JP2011077620A - Image forming device, control method of image forming device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To raise a detection speed of a bar code by adjusting a printing position of the bar code. <P>SOLUTION: A control unit 402 of a copying machine 300 acquires information showing a reading method of a reading device which performs image reading processing of a printed matter printed from output image data, specifies a region of the image data to be the upstream side of a sub-scanning direction when reading the printed matter by the reading device, and decides a composition position so as to compose the bar code image in the region. The control unit composes the bar code image in the decided composition position of the output image data, and carries out printing output. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a control method for an image forming apparatus that synthesizes and prints additional information such as a barcode with image data.

  Conventionally, a technique for embedding electronic data in paper by printing an image pattern (hereinafter referred to as a bar code) generated by encoding the electronic data has been developed. The embedded electronic data is extracted by optically reading a paper document in which the barcode is embedded, detecting the barcode in the image, and analyzing the pattern.

  As an example of application of this technology, a system for restricting copying of a paper document has been developed. The copy restriction system prints a barcode with copy restriction information embedded on a printed document, analyzes the barcode printed when the printed document is copied by a copying machine, etc., and detects the copy restriction information. This is a system that prohibits copying.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an outline of this type of copy restriction system.
First, whether or not to perform copy restriction when the user copies a paper document is set on the setting screen (FIG. 19) of the copying machine 10 (copy restriction setting). When the user issues a copy instruction for the paper document 1, as shown in FIG. 18A, the copier 10 generates a barcode image based on the information set in the copy restriction setting, and prints it on the printed document. Combine and output. Note that 2 indicates an output paper document, and 11 indicates a bar code printed on the paper document 2.

  Next, when the user further gives a copy instruction when copying the paper document 2, the copying machine 10 is embedded in the paper document 2 when the paper document 2 is read, as shown in FIG. Bar code 11 is detected and analyzed, and if copy restriction information is set, copying is prohibited.

In FIG. 18, the print original is generated only by the copying machine 10, but copy restriction information may be added when a print instruction is issued from a PC (personal computer) to the printer.
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a copy restriction setting screen for setting whether or not to perform copy restriction.
In FIG. 19, reference numeral 22 denotes a copy condition selection field for selecting and inputting one of “permit copying”, “prohibit copying”, “set permission conditions for copying”, and the like. Reference numeral 23 denotes a permission condition input field for inputting permission conditions (for example, a user name that can be copied, the number of times that copying can be performed, etc.) when “set permission conditions for copying” is selected in the copying condition setting field 22. Is. Reference numeral 24 denotes an OK button. By pressing this button, the copy restriction information input on the copy restriction setting screen 21 is set. Reference numeral 25 denotes a cancel button. By pressing this button, the setting of the copy restriction information input on the copy restriction setting screen 21 is canceled.

  In such a copy restriction system, it is necessary to read the bar code quickly and accurately. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-133260, the barcode printing position is adjusted based on the print settings of the printed document and the position information of the original image, and a device is devised to reduce erroneous recognition during barcode analysis.

JP-A-11-003390

However, with the method disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to accurately read a barcode, but it is not possible to detect the barcode quickly.
In the above copy restriction system, it is necessary to analyze a barcode while maintaining scan productivity. Therefore, if the barcode is not detected and analyzed quickly, there is a problem that the copying performance is lowered.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for adjusting the printing position of additional information (barcode or the like) and improving the detection speed of the barcode or the like.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus that synthesizes and prints additional information on image data,
Based on the information indicating the reading method acquired by the reading method acquiring means, the reading method acquiring means for acquiring the information indicating the reading method of the reading device that performs the image reading processing of the printed matter printed from the image data, A combination position determining unit that identifies an area of the image data that is upstream in the sub-scanning direction when the printed material is read by a reading apparatus, and determines a combination position so that the additional information is combined with the area; It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, the additional information can be printed at a position where the additional information is detected earlier when reading the paper document on which the additional information is printed. As a result, the additional information can be printed without reducing the document reading speed. Can be detected and analyzed.

1 is an overview diagram showing an example of a copying machine to which an image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the copier 300 illustrated in FIG. 1. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when the copying machine 300 reads a barcode image. It is a figure which shows an example of the barcode printed on the paper. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the barcode detection process shown in S502 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the reading direction of a scanner, and barcode detection. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating details of barcode position determination processing according to the first exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the top direction of the original document at the time of using a feeder and a pressure plate. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the reading method of a reader, and barcode position. 12 is a flowchart illustrating details of barcode position determination processing according to the second embodiment. It is a figure which shows the optimal barcode printing position when saddle stitch bookbinding, wrapping bookbinding, and a staple are set. 12 is a flowchart illustrating details of barcode position determination processing according to the third embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of barcode setting input processing for the document orientation shown in S1703 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of a barcode printing position setting screen. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of this kind of copy restriction system. It is a figure which shows an example of the copy restriction setting screen which sets whether or not to perform copy restriction.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the present embodiment, a description will be given using a two-dimensional barcode (particularly, a QR code) as an example of additional information to be combined with print data and printed. However, other types of two-dimensional barcodes and one-dimensional barcodes other than QR codes may be used. Furthermore, instead of a bar code, another type of code may be used. Any code may be used as long as the code is an image pattern generated by encoding electronic data. Further, it may be a code or the like by a sequence of numbers, characters, symbols (one-dimensional array, two-dimensional array, etc.).

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an example of a copying machine to which the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 300 denotes a copying machine to which the image forming apparatus of the present invention can be applied. An operation panel 301 is used by the user to perform print settings and copy instructions. Reference numeral 302 denotes a scanner unit, which converts image information into an electrical signal by inputting reflected light obtained by exposing and scanning an image on a document to a CCD. Further, the scanner unit 302 converts the electric signal into a luminance signal composed of R, G, and B colors, and reads the luminance signal as image data.

  The document is set on a tray 303 of a document feeder (document feeder) 304. When there is a copy instruction from the operation panel 301, the document feeder 304 feeds (feeds) the documents set on the tray 303 one by one to the scanner unit 302, and causes the scanner unit 302 to execute a document reading operation. The document reading method may not be an automatic feeding method (feeding reading method) for reading a document while feeding it by the document feeder 304. Specifically, a method of scanning the document by placing the document on a glass surface (not shown), closing the pressure plate, and moving an exposure unit (not shown) of the scanner unit 302 may be used.

  A printer unit 306 is an image forming device that forms image data on a sheet. In this embodiment, the image forming method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an ink jet system that prints on paper by ejecting ink from a micro nozzle array.

  The printer unit 306 is provided with a plurality of paper cassettes 307, 308, and 309 that enable selection of different paper sizes or different paper orientations. Reference numeral 305 denotes a paper discharge tray that discharges the printed paper.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the copying machine 300 shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 402 denotes a control unit that controls each component of the copying machine 10. The control unit 402 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, and the like (not shown). The CPU of the control unit 402 comprehensively controls access to various connected devices based on a control program stored in the ROM, and also comprehensively controls various processes performed in the control unit 402. .

  Reference numeral 403 denotes an operation unit that includes an operation panel 301, accepts various operations on the copying machine 10 from the user via the operation panel 301, and inputs them to the control unit 402. In addition, the operation unit 403 outputs various types of information to the operation panel 301 according to instructions from the control unit 402.

  A reading unit 405 includes a scanner unit 302 and receives image data read by the scanner unit 302 and inputs the image data to the control unit 402. The input image data is sent to the image analysis unit 404 by the control unit 402 and analyzed by the image analysis unit 404.

  The image analysis unit 404 performs barcode data detection and analysis processing (FIG. 5 described later) on the image data sent from the control unit 402, and passes the detection and analysis results to the control unit 402.

  An image forming unit 407 forms output image data based on information input by the operation unit 403, information analyzed by the image analysis unit 404, and image data read by the reading unit 405. The formed image data is transmitted to the output unit 406. Note that the image forming unit 407 may be included in the control unit 402.

The output unit 406 includes a printer unit 306, and prints image data sent from the image forming unit 407 using the printer unit 306.
A communication unit 408 can communicate with a personal computer (PC) or the like via a network (not shown). That is, the copier 300 can receive print data from another device such as a PC via the communication unit 408, print it, and output an image read by the copier 300 to another device. It is.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when the copying machine 300 reads a barcode image. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  First, the control unit 402 controls the reading unit 405 to operate the document feeder 304 and the scanner unit 302 to execute scanning (image reading processing) of a sheet (for example, 60 in FIG. 4) set on the tray 303. Then, the scanned image data is input (image input) (S501).

  When image data is input, the control unit 402 sends the input image data to the image analysis unit 404. The image analysis unit 404 detects a barcode (for example, 61 in FIG. 4) from the input image data, and notifies the control unit 402 of the detection result (S502). The barcode detection process in S502 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the control unit 402 determines whether or not a barcode has been detected based on the barcode detection result in S502 (S503). If the bar code detection result includes information indicating that no bar code has been detected, the control unit 402 determines that no bar code has been detected, and advances the process to step S506. On the other hand, when the bar code detection result includes data extracted from the bar code, the control unit 402 determines that the bar code has been detected, and advances the process to S504.

  In step S504, the control unit 402 analyzes data extracted from the barcode included in the barcode detection result, and determines whether or not the copy restriction information is included in the barcode (S505). If it is determined in S505 that the bar code contains copy restriction information, the control unit 402 determines that copying is prohibited and stops the copying process (S507).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S <b> 505 that the bar code does not include copy restriction information, the control unit 402 shifts the process to S <b> 506 and controls to execute the print process (print process execution). That is, the control unit 402 sends the input image data input in S501 to the image forming unit 407. The image forming unit 407 forms output image data based on the input image data, and sends the formed image data to the output unit 406. The output unit 406 prints the image data sent from the image forming unit 407 using the printer unit 306.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, when the barcode detection result includes information indicating that the barcode has been detected but the decoding has failed, the control unit 402 prohibits printing or executes printing. To control. For example, it may be controlled to execute print prohibition or print processing in accordance with a setting (print prohibition or print execution) set in advance by an administrator.

  In the copy restriction system, in order to realize copy restriction without reducing copy productivity, it is necessary to reduce the time required for the barcode detection processing shown in S502 and move to the next step sooner. .

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a barcode printed on a sheet.
In FIG. 4, 61 is a barcode printed on the paper 60. As described above, the bar code 61 can hold electronic data such as copy restriction information and print information indicating who performed printing.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of the barcode detection process shown in S502 of FIG. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  First, when the image data scanned by the scanner unit 302 is input, the image analysis unit 404 scans the image data and detects the position of a predetermined two-dimensional barcode (S701). The position of the two-dimensional barcode is detected by using the same cutout symbol pattern arranged at three of the four corners of the two-dimensional barcode.

  Although not shown in FIG. 3, when the symbol cannot be detected in the image data in S701, the image analysis unit 404 uses the information that the two-dimensional barcode is not detected as a search result as a control unit. In step 402, the process of this flowchart is terminated.

  Next, the image analysis unit 404 restores the format information adjacent to the cut-out symbol obtained by position detection, and acquires the error correction level and mask pattern applied to the symbol (S702).

Next, the image analysis unit 404 cancels the mask process by performing an XOR operation on the encoded region bit pattern using the acquired mask pattern (S703).
Then, the image analysis unit 404 reads the symbol character according to the arrangement rule corresponding to the model, and restores the message data and the error correction code (S704).
Next, the image analysis unit 404 performs error detection processing on the restored code using an error correction code, and determines whether an error has been detected (S705).
If it is determined in S705 that an error has been detected by the error correction code, the image analysis unit 404 corrects the error of the restored code by the error correction code (S706), and the process proceeds to S707. .

On the other hand, if it is determined in S705 that no error has been detected by the error correction code, the image analysis unit 404 proceeds to S707 as it is.
In step S <b> 707, the image analysis unit 404 determines whether there is an error in the message data based on the error detection code included in the message data. If it is determined in S707 that there is no error, the image analysis unit 404 determines that decoding is successful, outputs the extracted message data to the control unit 402 as a search result (S708), and ends the processing. To do.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S707 that there is an error, the image analysis unit 404 determines that the decoding has failed, outputs a decoding failure to the control unit 402 as a search result (S709), and ends the process.

  Since the barcode position detection process performed in S701 is performed by sequentially scanning the input scan image, the barcode is located at a position away from the start position in the scan reading direction (upstream in the sub-scanning direction at the time of scanning). If it exists, the time required for detection becomes longer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the reading direction of the scanner and the barcode detection. In addition, the arrow in a figure shows the upstream direction of the subscanning direction at the time of a scan as a reading direction.
That is, the image 801 has a barcode 802 at a position close to the reading start position. On the other hand, the image 803 has a barcode 804 at a position far from the reading start position. Therefore, the barcode detection speed of the image 801 is faster than that of the image 803.

Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment will be described using this characteristic.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  When a print setting button (not shown) displayed on the operation panel 301 is pressed under the control of the control unit 402, the control unit 402 causes the operation setting panel 301 of the operation unit 403 to display the print setting screen illustrated in FIG. The print setting input is accepted (S901). Here, the print setting screen will be described.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a print setting screen.
In FIG. 8, reference numeral 1001 denotes a double-sided setting field, in which double-sided printing or single-sided printing can be set. FIG. 8 shows a state where double-sided printing is set. Reference numeral 1002 denotes a bookbinding setting field, in which no bookbinding, package binding, or saddle stitching can be set. FIG. 8 shows a state where no bookbinding is set. In addition, when setting bookbinding or saddle stitching, binding position settings (left side binding, right side binding) can be set.

Reference numeral 1003 denotes a stapling setting field, in which no stapling, single stapling (single place), or double stapling (two places) can be set. FIG. 8 shows a state in which double stapling is set. Further, when setting a double staple, a binding position setting (left side binding, right side binding, upper side binding, lower side binding) can be set.
Note that left side binding and right side binding are those in which the side of the image data in the image top-and-bottom direction is the binding position. Further, the upper side binding and the lower side binding are those in which the side orthogonal to the image top-and-bottom direction of the image data is the binding position.

  Reference numeral 1004 denotes a copy restriction setting field which can be set to set a copy restriction or not to set a copy restriction. FIG. 8 shows a setting state for setting copy restrictions. When setting copy restrictions, further copy permission conditions can be set. Reference numeral 1005 denotes a copy start button. When this button is instructed to be pressed, copy processing is started.

Returning to the flowchart of FIG.
When the user presses the copy start button 1005 in FIG. 8, the control unit 402 detects this operation, operates the document feeder 304 and the scanner unit 302, and scans the paper set on the tray 303. Then, the control unit 402 inputs the scanned image data via the reading unit 405 (image data input) (S902).

  Next, the control unit 402 transmits the image data input in S902 to the image forming unit 407 to generate output image data (hereinafter, output image data) (print image generation) (S903).

Further, the control unit 402 determines whether or not there is barcode printing (the copy restriction setting is set in the print setting in S901) (S904).
If it is determined in S904 that there is no barcode printing, the control unit 402 transmits the output image data generated in S903 as print data from the image forming unit 407 to the output unit 406, and the output unit 406 performs printing. (Image output) (S908).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S904 that there is barcode printing, the control unit 402 generates barcode image data according to the setting input in S901 (S905). For example, when copy permission conditions are set, barcode image data is generated from information including the copy permission conditions.

  Next, the control unit 402 determines the barcode printing position in order to synthesize the barcode image data generated in S905 with the output image data generated in S903 (S906). The method for determining the barcode printing position (composition position determination) in S906 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  When the barcode printing position is determined, the control unit 402 causes the image forming unit 407 to synthesize the barcode image data with the determined barcode printing position of the output image data, and print data (barcode synthesized data). Output image data) is generated (S907). Then, the control unit 402 causes the image forming unit 407 to send the generated print data to the output unit 406.

The output unit 406 prints the print data sent from the image forming unit 407 using the printer unit 306 (image output) (S908).
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of the barcode position determination (composition position determination) process according to the first embodiment. This barcode position determination process is executed in S906 of FIG. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  First, the control unit 402 acquires the original orientation (original orientation) of the output image data generated in S903 (original orientation acquisition) (S1101). Note that the document orientation of the output image data is the direction of the image data corresponding to the top direction of the document when a printed matter printed from the image data is set as a document in the reading device. First, the top direction of the document will be described.

Here, with reference to FIG. 10, the top direction of the document when the feeder is used and when the pressure plate is used will be described.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the top direction of the document when the feeder is used and when the pressure plate is used.
FIG. 10A is a view of the feeder 304 in the scanner unit 302 of the copying machine 10 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above. When a document is set on the tray 303 of the feeder 304 (when using the feeder). The top direction of the original is indicated by an arrow 1201.

  FIG. 10B is a view of a glass surface (not shown) in the copying machine 10 as viewed from above, and an arrow 1202 indicates the top direction (original direction) of the document when the pressure plate is used. As indicated by arrows 1201 and 1202, the top direction of the document is the same when using the feeder and when using the pressure plate (the back side as viewed from the operator). In the example of FIG. 10, the top direction of the document corresponds to a direction obtained by rotating the upstream direction in the sub-scanning direction when the document is read by the reading device by 90 degrees clockwise.

Hereinafter, a method in which the control unit 402 acquires the document orientation of the output image data (image data direction corresponding to the top direction of the document) will be described.
First, the control unit 402 acquires a document size that can set the longitudinal direction of the document in the main scanning direction of the reading device. Note that the size of the printed material that can set the longitudinal direction of the printed material in the main scanning direction of the reading device (size that can be placed vertically or horizontally) is, for example, A4, A5, B5 in the case of a reading device that can scan up to A3. , Letter etc. In addition, the size where the printed material cannot be set in the longitudinal direction of the printed material in the main scanning direction of the reading device (size that can only be placed horizontally) is, for example, A3, B4, etc. in the case of a reading device capable of scanning up to A3.
Next, the control unit 402 determines whether the size of the printed material printed from the output image data is a size that cannot set the longitudinal direction of the printed material in the main scanning direction of the reading device (a size that can only be placed horizontally), or the main size of the reading device. It is determined whether the longitudinal direction of the printed material can be set in the scanning direction (a size that allows both vertical and horizontal placement). Note that the size of the printed material printed from the output image data may be acquired from the output image data itself, or may be acquired from the “paper size” included in the print settings input in step S901.

  Further, the size that can set the longitudinal direction of the printed material in the main scanning direction of the reading device or the size that cannot be set may be acquired from the reading unit 405 or may be another acquisition method. Specifically, in consideration of reading with other devices, the user inputs information of the reading device in advance and stores it in the HDD in the control unit 402, and obtains it from the HDD in the control unit 402. It may be a method to do.

  Next, the control unit 402 determines whether the output image data is a landscape image or a portrait image. Note that the landscape image indicates an image in which the short side direction of the image matches the vertical direction of the image. A portrait image indicates an image in which the longitudinal direction of the image matches the vertical direction of the image. Whether the output image data is a landscape image or a portrait image may be determined from the output image data itself or from the “paper orientation” included in the print settings input in step S901. .

  When the size of the printed material printed from the output image data is a size that cannot set the longitudinal direction of the printed material in the main scanning direction of the reading device, and the output image data is determined to be a landscape image, the control unit 402 Acquires the image upper direction (image top direction) of the output image data as the document orientation.

  Further, when the size of the printed material printed from the output image data is a size in which the longitudinal direction of the printed material cannot be set in the main scanning direction of the reading device, and the output image data is determined to be a portrait image, the control unit In step 402, a direction obtained by rotating the image upward direction of the output image data by 90 degrees clockwise is obtained as the document orientation.

  If the size of the printed material printed from the output image data is determined to be a size that allows the longitudinal direction of the printed material to be set in the main scanning direction of the reading device, the control unit 402 sets the image upward direction of the output image data to the original Get as orientation.

As described above, the control unit 402 acquires the document orientation (document orientation) of the output image data.
Hereinafter, the description returns to the flowchart of FIG.
Next, the control unit 402 acquires reading device information (information indicating the original reading method of the reading device) from the reading unit 405 (acquisition of reading method) (S1102). The reading device information (information indicating the document reading method of the reading device) is information on a reader that reads a document, and uses a feeder (provided with a feeder) or a pressure plate (not equipped with a feeder). Information is acquired. This reading device information is used for determining the barcode position as information on the reading device used when copying again, but the reading information at the time of barcode generation is assumed to be read by the same device even in the case of recopying. Use. In consideration of the case of reading with other devices, the user may input information of the reading device in advance and store it in the HDD in the control unit 402 or the like.

  Next, based on the reading device information acquired in S1102, the control unit 402 determines whether or not the reading device used when copying again includes a feeder (uses a feeder or uses a pressure plate). Is determined (S1103). If it is determined in S1103 that the reading apparatus has a feeder (uses the feeder), the process proceeds to S1104. In step S <b> 1104, the control unit 402 determines the barcode printing position as the upper left area (upper left side) facing the document in order to print the barcode at a position close to the reading start position.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1103 that the reading apparatus does not include a feeder (uses a pressure plate), the control unit 402 advances the process to S1105. In step S <b> 1105, the control unit 402 determines the barcode printing position as the upper right (upper right side) area facing the document in order to print the barcode at a position close to the reading start position.

  In S1104, the barcode position (composite position) is determined on the upper left side of the original and in S1105, the upper right side of the original. This is because when the printed image of the output image data has a size that allows the longitudinal direction of the printed material to be set in the main scanning direction of the reading device (that is, a size that can be placed vertically or horizontally), either direction of portrait orientation or landscape orientation This is because the bar code is printed so that the bar code is on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the reading device even if the original is set.

  As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, based on a reading method of a reading device that performs image reading processing of a printed matter printed from output image data, the reading device is upstream in the sub-scanning direction when the printed matter is read. A region of the image data is predicted and specified. Then, a barcode printing position (compositing position) is determined in the output image data area on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the printed matter by the specified reading device. This makes it possible to print a barcode at a position close to the reading start position of the reading device (a position where the barcode is detected earlier when reading a paper document on which the barcode is printed) when performing re-copying. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time required for barcode detection and analysis, and it is possible to realize a system using barcodes without reducing scan productivity and copy speed.

  In the second embodiment, the print position of the barcode is more optimally determined by adding print setting information to the determination of the barcode position in the first embodiment. Note that the configuration of the apparatus and the barcode printing process according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, in order to determine a more optimal barcode printing position in double-sided printing, information on whether the feeder is reverse reading or double-sided simultaneous reading is used as a feeder reading method. Note that a feeder that performs simultaneous reading on both sides is a reading device that can simultaneously read the front and back sides when scanning a document. On the other hand, a feeder that performs reverse reading is a reading device that first reads one side and then reads the remaining one side again by conveying and inverting the paper.

  In the reading apparatus for reverse reading, in order to reverse the paper, the reading start position is the same as the original direction on both the front surface and the back surface. On the other hand, in the reading apparatus for simultaneous reading on both sides, the reading start position is reversed with respect to the direction of the document on the front surface and the back surface. Therefore, in order to place the barcode near the reading start position, it is necessary to print the barcode at a position as shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the reading method of the reading device and the barcode position.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating details of barcode position determination (composition position determination) processing according to the second embodiment. This barcode position determination process is executed in S906 of FIG. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  First, the control unit 402 acquires the print setting information set in S901 of FIG. 7 (print setting acquisition) (S1401). Note that the print setting information used in the present embodiment is information on double-sided printing and binding settings (left and right open, up and down open).

  Note that S1402 to S1403 are the same as S1101 to S1102 of FIG. Note that the reading device information acquired in step S1403 includes information on whether or not the reading device can simultaneously read both sides. The left-right opening is a binding setting that closes one of the sides (left side or right side) of the printed matter (output image data) extending in the image vertical direction (image top-to-bottom direction). Further, the vertical opening is a binding setting that closes one of the sides (upper side or lower side) extending in the direction (horizontal direction) perpendicular to the vertical direction (image top / bottom direction) of the printed matter (output image data).

  Next, the control unit 402 determines whether the reading apparatus includes a feeder (uses a feeder or uses a pressure plate) (S1404). If it is determined in S1404 that the reading device does not include a feeder (uses a pressure plate), the control unit 402 sets the barcode printing position to print the barcode near the reading start position. Then, the upper right corner of the original is determined (S1410).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1404 that the reading apparatus has a feeder (uses the feeder), the control unit 402 advances the process to S1405.
In step S1405, the control unit 402 determines whether double-sided printing is set. If it is determined in S1405 that double-sided printing is not set, the control unit 402 determines the barcode print position to be the upper left of the document (S1409).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1405 that double-sided printing is set, the control unit 402 determines whether the print image currently being printed is the back side of the document (S1406). If it is determined that the print image currently being printed is not the back side (the front side) of the document, the control unit 402 determines the barcode print position at the upper left of the document (S1409).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1406 that the print image currently being printed is the back side of the document, the control unit 402 determines whether the reading apparatus can simultaneously read both sides from the reading apparatus information acquired in S1403. . If it is determined in S1407 that the reading apparatus can simultaneously read both sides, the control unit 402 determines whether the binding setting is left-right opening (S1408). If it is determined in S1408 that the binding setting is left / right opening, the control unit 402 determines the barcode print position to be the upper right of the original (S1410).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1408 that the binding setting is not left / right opening (up / down opening), the control unit 402 determines the barcode printing position to be the upper left of the document (S1409).
If it is determined in S1407 that the reading apparatus cannot simultaneously read both sides, the control unit 402 determines whether the binding setting is left-right opening (S1411). If it is determined in S1411 that the binding setting is left / right opening, the control unit 402 determines the barcode print position to be the upper left of the document (S1413).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1411 that the binding setting is not left-right opening (upper limit opening), the control unit 402 determines the barcode printing position to the upper right of the original (S1412).
Based on the barcode printing position information determined as described above, the barcode is combined with the print image in S907 of FIG. 7, and the print image is output in the output unit 406 in S908.
In the second embodiment, the barcode printing position can be determined more optimally even in the case of a double-sided document by using information on the print setting and the reading method of the scanner to determine the barcode printing position. Thereby, the barcode reading speed of the double-sided document can be improved.

  In the first and second embodiments, the method of printing a barcode at a position close to the reading start position at the time of copying has been described. However, when stapling or bookbinding is set in the print settings, there is a possibility that reading may not be performed correctly during re-copying depending on the barcode printing position. That is, if the barcode printing position is close to the binding position, the barcode may be hidden by the previous and next pages, or the bound portion may not be in close contact with the pressure plate, and the barcode may not be read correctly. Therefore, in the third embodiment, a method for determining the barcode print position according to the print settings will be described in order to read the barcode quickly and accurately.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an optimal barcode printing position when saddle stitch binding, wrapping binding, and stapling are set.
When the binding is set, the document reading apparatus is limited to the pressure plate, and the reading direction is constant. As shown in FIG. 14, when binding setting (bookbinding setting or stapling setting) is set as the print setting, a barcode is arranged at a position opposite to the binding position and close to the reading start position.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating details of barcode position determination (composition position determination) processing according to the third embodiment. This barcode position determination process is executed in S906 of FIG. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  First, the control unit 402 acquires the print setting information set in S901 of FIG. 7 (S1500). The print setting information used in this embodiment includes binding settings (binding settings (saddle binding, wrap binding), staple settings (single, double), binding position settings (left edge binding, right edge binding, upper edge binding, lower edge binding). )) Information.

Next, the control unit 402 acquires the original orientation (original orientation) of the output image data generated in S903 (S1501).
Next, the control unit 402 determines whether “saddle binding” or “wrap binding” is set as the print setting information acquired in S1500 (S1502). If it is determined in S1502 that “saddle binding” or “wrap binding” is set as the print setting information, the control unit 402 shifts the processing to S1507.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S1502 that neither “saddle binding” or “wrap binding” is set as the print setting information, the control unit 402 determines whether stapling is set as the print setting. (S1503). If it is determined in S1503 that the staple setting is not set as the print setting, the control unit 402 determines the barcode position based on the barcode position setting method described in the second embodiment (S1505). That is, the barcode position is determined by the processing of S1403 to S1413 in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1503 that stapling is set as the print setting, the control unit 402 determines whether the stapling setting is set to left and right double (double stapling and left side binding or right side binding). Is determined (S1504). If it is determined in S1504 that the staple setting is not set to double left and right, the control unit 402 determines the barcode printing position on the opposite side of the binding position and on the right side of the document (S1506).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S1504 that the stapling setting is set to the left / right double, the process proceeds to S1507.
In step S <b> 1507, the control unit 402 determines the barcode print position as an area opposite to the binding position and above the document.
In step S1507, the barcode position (composition position) is determined on the opposite side of the binding position and above the original. This is because the barcode is printed so that the barcode is on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the reading device when the short direction of the printed image of the output image data is set in the main scanning direction of the reading device.
In S1506, the barcode position (composition position) is determined on the opposite side of the binding position and on the right side of the original. This is because when the printed image of the output image data has a size that can set the longitudinal direction of the printed material in the main scanning direction of the reading device (that is, the size that can be placed vertically), This is because the barcode is printed so that the code is on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the reading device.

Based on the barcode printing position information determined as described above, the barcode is combined with the print image in S907 of FIG. 7, and the print image is output in the output unit 406 in S908.
In the third embodiment, in order to determine the barcode printing position, information on whether or not binding is set in the print setting is used, and control is performed so that the barcode is positioned on the opposite side or diagonal of the binding position. As a result, when the original is copied again, the barcode information can be accurately read even for the bound original.

  Therefore, if the barcode cannot be printed at a position where the reading speed is improved, the barcode printing position is determined with priority given to accurate barcode reading. The code can be read.

  In the first to third embodiments, the barcode printing position is automatically set, so that the user can print the barcode at the optimum position without being aware of the barcode reading performance. It was. However, depending on the type of document on which the barcode is printed, there are cases where the user selects the barcode position and prints it. For such a case, the fourth embodiment will explain a method for presenting an optimal barcode printing position when the user selects a barcode position.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  When a print setting button (not shown) displayed on the operation panel 301 is pressed, the control unit 402 displays the print setting screen shown in FIG. 8 on the operation panel 301 of the operation unit 403 and receives a print setting input from the user. (S1701).

  Next, the control unit 402 determines whether or not to perform barcode printing setting (S1702). If it is determined in S1702 that the barcode print setting is to be performed, the control unit 402 performs a barcode setting input process for the document orientation (S1703), and the process proceeds to S1704. In the print setting screen of FIG. 8, when “set” is selected in the copy restriction setting field 1004, a bar code print position setting screen shown in FIG. 17 described later is displayed, and the bar code print setting input is set. Controlled to be possible. In the barcode setting input, the user selects the barcode printing position. Details of the barcode position setting process will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S1702 that the barcode print setting is not performed, the control unit 402 proceeds to S1704 as it is.
Next, when the control unit 402 detects that the copy start button 1005 in FIG. 8 has been pressed (print execution instruction) (S1704), the control unit 402 advances the process to S1705.
Note that the processing of S1705 to 1709 is the same as the processing of S902 to S905 in FIG.
Next, the control unit 402 acquires the original orientation (original orientation) of the output image data generated in S1706 (S1710).
Next, the control unit 402 specifies the position on the output image data where the barcode image data is actually combined based on the barcode printing position with respect to the document orientation set in S1703 and the document orientation acquired in S1710. Then, the control unit 402 instructs the image forming unit 407 to synthesize the barcode image data at a position on the specified output image data (S1711). Then, the control unit 402 instructs the image forming unit 407 to send the print data generated by the synthesis in S1711 to the output unit 406.

The output unit 406 prints the print data sent from the image forming unit 407 using the printer unit 306 (image output) (S1712).
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the barcode setting input process for the document orientation shown in S1703 of FIG. Note that the processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU of the control unit 402 reading and executing a program recorded in a ROM or the like.

  First, the control unit 402 acquires print setting information set in S1701 of FIG. 15 (S1801). The information acquired here includes duplex setting, bookbinding setting, staple setting, and binding position setting.

  Next, the control unit 402 acquires reading device information from the reading unit 405 (S1802). The reading device information is information of a reader that reads a document, and information on whether to use a feeder (provided with a feeder) or to use a pressure plate (not equipped with a feeder) is acquired. This reading device information is used for determining the barcode position as information on the reading device used when copying again, but the reading information at the time of barcode generation is assumed to be read by the same device even in the case of recopying. Use. In consideration of the case of reading with other devices, the user may input information of the reading device in advance and store it in the HDD in the control unit 402 or the like.

  Next, the control unit 402 calculates the print position with respect to the original orientation in which the barcode can be optimally read by the method described in the first to third embodiments based on the information acquired in 1801 and S1802. In the first to third embodiments, the optimum barcode printing position is automatically determined. However, in this embodiment, candidates for selection by the user (including the optimum barcode printing position as an initial selection value) are determined, and a screen as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed (presented) on the operation panel 301 ( (Composition position candidate presentation) (S1803). For example, if the print setting is determined to be a scanner that opens to the left and right and can read both sides simultaneously, a bar code print position candidate as shown in FIG. 17 is displayed on the operation panel 301 to allow the user to select it.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a barcode printing position setting screen.
In FIG. 17, reference numeral 1901 denotes an information display field on which print setting information and reading device information are displayed.
Reference numeral 1902 denotes a front bar code printing position setting field, and any one of setting buttons 1903 to 1905 can be selected. Reference numeral 1906 denotes a front bar code printing position setting field, and one of setting buttons 1907 to 1909 can be selected. Reference numerals 1903 and 1907 are the optimum bar code printing positions for the document orientation determined using any of the configurations of the first to third embodiments, and are initially selected values (default) as shown in the drawing. ing.

  Reference numeral 1910 denotes a cancel button. By pressing this button, the setting of the bar code print position information input on the bar code print position setting screen is canceled. Reference numeral 1911 denotes an OK button. By pressing this button, the barcode print position information input on the barcode print position setting screen is set.

  The user refers to the display in the information display field 1901 and selects one barcode from the candidates shown in the front surface setting 1902 and back surface setting 1906 as the front surface setting (1903 to 1905) and back surface setting (1907 to 1909). A position is selected and an OK button 1911 is pressed. Then, the control unit 402 detects this operation, and the process proceeds to S1804.

In step S1804, the control unit 402 acquires the barcode printing position selected by the user, and ends the barcode position selection operation.
Here, in S1803, the barcode printing position candidates are first narrowed down (to the position upstream of the reading device in the sub-scanning direction) and displayed and selected by the user. All the positions may be displayed on the operation panel 301 and may be selected by the user. At this time, if the barcode printing position selected by the user is a position where the barcode detection speed becomes slow (for example, a position downstream in the sub-scanning direction of the reading device), a warning may be displayed to the user. Good.

  As described above, the fourth embodiment has a configuration in which, when performing bar code print setting, the user is presented with the optimum bar code print position candidates narrowed down and selected by the user. As a result, the barcode reading speed is high and the barcode can be printed at a position according to the user's intention without making the user aware of the reading speed.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, the method for printing a barcode during copying in the image forming apparatus has been described. However, when the user makes a print request to the image forming apparatus from the PC instead of the image forming apparatus, the received printing is performed. The same applies when printing a barcode on data.

  The same applies to the case where data with a barcode already printed is read and a new barcode is printed. In that case, the barcode image data that has already been printed may be cut out from the input image data, and the new barcode image data may be printed at the position determined by the above-described barcode printing position determination method.

It should be noted that the various screens and data configurations described above and the contents thereof are not limited to this, and needless to say, the screens may be configured in various configurations and contents depending on the application and purpose.
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take an embodiment as, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices, or may be applied to an apparatus composed of a single device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the barcode printing position can be adjusted to improve the barcode detection speed. As a result, the barcode can be detected and analyzed from the image data on which the barcode is printed without reducing the scanning speed.

Hereinafter, a storage medium (recording medium) for storing various data processing programs readable (computer-readable) by the information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.
Each process (each function described above) of the present invention can also be realized by executing software (program) acquired via a network or various storage media by a processing device (CPU, processor) such as a personal computer.

  Further, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices or an apparatus composed of a single device. It goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or apparatus, the system or apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications (including organic combinations of the embodiments) are possible based on the spirit of the present invention, and these are excluded from the scope of the present invention. is not.

While various examples and embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will not limit the spirit and scope of the present invention to the specific description in the present specification.
In addition, all the structures which combined each Example mentioned above and its modification are also included in this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 300 Copier 302 Scanner part 303 Feeder part 402 Control part 403 Operation part 404 Image analysis part 405 Reading part 406 Output part 407 Image formation part

Claims (20)

An image forming apparatus that synthesizes and prints additional information on image data,
Reading method acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a reading method of a reading device that performs image reading processing of a printed matter printed from the image data;
Based on the information indicating the reading method acquired by the reading method acquisition means, an area of the image data that is upstream in the sub-scanning direction when reading the printed matter by the reading device is specified, and the addition is added to the area Combining position determining means for determining the combining position so as to combine information;
An image forming apparatus comprising: A document direction acquisition means for acquiring a document direction of the image data;
The composite position determining unit is arranged on the upstream side in the sub-scanning direction of the printed matter by the reading device based on the document direction acquired by the document direction acquiring unit and the information indicating the reading method acquired by the reading method acquiring unit. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an area of the image data is specified, and a combination position is determined so that the additional information is combined with the area. The document direction acquisition means includes
Obtaining a document size capable of setting the longitudinal direction of the document in the main scanning direction of the reading device;
When the printed matter printed from the image data has a size that allows the longitudinal direction of the printed matter to be set in the main scanning direction of the reading device, the image upper direction of the image data is acquired as the original direction of the image data,
Further, when the printed matter printed from the image data has a size in which the longitudinal direction of the printed matter cannot be set in the main scanning direction of the reading device, and the image data is a landscape image, Obtained as the original direction,
Further, when the printed matter printed from the image data has a size in which the longitudinal direction of the printed matter cannot be set in the main scanning direction of the reading device, and the image data is a portrait image, the image upward direction of the image data The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a direction obtained by rotating the image 90 degrees clockwise is acquired as the document direction.   4. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating the reading method includes information indicating whether or not the feeding reading method is used for reading a document while feeding the document with a document feeding device. 5. apparatus.   When the reading method is the feeding reading method, the combining position determining unit determines the combining position as a left region in the document direction of the image data, while the reading method is not the feeding reading method. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the synthesis position is determined as a right side area of the image data in a document direction. Print setting acquisition means for acquiring print settings of image data;
When the reading method is the feeding reading method, the information indicating the reading method further includes information indicating whether or not the double-sided simultaneous reading method for simultaneously reading both sides of the document,
The synthetic position determining means includes
When the reading method is the double-sided simultaneous reading method and the print setting of the image data includes double-sided printing with left and right opening, or when the reading method is not the double-sided simultaneous reading method and the print setting of the image data is vertically open If the double-sided printing is included, the composite position of the back side of the image data is determined as the right side area of the image data in the original direction,
In addition, when the reading method is the double-sided simultaneous reading method and the print setting of the image data includes double-sided printing with up and down opening, or the reading method is not the double-sided simultaneous reading method and the print setting of the image data is 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the case of including left and right double-sided printing, the composite position of the back surface of the image data is determined as a left region in the document direction of the image data. The right area of the image data in the original direction is the upper right area of the image data in the original direction.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the left side area of the image data in the document direction is an upper left area of the image data in the document direction. Print setting acquisition means for acquiring print settings of image data;
The composition position determination unit, when the print setting of the image data includes a binding setting, determines the composition position of the image data as a region opposite to the binding position corresponding to the binding setting. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the binding setting includes a bookbinding setting or a staple setting.   When the print setting of the image data includes a bookbinding setting, the combining position determining unit sets the combining position of the image data in a region opposite to the binding position corresponding to the binding setting and above the image data in the document direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus determines the area of the image forming apparatus.   The composite position determining means, when the print setting of the image data includes a staple setting, and the binding position corresponding to the staple setting is a side in the image top / bottom direction of the image data, 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus determines a region opposite to the binding position corresponding to the staple setting and an upper region in the document direction of the image data.   The composite position determining unit includes a composite position of the image data when the print setting of the image data includes a staple setting, and the binding position corresponding to the staple setting is a side perpendicular to the image top / bottom direction of the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus determines an area on the opposite side of the binding position corresponding to the stapling setting and an area on the right side in the document direction of the image data. Presenting means for presenting a plurality of combined position candidates;
Setting means for selecting any one of the plurality of synthesis position candidates presented by the presenting means and setting it as a synthesis position;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the presenting unit presents the composite position determined by the composite position determining unit as an initial selection value.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: a warning unit that issues a warning when the combination position set by the setting unit is different from the combination position determined by the combination position determination unit. The reading device is a reading device provided in the image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading method acquisition unit acquires information indicating a reading method of the reading device from the reading device. Setting means for setting information indicating a reading method of the reading device;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading method acquisition unit acquires information indicating a reading method of the reading device from the setting unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information includes an image pattern generated by encoding electronic data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the electronic data included in the additional information includes information indicating copy restriction of a printed matter corresponding to the image data. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus that prints by adding additional information to image data,
A reading method acquiring step for acquiring information indicating a reading method of a reading device that performs an image reading process of a printed matter printed from the image data;
Based on the information indicating the reading method acquired in the reading method acquisition step, the composite position determination unit specifies the area of the image data that is upstream in the sub-scanning direction when the reading device reads the printed matter. A combining position determining step for determining a combining position so as to combine the additional information with the region;
A control method for an image forming apparatus, comprising:   A program for causing a computer provided in an image forming apparatus that synthesizes and prints additional information to image data to function as means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

Images