JP2000295390A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor improved in the operability of a device while guaranteeing the facility of attachment and detachment of an image reading means. SOLUTION: In this image processor where a scanner unit 30 reads the image of an original 20 and recording paper 27 on which the image is recorded is housed in a recording paper housing part 26, the unit 30 and the part 26 are formed at the front of the image processor and the unit 30 and the part 26 are also arranged vertically in a line at the front.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having image reading means suitable for reading at least both an image of a sheet document and an image of a book type document.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed an image processing apparatus (hereinafter simply referred to as an apparatus) provided with an image reading means for reading an image of a sheet document or an image of a book type document and outputting it as image data.

As an image processing apparatus provided with such an image reading means, for example, there are a facsimile, a scanner, a copying machine, and the like. In these image processing apparatuses, a scanner unit is generally used as an image reading unit.

Therefore, a small facsimile as a conventional image processing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
1 shows a cross-sectional view of a small facsimile as a conventional image processing apparatus.

In the small facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 5, a scanner unit 10 detachable from the apparatus main body 11 is disposed in front of the apparatus main body 11 in order to improve operability.

In FIG. 5, an original 12 composed of at least one or more sheets is supported by an original holder 13, and when a reading command is issued, a separation mechanism 1 is provided.
At step 4, each sheet is separated. Then, the image information of the document 12 is read by the reading unit 15 on the scanner unit 10.

On the other hand, the scanner unit 10 is
The case where manual reading by the scanner unit 10 is performed by deviating from 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention and a small facsimile which is an example of a conventional image processing apparatus when a scanner unit is detached from the apparatus main body and manual reading is performed.

As shown in FIG. 4, when performing manual reading, the scanner unit 30 is separated (disconnected) from the apparatus main body. As shown in FIG. 4, the scanner unit 30 is connected to an apparatus main body (not shown) by a cord.

A reading unit (not shown) of the scanner unit 30 is provided on a flat place such as a desk (not shown).
Is scanned toward the surface of the document 20.

Next, the configuration and operation of the recording unit in the conventional small facsimile shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, a recording paper 16 on which an image is recorded is loaded inside the main unit 11, and necessary recording paper 16 such as when a facsimile reception signal or a copy signal is input. As a result, an image is formed by passing through the image forming unit 18 while being conveyed by the sheet feeding roller 17,
It is discharged from the rear of the main unit.

As described above, in a conventional image processing apparatus such as a small facsimile shown in FIG. 5, for example,
Since the image of various documents is read by the detachable scanner unit 10, the image processing performance can be improved. In addition, since the scanner unit 10 is formed on the front side of the apparatus main body 11, the attachment and detachment of the scanner unit 10 can be performed. It can be done easily.

[0013]

However, in the case of the above prior art, the position of the image reading means,
In addition, there is a problem that the installation position of a recording material such as recording paper for recording an image is at a position that impairs the operability of the apparatus.

That is, in the image processing apparatus having the image reading means, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the image reading means is arranged in front of the main body in order to improve the ease of attaching and detaching the image reading means. General.

For this reason, due to the space of the main unit, a recording sheet for recording an image is installed at the rear of the main unit. As a result, the image reading means is bothersome when the recording sheet is replaced and when the paper jam is cleared. There is a problem that it is necessary to be detached from the main unit or that the image reading means makes it difficult for the recording paper exchange section to be seen from a visual angle, and it is difficult to exchange the recording paper.

Further, in the prior art in which the image reading means is arranged on the front surface of the apparatus in order to secure the ease of attaching and detaching the image reading means, confusion between the original and the recording paper is liable to occur, and the operability and safety of the apparatus are improved. Has a problem in that

That is, in the prior art in which the image reading means is arranged on the front surface of the apparatus, the document entrance and the recording paper entrance may be formed close to each other due to the structure of the apparatus. From the viewpoints of image quality, storability and the like, many types of plain paper type recording papers have been developed in place of the thermal paper type, and in many cases, the original and the recording paper have similar paper qualities.

Therefore, if the entrance of the original and the recording paper are close to each other, the user may mistakenly place the original in the entrance of the recording paper and make it dirty, or send the recording paper as the original and let the other party receive a blank sheet. It will not be a kind design.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above problems, and an image processing apparatus capable of improving the operability of the apparatus while ensuring the ease of attachment and detachment of image reading means. The purpose is to provide.

[0020]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a detachable image reading means for reading an image of a document; and a recording material storage section for storing a recording material on which the image is recorded. In the processing device, the image reading unit and the recording material storage unit are formed on the same side of the image processing device, and the image reading unit and the recording material storage unit It is characterized in that it is arranged side by side in the vertical direction on the part side.

According to the present invention, since the image reading means is provided on the side of the image processing apparatus, the detachability of the image reading means is not impaired, and the commonly used detachable means is used. Since the image reading means is used, the manufacturing thereof is facilitated, and the image reading means and a recording material (recording paper, an OHP sheet, or other members suitable for recording an image. In this specification, The same is applied to the recording material storage unit, and the recording material storage unit for storing the same is arranged vertically. Therefore, by removing the image reading unit, access to the recording material storage unit can be facilitated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image reading unit is disposed on the side of the recording material storage unit in an upward direction. I do.

According to the present invention, since the image reading means is disposed above the recording material storage section, for example, the image reading means is removed and an opening is provided in the main body device to allow the recording material storage section to be opened. Access can be made easier.

The third aspect of the present invention is the first or second aspect.
In the invention described in (1), a first carry-in port for carrying in a document to be read by the image reading means and a second carry-in port for carrying in the recording material are formed on different surfaces.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent confusion between the handling of the original and the recording material, and it is possible to further improve the operability.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the direction of loading of the document loaded into the first loading port and the direction of the recording material loaded into the second loading port are changed. The loading direction is different from the loading direction.

According to the present invention, since the document and the recording material are transported in opposite directions, it is possible to reduce mistakes in loading the document and the recording material.

[0028] The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claims 1 to 4.
In the invention according to any one of the above, the exterior component member of the image processing apparatus and the image reading unit are each formed by dividing a predetermined surface of the image processing apparatus. .

According to the present invention, the exterior component such as a panel and the image reading means can be independently arranged on a predetermined surface of the image processing apparatus.
The attachment / detachment of the image reading means can be facilitated.

[0030] The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claims 1 to 5.
In the invention according to any one of the above, an exterior component of the image processing device is formed on a predetermined surface of the image processing device, and the image reading unit is formed on an inner surface side of the exterior component. It is characterized by being.

According to the present invention, since the exterior component can be formed so as to cover the image reading means, the numeric keypad and other various function keys formed on the exterior component, the liquid crystal display, and the like can be enlarged. The design can be easily viewed.

Here, the operation of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail below.

According to the present invention, there is provided an image processing apparatus provided with an image reading means, wherein a recording material storage portion is provided at one of upper and lower sides of the image reading means. By keeping the image reading means removed from the main body or turning the panel to create an opening, it becomes easier to access the recording material storage section,
This facilitates replenishment of the recording material and jam processing.

In the automatic reading, the direction in which the original passes through the reading surface of the image reading means and the direction in which the recording material is inserted are opposite to each other. Therefore, mistakes in inserting the document and the recording material by mistake are reduced.

In one embodiment, the reading surface of the image reading means is directed downward and the document is set face up. Therefore, in this aspect, the exterior component such as the panel and the image reading means can be arranged independently, and the image reading means can be easily attached and detached.

In another embodiment, the reading surface of the image reading means is turned upward and the original is set face down. Therefore, in this mode, it is possible to increase the area of the panel so as to cover the image reading means, and it is possible to design the various function keys such as the numeric keypad, the liquid crystal display unit, and the like to be large and easy to see.

[0037]

Next, an embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
However, in the following description, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative arrangements of the components described as the embodiments are limited to the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified. It is not intended.

First, a first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. Here, the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 uses a scanner unit as an image reading unit, and further as a facsimile apparatus having the function of an image forming apparatus for forming an image. FIG.

A first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has an automatic reading mode in which a conveying means provided in the apparatus main body automatically feeds and reads a document 20; This is a facsimile machine having a manual reading mode in which the scanner unit 30 removed from the apparatus main body is moved to read a document that cannot be read automatically, for example, a map or a book-type document.

In the case of automatic reading, the transport direction is as shown by arrow A in the figure. In this case, first, at least one or more originals 20 are stacked on the sheet holding member 21 and set in such a manner that the originals 20 abut on a wedge portion composed of a separation roller 22 a and a separation piece 22 b covered by the panel 40.

Next, the originals 20 are separated and fed one by one over the wedge shape by a separating roller 22a (separating means) as feeding means for automatically separating the originals.

The original 20 separated and fed one by one
Is transported by a document transport roller 23, an image on the document is read by a reading unit 25 in the scanner unit 30, and then discharged from the front of the apparatus to the outside by a pair of document discharge rollers 24.

On the other hand, in the case of manual reading, as shown in FIG. 4, the scanner unit 30 is detached from the apparatus main body and the image of the original 20 is read.

That is, in the case of manual reading, as described above, the original 20 is placed on a flat surface such as a desk (not shown),
The scanner unit 30 connected to the apparatus main body by the cord 34 is moved thereon.

In the case of manual reading, when the user moves the scanner unit 30, the original discharge roller pair 24 shown in FIG. 1 rotates according to the transport speed, and the image data is rotated based on the rotational speed. Is determined. The read image data is sent to the main body through the code 34.

The scanner unit 3 shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 0 includes at least a reading unit 25 (image sensor or the like) for reading an image signal of the document 20, a document discharge roller pair 24, and a scanner cover 25a.

Next, the image forming processing operation of the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described.

When the image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 performs an image forming operation, the recording paper 27 loaded in the recording paper storage 26 is fed to the paper feed roller 2 as a feeding means.
8 and reaches the recording unit 31 while being transported by the transport rollers 29.

The direction of conveyance of the recording paper 27 at this time is as shown by the arrow B in the figure. The recording paper 27 is loaded into a recording paper storage section 26 provided below the scanner unit 30.

The recording paper 27 is fed one by one by a paper feed roller 28 and a separation mechanism (not shown) and fed to a recording paper width sensor 32.
Indicates the recording paper width. At the same time, after the paper edge is detected by a paper edge detection sensor (not shown) and conveyed by a predetermined amount, an image is formed on the recording paper 27 by the recording unit 31. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, image recording is performed line by line in the sub-scanning direction by the ink jet method, and the recording paper 27 after printing passes through the paper discharge roller pair 33 and a sheet outside the apparatus from the rear of the apparatus main body. It is discharged to the holding member 21.

Here, the recording paper storage section 26 shown in FIG.
Will be described in more detail. The recording paper storage unit 26 includes at least a cover 26a, a plate 26b for stacking paper, and a spring 2 that presses the plate from below so that the pickup position does not change regardless of the number of sheets set.
6c, a slider mechanism (not shown) for accommodating various paper sizes, and a lock mechanism (not shown) for positioning and fixing when the main body is mounted.

Here, when loading the recording paper 27 into the recording paper storage section 26, the recording paper storage section 26 is detached from the main body, and
The recording paper may be loaded, or as shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 30 may be detached from the apparatus main body, and the recording paper may be loaded from the opening. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an operation when the scanner unit 30 is removed and the recording paper is loaded in the image processing apparatus shown in FIG.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention, since the recording paper storage section 26 is provided below the scanner unit 30, if the scanner unit 30 is removed from the apparatus main body, Access to the recording paper storage unit 26 is facilitated, and therefore, loading of the recording paper 27 and jam clearance in the event of a recording paper jam are facilitated.

The loading position of the recording paper 27 and the original 2
0, the recording paper 27 and the original 20
Can be avoided.

Further, since the scanner unit 30 itself is formed on the front surface of the apparatus, the ease of attachment and detachment of the scanner unit 30 is not impaired.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the scanner unit 30 and the panel 40 on which the numeric keypad and other keys and the liquid crystal display unit are formed are formed separately on the upper surface of the apparatus. 30 can be easily attached and detached.

Next, a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG.
FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The second embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIG. 3 is significantly different from the first embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention described above. In the second embodiment, the scanner unit 30 faces downward, that is, the reading surface of the reading unit 25 faces downward. However, in the second embodiment, the scanner unit 30 faces upward,
That is, the reading surface of the reading unit 25 faces upward, and the numeric keypad and other keys and a panel 41 on which a liquid crystal display unit and the like are formed cover the scanner unit 30. Other configurations and operations are substantially the same as those of the above-described first embodiment.
The description of the same parts is omitted.

Therefore, the second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention
In the embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention described above can be obtained, and the scanner unit 30 is directed upward and the panel 4
1 is configured to cover the scanner unit 30, and as a result, a large area of the panel 41 can be secured. For example, various keys such as a numeric keypad, a liquid crystal display unit, and the like can be formed on the panel 41 in a large and easily viewable size. And operability can be further improved.

Further, when a recording paper jam occurs,
By rotating the panel 41 and removing the scanner unit 30, a large opening can be secured in the front of the apparatus, and access to the recording paper 27 is facilitated. As described above, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention has been described with reference to the first embodiment and the second embodiment. However, the image processing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications are possible.

For example, the arrangement of the scanner unit 30 is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be any other position as long as the scanner unit 30 can be easily attached and detached.

[0061]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a detachable image reading means for reading an image of a document, and a recording apparatus for storing a recording material on which the image is recorded. In the image processing apparatus having a material storage unit, the image reading unit and the recording material storage unit are formed on the same side of the image processing device, and the image reading unit and the recording material With the storing department,
The recording material storage unit is operated from the side (for example, the front side) of the apparatus main body while maintaining the overall configuration in which the image reading unit is easily attached and detached since the image reading unit is arranged side by side in the vertical direction on the side. Therefore, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus which can easily replenish, replace, and jam a recording material, and can effectively prevent adhesion of dust and the like to an image reading unit. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the effect of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and the image reading means is disposed on the side of the recording material storage section in the upward direction. Therefore, by removing the image reading means from the main body or rotating the panel, the recording material storage section can be easily accessed, and further, replenishment of the recording material,
An image processing apparatus capable of facilitating replacement and jam processing can be provided.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the effects of the first or second aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and the first loading port for loading a document to be read by the image reading means, Since the second carry-in port for carrying the material is formed on a different surface, the discharge directions of the document and the recording paper passing through the reading surface of the image reading means can be made opposite to each other. In the case of inkjet recording, it takes time until the ink dries, because it is possible to prevent the original and the recording paper from being confused and being transported to the entrance. By releasing the paper exit, it is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of reducing the possibility that the recorded recording material stains the original at the time of copying or the like.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the effect of the third aspect of the invention can be obtained, and the carrying direction of the original to be carried into the first carry-in port and the second carry-in port can be obtained. Since the direction in which the recording material is carried in is different from the direction in which the recording material is carried in, an image processing apparatus capable of reducing mistakes in carrying in the original and the recording material can be provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the effects of the first aspect of the present invention can be obtained, and the exterior component of the image processing apparatus, the image reading means, Since each is formed by dividing a predetermined surface of the image processing apparatus, the panel and the image reading means can be arranged independently, so that attachment and detachment of the image reading means can be further facilitated. A simple image processing apparatus can be provided.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 6,
The effect of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is obtained, and the exterior component of the image processing apparatus is formed on a predetermined surface of the image processing apparatus, and the image reading unit is provided with the exterior component. Since it is formed on the inner surface side, the reading surface of the image reading means can be directed upward, and the area of the exterior component can be increased so as to cover the image reading means, and various functions such as numeric keys can be performed. It is possible to provide an image processing apparatus capable of making a key, a liquid crystal display, and the like large and easy to see.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a recording paper supply operation of the image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a manual reading operation of an image processing apparatus according to the present invention and a conventional image processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an example of a conventional image processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Scanner unit 11 Main body 12 Document 13 Document holding part 14 Separation mechanism 15 Reading part 16 Recording paper 17 Paper feed roller 18 Image forming part 20 Document 21 Sheet holding member 22a Separation roller 22b Separation piece 23 Document conveyance roller 24 Document discharge roller Pair 25 Reading unit 25a Scanner cover 26 Recording paper storage unit 26a Cover 26b Plate 26c Spring 27 Recording paper 28 Paper feed roller 29 Transport roller 30 Scanner unit 31 Recording unit 32 Recording paper width sensor 33 Paper discharge roller pair 34 Code 40, 41 panel

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Naohiro Iwata 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inside Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Katsumi Obana 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon (72) Inventor Hideyuki Terashima 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kazuyuki Morinaga 3-30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. F Terms (reference) 5C051 AA01 FA02 5C062 AA02 AA05 AB08 AB17 AB30 AD05 AD06 BA01 5C072 AA05 BA01 BA02 PA10 XA01

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image processing apparatus comprising: a detachable image reading unit for reading an image of a document; and a recording material storage unit for storing a recording material on which the image is recorded, wherein the image reading unit and the recording material A storage unit is formed on the same side of the image processing apparatus, and the image reading unit and the recording material storage are arranged side by side on the side. Characteristic image processing device. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit is disposed above the recording material storage unit on the side. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a first carry-in port for carrying a document to be read by the image reading means and a second carry-in port for carrying in the recording material are formed on different surfaces. 3. The image processing device according to 1 or 2. 4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a direction in which the document is loaded into the first loading port and a direction in which the recording material is loaded into the second loading port are different from each other. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exterior component member of the image processing apparatus and the image reading unit are formed by dividing a predetermined surface of the image processing apparatus. The image processing device according to any one of the above. 6. An exterior component of the image processing apparatus is formed on a predetermined surface of the image processing apparatus, and the image reading unit is formed on an inner side of the exterior component. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.