Image processing device and program

Abstract

To prevent edge areas of a read image from being erased while suppressing the occurrence of waste of a medium when outputting the read image of a document read by a document reading device to a medium.SOLUTION: An image processing device includes a processor, and the processor acquires a read image of a document read by a document reading device, outputs the read image to a medium such that a significant portion and an edge area do not overlap when the significant portion of the read image and the edge area of the read image in the sub-scanning direction at the time of output to the medium overlap, and controls an output device to extend the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0006]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a document size detection unit detects the document size, an output paper selection unit selects an output paper having a size larger than the document size and closest to the document size, a centering unit centers the document image so that it is located at the center of the output paper, and an image forming unit transfers and outputs the document image onto the output paper supplied from a paper tray is described.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When outputting a read image of a document read by a document reading apparatus onto a medium, the end region of the read image may be erased. In such a case, regardless of whether there is a significant portion in the end region of the read image, if a configuration is adopted in which a medium having a size larger than the size of the read image and closest to the size of the read image is selected and the read image is output, the read image is output onto a larger-sized medium even if there is no significant portion in the end region of the read image, resulting in waste of the medium.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to prevent the end region of a read image from being erased while suppressing the occurrence of waste of the medium when outputting a read image of a document read by a document reading apparatus onto a medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is, A processor is provided, the processor acquires a scanned image of a document read by a document scanner, and when a significant portion of the scanned image overlaps with the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the scanned image is output to the medium, the processor outputs the scanned image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap, and controls the output device to extend the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. The processor controls the output device to output to the medium an additional margin image, corresponding to the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the edge region in the sub-scanning direction, to the edge region side of the read image. Characterized by It is an image processing device. Claim 2 The invention described herein is characterized in that the processor controls the output device to cut the medium at a position corresponding to the length of the sub-scanning direction of the margin image. Claim 1 This is the image processing device described above. Claim 3 The invention described is A processor is provided, the processor acquires a scanned image of a document read by a document scanner, and when a significant portion of the scanned image overlaps with the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the scanned image is output to the medium, the processor outputs the scanned image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap, and controls the output device to extend the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. The end region is the leading edge region of the read image in the sub-scanning direction. of The processor, when the significant portion and the leading edge region overlap, controls the output device to output to the medium a margin image with a length in the sub-scan direction of the overlap between the significant portion and the leading edge region, added to the leading edge region side of the read image. Characterized by It is an image processing device. Claim 4 The invention described is A processor is provided, the processor acquires a scanned image of a document read by a document scanner, and when a significant portion of the scanned image overlaps with the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the scanned image is output to the medium, the processor outputs the scanned image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap, and controls the output device to extend the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. The end region is the leading edge region of the read image in the sub-scanning direction. of The processor, when the significant portion and the leading edge region overlap, controls the output device to start outputting the read image to the medium from a position that leaves a margin of the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the leading edge region in the sub-scanning direction. Characterized by It is an image processing device. Claim 5 The invention described above provides a computer with the following functions: a function to acquire a scanned image of a document read by a document scanner; and a function to control an output device so that, when a significant portion of the scanned image overlaps with the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the scanned image is output to a medium, the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap, and the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction is extended. Furthermore, the output device is configured to control the output device so as to add a margin image, corresponding to the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the end region in the sub-scanning direction, to the end region side of the read image and output it to the medium. This is a program for that purpose. The invention described in claim 6 is a program for a computer that provides a function to acquire a scanned image of a document read by a document scanner, and a function to control an output device so that, when a significant portion of the scanned image and the end region in the sub-scanning direction when the scanned image is output to a medium overlap, the scanned image is output to the medium so that the significant portion and the end region do not overlap, and the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction is extended, wherein the end region includes the leading edge region in the sub-scanning direction of the scanned image, and when the significant portion and the leading edge region overlap, a margin image equal to the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the leading edge region in the sub-scanning direction is added to the leading edge region side of the scanned image before outputting it to the medium. The invention described in claim 7 is a program for a computer that provides a function to acquire a scanned image of a document read by a document scanner, and a function to control an output device so that, when a significant portion of the scanned image and the end region in the sub-scanning direction when the scanned image is output to a medium overlap, the scanned image is output to the medium so that the significant portion and the end region do not overlap, and the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction is extended, wherein the end region includes the leading edge region in the sub-scanning direction of the scanned image, and when the significant portion and the leading edge region overlap, the output of the scanned image to the medium is started from a position that leaves a margin of the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the leading edge region in the sub-scanning direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Claim 1 According to this invention, when a significant portion of the read image and the edge region of the read image overlap, it is possible to prevent the edge region from being erased without requiring the output device to perform any special operation. Claim 2 According to this invention, when a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the edge region of the read image, it is possible to minimize the amount of extension of the length of the medium while preventing the edge region from being erased. Claim 3 According to this invention, when a significant portion of the read image and the leading edge region of the read image overlap, it is possible to prevent the leading edge region from being erased without requiring the output device to perform any special operation. Claim 4 According to this invention, when a significant portion of the read image and the leading edge region of the read image overlap, it is possible to prevent the leading edge region from being erased without performing any special image processing. Claim 5 According to the invention, When a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the edge region of the read image, this prevents the edge region from being erased without requiring the output device to perform any special actions. It is possible. According to the invention of claim 6, when a significant portion of the read image and the leading edge region of the read image overlap, it is possible to prevent the leading edge region from being erased without requiring the output device to perform any special operation. According to the invention of claim 7, when a significant portion of the read image and the leading edge region of the read image overlap, it is possible to prevent the leading edge region from being erased without performing any special image processing. [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 how to arrange scanned images of an original document on a copy sheet. [Figure 6] It is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of an image processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7-1] It is a flowchart of a reading routine of an image processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7-2] It is a flowchart of a reading routine of an image processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a flowchart of an output routine of an image processing apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [Overview of the Present Embodiment] In the present embodiment, when the acquired reading image of the document read by the document reading apparatus overlaps with the significant portion of the reading image and the end region in the sub-scanning direction when output to the medium, the reading image is output to the medium so that the significant portion and the end region do not overlap, and an image processing apparatus is provided that controls the output apparatus so as to extend the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction.

[0011] Here, the significant portion of the reading image refers to a portion of the reading image that conveys meaningful information to the user. The portion that conveys meaningful information may be all portions other than the background color, or may be a portion where pixels of a color other than the background color are connected and have a size equal to or greater than a threshold value. Alternatively, among such portions, particularly predetermined types of portions may be used as the portions that convey meaningful information. Here, examples of the predetermined types of portions include portions where character images are formed, portions where photographic images are formed, and the like. Hereinafter, the significant portion of the reading image will be described as a valid image. The edge region of the medium is the area near the edge of the medium. The distance from the edge of the medium that constitutes the edge region should be defined in advance. The edge region of the medium can be any area, but in the following explanation, we will use the erasure region—where images are erased without being printed to prevent contamination within the output device—as an example. A medium is an object used to transmit some kind of information, and from which image data can be output. Examples of mediums include paper and plastic sheets, but in the following explanation, we will use paper as an example. Extending the length of a medium means increasing its length by shifting the point where it is cut.

[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] Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show examples of the arrangement of scanned images of a document read by the document scanner 10 on the copy paper 50 output by the output device 20. The copy paper 50 has a printable area 51 where the arranged scanned images are printed, and an erase area 52 where the arranged scanned images are erased without being printed.

[0017] Consider printing a scanned image of a document onto such a copy paper 50, where there is a margin at the edge in the main scanning direction, but the effective image 53 extends close to the leading and trailing edges at the edge in the sub-scanning direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 5(a), in the main scanning direction, the effective image 53 fits within the printable area 51, but in the sub-scanning direction, areas 531 and 532 of the effective image 53 extend beyond the printable area 51 and overlap with the erase area 52.

[0018] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5(b), if an active image 53 exists in the erasure area 52, margin images 541 and 542 equal to the height of the area where the active image 53 and the erasure area 52 overlap are added to the scanned image of the original and output. Then, as indicated by the arrow 55, the copy paper 50 is cut so that it is longer by the amount of the added margin images 541 and 542. In Figure 5(b), although not shown, cutting lines may be printed between the active image 53 and the margin image 541, and between the active image 53 and the margin image 542, to assist the user in cutting out the active image 53.

[0019] [Functional Configuration of Image Processing Devices] Figure 6 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 notification unit 44, a margin image generation unit 45, and an output control unit 46.

[0020] The copy condition setting unit 41 sets the copy conditions instructed by the user on the operation panel 35. The copy conditions include whether to use standard copy or synchronized cut copy, magnification, paper type, and operation mode for synchronized cut copy.

[0021] 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 determines the size of the original document read by the original document reading device 10, sets the cut length of the copy paper based on this, and issues a cut request. Furthermore, the reading control unit 42 selects the copy paper to be used based on the determined original size. Specifically, first, the reading control unit 42 determines a temporary paper size with the same width as the original size. It also determines whether the area overlapping the erase area in the main scanning direction of the image data is a margin, that is, whether a valid image exists in the area overlapping the erase area in the main scanning direction. If a valid image exists in the area overlapping the erase area in the main scanning direction, the reading control unit 42 selects a roll of paper with a width wider than the temporary paper size but closest to the original size as the copy paper. If no valid image exists in the area overlapping the erase area in the main scanning direction, the reading control unit 42 selects a roll of paper the size of the temporary paper as the copy paper. Furthermore, the reading control unit 42 determines whether the area overlapping the erase area in the sub-scanning direction of the image data is a margin, that is, whether a valid image exists in the area overlapping the erase area in the sub-scanning direction. If a valid image exists in an area that overlaps with the erase area in the sub-scanning direction, the reading control unit 42 hands over control to the margin image generation unit 45 or the output control unit 46. In this embodiment, the processing of the reading control unit 42 is performed as an example of acquiring a scanned image of a document read by the document scanner.

[0022] 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.

[0023] The output start timing notification 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 T from the reading start timing to the output start timing. For example, the output start timing notification unit 44 calculates the print delay time T required for reading and outputting a document of a predetermined maximum length to be completed simultaneously. Then, the output start timing notification unit 44 calculates the output start timing based on the reading start timing and the waiting time T, and notifies the output control unit 46 of the calculated output start timing.

[0024] The margin image generation unit 45 generates a margin image equal to the height of the overlapping area between the valid image and the erased area when the reading control unit 42 determines that a valid image exists in an area overlapping with the erased area in the sub-scanning direction of the image data. The margin image generation unit 45 also synthesizes this margin image with the image data stored in the image memory 43. For example, if the margin image generation unit 45 determines that a valid image exists in an area overlapping with the erased area at the leading end of the image data in the sub-scanning direction, it adds the margin image to the leading end of the image data. If the margin image generation unit 45 determines that a valid image exists in an area overlapping with the erased area at the trailing end of the image data in the sub-scanning direction, it adds the margin image to the trailing end of the image data. Finally, the margin image generation unit 45 writes the image data with the synthesized margin image back to the image memory 43. In this embodiment, as an example of controlling the output device to output to the medium a margin image with a margin length in the sub-scanning direction of the overlap between the significant portion and the edge region, is added to the edge region side of the read image. This process is performed by the margin image generation unit 45. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the significant portion and the leading edge region overlap, the margin image generation unit 45 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device to add a margin image with a length in the sub-scanning direction of the overlap between the significant portion and the leading edge region to the leading edge region of the read image and output it to the medium.

[0025] Furthermore, the margin image generation unit 45 extends the cut length by the height of the margin image and sets this extended cut length. In this embodiment, as an example of controlling the output device to cut the medium at a position corresponding to the length of the margin image in the sub-scanning direction, the margin image generation unit 45 performs this process.

[0026] 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 notification 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. In particular, if the margin image generation unit 45 generates a margin image and combines it with the image data, the output control unit 46 outputs the image data with the margin image read from the image memory 43 combined to the output device 20. Alternatively, if the reading control unit 42 determines that a valid image exists in an area overlapping with the erase area in the sub-scanning direction of the image data, the output control unit 46 may, without using the margin image generation unit 45, ensure that the valid image and the erase area do not overlap. For example, if the output control unit 46 determines that a valid image exists in an area overlapping with the erase area at the leading edge of the image data in the sub-scanning direction, it may shift the printing start position by the height of the area where the valid image and the erase area at the leading edge overlap. In other words, the output control unit 46 may control the output device 20 to transport only the copy paper without printing anything for the height of the area where the valid image and the erase area at the leading edge overlap. If the output control unit 46 determines that a valid image exists in an area overlapping with the erase area at the trailing end of the image data in the sub-scanning direction, it may provide a margin at the trailing end without generating a margin image for the height of the area where the valid image and the erase area at the trailing end overlap. In this embodiment, when the significant portion of the read image and the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the read image is output to the medium overlap, the output control unit 46 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device so that the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap when the read image is output to the medium. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the significant portion and the tip region overlap, the output control unit 46 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device so that output of the read image to the medium starts from a position that leaves a margin the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the tip region in the sub-scanning direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the significant portion and the rear end region overlap, the output control unit 46 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device to leave a margin the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the rear end region in the sub-scanning direction.

[0027] 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. In particular, if the margin image generation unit 45 sets an extended cut length, the output control unit 46 transmits this extended cut length to the output device 20 instead of the cut length set by the read control unit 42. In addition, if the output control unit 46 provides a margin at the rear end equal to the height of the area where the effective image and the erased area at the rear end overlap, it may transmit a cut length extended by the amount of this margin to the output device 20 instead of the cut length set by the read control unit 42. In this embodiment, the output control unit 46 performs this process as an example of controlling the output device to extend the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as an example of controlling the output device to cut the medium at a position with a margin when the significant portion and the rear end region overlap, the output control unit 46 performs this process.

[0028] The output control unit 46 transfers image data from the image memory 43 to the output device 20 only during the period when 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.

[0029] [Example of image processing device operation] Figures 7-1 to 7-8 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the operation of the image processing device 30 in this embodiment. Here, we will describe the case where the copy condition setting unit 41 is set to synchronized cut copying as the difference between standard copy and synchronized cut copying, the magnification is set to 1:1, and the paper is set to roll paper. Furthermore, as a method to prevent the effective image and the erasure area from overlapping, one method is to shift the print start position for the leading edge, and one method is to shift the cut position for the trailing edge. However, in this example of operation, we will describe the case where a margin image is added as a method to prevent the effective image and the erasure area from overlapping.

[0030] Figures 7-1 and 7-2 show flowcharts 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.

[0031] As shown in Figure 7-1, 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.

[0032] If all memory areas have been acquired in step 402, the reading control unit 42 instructs the document scanning device 10 to start scanning the document (step 404). As a result, scanning of each output signal of each light detection 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 405).

[0033] Next, the output start timing notification unit 44 waits until the reading 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 406). For example, the output start timing notification unit 44 calculates a waiting time T such that the reading end time and the output end time are the same for the maximum document length, and sets the image data output start timing to a time that is T later than the current time when the first image data was input.

[0034] 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 407). If the document scanning is not finished, it waits. Once the document scanning is finished, the reading control unit 42 determines the size of the document (step 408). For example, the reading control unit 42 may determine the size of the document by detecting the length of the document via sensor F1 in the document scanning device 10 and detecting the width of the document via a sensor (not shown) in the document scanning device 10.

[0035] Next, the reading control unit 42 performs processing to generate a cut request (step 409). That is, the reading control unit 42 sets the length of the original document detected in step 408 as the cut length of the copy paper.

[0036] Next, as shown in Figure 7-2, the reading control unit 42 determines the temporary paper size based on the original document size determined in step 408 of Figure 7-1 (step 411). For example, the reading control unit 42 may determine the temporary paper size to be the same as the original document size. Next, the reading control unit 42 determines whether the portion of the image data acquired in step 405 of Figure 7-1 that overlaps with the erase area in the main scanning direction is blank space, that is, whether a valid image exists in that portion (step 412). If an active image exists in the area overlapping with the erase area in the main scanning direction, the reading control unit 42 sets a roll of paper wider than the temporary paper size as the copy paper to be used (step 413). If no valid image exists in the area overlapping with the erase area in the main scanning direction, the reading control unit 42 sets a roll of temporary paper size as the copy paper to be used (step 414).

[0037] Next, the reading control unit 42 determines whether the portion of the image data acquired in step 405 of Figure 7-1 that overlaps with the erase area in the sub-scanning direction is blank space, that is, whether a valid image exists in that portion (step 415). If an active image exists in a portion that overlaps with the erase area in the sub-scanning direction, the margin image generation unit 45 generates a margin image having the height of the overlapping portion of the erase area and the active image (step 416). The margin image generation unit 45 also adds this generated margin image to the image data (step 417). For example, if the erase area and the active image overlap at the leading edge of the sub-scanning direction, the margin image generation unit 45 adds a margin image having the height of the overlapping portion to the leading edge of the image data. Similarly, if the erase area and the active image overlap at the trailing edge of the sub-scanning direction, the margin image generation unit 45 adds a margin image having the height of the overlapping portion to the trailing edge of the image data. The image data with the margin image added in this way is written back to the image memory 43. The margin image generation unit 45 then extends the cut length set in step 409 of Figure 7-1 by the height of the added margin image (step 418). In other words, the margin image generation unit 45 sets a cut length that is extended by the height of the added margin image, instead of the cut length set in step 409 of Figure 7-1. If no valid image exists in the area overlapping with the erase area in the sub-scanning direction, the reading control unit 42 and the margin image generation unit 45 do not execute steps 416 to 418. The reading routine is then terminated.

[0038] Figure 8 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 Figures 7-1 and 7-2.

[0039] 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 406 of Figure 7-1, the determination result in step 451 becomes "YES", and the output control unit 46 prepares the output device 20 for operation (step 452).

[0040] 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 7-1, 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).

[0041] 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).

[0042] Next, the output control unit 46 reads the cut length set in step 409 in Figure 7-1 or extended in step 418 in Figure 7-2 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 delivered 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.

[0043] 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 459). Then, the output control unit 46 releases the image memory 43 (step 460). With this, the output routine is completed.

[0044] [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.).

[0045] 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.

[0046] [program] The processing performed by the image processing device 30 in this embodiment is provided, for example, as a program such as application software.

[0047] In this case, the program that implements this embodiment can be understood as a program that enables a computer to implement the following functions: acquiring a scanned image of a document read by a document scanner, and controlling the output device to output the scanned image to a medium so that the significant portion of the scanned image and the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the scanned image is output to the medium do not overlap, thereby extending the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction.

[0048] 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]

[0049] 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 notification unit, 45... Margin image generation unit, 46... Output control unit

Claims

1. comprising a processor, The aforementioned processor, The scanned image of the document read by the document scanner is acquired. When a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the end region in the sub-scanning direction when the read image is output to the medium, the output device is controlled to output the read image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the end region do not overlap, thereby extending the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. The image processing apparatus is characterized in that the processor controls the output device to output to the medium a margin image with a length in the sub-scanning direction of the overlap between the significant portion and the edge region, which is added to the edge region side of the read image.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor controls the output device to cut the medium at a position corresponding to the length of the margin image in the sub-scanning direction.

3. comprising a processor, The aforementioned processor, The scanned image of the document read by the document scanner is acquired. When a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the end region in the sub-scanning direction when the read image is output to the medium, the output device is controlled to output the read image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the end region do not overlap, thereby extending the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. The end region includes the leading edge region of the read image in the sub-scanning direction, The image processing apparatus is characterized in that, when the significant portion and the leading edge region overlap, the processor controls the output device to add a margin image with a length in the sub-scanning direction of the overlap between the significant portion and the leading edge region to the leading edge region side of the read image and output it to the medium.

4. comprising a processor, The aforementioned processor, The scanned image of the document read by the document scanner is acquired. When a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the end region in the sub-scanning direction when the read image is output to the medium, the output device is controlled to output the read image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the end region do not overlap, thereby extending the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. The end region includes the leading edge region of the read image in the sub-scanning direction, The image processing apparatus is characterized in that, when the significant portion and the leading edge region overlap, the processor controls the output device to start outputting the read image to the medium from a position that leaves a margin the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the leading edge region in the sub-scanning direction.

5. On the computer, A function to acquire scanned images of documents scanned by a document scanner, When a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the read image is output to the medium, the output device is controlled to output the read image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap, thereby extending the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. To make it happen, A program to further implement a function for controlling the output device such that a margin image with a length in the sub-scanning direction of the overlap between the significant portion and the end region is added to the end region side of the read image and output to the medium.

6. A computer, A function to acquire scanned images of documents scanned by a document scanner, When a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the read image is output to the medium, the output device is controlled to output the read image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap, thereby extending the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. To make it happen, The end region includes the leading edge region of the read image in the sub-scanning direction, A program to further implement a function for controlling the output device such that, when the significant portion and the tip portion overlap, a margin image with a length in the sub-scanning direction of the overlap between the significant portion and the tip portion is added to the tip portion side of the read image and output to the medium.

7. A computer, A function to acquire scanned images of documents scanned by a document scanner, When a significant portion of the read image overlaps with the edge region in the sub-scanning direction when the read image is output to the medium, the output device is controlled to output the read image to the medium in such a way that the significant portion and the edge region do not overlap, thereby extending the length of the medium in the sub-scanning direction. To make it happen, The end region includes the leading edge region of the read image in the sub-scanning direction, A program to further implement a function for controlling the output device such that, when the significant portion and the tip portion overlap, output of the read image to the medium begins from a position that leaves a margin the length of the overlap between the significant portion and the tip portion in the sub-scanning direction.

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