U.S. patent application number 10/377784 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-09 for image forming apparatus and image forming method.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Fuse, Hiroyuki, Ide, Naoaki.
Application Number | 20040174553 10/377784 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32926368 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040174553 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fuse, Hiroyuki ; et
al. |
September 9, 2004 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
Abstract
If a determination result obtained using software in a scanner
CPU is not identical to a determination result obtained using
hardware in a determination section, error processing is performed
to prevent image forming of a particular document.
Inventors: |
Fuse, Hiroyuki; (Tagata-gun,
JP) ; Ide, Naoaki; (Shizuoka-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY AND LARDNER
SUITE 500
3000 K STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20007
US
|
Assignee: |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI
KAISHA
|
Family ID: |
32926368 |
Appl. No.: |
10/377784 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.13 ;
358/1.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00822 20130101;
H04N 1/00848 20130101; H04N 1/00843 20130101; H04N 1/00867
20130101; H04N 1/00875 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
358/001.13 ;
358/001.4 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/00; G06F
003/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An image forming apparatus having a particular document
detection unit used to detect whether or not a document to be read
by a reading unit is a particular one, comprising: a first control
section configured to load the particular document detection unit
with a normal copy image dictionary or a mirror copy image
dictionary for detecting the particular document in accordance with
a set document read mode, the set document read mode being a first
document read mode in which the document is read by the reading
unit while the document is moved, or a second document read mode in
which the document is read by the reading unit while the document
is placed on a document table; a first determination section
configured to determine, when the normal copy image dictionary or
the mirror copy image dictionary is loaded into the particular
document detection unit, whether or not the normal copy image
dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is an appropriate dictionary,
using prestored software, check information concerning the loaded
dictionary read from the particular document detection unit, and
information concerning the document read mode; a second
determination section formed of hardware and configured to
determine whether or not the particular document detection unit is
loaded with the appropriate dictionary, on the basis of the check
information concerning the loaded dictionary and the information
concerning the document read mode transmitted from the reading
unit; and a second control section configured to determine whether
or not the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy image
dictionary loaded in the particular document detection unit is the
appropriate dictionary, on the basis of the determination result of
the first determination section and the determination result of the
second determination section.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
check information concerning the loaded dictionary is a
checksum.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
second control section performs dictionary reloading or error
processing if the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy
image dictionary loaded in the particular document detection unit
is not the appropriate dictionary.
4. An image forming apparatus having a particular document
detection unit used to detect whether or not a document to be read
by a reading unit is a particular one, comprising: a first control
section configured to load the particular document detection unit
with a normal copy image dictionary or a mirror copy image
dictionary for detecting the particular document in accordance with
a set document read mode, the set document read mode being a first
document read mode in which the document is read by the reading
unit while the document is moved, or a second document read mode in
which the document is read by the reading unit while the document
is placed on a document table; a first determination section
configured to determine, when the normal copy image dictionary or
the mirror copy image dictionary is loaded into the particular
document detection unit, whether or not the normal copy image
dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is an appropriate dictionary,
using prestored software, check information concerning the loaded
dictionary read from the particular document detection unit, and
information concerning the document read mode; a second
determination section configured to determine whether or not the
particular document detection unit is loaded with the appropriate
dictionary, using prestored software, the check information
concerning the loaded dictionary and the information concerning the
document read mode transmitted from the reading unit; and a second
control section configured to determine whether or not the normal
copy image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in
the particular document detection unit is the appropriate
dictionary, on the basis of the determination result of the first
determination section and the determination result of the second
determination section.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
second control section performs dictionary reloading or error
processing if the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy
image dictionary loaded in the particular document detection unit
is not the appropriate dictionary.
6. An image forming apparatus having a particular document
detection unit used to detect whether or not a document to be read
by a reading unit is a particular one, comprising: a first control
section configured to load the particular document detection unit
with a normal copy image dictionary or a mirror copy image
dictionary for detecting the particular document in accordance with
a set document read mode, the set document read mode being a first
document read mode in which the document is read by the reading
unit while the document is moved, or a second document read mode in
which the document is read by the reading unit while the document
is placed on a document table; a first determination section
configured to determine, when the normal copy image dictionary or
the mirror copy image dictionary is loaded into the particular
document detection unit, whether or not the normal copy image
dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is an appropriate dictionary,
using prestored software, check information concerning the loaded
dictionary read from the particular document detection unit, and
information concerning the document read mode; a second
determination section formed of hardware and configured to
determine whether or not the particular document detection unit is
loaded with the appropriate dictionary, on the basis of the check
information concerning the loaded dictionary and the information
concerning the document read mode transmitted from the reading
unit; and a third determination section configured to determine
whether or not the particular document detection unit is loaded
with the appropriate dictionary, using prestored software, the
check information concerning the loaded dictionary and the
information concerning the document read mode; and a second control
section configured to determine whether or not the normal copy
image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is the appropriate dictionary,
on the basis of the determination result of the first determination
section and the determination result of the second determination
section.
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
second control section performs dictionary reloading or error
processing if the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy
image dictionary loaded in the particular document detection unit
is not the appropriate dictionary.
8. An image forming method for use in an image forming apparatus
having a particular document detection unit used to detect whether
or not a document to be read by a reading unit is a particular one,
comprising: loading the particular document detection unit with a
normal copy image dictionary or a mirror copy image dictionary for
detecting the particular document in accordance with a set document
read mode, the set document read mode being a first document read
mode in which the document is read by the reading unit while the
document is moved, or a second document read mode in which the
document is read by the reading unit while the document is placed
on a document table; determining, when the normal copy image
dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary is loaded into the
particular document detection unit, whether or not the normal copy
image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is an appropriate dictionary,
using prestored software; further determining whether or not the
particular document detection unit is loaded with the appropriate
dictionary, using hardware; and performing dictionary reloading or
error processing if it is determined from results of the two
determinations that the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror
copy image dictionary loaded in the particular document detection
unit is not the appropriate dictionary.
9. An image forming method for use in an image forming apparatus
having a particular document detection unit used to detect whether
or not a document to be read by a reading unit is a particular one,
comprising: loading the particular document detection unit with a
normal copy image dictionary or a mirror copy image dictionary for
detecting the particular document in accordance with a set document
read mode, the set document read mode being a first document read
mode in which the document is read by the reading unit while the
document is moved, or a second document read mode in which the
document is read by the reading unit while the document is placed
on a document table; determining, when the normal copy image
dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary is loaded into the
particular document detection unit, whether or not the normal copy
image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is an appropriate dictionary,
using a first determination section which utilizes prestored
software; further determining whether or not the particular
document detection unit is loaded with the appropriate dictionary,
using a second determination section which utilizes prestored
software; and performing dictionary reloading or error processing
if it is determined from results of the two determinations that the
normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary
loaded in the particular document detection unit is not the
appropriate dictionary.
10. An image forming method for use in an image forming apparatus
having a particular document detection unit used to detect whether
or not a document to be read by a reading unit is a particular one,
comprising: loading the particular document detection unit with a
normal copy image dictionary or a mirror copy image dictionary for
detecting the particular document in accordance with a set document
read mode, the set document read mode being a first document read
mode in which the document is read by the reading unit while the
document is moved, or a second document read mode in which the
document is read by the reading unit while the document is placed
on a document table; determining, when the normal copy image
dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary is loaded into the
particular document detection unit, whether or not the normal copy
image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is an appropriate dictionary,
using a first determination section which utilizes prestored
software; further determining whether or not the particular
document detection unit is loaded with the appropriate dictionary,
using a second determination section formed of hardware; also
determining whether or not the particular document detection unit
is loaded with the appropriate dictionary, using a third
determination section which utilizes prestored software; and
performing dictionary reloading or error processing if it is
determined from results of the three determinations that the normal
copy image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in
the particular document detection unit is not the appropriate
dictionary.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus
and method for forming images of documents, utilizing a function
for detecting particular documents.
[0002] In accordance with recent enhancement of the performance of
color image forming apparatuses such as color copy machines,
unauthorized use of these apparatuses has become problematic. For
example, color image forming apparatuses have come to be used to
counterfeit particular documents, such as bank notes, securities,
etc. To overcome this, techniques for detecting particular
documents have come to be developed.
[0003] Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 7-264419 discloses a
technique for prestoring color distribution information concerning
particular documents to determine the degree of similarity.
[0004] Further, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 7-123254
discloses an apparatus for determining whether or not the copying
of an input document image is prohibited, this apparatus utilizing
a repetition pattern dictionary that stores a characteristic amount
indicative of a repeated pattern.
[0005] For reading a document, image forming apparatuses use a
flat-bed system in which a document is read on a platen (document
table), or a through-read system in which documents fed by an
auto-feed unit are read.
[0006] In the flat-bed system, documents are stopped on the platen,
and still image reading is performed. On the other hand, in the
through-read system, moving documents are read, i.e., moving-image
reading is performed.
[0007] Between the flat-bed system and through-read system, the
start position of document reading is opposite in the horizontal
direction. Therefore, the image read by the flat-bed system is a
normal copy image, while the image read by the through-read system
is a mirror copy image.
[0008] If an image forming apparatus employs both systems, it must
have two types of dictionary for normal copy and mirror copy
images, similar to the above-mentioned particular-document
detecting dictionary, in order to detect particular documents.
[0009] Therefore, in the prior art, when the images read using the
platen (still document reading) and document auto-feeder (moving
document reading) are normal copy and mirror copy images,
respectively, either a normal copy image dictionary or a mirror
copy image dictionary is loaded to a particular document detection
unit for detecting particular documents, according to
circumstances.
[0010] Alternatively, in the prior art, hardware is provided, in
which only one dictionary is used, and a normal copy or mirror copy
image is always input to a particular-document detecting apparatus,
regardless of whether a platen is used (still image reading) or a
document auto-feeder is used (moving image reading).
[0011] In the image forming apparatus using two types of dictionary
for normal copy and mirror copy images, if a normal copy image
dictionary has been wrongly loaded, instead of a mirror copy image
dictionary, into a particular document detection unit, a checksum
corresponding to the dictionary (dictionary data) loaded in the
particular document detection unit is referred to for determining
whether the dictionary loaded is an appropriate one.
[0012] However, if software for performing such a determination has
malfunctioned and a wrong dictionary has been loaded, particular
documents may not be detected and hence their images may be formed
(counterfeited).
[0013] Further, in the case of employing the hardware for enabling
normal copy or mirror copy image data to be always input to the
particular document detection unit, a line memory of a capacity
corresponding to at least six lines is required, thereby increasing
the cost, the six lines being the sum of one main-scanning
directional line and one line as a buffer for each of colors R, G
and B.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide an image
forming apparatus and method capable of preventing the formation of
an image of a particular document regardless of whether the image
is a normal copy image or mirror copy image.
[0015] To attain the object, there is provided an image forming
apparatus having a particular document detection unit used to
detect whether or not a document to be read by a reading unit is a
particular one, comprising: a first control section configured to
load the particular document detection unit with a normal copy
image dictionary or a mirror copy image dictionary for detecting
the particular document in accordance with a set document read
mode, the set document read mode being a first document read mode
in which the document is read by the reading unit while the
document is moved, or a second document read mode in which the
document is read by the reading unit while the document is placed
on a document table; a first determination section configured to
determine, when the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy
image dictionary is loaded into the particular document detection
unit, whether or not the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror
copy image dictionary loaded in the particular document detection
unit is an appropriate dictionary, using prestored software, check
information concerning the loaded dictionary read from the
particular document detection unit, and information concerning the
document read mode; a second determination section formed of
hardware and configured to determine whether or not the particular
document detection unit is loaded with the appropriate dictionary,
on the basis of the check information concerning the loaded
dictionary and the information concerning the document read mode
transmitted from the reading unit; and a second control section
configured to determine whether or not the normal copy image
dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in the
particular document detection unit is the appropriate dictionary,
on the basis of the determination result of the first determination
section and the determination result of the second determination
section.
[0016] There is also provided an image forming method for use in an
image forming apparatus having a particular document detection unit
used to detect whether or not a document to be read by a reading
unit is a particular one, comprising: loading the particular
document detection unit with a normal copy image dictionary or a
mirror copy image dictionary for detecting the particular document
in accordance with a set document read mode, the set document read
mode being a first document read mode in which the document is read
by the reading unit while the document is moved, or a second
document read mode in which the document is read by the reading
unit while the document is placed on a document table; determining,
when the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy image
dictionary is loaded into the particular document detection unit,
whether or not the normal copy image dictionary or the mirror copy
image dictionary loaded in the particular document detection unit
is an appropriate dictionary, using prestored software; further
determining whether or not the particular document detection unit
is loaded with the appropriate dictionary, using hardware; and
performing dictionary reloading or error processing if it is
determined from results of the two determinations that the normal
copy image dictionary or the mirror copy image dictionary loaded in
the particular document detection unit is not the appropriate
dictionary.
[0017] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be leaned by practice of the
invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be
realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate presently
preferred embodiments of the invention, and together with the
general description given above and the detailed description of the
preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles
of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic structure
of a particular document detection system incorporated in the
scanner section of an image forming apparatus according to a first
embodiment of the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a flowchart useful in explaining the operation of
the particular document detection system according to the first
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic structure
of a particular document detection system incorporated in a scanner
section according to a second embodiment of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart useful in explaining the operation of
the particular document detection system according to the second
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic structure
of a particular document detection system incorporated in a scanner
section according to a third embodiment of the invention; and
[0024] FIG. 6 is a flowchart useful in explaining the operation of
the particular document detection system according to the third
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0025] Embodiments of the invention will be described with
reference to the drawings.
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of a particular document
detection system incorporated in the scanner section of an image
forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the
invention.
[0027] The detection system comprises a scanner CPU 10 for
controlling the entire scanner section, an auto document feeder
(hereinafter referred to as an "RADF") 20 for feeding a document
for through-read reading (moving document reading), a particular
document detection unit 30 for detecting a particular document, and
a determination section 40 for determining whether or not an
appropriate dictionary is loaded in the particular document
detection unit 30. The scanner CPU 10 is connected to the RADF 20
and document detection unit 30 to communicate with them.
[0028] The scanner CPU 10 pre-holds a normal copy image dictionary
and mirror copy image dictionary, and loads the normal copy image
dictionary or mirror copy image dictionary onto the particular
document detection unit 30 in accordance with the image reading
system. Specifically, in the case of reading a document fed by the
RADF 20, i.e., in the case of through-read reading, the scanner CPU
10 loads the mirror copy image dictionary. In the case of reading a
document fed from a platen (not shown), i.e., in the case of
flat-bet reading, the CPU loads the normal copy image
dictionary.
[0029] The scanner CPU 10 comprises a mirror copy image dictionary
checksum output port 1, a normal copy image dictionary checksum
output port 2, a checksum port 3 for outputting a checksum
(dictionary check information) read from the particular document
detection unit 30, a -RADF output port 4 for outputting "0" when a
document is set on the RADF 20, a JUDGE output port 5 for
outputting the result of a checksum determination performed by
software (in the case of conformity, "1" is output), and an ERROR
input port 6.
[0030] The scanner CPU 10 monitors the signal input to the ERROR
input port 7, reloads the dictionary when the signal is abnormal,
and performs error processing if the signal is kept abnormal even
after reloading.
[0031] The particular document detection unit 30 is loaded with the
normal copy or mirror copy dictionary by the scanner CPU 10,
thereby detecting whether a document read using the dictionary is a
particular document.
[0032] The determination section 40 comprises an OR circuit (OR)
41, selector 42, comparator 43 and AND circuit (AND) 44.
[0033] The OR circuit 41 has one end for inputting an RADF
connection signal from the RADF 20, and the other end for inputting
a signal from the -RADF output port 5, and outputs a logical sum
signal to the selector 42.
[0034] The selector 42 receives, during its initialization, a
signal from the mirror copy image dictionary checksum port 1 and a
signal from the normal copy image dictionary checksum port 2,
thereby outputting one of the signals in accordance with a signal
from the OR circuit 41.
[0035] A signal from the selector 42 and a signal from the checksum
output port 3 are input to the comparator 43, where they are
compared, the result being output to the AND circuit 44.
[0036] The AND circuit 44 receives, from the comparator 43, a
signal indicative of its comparison result, also receives a signal
from the JUDGE output port 5, and outputs a signal indicative of
the logical multiplication of the signals. This signal is output to
the ERROR input port 7 in the form of "1" when it is normal, and in
the form of "0" when it is abnormal. Further, this signal is used
later as an enable signal for a CCD, exposure lamp, document feed
motor, scanning motor, etc., which are incorporated in the image
forming apparatus but not shown.
[0037] Referring now to the flowchart of FIG. 2, the operation of
the particular document detection system constructed as the above,
according to the first embodiment, will be described.
[0038] Firstly, in the image forming apparatus, it is determined
whether the document reading mode is through-read reading using the
RADF 20 or reading using the platen (ST1).
[0039] In accordance with the determined document reading mode, the
scanner CPU 10 loads the normal copy image or mirror copy image
dictionary onto the particular document detection unit 30
(ST2).
[0040] Subsequently, in accordance with the document reading mode
determined at the step ST1, the scanner CPU 10 performs comparison
concerning the checksum read from the particular document detection
unit 30, using software, thereby determining whether or not an
appropriate dictionary (normal copy image or mirror copy image
dictionary) is loaded in the particular document detection unit 30.
The determination result ("1" indicates conformity) is output from
the JUDGE output port 5 to the AND circuit 44 (ST3).
[0041] On the other hand, the determination section 40 performs the
following operation.
[0042] The OR circuit 41 receives an RADF connection signal (if
this signal is "0", it indicates establishment of a connection)
from the RADF 20, and a signal (if this signal is "0", it indicates
that a document is set on the RADF 20) from the -RADF output port 5
of the scanner CPU 10, and outputs, to the selector 42, a signal
indicative of the logical sum of the signals.
[0043] During initialization of the selector 42, a signal ("0")
from the mirror copy image dictionary checksum output port 1, and a
signal ("1") from the normal copy image dictionary checksum output
port 2 are set in the selector 42, and the selector outputs "0" or
"1" to the comparator 43 in accordance with a signal from the OR
circuit 41.
[0044] The comparator 43 compares the signal from the selector 42
with the checksum read by the scanner CPU 10 from the particular
document detection unit 30. If they are identical, "1" is output to
the AND circuit 44, whereas if they are not identical, "0" is
output to the AND circuit 44.
[0045] The AND circuit 44 receives the signal (determination
result) from the scanner CPU 10, and the signal from the
determination section 40, and outputs a signal indicative of the
logical sum of the signals.
[0046] The scanner CPU 10 determines the signal output from the AND
circuit 44 (ST4). If the output signal is "0", indicating an
abnormality, it is determined that correct loading has not been
performed, thereby reloading the normal copy or mirror copy image
dictionary onto the particular document detection unit 30
(ST5).
[0047] If the output signal stays abnormal even after the normal
copy or mirror copy image dictionary is reloaded at the step ST5
(ST6), the scanner CPU 10 performs error processing (ST7).
[0048] As described above, in the first embodiment, if the
determination result of the scanner CPU 10 using software is not
identical to the determination result of the determination section
40 using hardware, error processing is performed, whereby image
forming of a particular document is avoided.
[0049] A second embodiment will now be described.
[0050] FIG. 3 shows a schematic structure of a particular document
detection system incorporated in a scanner section according to the
second embodiment.
[0051] This detection system comprises a scanner CPU 50 for
controlling the entire scanner section, a system CPU 60 for
controlling the entire image forming apparatus, an auto document
feeder (hereinafter referred to as an "RADF") 20 for feeding a
document for through-read reading (moving document reading), a
particular document detection unit 30 for detecting a particular
document, and an AND circuit 55 for outputting normal and abnormal
signals that respectively indicate whether or not an appropriate
dictionary is loaded in the particular document detection unit
30.
[0052] The scanner CPU 50 holds, as initial values, respective
checksums corresponding to a normal copy image dictionary and
mirror copy image dictionary. Further, the scanner CPU 50 has an
RADF input port 51 for inputting a connection signal that assumes
"0" when a document is set on the RADF 20, a JUDGE output port 52
for outputting the result of a checksum determination performed by
software (in the case of conformity, "1" is output), and an ERROR
input port 53.
[0053] Further, the scanner CPU 50 supplies the system CPU 60 with
a checksum read from the particular document detection unit 30, a
connection signal from the RADF 20, and information indicating
whether or not a document is placed on the RADF 20.
[0054] The system CPU 60 holds, as initial values, respective
checksums corresponding to the normal copy image dictionary and
mirror copy image dictionary. Further, the system CPU 60 has a
JUDGE output port 61 for outputting the result of a checksum
determination performed by software (in the case of conformity, "1"
is output), and an ERROR input port 62.
[0055] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the operation of the
particular document detection system of the second embodiment will
be described.
[0056] Firstly, in the image forming apparatus, it is determined
whether the document reading mode is through-read reading using the
RADF 20 or reading using the platen (ST11).
[0057] In accordance with the determined document reading mode, the
scanner CPU 50 loads the normal copy image or mirror copy image
dictionary onto the particular document detection unit 30
(ST12).
[0058] Subsequently, in accordance with the document reading mode
determined at the step ST11, the scanner CPU 50 performs comparison
concerning the checksum read from the particular document detection
unit 30, using software, thereby determining whether or not an
appropriate dictionary (normal copy image or mirror copy image
dictionary) is loaded in the particular document detection unit 30.
The determination result ("1" indicates conformity) is output from
the JUDGE output port 52 to the AND circuit 55 (ST13).
[0059] Further, in accordance with the document reading mode
determined at the step ST11, the system CPU 60 performs comparison
concerning the checksum read by the scanner CPU 50 from the
particular document detection unit 30, using software, thereby
determining whether or not an appropriate dictionary (normal copy
image or mirror copy image dictionary) is loaded in the particular
document detection unit 30. The system CPU 60 outputs the
determination result ("1" indicates conformity) to the AND circuit
55 via the JUDGE output port 52.
[0060] The AND circuit 55 receives the signal (determination
result) from the scanner CPU 50 and the signal (determination
result) from the system CPU 60, and outputs a signal indicative of
the logical multiplication of the signals.
[0061] The scanner CPU 50 determines the signal output from the AND
circuit 55 (ST14). If the output signal is "0" indicating an
abnormality, it is determined that correct loading has not been
performed, thereby reloading the normal copy or mirror copy image
dictionary onto the particular document detection unit 30
(ST15).
[0062] If the output signal keeps abnormal even after the normal
copy or mirror copy image dictionary is reloaded at the step ST15
(ST16), the scanner CPU 50 performs error processing (ST17).
[0063] The system CPU 60 may perform error processing.
[0064] As described above, in the second embodiment, if the
determination result of the scanner CPU 50 using software is not
identical to the determination result of the system CPU 60 using
hardware, error processing is performed, whereby image forming of a
particular document is avoided.
[0065] A third embodiment will be described.
[0066] FIG. 5 shows a schematic structure of a particular document
detection system incorporated in a scanner section according to the
third embodiment.
[0067] This detection system comprises a scanner CPU 70 for
controlling the entire scanner section, a system CPU 80 for
controlling the entire image forming apparatus, an auto document
feeder (hereinafter referred to as an "RADF") 20 for feeding a
document for through-read reading (moving document reading), a
particular document detection unit 30 for detecting a particular
document, a determination section 90 for determining whether or not
an appropriate dictionary is loaded in the particular document
detection unit 30, and an AND circuit 99.
[0068] The scanner CPU 70 holds, as initial values, respective
checksums corresponding to a normal copy image dictionary and
mirror copy image dictionary. Further, the scanner CPU 70 has a
checksum port 71 for outputting a checksum read from the particular
document detection unit 30, a -RADF output port 72 for outputting
"0" when a document is set on the RADF 20, a JUDGE output port 73
for outputting the result of a checksum determination performed by
software (in the case of conformity, "1" is output), and an ERROR
input port 74.
[0069] Further, the scanner CPU 70 supplies the system CPU 80 with
a checksum read from the particular document detection unit 30, a
connection signal from the RADF 20, and information indicating
whether or not a document is placed on the RADF 20.
[0070] The system CPU 80 holds, as initial values, respective
checksums corresponding to the normal copy image dictionary and
mirror copy image dictionary. Further, the system CPU 80 has a
JUDGE output port 81 for outputting the result of a checksum
determination performed by software (in the case of conformity, "1"
is output), and an ERROR input port 82.
[0071] The determination section 90 comprises a setting section 91
for outputting checksums corresponding to the normal copy image
dictionary and mirror copy image dictionary, OR circuit (OR) 41,
selector 42 and comparator 43.
[0072] Referring to the flowchart of FIG. 6, a description will be
given of the operation of the particular document detection system
of the third embodiment constructed as the above.
[0073] Firstly, in the image forming apparatus, it is determined
whether the document reading mode is through-read reading using the
RADF 20 or reading using the platen (ST21).
[0074] In accordance with the determined document reading mode, the
scanner CPU 70 loads the normal copy image or mirror copy image
dictionary onto the particular document detection unit 30
(ST22).
[0075] Subsequently, in accordance with the document reading mode
determined at the step ST21, the scanner CPU 70 performs comparison
concerning the checksum read from the particular document detection
unit 30, using software, thereby determining whether or not an
appropriate dictionary (normal copy image or mirror copy image
dictionary) is loaded in the particular document detection unit 30.
The determination result ("1" indicates conformity) is output from
the JUDGE output port 73 to the AND circuit 99 (ST23).
[0076] On the other hand, the determination section 90 performs the
following operation.
[0077] During initialization, the setting section 91 sets, in the
selector 42, checksums corresponding to the mirror copy image
dictionary and normal copy image dictionary. The OR circuit 41,
selector 42 and comparator 43 operate in the same manner as in the
first embodiment, therefore no description will be given thereof.
The comparator 43 outputs a signal indicative of a comparison
result to the AND circuit 99.
[0078] The system CPU 80 performs comparison concerning the
checksum read by the scanner CPU 50 from the particular document
detection unit 30, using software, thereby determining whether or
not an appropriate dictionary (normal copy image or mirror copy
image dictionary) is loaded in the particular document detection
unit 30. The system CPU 80 outputs the determination result ("1"
indicates conformity) to the AND circuit 99 via the JUDGE output
port 82.
[0079] The AND circuit 99 receives the signal (determination
result) from the scanner CPU 70 and the signal (determination
result) from the system CPU 80, and outputs a signal indicative of
the logical multiplication of the signals.
[0080] The scanner CPU 70 determines the signal output from the AND
circuit 99 (ST24). If the output signal is "0" indicating an
abnormality, it is determined that correct loading has not been
performed, thereby reloading the normal copy or mirror copy image
dictionary onto the particular document detection unit 30
(ST25).
[0081] If the output signal keeps abnormal even after the normal
copy or mirror copy image dictionary is reloaded at the step ST25
(ST26), the scanner CPU 70 performs error processing (ST27).
[0082] The system CPU 80 may perform error processing.
[0083] As described above, in the third embodiment, if the
determination result of the scanner CPU 70 using software is not
identical to the determination result of the determination section
90 using hardware, error processing is performed, whereby image
forming of a particular document is avoided.
[0084] Further, in the first to third embodiments, as error
processing, the CCD element of a reading unit or an exposure lamp,
etc. may be disabled to prevent further image forming, or a
particular pattern may be formed on a paper sheet which is
subjected to image forming.
[0085] Furthermore, error processing is performed if an abnormality
is not disappeared even after reloading is executed. However, error
processing may be performed when an abnormality occurs for the
first time, or after reloading is executed several times.
[0086] In addition, for error processing, the output signal of the
AND circuit 44 (55, 99) may be directly used.
[0087] Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur
to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its
broader aspects is not limited to the specific details and
representative embodiments shown and described herein. Accordingly,
various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *