# US 2017/0257512 A1 · Image forming apparatus with copy function that prints image data read from manuscripts on printing paper according to set printing conditions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0257512 A1 - Document ID: US20170257512A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/449,942 - Filed: 2017-03-04 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-04 - Assignees: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. - Applicants: KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. - Inventors: Tomohiro OGAWA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170257512A1 ## CPC - H04N 1/10: using flat picture-bearing surfaces {(H04N1/113, H04N1/195 take precedence)} - G06K 15/02: using printers - H04N 1/00331: {with an apparatus performing optical character recognition (character recognition G06V30/10)} - H04N 1/00795: {Reading arrangements (details of scanning heads H04N1/024; scanning arrangements therefor H04N1/04)} - H04N 1/121: {Feeding arrangements (transporting sheets to or from the scanning position H04N1/0057; control or error compensation of sub-scanning velocity H04N1/0473)} - H04N 2201/0082: Image hardcopy reproducer (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS ## Abstract Provided is an image forming apparatus that can accurately determine whether a manuscript is pencil writing. The image forming apparatus is a copier with a copy function that, after receiving a copy instruction, reads image data from a manuscript, and prints the read image data on printing paper according to set printing conditions. The copier includes a character extracing unit and a line width judgment unit. The character extracting unit extracts characters from each of a plurality of different locations in image data. The line width judgment unit determines whether or not a manuscript is pencil writing by comparing line widths of the characters that were extracted by the character extracting unit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image forming apparatus with a copy function that, after receiving a copy instruction, reads image data from a manuscript, and prints the read image data on printing paper according to set printing conditions; the image forming apparatus comprising: a character extracing unit that extracts characters from each of a plurality of different locations in the image data; and a line width judgment unit that determines whether or not the manuscript is pencil writing by comparing line widths of the characters that were extracted by the character extracting unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character extracting unit extracts characters having the same color from each of a plurality of different locations in the image data. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character extracting unit extracts characters having the same character type from each of a plurality of different locations in the image data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a printing-condition-setting change unit that, when the line width judgment unit determines that the manuscript is pencil writing, changes the printing conditions to printing conditions for pencil writing for performing image processing for pencil writing, and prints the image data on printing paper according to the changed printing conditions for pencil writing. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the character extracting unit extracts characters from each of a plurality of different locations in the image data when the manuscript size of the manuscript is size B4 or size A3. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprising: a platen glass on which the manuscript is placed; a platen cover that opens or closes the top surface of the platen glass; and an open/closed detecting unit that detects whether the platen cover is open or closed; wherein the character extracting unit extracts characters from each of a plurality of different locations in the image data when the open/closed detecting unit detects that the platen cover is open when a copy instruction is received. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 comprising: a platen glass on which the manuscript is placed; a platen cover that opens or closes the top surface of the platen glass; an open/closed detecting unit that detects whether the platen cover is open or closed; and a printing-condition-setting change unit, that, when the line width judgment unit determines that the manuscript is pencil writing, changes the printing conditions to printing conditions for pencil writing for performing image processing for pencil writing, and prints the image data on printing paper according to the changed printing conditions for pencil writing; wherein when a copy instruction is received before a preset specified amount of time has elapsed after printing the image data on the printing paper according to printing conditions for pencil writing, and the open/closed detecting unit detects that the platen cover is open when the copy instruction is received, the printing-condition-setting change unit executes a printing operation according to printing conditions for pencil writing without executing the character extracting unit executing a character extraction process or the line width judgment unit executing a line with judgment operation.