JP2010093528A - Composite machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite machine which saves resources, including toner and output papers, regarding printed paper revision and can obtain a print original and revision results that does not have inferior appearance. <P>SOLUTION: The composite machine includes: a scanner for reading an image on printed paper carried on a paper conveyance path for generating a scanned image; a display part for displaying the scanned image; an input setting part for inputting a revision area and revision information of the scanned image displayed on the display part; a printing part; and an overwriting revision control part for carrying the printed paper held on the paper conveyance path so as to make the revision area come to an overwriting position, after generating the scanned image by the scanner, overwrites and prints the revision area with toner having the same color as the paper to eliminate the revision area, carries the printed paper to the overwriting position in the revision area again after eliminating the revision area, and overwrites and prints the revision information in the revision area. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction machine that corrects print information recorded on printed paper.

  Conventionally, when a corrected portion is found after printing, the data is corrected and printed again. In this case, the amount of output paper used is increased, which hinders resource saving, environmental protection, and reduction of municipal waste.

  Further, when the printed paper is corrected freehand, the amount of output paper used does not increase, but the appearance is poor.

In Patent Document 1, a printed covering pattern of printed paper is generated, white toner is superimposed on this covering pattern, and the printing is erased to make a blank sheet.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-265249

  However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, although the consumption of output paper can be reduced, the entire printed paper is erased with white toner, so that the consumption of white toner increases and the toner consumption due to reprinting. However, it cannot be said that sufficient resource saving has been achieved.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and saves the use of toner and output paper for correction of printed paper and corrects the appearance that is not inferior to a printed document. An object of the present invention is to provide a multifunction machine capable of obtaining the above.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a multifunction machine of the present invention includes a scanner unit that reads a printed sheet image conveyed on a sheet conveyance path to generate a scanned image, a display unit that displays the scanned image, An input setting unit for inputting a correction area and correction information of the scan image displayed on the display unit, a printing unit, and the printed image held by the paper conveyance path after the scan image is generated by the scanner unit. The paper is transported so that the correction area is at the overwrite position, the correction area is overwritten with toner of the same color as the paper, erased, the correction area is erased, and then the correction area is overwritten again. An overwriting correction control unit that conveys the printed sheet and overwrites the correction information in the correction area.

  As the color of the toner to be overwritten and erased, the user designates white toner or paper-color toner, and the correction area of the printed paper is overwritten and erased by the designated color.

In addition, when the input setting unit determines that a character exists in the correction area, the input setting unit acquires font type information and font size information of the character, and applies the correction information to the character information of the correction information. Can be merged with printed information.
In addition, when the correction information is image data, the input setting unit scans and inputs the correction information by using a second scanner unit included in the multi-function peripheral, and scales the size of the image data. Fit to the size of the area.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to save resources of toner and output paper for correction of printed paper, and to obtain a correction result that looks similar to a printed document.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to a multifunction machine of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a main part of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The multifunction machine 1 has a configuration of a conventional multifunction machine, and a scanner unit 13 is newly provided on the paper conveyance path of the printer unit 3. The overwriting correction control unit (not shown) of the multifunction machine 1 uses the scanner unit 13. Then, the scanned information of the printed paper to be corrected is taken in, and the printer unit 3 performs overwriting correction printing on the printed paper based on the correction location and the correction content input from the operation panel (not shown). In the case of an image, the correction content is captured using the scanner unit 2 mounted on the multifunction device 1, and in the case of a character, the correction content is captured by a keyboard or handwriting.

  Next, the operation of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment when overwriting correction printing on a printed sheet will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) For single-sided printing:
(1-1) Making a correction area blank:
The conveyance path of the printed paper (hereinafter referred to as “original”) to be corrected uses the same conveyance path as the conveyance path through which the printing paper passes when double-sided printing is performed by a printer, copy, or the like.
First, the user places the original 17 printed on one side on the paper feed tray 16 of the multifunction machine 1 with the printed side to be corrected facing down.

The overwrite correction control unit of the multifunction machine 1 sends the document 17 in the order of the transport paths 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, stops the transport when reaching the transport path 22, and sends the document 17 in the reverse direction. .
The overwriting correction control unit switches the conveyance path switching guide 14, sends the document 17 in the order of the conveyance paths 22, 23, and 24, scans it with the scanner unit 13, and captures scan information of the document 17.
Thereafter, the overwrite correction control unit switches the conveyance path switching guide 15 and stops the document 17 on the conveyance path 25.

  Next, when the document 17 uses white paper, the overwrite correction control unit forms the white toner 5E on the photosensitive drum 7E in a position and shape to be overwritten, transfers the toner to the transfer belt 10, and transfers the document 17 The document 17 is sent from the conveyance path 25 to the conveyance path 20 to transfer the white toner to the correction portion of the document 17 and the white toner of the document 17 is fixed by the fixing unit 12. It conveys to the conveyance paths 21 and 22.

  Alternatively, when the document 17 uses colored paper, the overwrite correction control unit reproduces the same color as the paper or a color close thereto on the transfer belt 10 using toners such as cyan, magenta, and yellow, It is formed in the position and shape to be overwritten, the transfer timing is adjusted to the position to be corrected on the document 17, the document 17 is sent from the transport path 25 to the transport path 20, and the color reproduction toner is transferred to the correction position on the document 17 and fixed. The color reproduction toner of the document 17 is fixed by the unit 12 and conveyed to the conveyance paths 21 and 22.

(1-2) Printing on correction points:
Next, the overwrite correction control unit stops the conveyance of the document 17 when it reaches the conveyance path 22, sends it in the reverse direction, switches the conveyance path switching guide 14, and sends the documents in the order of the conveyance paths 22, 23, 24. The scanner unit 13 conveys the document 17 without operating, and switches the conveyance path switching guide 15 to convey the document 17 to the conveyance paths 25, 21, and 22.

  The overwriting correction control unit stops the conveyance of the document 17 when it reaches the conveyance path 22, sends the document 17 in the reverse direction, switches the conveyance path switching guide 14, and changes the conveyance paths 22, 23, 24. The document 17 is sequentially fed, the scanner unit 13 is not operated, and the document 17 is stopped when the conveyance path switching guide 15 is switched to reach the conveyance path 25.

  Next, the overwrite correction control unit forms toner of correction information (characters, images, etc.) on the transfer belt 10 at the printing position, aligns the transfer timing with the position where the original 17 is to be corrected, and moves the original 17 from the conveyance path 25. The toner of correction information (characters, images, etc.) is transferred to the conveyance path 20, transferred to the correction portion of the document 17, fixed by the fixing unit 12, conveyed to the conveyance paths 21, 22, and the document 17 is discharged to the discharge tray. 26, the overwriting correction of the single-sided original is completed.

(2) For duplex printing:
(2-1) Blanking of the corrected part:
The original 17 printed on both sides is placed on the paper feed tray 16 of the multifunction machine 1 with the surface thereof facing down.
The overwrite correction control unit of the multifunction machine 1 sends the document 17 in the order of the transport paths 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, stops the transport when reaching the transport path 22, and sends the document 17 in the reverse direction. .
The overwriting correction control unit switches the conveyance path switching guide 14, sends the document 17 in the order of the conveyance paths 22, 23, and 24, scans it with the scanner unit 13, and captures scan information on the surface of the document 17.
Thereafter, the overwrite correction control unit switches the conveyance path switching guide 15 and stops the document 17 on the conveyance path 25.

  Next, when the document 17 uses white paper, the overwrite correction control unit forms the white toner 5E on the photosensitive drum 7E in a position and shape to be overwritten, transfers the toner to the transfer belt 10, and transfers the document 17 The document 17 is sent from the conveyance path 25 to the conveyance path 20 by aligning the transfer timing with the position on the surface of the document to be corrected, the white toner is transferred to the correction portion of the document 17, and the white toner of the document 17 is fixed by the fixing unit 12. Then, it is transported to the transport paths 21 and 22.

  Alternatively, when the document 17 uses colored paper, the overwrite correction control unit reproduces the same color as the paper or a color close thereto on the transfer belt 10 using toners such as cyan, magenta, and yellow, The overprinting position and shape are formed, the transfer timing is adjusted to the position on the surface of the document 17 to be corrected, the document 17 is sent from the transport path 25 to the transport path 20, and the color reproduction toner is transferred to the correction portion of the document 17. Then, the color reproduction toner of the document 17 is fixed by the fixing unit 12 and conveyed to the conveyance paths 21 and 22.

  Similarly, the overwrite correction control unit scans the back side of the document 17 by the scanner unit 13 and blanks the range to be corrected on the back side.

(2-2) Printing on correction points:
Next, the overwrite correction control unit stops the conveyance of the document 17 when it reaches the conveyance path 22, sends the document 17 in the reverse direction, switches the conveyance path switching guide 14, and switches the conveyance paths 22, 23, 24. The document 17 is fed in this order, the scanner unit 13 is not operated, and the document 17 is stopped when the conveyance path switching guide 15 is switched and the conveyance path 25 is reached.

  Next, the overwrite correction control unit forms toner of correction information (characters, images, etc.) on the surface of the document 17 on the transfer belt 10 at the printing position, and matches the transfer timing with the position of the surface of the document 17 to be corrected, The document 17 is sent from the conveyance path 25 to the conveyance path 20, the toner of the surface correction information (characters, images, etc.) formed on the transfer belt 10 is transferred to the surface of the document 17, and the surface of the document 17 is corrected by the fixing unit 12. The toner of information (characters, images, etc.) is fixed and transported to transport paths 21 and 22.

  Similarly, the overwrite correction control unit stops the conveyance of the document 17 when it reaches the conveyance path 22, sends the document 17 in the reverse direction, switches the conveyance path switching guide 14, and switches the conveyance paths 22, 23, 24. The document 17 is fed in this order, the scanner unit 13 is not operated, and the document 17 is stopped when the conveyance path switching guide 15 is switched and the conveyance path 25 is reached.

  Next, the overwrite correction control unit forms the toner of the correction information (characters, images, etc.) on the back side of the document 17 on the transfer belt 10 at the printing position, and matches the transfer timing with the position of the back side of the document 17 to be corrected, The document 17 is sent from the conveyance path 25 to the conveyance path 20, the toner of the back surface correction information (characters, images, etc.) formed on the transfer belt 10 is transferred to the back surface of the document 17, and the fixing unit 12 corrects the back surface of the document 17. The toner of information (characters, images, etc.) is fixed and transported to the transport paths 21 and 22, the document 17 is output to the paper discharge tray 26, and the overwriting correction of the double-sided document ends.

Next, the processing procedure for overwriting correction of a document in the multifunction machine 1 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of the overwrite correction control unit when overwriting correction is performed on a printed sheet of the multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. FIGS. 3 to 6 illustrate examples of the operation panel and the operation screen. FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the operation panel A of the multi-function device 1, and includes a basic operation unit A1 on which a numeric keypad, a start key (color, black and white), a release key, and the like are arranged, a printer key, a FAX / image transmission key, and a copy. A function selection key A2 for selecting each mode from a key and a correction key, and an LCD touch panel A3 in which the touch panel and the display of the selection screen when each mode is selected and executed and the display screen of the execution result are superimposed.

  First, when the multi-function device 1 is activated by turning on the power, the initial process starts and enters an idle state. In this idle state or during the initial process, the user places the document 17 on the paper feed tray 16 of the multifunction machine 1 and selects one of the function selection keys A2.

  If it is determined that any one of the printer key, the FAX / image transmission key, and the copy key is pressed (step S11), any one of the printer processing corresponding to the key, the FAX / image transmission processing, and the copy processing (step S27). When the process ends, the process returns to step S11 to shift to the idle state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the correction key has been selected (step S11), the correction processing initial screen D1 is displayed on the LCD touch panel A3 shown in FIG. 3 (step S12).

Each touch key in the correction processing initial screen D1 has the following meaning, and the colored area to the right of each touch key represents a selection value for each touch key.
The density touch keys for various settings are used to adjust the density when scanning the document 17, the resolution touch key is used to adjust the scanner resolution of the document 17, and the color touch key is used for scanning the document 17 (color, gray scale, black and white, etc.). The adjustment and document touch key sets adjustments for the document 17 such as a one-sided document, a two-sided side-bound document, a two-sided vertically-bound document, a paper orientation (landscape, portrait), and the like. The printer touch key receives correction data of the document 17 from the PC (personal computer connected to the multifunction machine 1), performs correction processing, and shifts to an idle state.

The document tray touch key is used to select a paper feed tray on which the surface of the document 17 is placed downward. The document scan touch key is used to scan the document 17, and the white erase touch key is used to whiten the corrected portion of the document 17 with white toner. The setting for overwriting and erasing, and the erasing color designation setting touch key are used to set the color for overwriting and erasing the correction portion when the document 17 is colored paper.
The scanned image is an image obtained when the original 17 is scanned by the scanner unit 13 using the original scan touch key. The OK touch key moves to the correction location designation setting screen D2. The CANCEL touch key cancels the correction process and shifts to the idle state.

  In the correction processing initial screen D1, the user performs various setting processes such as selection of a tray on which the document 17 is placed, scanner density of the document 17, scanner resolution, scanner color mode, and scanner document.

Next, when it is determined that the document scan touch key on the correction processing initial screen D1 is touched, the scanner unit 13 performs a scan process on the document 17, and displays the scanned image on the correction processing initial screen D1 (step S13).
When the user selects the erase color at the correction location with the white erase touch key or the erase color designation setting touch key on the correction processing initial screen D1, the selected erase color is set (step S14).

Next, the user touches the OK touch key or the CANCEL touch key on the correction processing initial screen D1.
If it is determined that the CANCEL touch key has been touched (step S15), the tray selection setting, the various setting processes selected so far, the scanned document 17, the scanned image display, and the erasure color setting process for the corrected portion are canceled. Then, the process returns to step S11 and shifts to the idle state.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the OK touch key has been touched (step S15), a correction location designation setting screen D2 as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed on the LCD touch panel A3, and the user designates and sets the location where the document 17 is to be corrected. (Step S16).

A scan image of the original 17 is displayed at the center of the correction location designation setting screen D2, and a correction location area designation touch key, a correction character setting touch key, a correction image setting touch key, an OK touch key, and a CANCEL touch key are displayed on the right side of the screen. The correction location adjustment cross-touch key and the vertical and horizontal correction area size adjustment sliders are arranged on the left side of the screen.
Use the correction area specification touch key to select a correction area type, such as rectangle, ellipse, freeform, etc., adjust the correction area using the correction area position adjustment cross-touch key, and adjust the correction area size adjustment slider. Adjust the vertical size and horizontal size of the correction area with.

The correction character setting touch key shifts to the correction character input setting screen D3, and the correction image setting touch key shifts to the correction image input setting screen D4.
When the OK touch key is overwritten and erased in the area where the correction portion is set, the state shifts to the idle state.
The CANCEL touch key cancels all the settings of the correction location designation set on the correction location designation setting screen D2, and shifts to the idle state.

The user touches the correction character setting touch key, the correction image setting touch key, the OK touch key, or the CANCEL touch key after specifying the correction portion on the correction portion specification setting screen D2.
If it is determined that the CANCEL touch key has been touched (step S17), the correction location setting process is canceled, and the process returns to step S12 to display the correction process initial screen D1.
If it is determined that the OK touch key has been touched (step S17), only the overwriting and erasing process (step S18) of the correction portion of the document 17 is performed and the process returns to step S11 to shift to the idle state.

If it is determined that the corrected character setting touch key has been touched (step S17), a corrected character input process is performed (step S19).
In this correction character input process, a character / font recognition process is performed for the character at the correction portion of the document 17 by a known technique to determine the font type and font size, and the correction character input setting as shown in FIG. The screen D3 is displayed. Here, the determined font type and font size become default values of the font type and font size in the modified character input setting screen D3.

  A corrected preview image of the document 17 is displayed at the center of the corrected character input setting screen D3, a corrected character position adjustment touch key, an OK touch key, and a CANCEL touch key are arranged on the right side of the screen, and the font type and Input setting means such as a keyboard, a handwritten area, a character code list, and character code input are arranged in the lower row of the font size selection touch key. This font type and font size selection touch key can be selected or set automatically or manually.

The cross-touch key for correcting the corrected character position is used to adjust the character position of the character or character string input by the input setting means within the correction location area.
The OK touch key overwrites and erases the area where the correction portion is set with the set color, and when the correction character is overwritten on the correction portion and ends, the state shifts to the idle state.
The CANCEL touch key cancels the corrected character input setting process and shifts to the corrected portion designation setting screen D2.

In the above description, character data is input using a keyboard or the like displayed by the input setting unit. However, the character data may be input from a PC connected to the MFP 1.
In this case, for example, before the MFP 1 executes the document overwrite correction process, a dedicated application that cooperates with the document overwrite correction process is executed on the PC, and the printer touch key ( By operating “OFF” to “ON” in FIG. 3, the character data input from the PC can be input to the multi-function device 1.

When the user finishes inputting and setting the character or character string to be overwritten on the correction portion, the user touches the OK touch key or the CANCEL touch key.
If it is determined that the CANCEL touch key has been touched (step S20), the corrected character setting process is canceled, and the process returns to step S16 to display the corrected location designation setting screen D2.
If it is determined that the OK touch key has been touched (step S20), the corrected portion of the document 17 is overwritten and erased (step S21), and the corrected character set in the corrected character input process is overwritten at the overwritten and erased position of the document 17. When the correction process is completed (step S22), the process returns to step S11 to shift to the idle state.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the correction image setting touch key on the correction location designation setting screen D2 has been touched (step S17), a correction image input setting process is performed (step S23).
In this correction image input setting process, a correction image input setting screen D4 as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, and scanning of the input image for correction, image size, and image position adjustment are performed.

  A correction preview image of the original 17 is displayed on the right side of the center of the correction image input setting screen D4, an image for correction is displayed on the left side of the screen, and a correction image position adjustment touch key, an OK touch key, and a CANCEL are displayed on the right side of the screen. Touch keys are arranged, and a scan execution touch key for capturing a correction image and a selection touch key for image size are arranged on the left side of the screen. The image size selection touch key selects the size automatically or manually.

The correction image position adjustment cross-shaped touch key is used to adjust the position of the image input by the scan execution touch key within the correction location area.
The OK touch key overwrites and erases the area in which the correction portion is set with the set color, and when the correction image is overwritten on the correction portion and ends, it shifts to the idle state.
The CANCEL touch key cancels the correction image input setting process and shifts to the correction point designation setting screen D2.

In the above description, the correction image is captured from the scanner unit 2 of the multifunction device 1, but may be captured from a PC connected to the multifunction device 1.
In this case, for example, before the MFP 1 executes the document overwrite correction process, a dedicated application that cooperates with the document overwrite correction process is executed on the PC, and the printer touch key ( By operating from “OFF” to “ON” in FIG. 3, it is possible to capture the correction image input on the PC into the multifunction device 1.

When the correction image input setting screen D4 is displayed, the user touches the scanner execution touch key.
When the scanner execution touch key is pressed, the correction image is scanned, and the scanned image is displayed on the image. In this scanning process, it is possible to select between a case where the scanner unit 2 of the multifunction device 1 scans a correction image and a case where a correction image is acquired from a PC connected to the multifunction device 1.
The user adjusts the image and the image size while viewing the correction preview image displayed on the correction image input setting screen D4, and touches either the OK touch key or the CANCEL touch key.

If it is determined that the CANCEL touch key has been touched (step S24), the correction image input process is canceled, and the process returns to step S16 to display the correction location designation setting screen D2.
If it is determined that the OK touch key has been touched (step S24), the correction portion of the document 17 is overwritten and erased with the set color (step S25), and the correction set in the overwritten and erased position of the document 17 is set by the correction image input processing. When the image is overwritten and corrected (step S26), the process returns to step S11 to shift to the idle state.

  By configuring the present embodiment as described above, the correction of the printed paper is overwritten and erased with toner of the same color as that of the paper at the correction portion, and the correction is overwritten with the content to be corrected. In addition to saving output paper resources, protecting the environment, reducing municipal waste, etc., and reprinting, it is possible to obtain a correction result that looks similar to a printed document.

  In addition, it is not necessary to develop a dedicated machine for overwriting correction by simply adding a scanner unit that reads printed paper to the existing multi-function machine equipped with double-sided printing function. The multifunction machine of the present invention can be manufactured at low cost.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and corrections can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration with a main part of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a control unit when overwriting correction is performed on a printed sheet of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an initial correction screen on the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correction location setting on the LCD touch panel portion of the operation panel of the multifunction machine. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting corrected characters on the LCD touch panel portion of the operation panel of the multifunction peripheral. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a correction image setting on the LCD touch panel unit of the operation panel of the multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... MFP, 2 ... Scanner part (for correction image capture), 3 ... Printer part, 4A-4E ... LSU (Laser scan unit (optical system writing unit)), 5A-5E ... Toner box (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, BK: black, WH: white), 6A to 6E ... developing tank (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, BK: black, WH: white), 7A to 7E ... photosensitive Drum (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, BK: black, WH: white), 8A to 8E... Charging device (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, BK: black, WH: white) , 9A to 9E ... Static elimination cleaners (Y: yellow, M: magenta, C: cyan, BK: black, WH: white), 10 ... transfer belt, 11 ... cleaner (for transfer belt), 12 ... fixing unit, 13 ... Scanner section ( (For capturing images of printed paper), 14 ... conveyance path switching guide, 15 ... conveyance path switching guide, 16 ... feed tray, 17 ... original (printed paper), 18-25 ... conveyance path, 26 ... discharge Tray, A ... operation panel, A1 ... basic operation section, A2 ... function selection key, A3 ... LCD touch panel section, D1 ... correction processing initial screen, D2 ... correction location setting screen, D3 ... correction character setting screen, D4 ... correction image Input setting screen.

Claims (5)

  A scanner unit that reads an image of a printed sheet conveyed on a sheet conveyance path to generate a scan image, a display unit that displays the scan image, a correction area and correction information of the scan image displayed on the display unit After the scan image is generated by the input setting unit, the printing unit, and the scanner unit, the printed sheet held in the sheet conveyance path is conveyed so that the correction area is the overwrite position. The correction area is overwritten with toner of the same color as the paper and erased, and after the correction area is erased, the printed sheet is conveyed again to the correction area overwriting position, and the correction area is transferred to the correction area. An overwriting correction control unit that overwrites and prints correction information.   2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein a color of the toner to be overwritten and erased is designated by a user.   2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein when the input setting unit determines that a character is present in the correction area, the input setting unit acquires font type information and font size information of the character, and includes the character information of the correction information. A multifunctional machine characterized by being applied.   The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the correction information is scanned by a second scanner unit included in the multifunction device and input as image data.   5. The multifunction device according to claim 4, wherein the input setting unit scales the size of the image data input by the second scanner unit so as to match the size of the correction area. Compound machine.

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