JP4990732B2 - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus capable of reading both sides of a document, and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image reading apparatus equipped with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) included in a copying machine, a facsimile, or the like, as a method for causing an image reading unit to automatically read the front and back surfaces of a document, After the image is read by the image sensor, a method is widely adopted in which the front and back sides of the original are reversed and the image on the back side is read again by the image sensor. However, in this method, after the image sensor reads the surface of the document, the document is once discharged to the outside and turned upside down, and the image sensor reads the back side of the document again.

  Therefore, as described in Patent Document 1, by providing image sensors on both the front and back sides of the document in the document transport path from the document tray, one document feed (one pass) is performed without inverting the document. A method for reading both sides of a document almost simultaneously is known. In such an image reading apparatus that employs a method of reading both sides of a document almost simultaneously, a reduction optical system image sensor is often used for reading the front side of the document. For this reason, a contact optical system image sensor is often used. However, if the optical configuration of the image sensor that reads the front and back sides of the document is different, there will be a difference in the image quality of the images formed on the front and back sides of the printing paper.

Therefore, in the image reading apparatus as described above, the user can select a reading method for both sides of the document. In other words, it takes time to read an image because the front and back sides of the document are read separately, but in order to make the image quality of the front and back sides of the printing paper the same, the same image sensor (reduction optical system image sensor) is used to scan the front and back sides of the document. In order to shorten the reading time of an image, the user has two reading modes: a mode in which the front and back surfaces of a document are read almost simultaneously using two image sensors of a reduction optical system and a contact optical system. Two reading modes can be arbitrarily selected according to the situation.
JP 2004-15299 A

  When the image reading apparatus as described above is used to read a plurality of originals, there is a case where the reading mode is to be switched depending on the original pages. For example, the black and white pages can be read in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode with a short reading time, and the color pages can be read in the double-sided reverse reading mode in order to match the image quality of the front and back surfaces. be able to. However, Patent Document 1 does not describe a technique for permitting switching of a reading mode during reading of a document.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problem. An image reading apparatus and a highly convenient image reading apparatus that can switch a reading mode in the middle of reading a document according to a user setting made before reading a document. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus.

An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a first reading unit that reads one side of a fed document, a second reading unit that reads the other side of the document, and one of the documents by the first reading unit. After the reading of the surface is finished, the first reading unit reverses the document so that the other side of the document can be read, and the reversing unit feeds the document. A double-sided reverse reading mode in which the first reading unit reads the other side of the original after the original is inverted by the reversing unit, and the first reading unit reads one side of the original, A mode setting unit for setting one of the two-sided simultaneous reading modes in which the second reading unit reads the other side of the document; and the first reading unit according to the reading mode set by the mode setting unit. Read control means for controlling the operation of the second reading means and the reversing means for reading the original, and reading the original before starting the reading of the original by the first reading means and the second reading means. A switching instruction receiving unit that receives an input of a switching instruction between the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode in the middle, a display unit that displays a predetermined operation screen, and a plurality of numerical values that indicate the page range of the document Control for causing the display means to display a page display control means for controlling the display means to display a page range display field, and a mode display field for displaying the selected state of the reading mode corresponding to each page range display field. Mode display control means for performing the switching, and the switching instruction receiving means is configured to display the page range display field by the page display control means. When the mode display field is displayed on the display means by the page receiving means for receiving an input of a numerical value indicating the page range of the document when displayed on the display means, Mode receiving means for receiving selection input of either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode corresponding to a numerical value indicating the page range received by the page receiving means, and the mode setting means, In the original, a reading mode for reading a page corresponding to the page range received by the page receiving unit is set to a reading mode received by the mode receiving unit corresponding to the page range, and the reading control unit Is the first reading means, the second reading means, and the counterclockwise according to the reading mode set by the mode setting means. The mode display control means accepts the mode display means in one mode display field desired by the user among the mode display fields in response to the first input acceptance by the mode acceptance means. The one reading mode is displayed on the display unit as a selected state, and the mode display fields other than the one mode display field are set to the other reading mode and the one mode on the basis of the one mode display field. The reading mode is alternately selected and displayed on the display means.

According to this configuration , the reading mode can be set for each page. For example, a black and white page that often does not require high image quality of the read image is a double-sided simultaneous reading mode with a short reading time, and a color page that often requires high image quality of the read image or matching of the image quality of both sides By setting the reading mode for each page so as to read in the double-sided reverse reading mode, it is possible to perform efficient double-sided reading taking advantage of each reading mode.

Further , by displaying the selection input screen for the page range and the reading mode on the display unit, the user can smoothly perform the operation. In addition, when the mode receiving means first receives a selection input, the display of each other mode display column is displayed so that the reading mode is alternately selected with reference to the mode display column desired by the user that received the input first. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the selection operation of the user, and it is possible to realize an image reading apparatus that is convenient for the user.

An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a first reading unit that reads one side of a fed document, a second reading unit that reads the other side of the document, and one of the documents by the first reading unit. After the reading of the surface is finished, the first reading unit reverses the document so that the other side of the document can be read, and the reversing unit feeds the document. A double-sided reverse reading mode in which the first reading unit reads the other side of the original after the original is inverted by the reversing unit, and the first reading unit reads one side of the original, A mode setting unit for setting one of the two-sided simultaneous reading modes in which the second reading unit reads the other side of the document; and the first reading unit according to the reading mode set by the mode setting unit. Read control means for controlling the operation of the second reading means and the reversing means for reading the original, and reading the original before starting the reading of the original by the first reading means and the second reading means. A switching instruction receiving unit that receives an input of a switching instruction between the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode in the middle, and whether or not the original is blank from the image data acquired by the first reading unit and the second reading unit A blank sheet detecting means for detecting whether or not the mode setting means switches and sets the reading mode during reading of the document based on a switching instruction received by the switching instruction receiving means, and the reading control means In accordance with the reading mode set by switching, the first reading means, the second reading means and the reversing means are controlled in operation, When the switching instruction receiving means receives the input of the switching instruction, the reading control means reads one side of the document by the first reading means regardless of the reading mode set by the mode setting means. And controlling the other side of the document to be read by the second reading unit, and the blank sheet detecting unit is configured to read the blank document based on the image data acquired by the first reading unit and the second reading unit. When the blank sheet detecting means detects that the original is blank, the mode setting means switches and sets the reading mode from reading the next original of the blank original , and the mode setting means When the double-sided reverse reading mode is set, the reading control unit controls the reversing unit so that the blank document is not reversed. It is a natural thing .

According to this configuration, the user can switch the reading mode on a desired page by inserting a blank document immediately before the document whose switching mode is to be switched and reading a bundle of documents, and the image reading apparatus can be switched. Convenience can be improved. Further, by reading both sides of the document using the first reading unit and the second reading unit in any reading mode, the document is read after reading the surface of the document when the duplex reverse reading mode is set. It is possible to detect that the original is a blank document without performing reverse reading and reverse side reading. Accordingly, since the blank original is not reversed in vain, the reading time can be shortened. When the double-sided reverse reading mode is set, the image data acquired by the second reading unit is used only for detecting a blank original, and the back side of the original reversely fed by the reversing unit is used as the first side. When the reading means reads, the image data on the front and back sides of the document is prepared.

In the above structure, the first reading means has a reduction optical system image sensor, the second reading means preferably has a contact optical system image sensor.

According to this configuration , the same effect as the above configuration can be achieved. Although the first reading unit has a reduction optical system image sensor and the second reading unit has a contact optical system image sensor, the reverse may be possible.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading device having the above-described configuration , an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data acquired by the first reading unit and the second reading unit, it is those with a.

According to this configuration , the image reading device included in the image forming apparatus can enjoy the same effects as the above configuration .

According to the present invention, the reading mode can be set for each page. For example, a black and white page that often does not require high image quality of the read image is a double-sided simultaneous reading mode with a short reading time, and a color page that often requires high image quality of the read image or matching of the image quality of both sides By setting the reading mode for each page so as to read in the double-sided reverse reading mode, it is possible to perform efficient double-sided reading taking advantage of each reading mode.

Further, by displaying the selection input screen for the page range and the reading mode on the display unit, the user can smoothly perform the operation. In addition, when the mode receiving means first receives a selection input, the display of each other mode display column is displayed so that the reading mode is alternately selected with reference to the mode display column desired by the user that received the input first. By doing so, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the selection operation of the user, and it is possible to realize an image reading apparatus that is convenient for the user.

According to the present invention, the user can switch the reading mode for a desired page by inserting a blank document immediately before the document whose reading mode is to be switched and causing the reading of the document bundle, thereby enabling the image reading to be switched. The convenience of the apparatus can be improved.

In any reading mode, both sides of the original are read using the first reading means and the second reading means, so that the original is read after reading the front side of the original when the duplex reverse reading mode is set. It is possible to detect that the original is a blank document without performing reverse reading and reverse side reading. Accordingly, since the blank original is not reversed in vain, the reading time can be shortened.

Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described as an example in which the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus are integrated into a multifunction machine having functions such as a copy, a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1 according to the present embodiment. The multifunction device 1 is roughly composed of an image reading device 2 and a device body 3. The image reading apparatus 2 includes a document feeding unit 21 and a scanner unit (first reading unit) 22. The document feeder 21 realizes ADF, and includes a document tray 211, a sheet feed roller 212, a transport drum 213, a sheet discharge roller 214, and a sheet discharge tray 215. The document tray 211 is a place where the document is placed. The documents placed on the document tray 211 are taken one by one by the paper feed roller 212 and conveyed to the conveyance drum 213. The document that has passed through the transport drum 213 is discharged to a discharge tray 215 by a discharge roller 214.

  The scanner unit 22 optically acquires an image of a document to generate image data, and includes a platen glass 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, and a first carriage 226. A second carriage 227, an imaging lens 228, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 229. In the present embodiment, an example in which the CCD 229 is used as the reduction optical system image sensor of the first reading unit will be described as an example. However, a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is used in addition to the CCD. May be.

  The platen glass 221 is a place where a document is placed. The light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  Here, as an original reading method of the image reading apparatus 2, a flatbed reading mode in which the scanner unit 22 reads an original placed on the platen glass 221 and an ADF reading in which the original is taken in by ADF and the original is read in the middle of the conveyance. There is a mode. In the flat bed reading mode, the light source 222 irradiates a document placed on the platen glass 221, and reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225. Then, the light enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. The CCD 229 is a one-dimensional image sensor, and simultaneously processes a document image for one line. When the reading for one line is completed, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are moved in the direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction, arrow Y direction), and the next line is read.

  In the ADF reading mode, the originals placed on the paper feed tray 211 are taken one by one by the paper feed rollers 212, and the originals are read on the reading window 230 provided in the conveyance path from the conveyance drum 213 to the paper discharge tray 215. When passing, the light source 222 irradiates the document, and the reflected light for one main scanning line is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225, and enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. Subsequently, the document is conveyed by the document feeder 21 and the next line is read. In the following description, those not specifically described will be described on the assumption that an original is automatically fed in the ADF reading mode and an image is read.

  Further, the document feeder 21 has a document reversing mechanism (reversing means) including a switching guide 216, a reversing roller 217, and a reversing conveyance path 218. The original whose surface (one side of the original) is read by the first ADF reading is reversed using the original reversing mechanism and re-conveyed, so that the CCD 229 reads the back side (the other side of the original) again. Can be made. This document reversing mechanism operates only when reading both sides, and does not operate when reading one side. After reading the back side during single-sided reading and double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, and the document that has passed through the transport drum 213 is discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge roller 214. After the front side reading at the time of double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the lower side, and the document that has passed through the conveying drum 213 is conveyed to the nip portion of the reverse roller 217. Thereafter, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side and the reverse roller 217 rotates in the reverse direction, whereby the document is re-conveyed to the conveyance drum 213 via the reverse conveyance path 218. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the document reversing mechanism is referred to as a double-sided reversal reading mode or a high image quality mode.

  Further, in the ADF reading mode, the image reading apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment causes the CCD 229 to read the surface of the original while the original is being conveyed as described above, and at the same time, CIS (second reading means). It is possible to read the back side of the original by H.231. That is, the document fed from the sheet feed tray 211 is read by the CCD 229 when passing through the reading window 230, and the back side is read when passing through the CIS 231. By using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 in this way, it is possible to read both sides of a document with one pass. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 is referred to as a double-sided simultaneous reading mode or a high-speed mode.

  Here, the double-sided reverse reading mode (high image quality mode) and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode (high-speed mode) will be described. In the double-sided reverse reading mode, since both sides of the original are read by the same image sensor (CCD 229), there is no difference in image quality between the read front and back images. However, in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, since the front side of the document is read by different image sensors such as the CCD 229 and the back side is CIS 231, if double-sided printing is performed based on the image data acquired by each image sensor, There will be a difference in image quality. In particular, when color printing is performed, the difference in image quality between the read front and back surfaces appears remarkably. The cause is that the scanner unit 22 uses a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube as the light source 222, while the CIS 231 uses a three-color LED or the like (not shown) as the light source. Due to the difference in the light source, it is known that image reading by the scanner unit 22 is superior in color reproducibility. In addition to the difference in spectral distribution of these light sources, the CCD 229 is configured as an image sensor with a plurality of light receiving elements formed on a single chip, whereas in the CIS 231 a plurality of solid state imaging elements are connected. Since it is configured as an image sensor, the sensitivity varies between the solid-state imaging devices, and this is considered to cause a difference in image quality.

  In the present embodiment, the scanner unit 22 corresponds to the first reading unit, and the CIS 231 corresponds to the second reading unit. However, the configuration may be reversed. Furthermore, the first reading unit and the second reading unit may be configured by the same optical system image sensor.

  Therefore, in the MFP 1 according to the present embodiment, when performing double-sided reading of a document using the ADF, the user selects either the high image quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) or the high-speed mode (double-sided simultaneous reading mode). can do. In other words, high-quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) is used to match the image quality of double-sided printed images, and high-speed mode (priority is given to shortening the reading time even if there is a difference in image quality of double-sided printed images) The user can select the reading mode according to the situation.

  Returning to the description of the configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 and a stack tray 6 disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 3. The apparatus main body 3 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds paper (recording medium) one by one from the paper feed cassette 461 and transports the paper to the recording unit (image forming unit) 40, and a paper feed cassette 461. And a recording unit 40 that forms an image on the sheet conveyed from the printer. Further, a manual feed tray 471 is provided. From this manual feed tray 471, paper of a size that is not stored in any paper feed cassette, paper on which an image is already formed on one side (back paper), or an OHP sheet is provided. An arbitrary recording medium can be placed, and is fed into the apparatus main body 3 one by one by a paper feed roller 472.

  The recording unit 40 is based on a charge eliminating device 421 that removes residual charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, a charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after charge removal, and image data acquired by the scanner unit 22. The laser beam is output to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, and an exposure device 423 that forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, and on the photosensitive drum 43 based on the electrostatic latent image, Developing devices 44C, 44M, 44Y, and 44K that form toner images of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and toner images of each color that are formed on the photosensitive drum 43 A transfer drum 49 on which toner images are transferred, a transfer device 41 that transfers the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to a sheet, and a sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is heated to set the toner image on the sheet. And a fixing device 45 for. Note that toner is supplied to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black from a toner supply container (toner cartridge) (not shown). Further, conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the sheet that has passed through the recording unit 40 to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When images are formed on both sides of a sheet, after the recording unit 40 forms an image on one side of the sheet, the sheet is nipped by a conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. In this state, the transport roller 463 is rotated in the reverse direction to switch back the paper, and the paper is sent to the paper transport path L to be transported again to the upstream area of the recording unit 40. The recording unit 40 forms an image on the other surface. Then, the paper is discharged to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48.

  Further, in front of the apparatus main body 3, an operation unit 5 having a display unit through which a user can visually recognize an operation screen and various messages, and operation buttons for inputting various operation commands is provided. 2 and 3 are examples of front views of the operation unit 5. The operation unit 5 includes a display unit (display unit) 51, a touch panel (switching instruction reception unit, page reception unit, mode reception unit) 52, a numeric key group 53, various operation buttons 54 to 57, a function selection button 58, and the like. The display unit 51 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (Electronic Luminescent Display), or the like, and displays selection screens such as paper size selection, magnification selection, and density selection. The display unit 51 is formed integrally with the touch panel 52. The touch panel 52 detects a touch position and outputs a detection signal to a control unit described later when a touch operation is performed by the user.

  The numeric key group 53 is used, for example, for the user to input the number of copies during the copy function operation of the multifunction device 1 and the destination telephone number or the like during the facsimile function operation. The power saving button 54 is a button for setting the multifunction machine 1 in a power saving (low power) mode. The start button 55 is a button for starting a copy operation or a scanner operation, and the stop / clear button 56 is a button for stopping the copy operation or the scanner operation or canceling an input operation. The reset button 57 is a button for setting the display of the display unit 51 and various settings to an initial state or a standard operation state. The function selection button 58 is a button for setting a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multifunction device 1 includes a document feeder 21, a scanner unit 22, a CIS 231, an operation unit 5, a control unit (reading control unit) 61, an image processing unit 64, a recording unit 40, and a communication unit 65. The same components as those described in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The document feeder 21 automatically captures a document placed on the document tray 211 and conveys the document so that it can be read by the CCD 229 or the CIS 231. The document feeder 21 implements ADF. The scanner unit 22 and the CIS 231 optically acquire an image of a document and generate image data.

  The operation unit 5 receives operation inputs related to a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, a printer function, and the like. Then, an operation signal corresponding to the operation input is output to the control unit 61. The operation unit 5 corresponds to the touch panel 52, the numeric key group 53, the operation buttons 54 to 57, the function selection button 58, and the like illustrated in FIG. 2, and the operation unit 5 further includes a display unit 51. When the user presses down on the operation key displayed on the display unit 51, a position where the touch panel 52 configured integrally with the display unit 51 is pressed is detected, and position information is output to the control unit 61. Then, processing corresponding to the key pressed by the control unit 61 is performed.

  The control unit 61 is configured by a CPU or the like, and executes processing based on a predetermined program in accordance with an input instruction signal or the like, and outputs an instruction signal to each functional unit, data transfer, or the like to perform the multifunction machine 1. Is to control the overall. The control unit 61 includes a mode setting unit (mode setting unit) 611, a page display control unit (page display control unit) 612, and a mode display control unit (mode display control unit) 613. The mode setting unit 611 sets one of the two-sided reverse reading mode and the two-sided simultaneous reading mode in accordance with the reading mode selection input by the user. Based on the reading mode set by the mode setting unit 611, the control unit 61 controls the document feeding unit 21, the scanner unit 22, the CIS 231 and the like to read the document, feeds and conveys the document, and reads the image. And so on.

  The page display control unit 612 and the mode display control unit 613 perform display control of the operation screen on the display unit 51 when an instruction input for switching and setting the document reading mode in units of pages is made by the user. Details will be described later with reference to the drawings.

  The image processing unit 64 performs various image processing relating to image data. For example, the image processing unit 64 performs correction processing such as level correction and gamma correction on image data acquired by the scanner unit 22 and the CIS 231 and image data transferred from an external device via the communication unit 66, image Image processing such as data compression or expansion processing, enlargement or reduction processing is performed. Further, predetermined image processing is performed on the image data in accordance with the function selected by the user.

  The recording unit 40 prints an image based on image data obtained by the scanner unit 22 or image data transferred from an external device via the communication unit 66 in black and white or color on a predetermined sheet.

  The communication unit 65 uses a network interface to transmit / receive various data to / from an external device such as a computer or a facsimile connected via a network.

  4 to 6 show examples of the screen of the display unit 51, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for double-sided printing of a document. The flow of processing for double-sided printing of an original in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a screen displayed on the display unit 51 when the duplex / split function is selected by a touch operation on the touch panel 52 by the user during the copy function operation of the multifunction device 1. On the screen, a key 103 for reading one side of a document and printing it on one side, a key 104 for reading one side of a document and printing it on both sides, a key 105 for reading both sides of the document and printing it on one side, and a key 106 for reading both sides of the document and printing it on both sides. Then, setting keys such as a key 107 for reading a two-page spread and performing single-sided printing and a key 108 for reading a two-page spread and printing two-sided are displayed.

  When the key 105 or the key 106 is selected, the control unit 61 sets a high-quality mode key 109, a high-speed mode key 110, and a page-specific mode switching key 111 near the center of the display area of the display unit 51 as shown in FIG. Display. The high image quality mode key 109 is a key that is selected when both sides of the document are to be read in the duplex reverse reading mode, and the high speed mode key 110 is a key that is selected when both sides of the document are to be read in the duplex simultaneous reading mode. . The page mode switching key 111 is a key that is selected when the original is to be read by switching the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode for each page. When the page mode switching key 111 is pressed by the user, the control unit 61 displays a page mode setting screen as shown in FIG. 6 on the display unit 51 (step S11 in FIG. 7).

  The page-specific mode setting screen is a screen that accepts a selection input of a page range and a reading mode to be executed when reading the page range. The page display control unit 612 causes the display unit 5 to display page display columns 121, 122, and 123 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as “page display column 120”) in a format that can accept a page range input by the user. . As a format that can accept the input of the page range, FIG. 6 illustrates a case where the page number is displayed in a pull-down manner when the page display field 120 is touched by the user. The user touches the page number immediately before the page whose reading mode is to be switched from the pull-down displayed page number. Then, the page display control unit 612 displays the touched page number in the page display column 120 as a selected state. In FIG. 6, the page number “3” is selected in the page display column 121, and the page number “6” is selected in the page display column 122. In addition to the method of selecting from the page numbers displayed in the pull-down display, the user may directly input the page range from the numeric keys 53. In this case, the page receiving unit corresponds to the numeric key 53, and the control unit 61 receives a pressing signal of the numeric key 53 output by the user pressing, and the page display control unit 612 corresponds to the pressed numeric key 53. A number is displayed in the page display field 120.

  Further, the mode display control unit 613 is configured to accept a selection input of “high quality mode” indicating the double-sided reverse reading mode and “high-speed mode” indicating the double-sided simultaneous reading mode so as to correspond to each of the page display fields 120. Display fields 131, 132, and 133 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “mode display field 130”) are displayed on the display unit 51. FIG. 6 illustrates a case in which two reading modes “high image quality mode” and “high speed mode” are displayed in a pull-down manner when the mode display field 130 is touched by the user. Yes. The user touches the reading mode to be executed when reading the page range selected in the corresponding page display column 120 from the pull-down displayed reading mode. For example, if the user wants to read the original in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode for the first to third pages and the double-sided reverse reading mode for the fourth to sixth pages, “high-speed mode” is displayed in the mode display field 131, and the mode is displayed. In the column 132, “high quality mode” may be selected. In addition to the method of pulling down the reading mode, a radio button that can alternatively select the high-quality mode or the high-speed mode may be displayed.

  When the reading mode is first selected in any one of the mode display fields 130, the mode display control unit 613 displays the reading mode selected in the mode display field on the display unit 51 as a selected state. In the mode display fields other than the mode display field, the display may be automatically switched based on the mode display field selected first so that the two reading modes are alternately selected. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, when “high speed mode” is selected in the mode display field 131, the mode display control unit 613 displays “high speed mode” as a selected state in the mode display field 131 and also displays the mode display field. The display is switched so that “high quality mode” 132 is selected and “high speed mode” is selected in the mode display column 133. If one mode display column 130 is selected, the selection state of the other mode display column 130 is automatically switched, so that the user's selection operation can be reduced.

  When the user inputs a page range and a reading mode (step S12) and presses the start button 55 (step S13; YES), the control unit 61 sets a variable n in an internal memory (not shown), The initial value of the variable n is set to “1” (step S14). Then, the mode setting unit 611 sets the reading mode to the reading mode selected in the nth mode display field 130 (when n = 1, the mode display field 131) (step S15). Subsequently, based on the reading mode set by the mode setting unit 611, the control unit 61 feeds the document to the document feeding unit 21 and reads the image of the document to the scanner unit 22 and the CIS 231. (Step S16).

  The document is still placed on the document tray 211 (step S17; NO), and the document of the page selected in the nth page display column 120 (the page display column 121 when n = 1) is read. If not completed (step S18; NO), the controller 61 proceeds to step S16. When reading of the document of the selected page is completed (step S18; YES), the control unit 61 increments the variable n (step S19), and the process proceeds to step S15.

  For example, when the variable n is incremented to n = 2, the mode setting unit 611 switches the setting to the reading mode selected in the mode display field 132, and the control unit 61 switches based on the reading mode set by switching. The document is read up to the page number selected in the page display field 122. That is, when the setting shown in FIG. 6 is made, scanning is performed in the high speed mode (double-sided simultaneous scanning mode) from the first page to the third page of the document, and high image quality mode (from the fourth page to the sixth page). Switching to the “double-sided reverse reading mode” is performed for reading.

  When there is no longer any document placed on the document tray 211 (step S17; YES), the control unit 61 causes the image processing unit 64 to perform image processing on the image data acquired by the CCD 229 and the CIS 231. The recording unit 40 is caused to print an image based on the image data (step S20). Then, the process ends. Note that printing may be performed from time to time from an image corresponding to a document for which double-sided scanning has been completed even while another document is being scanned.

As described above, the duplex reverse reading mode or the duplex simultaneous reading mode can be set for each page of the document before the document is read, and the reading mode is switched during the document reading according to the setting. For example, black and white pages can be scanned in the duplex scanning mode with short scanning time, and color pages can be scanned in the duplex scanning mode with good image quality. Reading can be performed.
[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 1 has been described in which the page range and the reading mode are set on the mode setting screen for each page before reading the document, and the reading mode is switched during the reading of the document according to the setting contents. In the second embodiment, a multifunction device in which a reading mode is switched when a blank original is detected during the reading of the original will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the same components as those in the block diagram shown in FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  The control unit 61 includes a mode setting unit 611 and a blank sheet detection unit (blank sheet detection unit) 621. The mode setting unit 611 sets one of the two-sided reverse reading mode and the two-sided simultaneous reading mode in accordance with the reading mode selection input by the user. The blank sheet detection unit 621 analyzes the image data on both sides of the document acquired by the scanner unit 22 and the CIS 231 and determines whether or not the document is a double-sided blank sheet. As a determination method, for example, black pixels are counted based on each pixel information of the image data, and when the number of black pixels is equal to or less than a predetermined number, it is determined that the sheet is blank. When it is determined that the two-sided document is a blank document, the blank sheet detection unit 621 outputs a control signal to the mode setting unit 611. In response to the control signal from the blank sheet detection unit 621, the mode setting unit 611 switches the reading mode being set.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the screen of the display unit 51. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of double-sided printing processing when a function for switching the reading mode when a blank original is detected is executed. The flow of the double-sided printing process of the document according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is displayed when the duplex function is selected by touching the touch panel 52 by the user during the copy function operation of the MFP 100, and the key 105 or the key 106 indicating a function that requires duplex scanning is selected. It is an example of a screen to be displayed. When the key 105 or the key 106 is selected, the control unit 61 displays a high-quality mode key 109 and a high-speed mode key 110 on the display unit 51, and a key 141 and a key 142 for the user to select whether or not the blank page mode can be switched. Let The blank mode switching is a function in which when a blank document is detected during reading of a document, the reading mode is switched and set, and the document reading process is continuously performed according to the switched reading mode. If this blank page mode switching function is to be executed, the key 141 is selected. If not, the key 142 is selected.

  The user first selects a reading mode for reading the first page of the document by pressing the high image quality mode key 109 or the high speed mode key 110. The control unit 61 detects which key is selected from the pressed position on the touch panel 52, and the mode setting unit 611 sets a reading mode corresponding to the selected key (step S21 in FIG. 10). When the start button 55 is pressed (step S22; YES), the control unit 61 feeds the document to the document feeding unit 21 based on the reading mode set by the mode setting unit 611, and the scanner unit. 22 and the CIS 231 are read from the original (step S23).

  Here, the back side of the original is read by the CIS 231 almost simultaneously with the reading of the front side of the original by the scanner unit 22, and the image data acquired by the scanner unit 22 and the CIS 231 is analyzed. Is determined (step S24). When the double-sided reverse reading mode is set, the image data acquired by the CIS 231 is used only for detecting blank paper, and is not used for printing processing. The scanner unit 22 reads the image data on the front and back surfaces. In either reading mode, by performing both-side reading when the document is first transported, it is possible to detect a blank document without inverting the document and reading the back side in the double-sided reverse reading mode. Therefore, the blank document can be discharged as it is to the discharge tray 215 without being inverted, and the reading time can be shortened.

  When the document is still placed on the document tray 211 (step S25; NO), and the blank sheet detection unit 621 determines that the document read in step S23 is a blank document (step S26; YES), the mode setting unit In 611, the reading mode is switched and set (step S27). And the control part 61 transfers a process to step S23. When there is no longer any document placed on the document tray 211 (step S25; YES), the control unit 61 causes the image processing unit 64 to perform image processing on the image data acquired by the CCD 229 and the CIS 231, and after processing. The recording unit 40 is caused to print an image based on the image data (step S28). Then, the process ends.

  As described above, among the documents read by the image reading apparatus 2, when the blank sheet detection unit 621 detects a blank document, the mode setting unit 611 switches the reading mode, so that the user can select a desired page. The reading mode can be switched. Thereby, the convenience of the image reading apparatus 2 can be improved.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine. The front view of an operation part. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine according to a first embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 1st Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 1st Embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 1st Embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of printing processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a multifunction machine according to a second embodiment. The example of a screen of the display part in 2nd Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of printing processing according to the second embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunction device 3 Main body 2 Image reading device 5 Operation part 21 Document feeding part 51 Display part 211 Document tray 52 Touch panel 212 Feeding roller 53 Numeric key group 213 Transport drum 61 Control part 214 Paper discharge roller 611 Mode setting part 215 Ejection Paper tray 612 Page display control unit 216 Switching guide 613 Mode display control unit 217 Reverse roller 621 Blank paper detection unit 218 Reverse conveyance path 64 Image processing unit 22 Scanner unit 40 Recording unit 222 Light source 65 Communication unit 228 Imaging lens 229 CCD
230 Reading window 231 CIS

Claims (4)

First reading means for reading one side of a fed document;
Second reading means for reading the other side of the document;
A reversing unit for reversing and feeding the original so that the first reading unit can read the other side of the original after the first reading of the first side of the original is finished;
The first reading unit reads one side of the document, and the first reading unit reads the other side of the document after the document is reversed by the reversing unit; Mode setting means for reading one side of the original and setting either one of the double-sided simultaneous reading modes in which the second reading means reads the other side of the original;
Reading control means for performing operation control relating to reading of the document with respect to the first reading means, the second reading means, and the reversing means according to the reading mode set by the mode setting means;
A switching instruction receiving means for receiving an input of a switching instruction between the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode in the middle of reading the original before the first reading means and the second reading means start reading the original;
Display means for displaying a predetermined operation screen;
Page display control means for controlling the display means to display a plurality of page range display fields for displaying numerical values indicating the page range of the document;
Mode display control means for controlling the display means to display a mode display field for displaying a selection state of the reading mode corresponding to each page range display field;
With
The switching instruction accepting means includes a page accepting means for accepting an input of a numerical value indicating a page range of the document when the page range display field is displayed on the display means by the page display control means, and the mode display. When the mode display field is displayed on the display means by the control means, either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode corresponding to the numerical value indicating the page range received by the page receiving means Mode accepting means for accepting a selection input,
The mode setting means sets the reading mode when reading a page corresponding to the page range received by the page receiving means in the original to the reading mode received by the mode receiving means corresponding to the page range. And
The reading control means controls the operation of the first reading means, the second reading means and the reversing means according to the reading mode set by the mode setting means,
The mode display control means selects one of the reading modes accepted by the mode accepting means in one mode display field desired by the user among the mode display fields in response to the first input acceptance by the mode accepting means. The mode is displayed on the display means as a state, and the mode display column other than the mode display column is alternately selected from the other reading mode and the one reading mode based on the one mode display column. An image reading apparatus to be displayed on the display means . First reading means for reading one side of a fed document;
Second reading means for reading the other side of the document;
A reversing unit for reversing and feeding the original so that the first reading unit can read the other side of the original after the first reading of the first side of the original is finished;
The first reading unit reads one side of the document, and the first reading unit reads the other side of the document after the document is reversed by the reversing unit; Mode setting means for reading one side of the original and setting either one of the double-sided simultaneous reading modes in which the second reading means reads the other side of the original;
Reading control means for performing operation control relating to reading of the document with respect to the first reading means, the second reading means, and the reversing means according to the reading mode set by the mode setting means;
A switching instruction receiving means for receiving an input of a switching instruction between the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode in the middle of reading the original before the first reading means and the second reading means start reading the original;
Blank sheet detecting means for detecting whether or not the original is blank from the image data acquired by the first reading means and the second reading means;
With
The mode setting means switches and sets the reading mode during reading of the document based on the switching instruction received by the switching instruction receiving means,
The reading control means controls the operation of the first reading means, the second reading means and the reversing means according to the reading mode set by switching.
When the switching instruction receiving means receives the input of the switching instruction, the reading control means reads one side of the document by the first reading means regardless of the reading mode set by the mode setting means. And controlling the other side of the document to be read by the second reading unit, and the blank sheet detecting unit is configured to read the blank document based on the image data acquired by the first reading unit and the second reading unit. Detect
When the blank sheet detecting unit detects that the document is blank, the mode setting unit switches and sets the reading mode from reading the next document of the blank document , and the mode setting unit sets the duplex reversal. When the reading mode is set, the reading control unit controls the reversing unit so that the blank original is not reversed . It said first reading means has a reduction optical system image sensor, the second reading unit The image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a contact optical system image sensor. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium based on image data acquired by the first reading means and the second reading means;
An image forming apparatus.