Image reading device

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings,

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of an image reading device 1 according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the image reading device 1;

FIG. 2A is a view showing the relationship of the sizes and positions between an image data transmitted to a printer and the print region therein; FIG. 2B is a view showing a modified original image data to be transmitted to a printer in which data an original image data is modified to conform to the print region; FIG. 2C is a view showing a modified original image data to be transmitted to a printer in which data an original image data is set to extend beyond the print region by a determined amount, i.e. the peripheral portions are cutoff in the printing of the image; and FIG. 2D is a view showing a modified original image data to be transmitted to a printer, in which data an original image data is rendered to be smaller than the print region by a determined amount, i.e. unfilled marginal portions are formed at the peripheral portions in the printing of the image;

FIG. 3A shows an example of a reference image and its printed image used for preparing the modification parameters, wherein a rectangular area is drawn in the reference image as co-centered, and FIG. 3B shows another example of a reference image and its printed image used for preparing modification parameters, wherein predetermined line elements are drawn at a predetermined spacing along the peripheral portions in the reference image;

FIG. 4 shows the flow of operation by a user and operations of image reading device 1 and printer 2 in the calibration mode of image reading device 1;

FIG. 5 diagrammatically shows the data structure of a parameter memory;

FIG. 6 shows the flow of operation by a user and operations of image reading device 1 and printer 2 in the normal mode of image reading device 1;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the selection process of the modification parameters in the normal mode;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C each show the manner of selecting modification parameters from the parameter memory according to the identifying information of a printer; and

FIG. 9 shows the condition that the peripheral portions of an image data are cut off in the printed image when a printer executes the margin-less printing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail in the form of some preferred embodiments by referring to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same portions are designated by the same reference numerals.

Structure of Image Reading Device

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of one preferable embodiment of the inventive image reading device 1. The image reading device 1 may be, so called, an “image scanner”, i.e., a device which scans a paper sheet, a cloth sheet, a plastic sheet and other media, detects an original image drawn thereon optically (for example, by applying light on an object to be read to detect the reflected light from the object with a photon detection element or device, such as CCD), and converts the detected image information or signals into a digital data. The image reading device 1 may be of the type of a flat-bed scanner, in which an original image is positioned downwardly on a transparent board member, but, preferably, the image reading device 1 is a scanner of a type, as described in the reference publications described above, having a flat case whose top and bottom surfaces are formed with transparent board members (only the top surface 3 is shown in the drawing) and scanning an original copy positioned with an image to be read being directed upwardly under the bottom surface of the case (this type of scanners is advantageous because a user can check the original copy through the transparent top surface of the scanner.). The image reading device 1 typically has a size allowing for reading an original copy of postcard size, but it may be adapted to allow for reading an original copy of the size of paper of B5 and A4 or others. In this connection, though not shown, the inventive device may be of a type of a “handy scanner” in which a reading device is manually moved on an original copy to read an original image thereon. Further, a device which the present invention is applied to may be a type of acquiring the whole image on an original copy at one time.

On the top surface of the image reading device 1, there is provided an operation panel 4 including buttons, etc., allowing a user to provide commands to the image reading device or to select its operation or printing mode. On the operation panel 4, provided are Power button 100 for powering ON/OFF of a power source of the device 1; Start button 102 for commanding the device 1 to start the reading and printing of an image, Stop button 104 for commanding the device 1 to stop or cancel the reading and printing of an image, Digital display portion 108 which displays the printing number of sheets, an operation mode of the image reading device 1, layout mode, printing mode, etc., Selection switches 110a and 110b for changing the print number of sheets, selection of a layout, etc. and Setting change button 112 for changing a current setting in various setting items. Further, an alarm lamp for telling the abnormalities of a printer, the absence of modification parameters, etc. may be provided (not shown). As described in detail hereinbelow, various settings, those changing, and the start and stop of the operations commanded or selected by a user are all made on this operation panel.

As shown in FIG. 1A, printer 2 (typically, an ink-jet printer, but it may be of the other type) is directly connected to the image reading device 1 without interfaced with a PC. Printer 2 may be of any printer supporting a predetermined communication standard and, when receiving an image data, the printer 2 prints an image on a printing medium (not shown) in accordance with an internal own setting of the printer or a setting transmitted from the image reading device. The predetermined communication standard employed for the communication between the image reading device 1 and the printer 2 is typically “PictBridge” proposed for printing photographs with connecting a digital camera directly to a printer or a duplicator. However, the communication system or mode may be of the other type which enables communication between the image reading device 1 and printer 2. Moreover, in the illustrated example, the transmission and reception of signals between the image reading device 1 and the printer 2 are established with cable communication (USB etc.) through a cable 5, but wireless data transmission with Bluetooth (registered trademark) or an infrared light may be used. Furthermore, the image reading device 1 may be provided with means to memorize image data to a memory card (SD card etc.) 6. For a printer having the function of printing an image data memorized in a memory card, an image data may be transferred through the memory card. As described hereinbelow, a memory card may be used for acquiring the modification data associated with a printer into the image reading device.

Further, when the transmitting and receiving of signals between the image reading device 1 and printer 2 are made by means of the cable communication or the wireless communication, the inventive image reading device 1 preferably acquires, from the printer 2, its vendor name, vendor peculiar version, model name, product's number, etc. (called “identifying information” hereinbelow). In the case of PictBridge usable as a typical communication standard, a device or an apparatus connected to a printer can obtain the above-listed identifying information of the printer therefrom if a predetermined communication algorithm is incorporated in the device or apparatus. Thus, also in the inventive image reading device, any determined communication algorithm for obtaining the above-listed information is incorporated, and the acquired information regarding the printer 2 will be used as the identifying information of the printer (If the printer 2 can not output the identifying information, or if the image reading device 1 can not obtain the identifying information, the image reading device 1 will identify the printer 2 by other means or execute a printing operation with “no identifying information” as described later.

FIG. 1B shows the structure in the image reading device 1 in the form of a control block diagram. Referring to the drawing, the image reading device 1 includes CPU 10, a program memory 12, a work memory 14, an image memory 16, an operation panel 20, a USB control portion 22, and a scanner portion 24, all of which are mutually connected with a bidirectional common bus 26 as in a known image reading device. CPU 10 controls the operation of the image reading device 1 in the modes as explained in detail later, using the work memory 14 and other memories based on the system program memorized in the program memory 12. As understood from explanations described later, an image data generating portion, a printer identifying portion, an image modification processing portion and a modification data preparing portion in the inventive image reading device are realized through the operation of CPU 10 and the other parts therein.

The scanner portion 24 may be an image detecting device of a type well-known in the art, comprising an image sensor portion 24a (image detecting portion) which applies light on an original image to detect the reflected light therefrom, a motor and its control portion 24b which drive the image sensor portion to scan on an original copy. The light source and position of the image sensor portion 24a are controlled through an I/O portion 24c connected to the common bus 26 under control of CPU 10, and, analog image information signals detected in the image sensor portion are digitized in an A/D conversion portion 24d (image data generating portion), and the digitized image data is stored in the image memory 16. In this regard, the image data read in the scanner portion 24 may be modified in known ways, such as a shading compensation, a color modification, a gamma modification, and an MTF modification, in order to compensate various characteristics of the image sensor. (Information for compensating characteristics of the image sensor may be stored in a shading memory 28, which information may be used at any appropriate timing.)

The operation panels 20 is a panel, provided on the surface of an image reading device 1 as denoted with reference numeral 4 in FIG. 1A, including buttons for operation and a display. As noted, a user is allowed to give commands to the device 1 through the operation panel 20, and to confirm the operation modes of the device 1 and other settings.

As described above, the inventive image reading device 1 is connected with the printer 2 supporting the predetermined communication standard, and transmits an image data directly to the printer 2, enabling the printer to print an image. For such operations, in the inventive image reading device 1, a printer control code is generated from “an image data to be transmitted” in a manner adapted for the predetermined communication standard under the control of CPU 10. The printer control code will be further converted into a USB control code in the USB control portion 22 (image data outputting portion), and subsequently transmitted to the printer 2. Further, in obtaining identifying information from the printer 2, a signal indicating the identifying information may be received from the USB control portion 22. Then, the received signal is converted into a code processible by CPU 10, and stored in the work memory 14. Also, from the USB control portion 22 may be transmitted various control codes for printer's setting about dimensions and/or kinds of printing media or print papers, etc., and, if possible, codes for image quality or resolution of a printed image, in accordance with the predetermined communication standard. For a radio or wireless telecommunication system between the device 1 and the printer 2, the device may be provided with a radio outputting portion (not shown).

In addition, according to the inventive image reading device 1, an original image data which has been read and digitized in the scanner portion 24 is modified based upon modification data so as to be printed with a size or a layout desired or requested by a user on a printing medium. Thus, connected to the above-mentioned common bus 26 is a parameter memory 18 (modification data storage portion), memorizing modification data, parameters and/or other information about the internal setting of a printer required for performing the modification of an original image data (Hereinbelow, parameters for the modification of an image is referred to as “modification parameters”). As described in detail later, an individual modification data stored in the parameter memory 18 is associated with a certain printer.

Moreover, for executing the preparing of the modification data in the image reading device 1 (i.e. realizing a modification data preparing portion), the common bus 26 may be connected with a reference image data memory 19, in which a reference image data representing a reference image may be stored as usable appropriately under the control of CPU.

Still further, in order that an image data may be transferred using a memory card, the device 1 may be provided with a memory card drive 30. In this case, a memory card may be designed to store any image data generated in the device 1. Further, as described in “Summary of Invention”, when a modification data, prepared for a certain printer at the outside of the image reading device 1, are entered into the image reading device 1 and stored into the parameter memory, the memory card drive functions as a modification data receiving portion. In this case, new modification data are stored into a memory card at the outside of the image reading device. Then, the memory card is set into the drive 30 and the modification data in the memory card is transferred into the parameter memory 18.

Actual structures for transmitting various control codes, structure for wireless communication and/or a drive for memory cards may be provided in a manner known in the art. Further, optionally, a means for transmitting an image to a PC (not shown) may be provided as in the conventional image reading device.

Modification of Image Data

As described above, the printer 2, directly connected to the inventive image reading device 1 and printing an image, is able to execute “margin-less printing” where an image is printed over the whole surface of a printing medium without leaving unfilled space in a periphery of the medium. In “margin-less printing” mode, the printer 2 prints an image represented by the received image data in a manner that the periphery of the image is printed out of a printing medium.

Referring to FIG. 9, for example, suppose that the image reading device 1 reads a region of postcard size, 148 mm long×100 mm wide, as shown in FIG. 9 upper left, at resolution of 300 DPI (the number of pixels per unit length) and generates the image data of 1748 [vertical]×1181 [horizontal] pix, where the size of one pixel of the image data corresponds to 0.085 mm on the original copy, and outputs this image data of the dimension as it is to the printer 2. Then, if the printer 2 operates in “margin-less printing” mode to print the image represented by the received image data on a printing medium of postcard size at the resolution 300 DPI, i.e., the same resolution as in the reading operation in an image reading device, the image of the image data of 1748×1181 pix is set to be 1.03 to 1.05 times larger in size than a printing medium, namely, the dimension of 1748×1181 pix is set to be magnified into 1800×1216 pix to 1835×1240 pix, resulting in that 3-5 mm of the periphery of the image represented by the received image data will extend beyond the printing medium (FIG. 9 upper right). Accordingly, the size of one pixel of the image data generated in the image reading device will be equivalent to 0.088-0.089 mm on a printing medium. Thus, even if the resolution (the number of dots of the ink deposited per unit length) in the printing is at 300 DPI, the resolution of the image data transmitted from the image reading device would be changed to about 291 to 285 DPI on a printing medium. Actually, in “margin-less printing”, since ink will be applied across the edge of the printing medium (overspray), the printing will be conducted without leaving unfilled space to the edge of the printing medium. And, the width of the periphery of the image extending from each edge of a printing medium and the size and position of a region within the image corresponding to the image data which actually appears on the printing medium cannot be adjusted by a user. As a result, the printed image of the image data obtained by reading an original image with the image reading device 1 and transmitted as it is therefrom, is different in size from the original image, and/or, cut off at the periphery as shown in the lower of FIG. 9, not as expected by a user. Moreover, the region which actually appears on a printing medium within the images corresponding to an image data varies with models of printers or paper settings.

However, it is known that, in “margin-less printing” of a typical printer, the periphery of an image extends beyond a printing medium at a certain determined width in each of the four directions of the medium irrespective of the dimension of a received image data. The width extending from the edge of a printing medium depends upon the size of the printing medium. For a sheet of postcard size, the extending width is normally about 3-5 mm. In other words, in “margin-less printing”, when the size of a printing medium is determined in a printer, an ink applied area is so determined as to extend beyond the printing medium at a certain predetermined width, and the dimension of a received image data is adjusted such that the size of an image corresponding to the received image data will coincide with an ink applied area. Thus, irrespective of the dimension of a transmitted image data, a dimension ratio and a position of a region actually appearing on a printing medium (a print region) in the transmitted image data are determined at the respective predetermined values in accordance with the internal setting of the printer. Accordingly, if the dimension ratio of an image data to be transmitted and the print region thereof and the shift of the central point between the transmitted image data and the print region are known for a printer or its model being used, the size and position of the print region in an image data of any arbitrary size are specified. Thus, in the inventive image reading device 1, an original image data to be transmitted to the printer 2 for its printing is modified, using the modification data prepared based upon the size and position of the print region (the region of the image printed on the printing medium) in an image data received by the printer 2, such that the original image data transmitted to and printed with the printer 2 will be printed in a size or with a layout desired by a user on a printing medium set in the printer 2 while the periphery of the image is not unexpectedly cut off as shown in the bottom of FIG. 9.

In modifying an original image data, practically, the dimension ratios Nx, Ny (referred to as “scaling factor”, hereinbelow) in X and Y directions between an image data M transmitted to the printer and its print region A and the shift between the center Cm of the image data and the center Ca of the print region A (referred to as “shifting mounts” Sx, Sy, hereinbelow) as shown in FIG. 2A are employed for the modification parameters (modification data).

Referring to FIG. 2A, suppose that the dimensions of the image data M received by a printer are Xmax×Ymax (the unit is the number of pixels) and the dimensions of a print region actually printed on a printing medium in the printer are Xa33 Ya, the scaling factors Nx and Ny in X and Y directions are given by

Nx=Xmax/Xa

Ny=Ymax/Ya.

When the widths of the peripheral portions of the image data M extending beyond the edge of the printing medium are not equal between the upper and lower sides or between the left and right sides, the center Ca of the print region A and the center Cm of the image data M do not coincide with one another, and therefore the shifting amounts Sx and Sy are given by:

Sx=Xca−Xmax/2

Sy=Yca−Ymax/2.

(In Japanese Patent Application 2006-178606, as the shifting amounts are defined on a printed image, the shift amounts are the values of the above formula multiplied by the scaling factor.)

Thus, in order to print an original image data of size X×Y read and generated by the image reading device in conformity with the entire region of an printing medium, as shown in FIG. 2B, the original image data is to be coincided with the print region of the image data transmitted to the printer, and therefore, the original image data will be pasted on or allocated to the transmitting image data having the entire size set to Nx·X×Ny·Y, while the center of the former is shifted by the shifting amounts Sx and Sy from the center of the latter, rendering the original image data to fit into the print region of the transmitted image data. This transmitted image data incorporating the original image data therein is a modified original image data. The printer, when receiving the modified original image data, will print the print region coincidentally with the printing medium, thereby printing the original image without cutting off the peripheral portions thereof on the printing medium. Further, in order to render the entire region of an original image data of size of X×Y to extend beyond a printing medium by a predetermined amount or in order to make an original image data smaller than the print medium to provide margins around the image on the print medium, an image data into which the original image data is fit may be prepared such that the size of the original image data (or the image data to be printed on the printing medium) is made larger (FIG. 2C) or smaller (FIG. 2D) than that the print region of the transmitted image data, and the resultant image data may be transmitted to the printer. In these cases, the size and position of the original image data (or the image data to be printed on the printing medium) in the image data to be transmitted (the modified original image data) also can be determined by using the scaling factors Nx, Ny and shifting amounts Sx, Sy.

In this regard, although the scaling factors are defined separately for X and Y directions in the above, a common scaling factor N may be used for both X and Y directions in the case that the aspect ratio of a received image data is not changed in the printing by the printer, because the scaling factors Nx and Ny become equal to one another. Further, if the centers of the transmitted image data and the print region coincide with one another or if the shifting of those centers may not be minded, the shifting amounts Sx, Sy need not be used. Whether the different scaling factors are used for X and Y directions or not, and whether the shifting amounts are used or not, may be arbitrarily selected by a user. Furthermore, if the size of an image data transmitted from the image reading device to a printer is fixed, coordinates specifying the range of the print region in the transmitted image data may be used as modification parameters, instead of the use of the scaling factors and/or shifting amounts described above. In this case, an original image data or an image data to be printed on a printing medium may be fit into the print region in the transmitted image data specified by the coordinates.

The image modification processing portion for executing the modification of an image as described above is realized by the operation of CPU and the related portions. It should be understood that the processing of images for the above-mentioned modification of images, i.e. enlargement or contraction of the image data or pasting of the image data, may be done by any method convenient for a user. The modification processing is executed in the “normal mode” described later.

Preparation of Modification Parameters

As will be understood from the above-mentioned descriptions, modification parameters used as the modification data, such as the scaling factors and shifting amounts or the coordinates specifying the range of a print region, can be determined based upon the size and/or position of a print region in an image data received by a printer. Since a received image data in a normal printer is printed at the number of pixels per unit length which is approximately uniform on a print medium although the aspect ratio of the image may be changed in some cases, the modification parameters can be determined by detecting or analyzing in what size or at what position an image within a transmitted image data is printed without detecting the size or position of the print region. For instance, the above-mentioned scaling factors Nx, Ny and shifting amounts Sx, Sy can be obtained by providing a reference image data representing a reference image including a predetermined pattern such as exemplarily shown in FIG. 3A or 3B to a printer, printing the image of the reference image data, and comparing the printed image with the reference image. In the case of FIG. 3A, from the ratio α of the size of the rectangular area, AoBoCoDo, in the reference image to the overall size of the reference image, and the ratio β of the size of the rectangular area ABCD in the printed image to the overall size of the printed image, the scaling factor is given by: N=α/β. In the case of FIG. 3B, from the difference in the number of the line elements in the peripheral portions of the reference image and the printed image, the widths of the respective peripheral portions of the image data extending beyond the corresponding edges of the printing medium are calculated, and thereby the range of the print region can be known.

The preparation of the above-mentioned modification parameters may be executed in any arbitrary method at the outside of the image reading device 1, or may be executed by using the image reading device 1. For the preparation of the modification parameters within the image reading device 1, a modification data preparing portion is established in CPU 10 and the other portions. Upon the preparation of the modification parameters in the image reading device 1, the printer 2 is connected to the image reading device 1, i.e. the printer 2 is rendered to be capable of printing the image data transmitted from the image reading device 1, and then, the preparation of the modification parameters may be executed according to the process exemplarily shown in FIG. 4. This operation mode of the image reading device 1 for preparing the modification parameters is called “calibration mode”, hereinbelow (the same as in the case of Japanese Patent Application 2006-178606).

Referring to FIG. 4, when the start of operation in the calibration mode is requested by a user through the operation panel 20 (C1), a reference image data is transmitted to the printer 2 from the image reading device 1 (C2), and the printing of a reference image is conducted (C3). Preferably, the reference image data is memorized in advance in a reference image data memory 19 connected with the common bus 26 so that the image data may be drawn out of the reference image data memory 19 when the printing of the reference image is requested. In this regard, instead of the storing of the reference image data in the memory 19, the reference image data may be generated at the staring of the calibration mode by reading a reference image drawn on a paper sheet or other medium. In that case, the operation of C1a will be required.

Then, when the printing of the reference image is completed, the user sets the printed image of the reference image to the image reading device 1 (C4), and provides a command of continuation of processing through the operation panel. In response to the user's command, the image reading device 1 starts reading the printed image of the reference image, and generates an “image data for modification” (C5), and then, modification parameters used for the printer are computed from the image data for modification (C6) through the comparison and analysis of the image data for modification (the printed image of the reference image) and the reference image.

In the case that the preparation of the modification parameters is executed at the outside of the image reading device 1, modification parameters can be prepared by letting the printer 2 print the reference image and by analyzing the result of the printing. However, in this case, the transmission of the reference image data to the printer and the analysis of the printed image of the reference image may be performed by devices other than the image reading device 1.

It should be understood that the image processing for the preparation of the modification parameters, i.e., the detection of a predetermined pattern image, the calculation of its size, the computation of the scaling factors, shifting amounts, etc. may be conducted in accordance with any methods known for those skilled in the art.

Record, Store and Deletion of Modification Parameters

As briefly mentioned in the above, modification parameters used as modification data are recorded or stored in the parameter memory 18 while the respective sets of the modification parameters are associated with the corresponding printers. To do this, in the parameter memory 18, there are provided printer information storage areas and modification parameter storage areas as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5, in which a plurality of values of modification parameters are stored while associated with the identifying information of the corresponding printers. In the case that the modification parameters are prepared by the image reading device 1, the identifying information acquired from a printer connected to the image reading device is stored in one of the printer information storage areas, and, after the preparation of the modification parameters for the printer, the resultant modification parameters are stored while being associated with the identifying information of the corresponding printer into one of the modification parameter storage area. On the other hand, in the case that the modification parameters prepared at the outside of the image reading device 1 are entered into the image reading device 1, a memory card, which memorizes the modification parameters associated with the identifying information of a printer in a manner readable with the drive 30, is prepared. Then, when the memory card is set into the drive 30, the identifying information of the printer and the modification parameters associated therewith are transmitted to unused areas in the printer information storage areas and the modification parameter storage areas, respectively. In this connection, various sets of identifying information and modification parameters for printers may be stored in the manufacturing of the image reading device 1.

The printer identifying information associated with the modification data and stored in the memory may typically be the model name of a printer. As already noted, in most of the printers generally distributed in the market, the sizes and positions of print regions in image data transmitted to the printers are common for the same model of printers so that the same modification parameters can be used in modifying image data. Thus, in storing the identifying information of a printer in the parameter memory, the model name of the printer or a signal or sign expressing the model thereof may be stored in one of the printer information storage areas and the modification parameters may be stored for each of the models of printers. However, the modification parameters may be stored for individual printers, instead for model type of printers. In this case, the individual product number or serial number particular to each printers may be used as the identifying information. This manner may be used for the case that the modification of an image could not be satisfactorily performed by means of the modification parameters prepared for the model of a printer being used because of individual variances in the settings of the printer upon their manufacture or aged variances of the condition of the printer during its use.

Further, in addition to the printer identifying information and the modification parameters associated therewith as described above, modification parameters associated with no printer identifying information may be provided in at least one of storage areas as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5. One of the storage areas for modification parameters associated with no printer identifying information (“X” in FIG. 5) is for storing modification parameters for a printer of which no identifying information is acquirable. The data stored in the modification data storage area X is rewritable arbitrarily. For example, upon preparing the modification parameters for a certain printer in the image reading device 1 in accordance with a method as described in the above-mentioned “Preparation of Modification Parameters”, if the identifying information of the printer is unknown, the prepared modification parameters will be stored in the storage area X. Further, another storage area for modification parameters associated with no printer identifying information (“I” in FIG. 5) is for storing “initial” modification parameters, which will be used for the modification of an image data without the preparation of the modification parameters when the parameter memory does not contain modification parameters for a printer to be used. The “initial” modification parameters may be used regardless of the availability of the printer identifying information. The values of the initial modification parameters may be standard value (such as mean value, for example) determined by referring to the modification parameters for the printers available in the market.

Upon newly storing identifying information of a printer and modification parameters associated therewith in the parameter memory, if the amount of data stored in the parameter memory exceeds a predetermined value and the remaining capacity of the parameter memory has decreased so that no more data can be stored, it is preferable that a part of the already stored modification data is deleted in order to enable storing the identifying information of a printer and modification parameters associated therewith to be newly stored. The information and parameters of the printer to be deleted may be selected by a user, but, alternatively, may be selected automatically. In the automatic selection of the data to be deleted, first, there are taken into account the group of the modification data for printers of which the respective orders of the last time of connection to the image reading device, counted from the oldest one, is within the number being at a predetermined ratio for the total number of all the stored data set. For example, suppose that the number of “k” of sets of the modification parameters are stored, the data to be taken into account here are from “the data for the printer of which the last time of the connection is the oldest” to the “data for the printer of which the order of the last time of the connection counted from the oldest one corresponds to the number of r×k”, where “r” is the predetermined ratio, smaller than 1 such as 0.25. Then, among the data in the group, the modification data for the printer of which the number of the frequencies of connection to the image reading device is the least will be selected automatically for the data to be deleted. In this case, the parameter memory is provided with areas for recording the orders of the last time of the connection and the number of frequencies of the connection to the image reading device for the respective printers (not shown). The orders of the last time of the connection for the respective printers may be determined by measuring the date and time of their connections by means of a clock provided in the image reading device. Alternatively, it may be designed such that, every time a certain printer is connected to the image reading device, the orders of the times of the last connections for the respective printers may be updated while counting the number of the frequencies of the connection for the currently connected printer. The updating of the orders of the last time of the connection of the printers may be done, for example, by assigning the number “1” to the currently connected printer while the numbers of the orders for the rest of the printers are increased by “1” at each time the connection of one of the printers to the image reading device is formed. However, the orders of the modification parameters may be assigned in any other manner.

It should be understood that the signal processing for the storage or saving of the printer identifying information and the modification parameters into the parameter memory, and the deleting of the data from the memory can be done by any method available for those skilled in the art.

Operation of Image Reading Device

The image reading device 1 operates selectively in the “calibration mode” to prepare the modification parameters as described above and in the “normal mode” to read and print an original image. In this regard, just after putting on the electric power, the image reading device 1 may be set up in the normal mode. The operation of the calibration mode is carried out only when instructed by a user through the operation panel 20 (4 in FIG. 1A).

In the normal mode, in general, the reading of an original image and the generating of the image data thereof are executed together with the acquisition of the identifying information of printer 2 connected to the image reading device 1. Then, the original image data is modified by using the modification parameters selected in accordance with the printer identifying information, and thereby a modified original image data is generated. Thereafter, the modified original image data is transmitted from the image data output portion to the printer 2, and the printing of the image is executed. As already described, since the image data to be printed on a printing medium is pasted into the print region of the modified original image data (refer to FIG. 2 B -2D), the image will be printed in the size or with the layout desired by the user.

FIG. 6 shows the operations of a user, the image reading device and a printer in the normal mode. Referring to FIG. 6, first, the user sets an original copy in the image reading device 1, and requests the start of operation in the normal mode through the operation panel 20 (C13). Before this operation, the setting of the number of the printing (C11) and the selection of a layout of the image on a printing medium (C12) may be conducted by the user. In the selection of a layout, the user selects the position or size of the image on the printing medium through the operation panel. The image may be printed on the printing medium in a mode as illustrated in FIGS. 2 B-2D or the other arbitrary layout (such as a layout in which the original image is arranged on multiple sites on the printing medium). In this regard, as a default setting, the printing number may be set to one, and for a default layout, the mode as shown in FIG. 2B, where the whole original image is printed in conformity with the whole area of a printing medium, may have been set up. Then, when the command of the operation start of the normal mode is given, the image reading device 1 reads an original image, and generates an original image data (C14). Next, in order to print the original image on the printing medium with the selected layout, the original image data is modified by means of modification parameters to generate a modified original image data (C15), and the resultant modified image data is transmitted to the printer 2(C16). The printer 2, when receiving the modified original image data, will print an image according to an internal setting of the printer (C17).

The modification parameters used in C15 are selected in accordance with, for example, the processes described in FIG. 7 as shown in the form of a flowchart. Referring to the figure, first, it is judged if the printer 2 is connected or not, i.e. if the condition that an image data is transmittable from the image data output portion (the USB control portion) to the printer 2 is established (step 10). If it is judged that the printer 2 is not connected, the image reading device 1 generates a warning signal for the user while getting into a stand-by state. On the other hand, when the connection with the printer 2 is judged, the process for acquiring the identifying information of the printer 2 is executed (step 20). The identifying information is typically acquired from the printer 2 through cable or wireless communication. However, it may be designed such that the user can input any identifying information or select it from the information having been inputted for printers of which the modification parameters have been stored in the parameter memory. If the image reading device is designed to acquire the identifying information only through the cable or wireless communication with the printer 2 and if the printer 2 does not output the identifying information, the process for the case of “no identifying information (unknown)” will executed thereafter.

After the execution of the process of acquiring the identifying information, it is judged if the identifying formation has been acquired (step 30). If the identifying information is acquired, then a retrieval process is performed to search a set of the identifying information coinciding with the identifying information obtained in this time and the modification parameters associated therewith in the parameter money (step 40). When the identifying information and the corresponding modification parameters are found in the parameter memory (step 50), the modification parameters are selected to be used for the modification of an image data (step 60). For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 8A, if the identifying information of the connected printer 2 is C and the identifying information coinciding therewith exists in the parameter memory, then, the modification parameters C will be selected. However, when the identifying information coinciding with the identifying information obtained in this time is not found in step 50, for instance, when the identifying information of the printer 2 is “Y” and the identifying information coinciding therewith is not found as illustrated in FIG. 8B, the initial modification parameters I are set for the modification parameters to be used (step 70). In this connection, when modification parameters are found, the total frequencies of connection between the image reading device and the whole of printers, and the frequencies of connection of the printer of the identifying information selected currently may be recorded. These data regarding the frequencies of connection will be used upon deleting the data in the parameter memory, as described above. On the operation panel, whether or not the appropriate modification parameters are found may be shown.

On the other hand, when the identifying information is not obtained from the connected printer in step 30 and the judgment of “no identifying information” is made, the modification parameters “X” is set for the modification parameters (step 90, see FIG. 8C). As noted, the modification parameter storage area X is capable of storing the values obtained by the above-mentioned preparation of the modification parameters for the case that the identifying information of the printer is not acquirable. Consequently, even in the case that the identifying information can not be obtained, if the user has once executed the preparation of the modification parameters for the printer, no preparation operation is required for the printer thereafter. In this connection, the inventive image reading device may be designed such that the initial modification parameters I may be selected as the modification parameters by the selection of the user for the case that the identifying information can not be obtained (For example, step 80 may be inserted for letting the user select whether or not the preparation of the modification parameters of the printer has been executed in the past in the case of the “no identifying information”.). For example, for a printer which has never been connected to the image reading device and of which the identifying information is not available, if it is known that the printer is different from another printer associated with the already stored modification parameters X, it may be expected that the initial modification parameters I produces better printing results than the modification parameters X. In this regard, on the operation panel, it may be so shown when the modification parameters X or the initial modification parameters I are set to the modification parameters.

Further, in the above-mentioned step 50 or 80, if it is judged that the modification parameters associated with the printer 2 do not exist in the parameter memory, it may be so designed that the operation in the normal mode is ceased to interrupt the printing of the image in accordance with the selection by the user. In the case that the operation of the normal mode is stopped and the printing of the image is interrupted, appropriate modification parameters associated with the printer 2 may be prepared through the execution of the above-mentioned calibration mode, and then, in the restart of the normal mode operation, the printing can be done based upon the appropriately modified original image data.

Thus, according to the selection process of modification parameters as shown in FIG. 7, if the modification parameters associated with the printer 2 exist in the parameter memory, the selection of appropriate modification parameters associated with the printer 2 and the modification of an image data will be executed without preparing the modification parameters. Further, even in the case that no modification parameters associated with the printer 2 exist in the parameter memory, through the preparation of the modification parameters once, no preparation of the modification parameters is required thereafter. In this regard, the setup of the modification parameters in FIG. 7 may be executed before starting the normal mode operation (before the user pressing the start button), or may be done during executing the processing of C15 of FIG. 6.

In the case that an image data is transmitted to a printer with a memory card, the printer identifying information for selecting the modification parameters may be manually input to the image reading device 1, or the identifying information already existing in the parameter memory may be selected and the modification parameters associated with the identifying information are used for the modification of an image data. In this case, it may be judged in step 10 if a memory card is set into the drive 30.

Image reading device

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