device and the output of the image data of the document to the medium by the output device. Alternatively, the control device may be a device that acquires the image data of the document read by the document reading device, performs some processing on it, and outputs it to the output device, that is, an image processing device. In the following, the case where the control device is an image processing device will be taken as an example for explanation.

[0012] [Overall Configuration of the Copying System] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the copying system 1 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the copying system 1 comprises a document reading device 10, an output device 20, and an image processing device 30. The document reading device 10 reads the document and outputs its image data. The output device 20 transfers the image onto paper based on the image data and ejects it. The image processing device 30 acquires the image data from the document reading device 10, processes it in some way, and outputs it to the output device 20. It is assumed that the copying system 1 is capable of synchronized cutting copying. Synchronized cutting copying is a type of copying in which the copy paper is cut to match the length of the original.

[0013] [Hardware configuration of the document scanning device] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the document scanning device 10 in this embodiment. Inside the document scanning device 10, there are transport rollers 101 to 106 for transporting the document 100 along the transport direction. These transport rollers 101 to 106 consist of three transport mechanisms in total, each consisting of two rollers arranged vertically in Figure 2. The document 100 inserted through the document insertion slot 100a is transported sequentially by the first transport mechanism, transport rollers 101 and 102, the second transport mechanism, transport rollers 103 and 104, and the third transport mechanism, transport rollers 105 and 106, and discharged from the document discharge slot 100b. A reading sensor 110 is positioned in the section between the second transport mechanism, transport rollers 103 and 104, and the third transport mechanism, transport rollers 105 and 106. This reading sensor 110 is a one-dimensional sensor consisting of a number of light-sensing sensors arranged perpendicular to the transport direction of the document 100. These light-sensing sensors detect reflected light from the surface of the document 100. Each output signal from each light-sensing sensor is sequentially scanned within a predetermined period and converted into a digital signal, thereby generating image data of the straight lines facing each light-sensing sensor from the entire image of the surface of the document 100. Furthermore, this image data generation is repeated in parallel with the transport of the document 100, thereby generating image data representing the image of the surface of the document 100. The image data obtained by the reading sensor 110 is sent to the image processing device 30. Sensors F1 to F4 are placed at each point along the transport path of the document 100 to detect the passage of the edges of the document 100. In addition, a gate 111 is provided between the transport rollers 101 and 102, which constitute the first transport means, and the transport rollers 103 and 104, which constitute the second transport means. This gate 111 is opened only during the period when the reading sensor 110 is reading the document 100, allowing the document 100 to pass to the second transport means side.

[0014] [Output device hardware configuration] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the output device 20 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the output device 20 includes cut paper supply units 201 and 202 and a roll paper supply unit 210. The output device 20 also includes a cutter 211 for cutting the copy paper fed from the roll paper supply unit 210. The user selects whether to use the copy paper in the cut paper supply units 201 and 202 or the copy paper wound on the roll paper supply unit 210 for copying. The selected copy paper is sent to the transfer unit 220 in response to an output command from the image processing device 30. A resist sensor 222 for detecting the arrival of copy paper is positioned in front of the transfer unit 220. The exposure unit 231 applies exposure processing to the surface of the transfer drum 221, which rotates at a predetermined speed, based on image data supplied from the image processing device 30, and forms a latent image corresponding to this image data. The developing unit 232 applies toner to the surface of the transfer drum 221 on which the latent image has been formed, thereby forming a toner image corresponding to the image data on the surface of the transfer drum 221. The transfer unit 220 presses the copy paper against the surface of the transfer drum 221, transferring the toner image on the surface of the transfer drum 221 to the copy paper. The copy paper, with the toner image transferred in this way, undergoes a fixing process by the fixing unit 240 and is then discharged through the paper discharge transport path 250.

[0015] [Hardware configuration of the image processing unit] Figure 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image processing device 30 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing device 30 includes a processor 31, RAM (Random Access Memory) 32, ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 34, an operation panel 35, and a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as "communication I / F") 36. The processor 31 loads various programs stored in the ROM 33, etc., into the RAM 32 and executes them, thereby realizing the various functions of the image processing device 30, which will be described later. RAM32 is memory used as working memory for the processor 31, etc. ROM33 is memory that stores various programs and other data executed by the processor 31. HDD34 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores image data obtained by scanning a document with the document scanning device 10. The operation panel 35 is, for example, a touch panel that displays various information and accepts user input. Here, the operation panel 35 consists of a display that shows various information and a position detection sheet that detects the position indicated by an instruction means such as a finger or a stylus pen. Alternatively, a display and a keyboard may be used instead of a touch panel. Communication I / F36 transmits and receives various types of information with other devices via a communication line (not shown).

[0016] [Overview of the copying system's operation] First, as a premise for this embodiment, the additional image will be explained. Figure 5 shows an example of printing an additional image on copy paper 50. The figure shows an example where a copy image 51 is formed on copy paper 50, and an annotation 52 is superimposed and printed on it as an example of an additional image. Here, the upper direction of the paper surface is the output direction of copy paper 50, so the upper edge of the paper surface is the leading edge H1, and the lower edge of the paper surface is the trailing edge H2. In the diagram, annotation 52 is printed with the string "Kaneko 2021.08.12" which represents the user and date, but this is just an example, and any information can be printed. Furthermore, although the diagram shows annotation 52 printed on the lower right side of the trailing edge H2 of the paper, the user can also specify this printing position arbitrarily. For example, the leading edge H1 or trailing edge H2 of the paper may be used as the reference point for the printing position of annotation 52. The printing position of annotation 52 may then be expressed as an offset from that reference point.

[0017] In this embodiment, when the document scanning device 10 reads the document and the output device 20 outputs the image in parallel, the image processing device 30 reads the image data from the document scanning device 10 and calculates the timing for starting the output to transfer the image to the copy paper.

[0018] Figures 6 and 7 are graphs illustrating the timing of output initiation. In these graphs, the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents the amount of data transferred, reading is shown by line 60, and output is shown by line 61. The annotation area at the trailing edge of the paper is also shown in the graphs using dot hatching.

[0019] Figure 6 shows the conventional output start timing. In Figure 6, when the image processing device 30 performs reading and outputting in parallel, it delays the output start timing so that the reading and outputting of a document with a preset maximum document length L are completed simultaneously. Specifically, the image processing device 30 notifies the output device 20 of the output start timing after a waiting time T has elapsed, which takes into account the difference between the reading speed (an example of a first speed of the document reading device 10) and the output speed (an example of a second speed of the output device 20), starting from the start timing of reading image data from the document reading device 10.

[0020] However, when forming an additional image with a specified trailing edge as the starting point, the image processing device 30 cannot calculate the starting position for combining the additional image until the document reading device 10 has finished reading the document and the output paper length has been determined. In Figure 6, at the timing when document reading is completed and the starting position for combining the additional image is determined, the image data for the starting position has already been output, resulting in the output of image data without the additional image being combined.

[0021] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the starting position for combining the additional image is specified as the rear edge of the paper, the image processing device 30 further delays the output start timing by the length from the rear edge of the paper to the starting position for combining the additional image. Figure 7 shows the output start timing in this case. ΔT in Figure 7 corresponds to the delay equal to the length from the trailing edge of the paper to the starting position for combining the added image. Specifically, ΔT is calculated as "(offset value from the trailing edge of the paper to the trailing edge of the added image + height of the added image) / output speed". By delaying the output start timing by the length from the trailing edge of the paper to the starting position for combining the additional image, the waiting time from the start of scanning to the start of output is changed from T to T1, and the line representing the output is shifted to the right, as shown by line 62. As a result, the additional image combining process is performed after the document scanning is complete, ensuring that the additional image is combined reliably.

[0022] [Functional Configuration of Image Processing Devices] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image processing device 30 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the image processing device 30 includes a copy condition setting unit 41, a read control unit 42, an image memory 43, an output start timing calculation unit 44, an additional image generation unit 45, and an output control unit 46.

[0023] The copy condition setting unit 41 sets the copy conditions instructed by the user on the operation panel 35. Copy conditions include whether to use standard copy or synchronized cut copy, magnification, paper size, and operation mode in synchronized cut copy. Copy conditions also include the starting position for combining the additional image. Here, the starting position for combining the additional image may be specified by a base point for the starting position and an offset from that base point.

[0024] The reading control unit 42 controls the reading of the document by the document scanning device 10. Specifically, the reading control unit 42 determines whether or not a document has been inserted from the document insertion slot 100a, and if it determines that a document is present, it acquires all the storage areas in the image memory 43. Furthermore, the reading control unit 42 instructs the document scanner 10 to scan the document and acquires the image data sent from the document scanner 10 accordingly. The reading control unit 42 then stores the acquired image data in the image memory 43. Furthermore, the reading control unit 42 sets the cut length of the copy paper and issues a cut request, and sets the position of the additional image and issues a request to combine the additional image. In this embodiment, the processing of the reading control unit 42 is performed as an example of instructing the document scanning device to read image data of a document.

[0025] The image memory 43 stores the image data read by the reading control unit 42 from the document scanning device 10. The image memory 43 is implemented, for example, by an HDD 34.

[0026] The output start timing calculation unit 44 determines, based on the copying conditions set by the copying condition setting unit 41, that reading and output should be performed in parallel, and calculates the waiting time T1 from the reading start timing to the output start timing. Specifically, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates the waiting time T required for reading and outputting a document of the preset maximum document length to be completed simultaneously. In addition, if an additional image is specified at the trailing edge of the paper, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates the waiting time ΔT for the length from the trailing edge of the paper to the starting position for combining the additional image. For example, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates the waiting time ΔT by "(offset value from the trailing edge of the paper to the trailing edge of the additional image + height of the additional image) / output speed". Furthermore, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates the waiting time T1 by adding the waiting time T and the waiting time ΔT. Then, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates the output start timing based on the reading start timing and the waiting time T1, and notifies the output control unit 46 of the calculated output start timing. In this embodiment, a waiting time T1 is used as an example of a waiting time corresponding to the start position of the synthesis of the additional image, which is determined when reading is complete. In this embodiment, the output start timing calculation unit 44 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device so that the output of the image data of the document to the medium begins after the waiting time has elapsed since the start of reading by the document scanner. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a waiting time T is used as an example of a first waiting time to coincide the completion of scanning by the document scanner with the completion of output by the output device. In this embodiment, a waiting time ΔT is used as an example of a second waiting time corresponding to the start position of the synthesis of the additional image, which is determined when scanning is complete. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example of calculating a second waiting time based on the rear end position in the sub-scanning direction of the composite region where the additional image is synthesized and the length in the sub-scanning direction of the composite region, the output start timing calculation unit 44 performs this process.

[0027] Furthermore, once the document scanning is complete, the output start timing calculation unit 44 determines whether the current time is earlier than the calculated output start timing. If it is earlier, it notifies the output control unit 46 of the current time as the new output start timing.

[0028] The additional image generation unit 45 generates an additional image. The additional image generation unit 45 may, for example, generate an additional image based on user information or date information, but is not limited to this. The additional image generation unit 45 stores information about the height of the additional image, that is, the length of the additional image in the sub-scanning direction.

[0029] The output control unit 46 controls the output of image data read from the image memory 43 to the output device 20. Specifically, the output control unit 46 determines whether or not there is an output request from the reading control unit 42, and if there is an output request, it prepares the output device 20 for operation. When the time obtained by subtracting the paper delay time Td from the output start timing notified by the output start timing calculation unit 44, the output control unit 46 instructs the output device 20 to start printing. After instructing the output device to start printing, the output control unit 46 outputs the image data read from the image memory 43 to the output device 20 in response to the image data transfer request from the output device 20.

[0030] Furthermore, the output control unit 46 determines whether the print position of the image data has reached the synthesis start position of the additional image. If it has reached the synthesis start position, it outputs the image data to the output device 20 while synthesizing the additional image generated by the additional image generation unit 45. Here, since the transfer of the image to the copy paper is started at the output start timing notified by the output start timing calculation unit 44, the print position of the image data will reach the synthesis start position of the additional image after the document scanning device 10 has finished scanning the document. In other words, the output control unit 46 outputs the image data with the synthesized additional image to the output device 20 after the document scanning device 10 has finished scanning the document. In this embodiment, the output control unit 46 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device so that, after the document scanning device has completed scanning, the image data of the document, specifically the image data of the starting position for the synthesis of the additional image determined to be completed when scanning is complete, is output to the medium. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the output control unit 46 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device so that, after the document scanning device has completed scanning, the image data of the composite region in which the additional image is composited is output from the image data of the document. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the output control unit 46 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device so that the additional image is superimposed on the image data of the composite region and output after the document scanning is completed by the document scanning device.

[0031] Furthermore, the output control unit 46 reads the cut length set by the read control unit 42 and transmits it to the output device 20. The output control unit 46 transfers image data from the image memory 43 to the output device 20 only for the period during which there is an image data transfer request, and stops transferring image data when the transfer request stops. Then, the output control unit 46 releases the image memory 43.

[0032] [Example of image processing device operation] Figures 9 to 11 are flowcharts illustrating examples of the operation of the image processing device 30 in this embodiment. Here, we will describe the case where the copying condition setting unit 41 is set to synchronized cut copying as the distinction between standard copy and synchronized cut copying, the magnification is set to 1:1, and the paper type is set to roll paper. Figure 9 shows a flowchart of the reading routine of the image processing device 30. After the copy condition setting unit 41 sets various copy conditions, the image processing device 30 executes this reading routine.

[0033] As shown in the figure, in the image processing device 30, first, the reading control unit 42 determines whether or not a document has been inserted from the document insertion slot 100a (step 401), and if no document has been inserted, it remains in standby mode. When a document is inserted and the leading edge of the document is detected by the sensor F1, the reading control unit 42 acquires all the storage areas in the image memory 43 as storage areas for storing the image data to be read from the document (step 402). Next, the reading control unit 42 determines whether or not all the storage areas were acquired in step 402 (step 403), and if not, it returns to step 402.

[0034] If all memory areas are acquired in step 402, the output start timing calculation unit 44 performs the output start timing calculation process (step 404). That is, the output start timing calculation unit 44 performs the process shown in Figure 10 to determine the waiting time T1 from the start timing of image data reading to the output start timing.

[0035] Next, the reading control unit 42 instructs the document scanning device 10 to start scanning the document (step 405). As a result, scanning of the output signals of each light-detecting sensor constituting the reading sensor 110 begins, and the image data obtained each time this scanning is repeated is sequentially sent to the image processing device 30. The reading control unit 42 then acquires the image data (step 406).

[0036] Next, the output start timing calculation unit 44 waits until the read control unit 42 starts inputting image data into the image memory 43, and once the first image data is input, it sets the image data output start timing (output request) (step 407). That is, it sets the image data output start timing to a time T1 determined in step 404, relative to the current time when the first image data was input.

[0037] Next, the reading control unit 42 continues the process of acquiring image data and inputting it into the image memory 43, and determines whether or not the document scanning device 10 has finished scanning the document (step 408). If the document scanning is not finished, it waits. Once the document scanning is finished, the output start timing calculation unit 44 determines whether or not the current time is earlier than the output start timing set in step 407 (step 409). If the current time is earlier than the output start timing, the output start timing calculation unit 44 sets the current time as the new output start timing (step 410). For convenience, the time set as the new output start timing is the current time, but strictly speaking, it is preferable that it is the current time plus the time required to transmit the time information to the output control unit 46. If the current time is not earlier than the output start timing, the output start timing calculation unit 44 does not perform step 410.

[0038] Next, the reading control unit 42 performs processing to generate a cut request (step 411). That is, the reading control unit 42 detects the length of the original document via the sensor F1 in the document scanning device 10 and sets the detected length of the original document as the cut length of the copy paper.

[0039] Subsequently, the reading control unit 42 performs processing to generate a request for the synthesis of an additional image (step 412). That is, the reading control unit 42 sets the leading and trailing positions of the synthesis area of ​​the additional image. First, we will describe the case where the copy condition setting unit 41 sets the leading edge of the paper as the base point for the synthesis area of ​​the additional image. In this case, the reading control unit 42 sets the offset position from the leading edge of the paper as the leading edge position of the synthesis area of ​​the additional image. Then, the reading control unit 42 sets the trailing edge position of the synthesis area of ​​the additional image to a position that is an amount equal to the height of the additional image obtained from the additional image generation unit 45, relative to this leading edge position. Next, we will describe the case where the copy condition setting unit 41 sets the trailing edge of the paper as the base point for the synthesis area of ​​the additional image. In this case, the reading control unit 42 sets the trailing edge position of the synthesis area of ​​the additional image to a position that is an amount equal to the offset value from the trailing edge base point of the paper, relative to the position of the length of the original detected in step 411. Then, the reading control unit 42 sets a position that is one length closer to the front end than the rear end position by the height of the additional image acquired from the additional image generation unit 45, as the front end position of the additional image synthesis area. With this, the reading routine is terminated.

[0040] Figure 10 shows a flowchart illustrating the output start timing calculation process in step 404 of Figure 9.

[0041] As shown in the figure, first, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates the reading length Ls of the image data when output starts (step 421). This reading length Ls of the image data corresponds to the Ls shown in Figures 6 and 7. If the reading speed of the document scanner 10 is Si and the output speed of the output device 20 is So, Ls is calculated by the formula "Ls = L - (L × Si) / So". Next, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates the time T for reading the Ls image data calculated in step 421 (step 422). Specifically, T is calculated by the formula "T = Ls / Si".

[0042] Next, the output start timing calculation unit 44 determines whether or not an additional image is specified at the trailing edge of the paper (step 423). If an additional image is specified at the rear edge of the paper, the output start timing calculation unit 44 calculates a time ΔT equal to the length from the rear edge of the paper to the start position of the additional image synthesis (step 424). Specifically, ΔT is calculated by the formula "ΔT = (offset value from the rear edge of the paper to the rear edge of the additional image + height of the additional image) / So". Then, the output start timing calculation unit 44 determines the waiting time T1 from the reading start timing to the output start timing by adding the value of T calculated in step 422 and ΔT calculated in step 424 (step 425).

[0043] On the other hand, if no additional image is specified for the trailing edge of the paper, that is, if no additional image is specified or if an additional image is specified for the leading edge of the paper, the output start timing calculation unit 44 uses the T calculated in step 422 as the waiting time T1 from the start of reading to the start of output (step 426).

[0044] Figure 11 shows a flowchart of the output routine of the image processing device 30. This output routine is executed in parallel with the processing shown in Figure 9.

[0045] As shown in the figure, in the image processing device 30, first the output control unit 46 determines whether or not there is an output request from the reading control unit 42 (step 451), and if there is no output request, it remains in standby mode. When the output start timing is set (output request) in step 407 in Figure 9, the determination result in step 451 becomes "YES", and the output control unit 46 prepares the output device 20 for operation (step 452).

[0046] Next, the output control unit 46 calculates the time obtained by subtracting the paper delay time Td from the output start timing set in step 407 of Figure 9, waits until this time is reached (step 453), and then instructs the output device 20 to start printing (step 454). Here, the paper delay time Td is the time required for the copy paper to reach the resist sensor 222 in front of the transfer unit 220 from the paper supply unit (cut paper supply unit 201, 202, roll paper supply unit 210). This paper delay time Td will be a different value depending on whether the cut paper supply unit 201, 202 or the roll paper supply unit 210 is selected as the paper supply unit. However, since the roll paper supply unit 210 is selected here, in step 453 the paper delay time Td corresponding to the roll paper supply unit 210 is selected, and the time to instruct the start of printing is calculated based on this selected Td. Next, the output control unit 46 determines whether or not there is a request from the output device 20 to start outputting image data (step 455).

[0047] Now, as instructed in step 454 to start printing, copy paper is supplied to the output device 20 from the roll paper supply unit 210. When this copy paper reaches the position of the registration sensor 222, the output device 20 sends a request to the image processing device 30 to start outputting image data. If the request to start output has already arrived when the decision in step 455 is made, the output control unit 46 starts outputting image data from the image memory 43 (step 456).

[0048] Next, the output control unit 46 reads the cut length set in step 411 of Figure 9 and transmits it to the output device 20 (step 457). As a result, the output device 20 requests the image processing device 30 to transfer image data for the period until the copy paper corresponding to the received cut length is fed out from the roll paper supply unit 210. In response to this request, the output control unit 46 transfers the image data (step 458), and the output device 20 performs image transfer according to the transferred image data.

[0049] Next, the output control unit 46 determines whether the image data output from the image memory 43 has reached the starting position for combining the additional image (step 459). Here, the starting position for combining the additional image is the leading edge of the additional image combination region set in step 412 of Figure 9. If the image data has not reached the starting position for combining the additional image, the output control unit 46 returns to step 458. If the image data has reached the starting position for combining the additional image, the output control unit 46 combines the additional image generated by the additional image generation unit 45 with this image data for a period of time during which image data equal to the height of the additional image is read (step 460).

[0050] Meanwhile, after transmitting the cut length in step 457, the output control unit 46 transfers image data from the image memory 43 to the output device 20 only for the duration of the image data transfer request, and stops transferring image data when the transfer request stops (step 461). Then, the output control unit 46 releases the image memory 43 (step 462). With this, the output routine is completed.

[0051] Here, we compare the operation of the image processing apparatus 30 in this embodiment when a first synthesis start position is set as the synthesis start position for the additional image, and when a second synthesis start position, which is closer to the front end in the sub-scanning direction than the first synthesis start position, is set as the synthesis start position for the additional image. In this case, the waiting time from the start of reading the original document to the start of outputting the image data is longer in the latter case than in the former case. Therefore, it can also be said that this embodiment provides a control device that instructs a document reader that reads the original document at a first speed to read the image data of the original document, and controls an output device that outputs the image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed, so that when a first synthesis start position is set as the synthesis start position for the additional image determined when reading is complete, the output of the image data of the original document to the medium starts after a first waiting time has elapsed from the start of reading, and when a second synthesis start position, which is closer to the front end in the sub-scanning direction than the first synthesis start position, is set as the synthesis start position, the output of the image data of the original document to the medium starts after a second waiting time, which is longer than the first waiting time, has elapsed from the start of reading.

[0052] [Processor] In this embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0053] Furthermore, the operation of the processor in this embodiment may not be performed by a single processor, but may be performed by multiple processors located in physically separate locations working together. Also, the order of the processor's operations is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0054] [program] The processing performed by the image processing device 30 in this embodiment is provided, for example, as a program such as application software.

[0055] In this case, the program that implements this embodiment can be understood as a program that provides the following functions to a computer: a function to instruct a document scanner to read image data of a document at a first speed, and a function to control an output device that outputs images to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed, so that the output of image data of the document to the medium begins after a waiting time has elapsed, corresponding to the starting position for the synthesis of an additional image determined to be completed when the reading is finished.

[0056] Furthermore, the program that implements this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means, but also by being stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1... Copying system, 10... Document scanning device, 20... Output device, 30... Image processing device, 41... Copying condition setting unit, 42... Reading control unit, 43... Image memory, 44... Output start timing calculation unit, 45... Additional image generation unit, 46... Output control unit

Claims

1. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, The document scanner is instructed to read the image data of the document at a first speed. The output device, which outputs an image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed, is controlled so that the output of the original image data to the medium begins after a waiting time has elapsed, corresponding to the starting position for the synthesis of the additional image determined to be completed after the reading has started. A control device characterized by the following features.

2. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor uses as the sum of a first waiting time for coordinating the end of reading in the document reading device with the end of output in the output device, and a second waiting time corresponding to the synthesis start position.

3. The control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the processor calculates the second waiting time based on the position of the trailing end in the sub-scan direction of the composite region in which the additional image is synthesized, and the length of the composite region in the sub-scan direction.

4. The control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor controls the output device so that, after the reading by the document reading device is completed, it outputs image data of the composite region in which the additional image is synthesized from the image data of the document.

5. The control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the processor controls the output device so that the additional image is superimposed on the image data of the composite region and output after the reading by the document reading device is completed.

6. Equipped with a processor, The aforementioned processor, The document scanner is instructed to read the image data of the document at a first speed. An output device that outputs an image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed is controlled such that, when a first synthesis start position is set as the synthesis start position for an additional image determined when the reading is complete, the output of the image data of the original to the medium begins after a first waiting time has elapsed since the reading started, and when a second synthesis start position is set as the synthesis start position which is closer to the leading edge in the sub-scanning direction than the first synthesis start position, the output of the image data of the original to the medium begins after a second waiting time has elapsed which is longer than the first waiting time, since the reading started. A control device characterized by the following features.

7. On the computer, A function that instructs a document scanner to read the image data of the document at a first speed, An output device that outputs an image to a medium at a second speed faster than the first speed has a function to control the output of the original image data to the medium after a waiting time has elapsed, corresponding to the starting position for the synthesis of the additional image determined to be completed after the reading has started. A program to achieve this.

Images