JP2001016405A - Original holder, original reader using the same and original reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect whether an original is closely stuck to the regulated position of an original reading face and is correctly set or not without using a private sensor. SOLUTION: An original holder holding an original is set in the regulated position of an original reader and a holder position detection processing is executed in an idling processing before a system is moved to an engraving operation after power is supplied. In the processing, an image sensor reads a pattern for detecting position precision, which is positioned below the original reading face of the image sensor and is formed in the original holder, and it is discriminated whether data of the pattern that is read is in the regulated position/width or not. Then, the pattern for detecting contactness, which is positioned below the original reading face of the image sensor and formed in the original holder, is read by the image sensor by the contactness detection processing (SUB2) of ST2. It is discriminated whether all the patterns for detecting contactness are read by the image sensor or not. When position detection and contactness detection are judged to be OK (ST3), LED is lighted and the input of a stark key for starting original reading is received (ST4).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an original holder used for detecting whether an original is correctly set in close contact with a prescribed position of an original reading surface when reading an image of a desired original, and the original. The present invention relates to a document reading device and a document reading method using a holder.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a plate making apparatus for performing thermal plate making using a desired image is equipped with a document reading device for reading a desired image using a CCD sensor as a contact image sensor. In this type of plate making apparatus, a stencil sheet made of a sheet obtained by laminating a porous support on a heat-sensitive film is used as a recording body, and an image of the original is read by a CCD sensor of the above-mentioned original reading apparatus. Thermal stencil making is performed by perforating the stencil paper using a thermal head based on the image.

In the plate making apparatus, in order to obtain a plate with a desired image, just before reading a document with a document reading apparatus and performing plate making, the document is set in close contact with a prescribed position of the document reading surface. Need to be detected. Especially when you want to overprint several plates (cyan, magenta, and yellow plates), such as a multi-color printing, place the original in close contact with the specified position on the original reading surface. It is required to make a plate in a state where the plate is made.

[0004]

However, the conventional document reading apparatus employs, for example, a U-shaped sensor such as a photo interrupter or a micro switch to detect the presence or absence of a document set on the document reading surface. Although it can be detected, it has not been possible to detect whether or not the document is accurately set at a specified position on the document reading surface.

In the conventional document reading apparatus, a mechanical switch is provided on a pressure plate for pressing the document against the document reading surface, and an on / off signal of the mechanical switch when the document is pressed against the document reading surface with the pressure plate is used. There is also known one that determines whether or not a document is in close contact with a document reading surface.

However, in the configuration using the mechanical switch, there is a problem that the detection accuracy is lacked because a tolerance is generated due to a mechanical error.

As described above, in the conventional document reading apparatus, the presence / absence of the document and the close contact detection of the document with the document reading surface can be detected by using two separately provided sensors. One sensor could not detect whether the original was correctly set in close contact with the specified position on the original reading surface.

As a configuration for detecting the position of a document set on a document reading surface, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-3515.
There is an image processing device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-205. In this image processing apparatus, a document image read by a CCD sensor is
The setting position of the document is detected at the time of pre-scanning, and the top signal of the leading line and the end signal of the trailing line of the document are detected and output at the time of main scanning.

According to the above configuration, the presence or absence of a document set on the document reading surface, the top position of the leading edge line and the end position of the trailing edge line of the document can be detected. It could not be detected until it was correctly set in close contact with the position.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides an optimal original holder when the original is set in close contact with the original reading surface, and uses the original holder. Prior to reading the image of the document, whether the document is correctly set in close contact with the specified position on the document reading surface based on the detection pattern of the document holder read by the image sensor without using a dedicated sensor as in the past. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document reading device and a document reading method capable of detecting whether or not a document is read.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a document holder is set at a predetermined position of a main body of a document reading apparatus having an image sensor for reading an image of a document. When a pattern for detecting the positional accuracy for detecting whether the pattern is set and a pattern for detecting the degree of adhesion for detecting whether the pattern is set in close contact with the specified position are set in the main body of the document reading apparatus, It is provided at a position readable by the image sensor.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a document holder comprising: a document placing plate on which a document is placed; and a cover sheet for positioning and holding the document placed on the document placing plate. A position accuracy detection pattern for detecting whether or not the original is set at a specified position of a main body of the original reading device having an image sensor for reading an image of the original is closely attached to the specified position. A pattern for detecting the degree of closeness for detecting whether or not the original has been set is provided at a position readable by the image sensor when the pattern is set on the main body of the original reading apparatus. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the document holder according to the first or second aspect, the position accuracy detecting pattern and the closeness detecting pattern are such that the document holder is set on the main body of the document reading apparatus. The image sensor is formed so as to be juxtaposed with the reading start position of the image sensor.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the document holder according to the third aspect, the pattern for detecting positional accuracy has a pair of patterns having the same width in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the elements of the image sensor. Wherein the pattern for detecting the degree of adhesion is a bar code-like pattern in which a pitch interval continuously changes in a direction parallel to an arrangement direction of the elements of the image sensor. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the document holder according to the third aspect, the pattern for detecting positional accuracy has a pair of patterns having portions having different widths in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the elements of the image sensor. Wherein the pattern for detecting the degree of adhesion is a bar code-like pattern in which a pitch interval continuously changes in a direction parallel to an arrangement direction of the elements of the image sensor. .

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the original holder according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the original can be conveyed in the sub-scanning direction at a reading start position of the image sensor when the original is set on the main body of the original reading device. It is characterized by being sandwiched between.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an original reading apparatus for reading an image of the original by using the original holder according to any one of the first to sixth aspects and moving the original holder and the image sensor relative to each other. The image sensor reads the position accuracy detection pattern and the closeness detection pattern when the document holder is set on the main body of the document reading device, and reads the position accuracy detection pattern read by the image sensor. Whether or not the original holder is correctly set to a prescribed position of the main body of the original reading device and is set in close contact with the original reading surface of the image sensor based on the data of the pattern and the pattern for detecting the degree of adhesion. And a control unit for judging.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the original reading apparatus according to the seventh aspect, the control section is configured such that the data of the position accuracy detection pattern read by the image sensor appears at a predetermined position and width. When the image sensor has read all of the closeness detection patterns,
It is characterized in that it is determined that the document holder is set correctly with respect to a prescribed position of the main body of the document reading device and set in close contact with the document reading surface of the image sensor.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the original reading apparatus according to the eighth or ninth aspect, there is provided an operation input unit for instructing the image sensor to start reading the original. When it is determined that the holder is set correctly with respect to a specified position of the main body of the document reading device and is set in close contact with the document reading surface of the image sensor, the instruction signal from the operation input unit is accepted to receive the image. The reading operation of the image of the original by the sensor is controlled to be started.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an original reading method for reading an image of the original by relative movement between the original holder and the image sensor using the original holder according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. When the document holder is set on the body of the document reading apparatus, the position accuracy detection pattern and the closeness detection pattern are read from the image sensor, and the read position accuracy detection pattern and the closeness Determining whether or not the document holder is set correctly with respect to a prescribed position of the main body of the document reading apparatus and is set in close contact with a document reading surface of the image sensor based on data of a degree detection pattern. It is characterized by.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the original reading method according to the tenth aspect, the data of the position accuracy detection pattern read by the image sensor appears at a predetermined position and width, and the image sensor is provided with the image sensor. When reading all the patterns for detecting the degree of close contact, it is determined that the document holder is set correctly with respect to a predetermined position of the main body of the document reading apparatus and set in close contact with the document reading surface of the image sensor. It is characterized by.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the tenth or eleventh aspect.
In the original reading method, when it is determined that the original holder is set correctly with respect to a prescribed position of the main body of the original reading device and is set in close contact with the original reading surface of the image sensor, A reading signal from the operation input unit for instructing a start of the reading operation of the image of the document is received to control the reading operation of the image of the document.

[0023]

FIG. 1 is a view showing an example of the configuration of a plate making apparatus including a document reading apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a document holder and a stencil sheet assembly are separated from a conveying roller. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view (side view) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view (side view) of FIG. 1 in a state where the document holder and the stencil sheet assembly are nipped and fixed with respect to a transport roller.
It is.

In the present embodiment, the plate making apparatus 100
And a stencil making unit 300 for making a stencil sheet 4 of the stencil sheet assembly 1 by heat-sensitive stencil making an image of the document 104 read by the manuscript reading apparatus 200. It is.

A stencil sheet assembly 1 used for the above-described stencil making
As shown in FIG. 1, a substantially rectangular frame 3 having a predetermined thickness and rigidity is used as a base. The frame 3 is made of cardboard or the like. A stencil sheet 4 is attached to one surface of the frame 3. The stencil paper 4 is made of polyethylene terephthalate film, vinylidene chloride film, polyester,
It is composed of a thermoplastic resin film such as a polypropylene film and a porous support made of natural fiber, chemical fiber or synthetic fiber or thin paper, nonwoven fabric, gauze or the like obtained by mixing them.

An ink-impermeable back sheet 5 is fixed to the other surface of the frame 3. Back sheet 5
The outer shape of the frame 3 is substantially the same as that of the frame 3 so as to cover the stencil sheet 4 desired from the central opening 3a of the frame 3. The back sheet 5 has one short side fixed to one short side of the frame 3, and the other short side substantially coincides with the other short side of the frame 3, and can be opened and closed.

First, the configuration of the plate making section 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The stencil making section 300 has a first insertion path 10 into which the stencil sheet assembly 1 is inserted. An insertion opening 11 through which the stencil sheet assembly 1 can be inserted from the short edge side is formed on the front side of the first insertion path 10.

A distal end positioning portion 13 is provided at the back of the first insertion path 10. The leading end positioning portion 13 is a portion where the leading end 1a of the stencil sheet assembly 1 inserted into the first insertion path 10 contacts.

The stencil sheet assembly 1 inserted into the first insertion path 10 is positioned in the insertion direction by the insertion front end being in contact with the front end positioning section 13, and stops in that state.

In the first insertion path 10, a first conveying roller 17 for discharging the stencil sheet assembly 1 from the insertion opening 11 so as to retreat from the inside thereof, and a stencil sheet set during the conveyance. A thermal head 18 is provided as an image output unit for performing stencil making on the stencil sheet 4 of the solid 1.

The first transport roller 17 is provided in the first insertion path 1
0 is provided near the insertion port 11. The first transport roller 17 is arranged on the lower surface side of the stencil sheet assembly 1 so as to be able to contact only the stencil sheet 4 in the frame 2.
The first transport roller 17 is fixed to a rotating shaft 19 orthogonal to the direction in which the stencil assembly 1 is inserted.

The rotating shaft 19 is rotatably supported, and is driven in a clockwise counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 by a driving mechanism including a driving motor 121 and a plurality of gears 21 for transmitting the rotation of the output shaft of the driving motor 121 at a reduced speed. It is driven to rotate. The first transport roller 17 rotates in the same direction by the rotation of the rotating shaft 19.

The thermal head 18 is a stencil sheet assembly 1
Is disposed opposite to the first transport roller 17 so as to be interposed between the first transport roller 17 and the first transport roller 17. The thermal head 18 has a substantially rectangular plate shape that is long in both sides and is installed orthogonal to the insertion direction of the stencil sheet assembly 1. On the lower surface of the thermal head 18, a processing surface 18a provided with a plurality of heating elements arranged in parallel to both sides (short side direction) of the stencil sheet.
The processing surface 18a comes into contact with the stencil sheet 4 to heat and perforate the stencil sheet 4.

The thermal head 18 has the processing surface 18a opposed to the first transport roller 17 and is supported by the first holding means 23 so that the processing surface 18a and the first transport roller 17 are close to or apart from each other. Have been.

Hereinafter, the first holding means 23 will be described. On the upper surface of the thermal head 18, a long support plate 24 is fixed. Above the support plate 24, a pair of support shafts 25 are provided so as to extend in a pair in the longitudinal direction of the thermal head 18.

The support plate 24 is attached to the elevating plate 26. The elevating plate 26 is formed to be long like the support plate 24, and is provided with a through hole 27 through which each support shaft 25 is loosely inserted. The support shaft 25 is inserted into the through hole 27, and the tip is prevented from coming off. Thereby, the support plate 24 is slidably attached to the elevating plate 26 via the support shaft 25. A compression coil spring 28 wound around a support shaft 25 is interposed between the support plate 24 and the elevating plate 26, and is urged in a direction away from each other.

The lifting plate 26 is supported by a support shaft 29. The support shaft 29 is provided in parallel with the rotation shaft 19 for fixing the first transport roller 17 and is supported rotatably above the rotation shaft 19. The support shaft 29 has a lift plate 26
Pulleys 30 are provided at two places near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pulley 30.
Has been fixed. A coil spring 31 is wound around each pulley 30 from above. Each end of the coil spring 31 is fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elevating plate 26.
As a result, the lifting plate 26 is attached to the support shaft 26 by the coil spring 3.
1 is suspended.

A pair of plate cams 32 having the same shape are fixed between the pulleys 30 on the support shaft 29. The outer periphery of each plate cam 32 is in contact with the upper surface of the lifting plate 26 pulled up by the coil spring 31. An operation lever 33 is attached to one end of the support shaft 29.

When each plate cam 32 is rotated by operating the operation lever 33 to rotate the support shaft 29, when the small diameter portion of the plate cam 32 is in contact with the lift plate 26, Is lifted by the coil spring 31 and located above. When the large-diameter portion of the plate cam 32 contacts the lifting plate 26, the lifting plate 26 moves downward against the spring force of the coil spring 31.

Then, as the elevating plate 26 moves up and down, the support plate 24 for fixing the thermal head 18 also moves up and down. When the support plate 24 descends as the elevating plate 26 descends, the processing surface 18 a of the thermal head 18 comes into close contact with the outer periphery of the first transport roller 17. When the support plate 24 is further lowered in accordance with the further lowering of the elevating plate 26, the supporting plate 24 is pushed by the spring force of the compression coil spring 28 interposed between the elevating plate 26 and the thermal head 18 is appropriately conveyed by the first transport. It will be pressed against the roller 17.

Conversely, when the elevating plate 26 rises, the processing surface 18a of the thermal head 18 separates from the first transport roller 17. As described above, the first holding unit 23 moves the processing surface 18 a of the thermal head 18 and the first transport roller 17 toward and away from each other by operating the operation lever 33.

At the rear end of the stencil assembly 1, the stencil paper 4 is transferred to the first transport roller 17 and the thermal head 18.
When the first transport roller 17 is rotated by the drive of the drive motor 121 from the state of being sandwiched between the stencil sheet assembly 1
Starts to be discharged from the first insertion path 10, and when a predetermined discharge is performed, writing on the stencil sheet 4 can be started.

Next, the configuration of the document reading apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. Document reading device 200
Is a second insertion path 40 into which the document holder 101 is inserted.
have. An insertion opening 41 is formed on the front side of the second insertion path 40 so that the document holder 101 can be inserted from the short edge side.

A distal end positioning portion 43 is provided at the back of the second insertion path 40. This tip positioning section 43
Is the document holder 101 inserted in the second insertion path 40
Is the part that the insertion tip 101a contacts.

The original holder 101 inserted into the second insertion path 40 has an insertion front end 101 a having a front end positioning portion 43.
The insertion direction is determined by abutting on, and stops in that state.

In the second insertion path 40, a second transport roller 47 for discharging the original holder 101 so as to retreat from the insertion opening 41 therein, and a document in the original holder 101 during the transport. An image sensor 119 as an image reading unit that reads the image of the image 104 is provided.

The second transport roller 47 is connected to the second insertion path 4
0 is provided near the insertion port 41. The second transport roller 47 is disposed on the lower surface of the document holder 101 so as to be able to contact the rear end of the inserted document holder 101. The second transport roller 47 is fixed to the rotating shaft 19 to which the first transport roller 17 is fixed.

The second transport roller 47 is provided with a drive motor 12
The rotation of the rotation shaft 19 by the above-described drive mechanism including one and a plurality of gears 21 causes the rotation in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3.

The image sensor 119 includes the base paper holder 1.
01 is disposed between the second transport roller 47 and the second transport roller 47 so as to be interposed therebetween. The image sensor 119 is a contact-type image sensor including a CCD sensor for reading an image of the document 104 on the document holder 101 line by line. Image sensor 11
Reference numeral 9 denotes a substantially strip-shaped plate that is long in both sides, and is disposed orthogonal to the insertion direction of the document holder 101.

The image sensor 119 includes the document reading surface 11
9a is opposed to the second transport roller 47, and the original reading surface 1
The second holding means 53 supports the first conveying roller 47 and the second conveying roller 47 so as to approach or separate from each other.

Hereinafter, the second holding means 53 will be described. The second holding means 53 is provided with the second holding means 23 described above.
Since the configuration is the same as that of the first holding means 23, the same reference numerals as those of the first holding means 23 will be used.

On the upper surface of the image sensor 119, a long support plate 24 is fixed. Above the support plate 24, a support shaft 25 extends in a pair in the longitudinal direction of the image sensor 119 and extends.

The support plate 24 is attached to the elevating plate 26. The elevating plate 26 is formed to be long like the support plate 24, and is provided with a through hole 27 through which each support shaft 25 is loosely inserted. The support shaft 25 is inserted into the through hole 27, and the tip is prevented from coming off. Thereby, the support plate 24 is slidably attached to the elevating plate 26 via the support shaft 25. A compression coil spring 28 wound around a support shaft 25 is interposed between the support plate 24 and the elevating plate 26, and is urged in a direction away from each other.

The lifting plate 26 is supported by a support shaft 29. The support shaft 29 is provided in parallel with the rotary shaft 19 for fixing the second transport roller 47, and is rotatably supported above the rotary shaft 19. The support shaft 29 has a lift plate 26
Pulleys 30 are provided at two places near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the pulley 30.
Has been fixed. A coil spring 31 is wound around each pulley 30 from above. Each end of the coil spring 31 is fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction of the elevating plate 26.
As a result, the lifting plate 26 is attached to the support shaft 26 by the coil spring 3.
1 is suspended.

A pair of plate cams 32 having the same shape are fixed between the pulleys 30 on the support shaft 29. The outer periphery of each plate cam 32 is in contact with the upper surface of the lifting plate 26 pulled up by the coil spring 31. An operation lever 33 is attached to one end of the support shaft 29.

When the plate cam 32 is rotated by operating the operation lever 33 to rotate the support shaft 29, when the small diameter portion of the plate cam 32 is in contact with the lift plate 26, Is lifted by the coil spring 31 and located above. When the large-diameter portion of the plate cam 32 contacts the lifting plate 26, the lifting plate 26 moves downward against the spring force of the coil spring 31.

Then, as the elevating plate 26 moves up and down, the support plate 24 for fixing the image sensor 119 also moves up and down. When the support plate 24 descends as the elevating plate 26 descends, the original reading surface 119 a of the image sensor 119 comes into close contact with the outer periphery of the second transport roller 47. Lifting plate 2
6, the support plate 24 is further lowered by the spring force of the compression coil spring 28 interposed between the support plate 24 and the elevating plate 26, and the image sensor 119 is appropriately moved by the second transport roller 47. Will be pressed.

Conversely, when the lifting plate 26 rises, the reading surface 119a of the image sensor 119 moves to the second transport roller 47.
Separate from. As described above, the second holding unit 53 moves the reading surface 119 a of the image sensor 119 and the second transport roller 47 toward and away from each other by operating the operation lever 33.

When the second conveying roller 47 is rotated by the driving of the drive motor 121 from a state where the rear end side of the original holder 101 is sandwiched between the second conveying roller 47 and the image sensor 119, the original holder 119 is moved. The document 104 starts to be discharged from the second insertion path 40, and the reading of the document 104 can be started.

Next, the configuration of the document holder 101 will be described. FIG. 4 shows an example of the detection pattern 105 formed on the original placing plate 102 of the original holder 101.

As shown in FIG. 1, the original holder 101
Is based on a document placing plate 102 formed of a substantially rectangular plate having a predetermined thickness and rigidity. Original loading plate 102
Is made of cardboard or synthetic resin. A cover sheet 103 made of a transparent film-shaped paper sheet is attached to the surface of the document placing plate 102 so as to be openable and closable from one end. The cover sheet 103 has one end located in the middle of the original placing plate 102 fixed to the original placing plate 102,
Document loading plate 102 on the side of insertion into document reading device 200
Is openably opened and closed at the other end.

When the original 104 is set on the original holder 101, the original 104 is placed at a predetermined position on the original placing plate 102 with the open end of the cover sheet 103 turned up. The cover sheet 103 is closed so as to cover the whole. Thus, the document 104 placed on the document placing plate 102 is protected while being positioned and held.

The original holder 1 is placed on the original placing plate 102.
Two types of detection patterns 105 are formed so as to be positioned under the image sensor when 01 is set at the prescribed position of the document reading apparatus 200. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection pattern 105 includes a position accuracy detection pattern 106 for detecting the position of the document holder 101 with respect to the specified position, and a degree of adhesion of the document holder 101 to the document reading surface of the image sensor. And an adhesion detection pattern 107 for detection.

The position accuracy detecting pattern 106 shown in FIG.
Are black four-sided prints formed, for example, by two on the left and right sides in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the document placing plate 102, for example.
Patterns 106a, 106b, 106c, 106d
Consists of A pair of patterns 106 located on the left and right outer sides
Reference numerals a and 106b are formed by continuously changing the width in the sub-scanning direction (the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the image sensor) which is the conveyance direction of the document holder 101, and are formed with respect to the sub-scanning direction. Have different widths.

The pair of patterns 106a and 106b located on the left and right outer sides in the example of FIG. 4 form a right-angled triangle having the same shape, and the hypotenuse portion is symmetrical.
That is, the oblique side of the left pattern 106a is inclined upward to the right, and the oblique side of the right pattern 106b is inclined downward to the right. The pair of patterns 106a and 106b
Is used to detect positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction and positional deviation in the rotation direction.

The pair of patterns 106c and 106d located on the left and right inner sides have the same width in the sub-scanning direction.

In the example of FIG. 4, the pair of patterns 106c and 106d located on the left and right inner sides have the same rectangular shape. These paired patterns 106c, 106
d is a pair of the right triangle patterns 106a, 106a.
6b is used together with 6b to detect the displacement of the document holder 101 in the rotation direction.

The position accuracy detection pattern 106
The shape is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 4 as long as the shape has a regularity that can detect the positional deviation of the document holder 101 in the transport direction and the rotational direction. For example, a parallelogram pattern having a constant width that can be read by the image sensor in the sub-scanning direction can be used.

The pattern 107 for detecting the degree of adhesion shown in FIG.
Is composed of a bar-code-like black pattern in which a plurality of pitches are continuously arranged in the main scanning direction (a direction parallel to the direction in which the elements of the image sensor are arranged).
The adhesion degree detection pattern 107 is located between the left and right patterns 106c and 106d of the position accuracy detection pattern 106, and is formed by, for example, printing so as to be aligned with the position accuracy detection pattern 106.

More specifically, the pattern 1 for detecting the degree of adhesion will be described.
Reference numeral 07 denotes a plurality of rectangular patterns having different widths arranged in a straight line with respect to the sub-scanning direction, which is the direction in which the document holder 101 is conveyed. In FIG. 4, a plurality of rectangular patterns are arranged at predetermined intervals so that the width gradually decreases from left to right in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the document placing plate. The adhesion degree detection pattern 107 including the plurality of patterns is arranged at a position where the pattern 107 can be read simultaneously when the position accuracy detection pattern 106 can be detected. Then, depending on how fine this adhesion degree detection pattern 107 can be determined,
The distance from the document reading surface of the image sensor to the document surface of the document 104 can be determined.

The width of the minimum pattern 107a of the adhesion degree detecting pattern 107 is set to twice the dot width of one element of the image sensor. For example, if the resolution of the image sensor is 300 dpi and the dot width for one element is 84.6 μm, it is twice as large as 1119.2 μm.
Is the width of the minimum pattern 107a. This is based on the definition that the pattern can be read and reproduced if the width of the pattern is at least twice the sampling period of the image sensor.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the original reading apparatus 200. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an example of an operation input section and a display section provided on the main body of the original reading apparatus of FIG. It is.

As shown in FIG. 5, the original reading device 200
Has a schematic configuration including an image input unit 111, an image processing unit 112, a data storage unit 113, an input / output circuit unit 114, a storage unit 115, a control unit 116, an operation input unit 117, and a display unit 118.

The image input section 111 has a contact type image sensor 119 composed of a CCD sensor for reading the image of the document 104 line by line. Image sensor 1
19 is the transport direction of the document holder 101 (sub-scanning direction)
And elements arranged as n rows of dots in the main scanning direction orthogonal to. The elements of the image sensor 119 are arranged such that the focal point is located on the document reading surface 119a that comes into contact with the cover sheet 103 of the document holder 101.

The image sensor 119 is connected to the document reading device 2
When the document holder 101 is set at 00, the position accuracy detection pattern 106 of the document holder 101 located under the document reading surface 119a of the image sensor 119 is suspended.
And the pattern 107 for detecting the degree of adhesion are simultaneously read, and the image data of the read patterns 106 and 107 is input to the image processing unit 112. Further, the image sensor 119 reads an image of the document 104 set on the document holder 101 during scanning, and inputs the read image data of the document 104 to the image processing unit 112.

The image processing section 112 includes an image data input circuit 112a and a binarization processing circuit 112b. The image data input circuit 112a is connected to the image sensor 1
The image data of the position accuracy detection pattern 106 and the adhesion degree detection pattern 107 read by the
And outputs the image data to the binarization processing circuit 112b.

The binarization processing circuit 112b is connected to the thermal head 18 as an image output unit.
DP-RAM (dual port
Ram) 113. Binarization processing circuit 112
b, when image data is input from the image data input circuit 112a, binarizes the image data into white and black, and outputs the binary data to the DP-RAM 113. Further, of the binary data of the binarization processing circuit 112b, the data of the image of the document 104 is also output to the thermal head 18 at a predetermined timing. As a result, thermal stencil making on the stencil sheet based on the image of the
4 is performed in parallel with the image reading operation.

Immediately before reading an image of the document 104 and performing plate making, the input / output
The binary data of the positional accuracy detection pattern 106 and the adhesion degree detection pattern 107 of the document holder 101 temporarily stored in the DP-RAM 113 under the control of the control unit 116.
Is entered via

The program ROM 115 as a storage unit stores a control program relating to control of a series of plate making operations including a document reading operation. Also, the program R
The OM 115 stores a processing program for executing a holder position detection process described later. This processing program includes reference data that defines the position and width of the data of the position accuracy detection pattern 106 read by the image sensor 119 when the document holder 101 is correctly set on the document reading surface 119a of the image sensor 119. It is.

The control unit (CPU) 116 executes the program R
A series of plate making operations are controlled according to a control program stored in the OM 115. In particular, as an operation relating to a main part of the present invention, the control unit 116 executes a holder position detection process described later according to a processing program stored in the program ROM 115, and the document holder 101 comes into close contact with a specified position of the document reading device 200. It is determined whether or not it is set correctly. When the control unit 116 determines that the document holder 101 is correctly set with the document holder 101 in close contact with the specified position, and presses the start switch 117a, the document holder 101 is moved in the sub-scanning direction to read the image of the document 104. Drive motor 12
1 to control the rotation of the drive motor 121.

As shown in FIG. 6, the operation input unit 117
Start switch 117a provided on the main body of the plate making apparatus
It has. The start switch 117a is used for the original 1 in the original holder 101 set in the original reading device 200.
This operation is performed when the image No. 04 is read and the stencil sheet is thermally perforated based on the image data read in parallel with the original reading operation to perform stencil making. An ON signal (instruction signal) for instructing the start of a plate making operation including a document reading operation when the start switch 117a is pressed is a signal that causes the document holder 101 to come into close contact with a prescribed position of the document reading device 200 in a holder position detection process described later. When the control unit 116 determines that the setting is correct, the control unit 116 accepts the setting via the input / output circuit unit 114.

Therefore, when the control unit 116 determines that the original holder 101 is not set correctly in close contact with the prescribed position of the original reading apparatus 200, even if the start switch 117a is pressed, a series of plate making operations including the original reading operation are performed. Operation does not start.

As shown in FIG. 6, the display section 118 has a single LED lamp 118a. L in this example
The ED lamp 118a is normally turned off, and when the control unit 116 determines that the document holder 101 is correctly set in close contact with the specified position, the start switch 11 is turned off.
Lights up to permit the start of the document reading operation by pressing 7a.

Note that the display mode of the LED lamp 118a is not limited to turning on and off.
Further, the display unit 118 is not limited to the configuration having the LED lamp 118a shown in FIG. You may. In addition,
An alarm output unit such as a buzzer sound may be provided when the document holder 101 is set out of position.

FIG. 7A shows the document holder 101.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between the position accuracy detection pattern 106 and data read by the image sensor 119 when the image reading device 200 is correctly set at a prescribed position of the document reading apparatus 200.
9B is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the position accuracy detection pattern 106 and data read by the image sensor 119 when the document holder 101 is set so as to be displaced from a prescribed position of the document reading apparatus 200.

The position accuracy detecting pattern 106 shown in FIG.
7A, the processing program includes the image sensor 11 when the document holder 101 is correctly set at the specified position of the document reading apparatus 200 as shown in FIG.
9 includes reference data defining the positions P1 to P8 and the widths H1 to H4 of the data of the position accuracy detection pattern 106 to be read.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the original holder 101 is correctly set at the specified position of the original reading device 200, when the image sensor 119 reads the position accuracy detecting pattern 106, Each pattern 106a to 106d appearing on the obtained data is
Specified positions P1 to P8 on the reference data, width H1
Appears with ~ H4. Then, the control unit 116 controls all the patterns 106a to 106a of the position accuracy detection pattern 106.
When 106d appears according to the prescribed condition of the reference data, it is determined that the document holder 101 is correctly set at the prescribed position of the document reading device 200.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the original holder 101 is set out of the prescribed position of the original reading device 200, the image sensor 119 reads the position accuracy detecting pattern 106. And each of the patterns 106 a to 106 appearing on the data obtained at this time.
d deviates from the specified positions P1 to P8 on the reference data, the widths H1 to H4 appear differently, and deviates from the specified conditions of the reference data. Therefore, control unit 116 determines that document holder 101 is out of the prescribed position of document reading device 200.

Next, FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams showing the relationship between the pattern 107 for detecting the degree of adhesion and the data read by the image sensor 119. FIG.

In the present embodiment, the image sensor 119
The closer the distance from the original reading surface 119a to the original surface of the original 104 held in the original holder 101 is, the better the degree of adhesion is defined. When the distance is 0, the normal state is set. For this reason, the focal length of each element of the image sensor 119 is set so that the focal point is located at the position of the document reading surface 119a which is in close contact with the document surface of the document 104 of the document holder 101.

FIG. 8A shows a normal state, in which the image sensor 119 detects the closeness detection pattern 10.
7 can be read.

FIG. 8B shows the case where the degree of adhesion is slightly deteriorated and the distance is widened. In this state, the pattern 107 for detecting the degree of close contact is away from the focal point of the image sensor 119, so that the image sensor 119 cannot read a narrow pattern portion, and can read from a pattern where the width becomes slightly wider.

FIG. 8C shows a case where the degree of adhesion is further deteriorated and the distance is greatly increased. In this state, the pattern 107 for detecting the degree of close contact is farther away from the focal point of the image sensor 119, so that the image sensor 119 can read only a wide pattern.

As described above, the close contact between the original reading surface 119a of the image sensor 119 and the original surface of the original 104 of the original holder 101 depends on the width of the pattern 107 for detecting the degree of adhesion that the image sensor 119 can read. The degree has been determined.

Next, FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of a holder position detecting process executed to determine whether or not the original holder 101 is correctly set in close contact with the prescribed position of the original reading apparatus 200. FIG. FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the position detection processing in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is an operation flowchart of the close contact detection processing in FIG.

The holder position detecting process is performed immediately before reading an image of the document 104 held on the document holder 101 and performing plate making. This holder position detection processing is executed by the control unit 116 according to a processing program stored in the program ROM 115.

First, original 1 having an image to be made
04 is set on the document holder 101. Subsequently, the original holder 101 is inserted into the plate making apparatus 100 shown in FIGS.
At the specified position of the document reading device 200 at
That is, the document holder 101 holding the document 104 is inserted from the insertion port 41 and is brought into contact with the leading end positioning portion 43. In this state, the operation lever 33 is operated to move the document holder 10 between the image sensor 119 and the transport roller 47.
1 is clamped and fixed.

Then, the holder position detecting process shown in FIG. 9 is executed while the power of the plate making apparatus 100 is turned on.

The holder position detecting process shown in FIG. 9 is performed at a constant period (for example, once every 20 msec) during the idling process before shifting to the plate making operation after the power is turned on.
It is always done in. In this holder position detection process,
First, the position detection process (SUB1) shown in FIG. 10 is executed (ST1), and the close contact detection process (SUB1) shown in FIG.
2) is executed (ST2). Then, when OK is determined from both the position detection processing and the close contact detection processing (ST
3-YES), the LED lamp 118a of the display unit 118 is turned on, and an ON signal by operation of the start key 117a of the operation input unit 117 is accepted (ST4).

On the other hand, unless OK is determined from both the position detection process and the close contact detection process (ST3-N
O), the LED lamp 118a of the display unit 118 remains off, and the start key 117a of the operation input unit 117
Does not accept the ON signal even if is operated.

Hereinafter, the position detecting process and the close contact detecting process executed during the idling process will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

In the position detection process (ST1), the image sensor 119 reads the position accuracy detection pattern 106 formed at a specific position on the document holder 101, which is positioned under the document reading surface 119a of the image sensor 119 (ST11). ). Then, based on the read data, it is determined whether or not there is a specified pattern at a specific position (ST12). That is, the image sensor 1
It is determined whether or not the data of each of the patterns 106a to 106d of the position accuracy detection pattern 106 read in step 19 is at a position specified by the reference data of the processing program.

Next, when there is a designated pattern at a specific position (ST12-YES), it is determined whether the width of the pattern is the designated width (ST1).
3). That is, each of the patterns 106a to 106a of the position accuracy detection pattern 106 read by the image sensor 119 is used.
It is determined whether or not the data of 106d has the width specified by the reference data of the processing program.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7A, if the width of each of the patterns 106a to 106d is the designated width (ST13-YES), it is determined that the position detection is OK (ST14). That is, when a pattern is detected at a specific position and width on the image data obtained from the image sensor 119, it is determined that the document holder 101 is correctly set at the specified position (document reading surface 119a) of the document reading device 200. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7B, when there is no designated pattern at a specific position (ST1).
2-NO), and when the width of the pattern is not the designated width (ST13-NO), position detection NG
Is determined (ST15).

In the close contact detection process (ST2), the close contact detection pattern 107 formed at a specific position on the document holder 101 and suspended at the original reading surface 119a of the image sensor 119 is read by the image sensor 119 (S2).
T21). Then, based on the read data,
It is determined whether or not all the patterns specified in a specific area have been read (ST22). That is, all the patterns 10 for detecting the degree of adhesion are detected by the image sensor 119.
It is determined whether or not 7 has been read.

Then, as shown in FIG. 8A, all the patterns specified in a specific area can be read (S
T22-YES), it is determined that the close contact detection is OK (ST2)
3). That is, the pattern 10 for detecting the degree of adhesion is placed in a specific area on the image data obtained from the image sensor 119.
If all of the documents 7 are detected, it is determined that the document holder 101 is set in close contact with the specified position (document reading surface 119a) of the document reading device 200.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 8 (b) and 8 (c), unless all the patterns specified in a certain specific area can be read (ST22-NO), that is, even one cannot be read. If there is a pattern, it is determined that the contact detection is NG (ST24).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, just before reading the image of the original 104 and performing plate making, the original 10
Whether the document holder 101 holding the document 4 is correctly set at a prescribed position of the main body of the plate making apparatus,
It is possible to detect at a time whether or not the sheet 4 is set in close contact with the document reading surface 119a of the image sensor 119.

In the example of the plate making apparatus 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation lever 33 is operated in a state where the original holder 101 is correctly set at the prescribed position, and the original holder 10 is operated.
It is possible to detect whether or not 1 is fixed.

Furthermore, since the image sensor 119 used for reading an original image can be used for both the position accuracy and the closeness detection function without using a dedicated sensor for position detection as in the related art. Points can be reduced.

Further, if the original holder 101 on which the position accuracy detecting pattern 106 including the pair of right triangles 106a and 106b is formed as shown in FIG. 4 is employed, the original holder 101 is positioned with respect to the specified position. If a displacement has occurred, it is possible to specify the displacement direction, that is, the displacement in the sub-scanning direction and the rotation direction.

Further, the instruction signal by pressing the start switch 117a is not effective unless the control unit 116 determines that the document holder 101 is correctly set in close contact with the prescribed position of the document reading device 200. It is possible to prevent the document reading operation from being started while the holder 101 is displaced.

Incidentally, the plate making apparatus 10 shown in FIGS.
0, the image sensor 119 is fixed and the original 104
Although the original holder 101 holding the document holder 101 is moved, the original holder 101 may be fixed and the image sensor 119 may be moved. That is, if the configuration is such that the image of the document 104 is read by the relative movement between the document 104 and the image sensor 119, FIGS.
The invention is not limited to the plate making apparatus 100 shown in FIG. In other words, the configuration of the above-described embodiment can be adopted even with a single configuration of the document reading device 200 alone.

In the original holder 101 in the above embodiment, the detection patterns 105 (position accuracy detection patterns 106 and adhesion degree detection patterns 107) are formed at positions corresponding to the reading start position of the image sensor 119. Have been described, but these detection patterns 1
05 may be formed at a position readable by the image sensor 119, and may be formed at a plurality of positions on the document placing plate 102 in the sub-scanning direction.

[0116]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, immediately before reading an image of an original and performing plate making, whether or not the original is correctly set at a prescribed position and whether or not the original is read It can be detected at a time whether or not the original is in close contact. In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of components by using an image sensor used for reading a normal document image, which also has a function of detecting position accuracy and a degree of adhesion, without using a dedicated sensor for position detection as in the related art.

Further, when a position shift has occurred with respect to the prescribed position of the document holder, the direction of the position shift can be specified.

The instruction signal from the operation input unit is not effective unless it is determined that the original holder is correctly set with the original holder in close contact with the specified position of the original reading apparatus. It is possible to prevent the operation from being started.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a plate making apparatus including a document reading apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view (side view) in FIG. 1 in a state in which a document holder and a stencil sheet assembly are separated from a conveying roller;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view (side view) in FIG. 1 in a state in which the original holder and the stencil sheet assembly are sandwiched and fixed with respect to a transport roller;

FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a detection pattern formed on a document placing plate of a document holder.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of the document reading apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged plan view showing an example of an operation input unit and a display unit provided in the main body of the document reading and reading apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a position accuracy detection pattern and data read by an image sensor when a document holder is correctly set at a prescribed position of a document reading device; Figure showing the relationship between the position accuracy detection pattern and the data read by the image sensor when set out of the specified position

8A to 8C are diagrams showing a relationship between a pattern for detecting a degree of adhesion and data read by an image sensor.

FIG. 9 is an operation flowchart of a holder position detection process executed to determine whether or not the document holder is correctly set in close contact with a prescribed position of the document reading apparatus.

10 is an operation flowchart of a position detection process in FIG.

11 is an operation flowchart of a close contact detection process in FIG. 9;

[Explanation of symbols]

101: Document holder, 102: Document mounting plate, 103:
Cover sheet, 104 original, 105 detection pattern, 106 positional accuracy detection pattern, 107 adhesion detection pattern, 116 control unit, 117 operation input unit, 119 image sensor, 119a original reading surface ,
200: Document reading device.

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A position accuracy detecting pattern for detecting whether or not a document is set at a specified position of a main body of a document reading apparatus having an image sensor for reading an image of a document, and a pattern set in close contact with the specified position. A document holder, wherein a closeness detection pattern for detecting whether or not the document is read is provided at a position where the image sensor can read the pattern when the pattern is set in the main body of the document reading apparatus. An original placing plate on which the original is placed, and a cover sheet for positioning and holding the original placed on the original placing plate, wherein the original placing plate has A position accuracy detection pattern for detecting whether or not the original is set at a specified position of a main body of an original reading apparatus having an image sensor for reading an image of an original, and detecting whether or not the original is set in close contact with the specified position And a pattern for detecting the degree of closeness of the document, wherein the pattern is provided at a position where the pattern can be read by the image sensor when the pattern is set in the main body of the document reading apparatus. 3. The position accuracy detection pattern and the closeness detection pattern are formed side by side at a reading start position of the image sensor when the document holder is set on a main body of the document reading device. The document holder according to claim 1, wherein the document holder is provided. 4. The pattern for detecting the degree of adhesion, wherein the pattern for detecting positional accuracy has at least a pair of patterns having the same width in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the elements of the image sensor. 4. The document holder according to claim 3, wherein the document holder comprises a barcode-like pattern in which a pitch interval continuously changes in a direction parallel to an arrangement direction of the image sensor elements. 5. The pattern for detecting positional accuracy includes at least a pair of patterns having portions having different widths in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the elements of the image sensor. 4. The document holder according to claim 3, wherein the document holder comprises a barcode-like pattern in which a pitch interval continuously changes in a direction parallel to an arrangement direction of the image sensor elements. 6. The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor is held so as to be conveyable in a sub-scanning direction at a reading start position of the image sensor when the image sensor is set on the main body of the document reading apparatus. Document holder described. 7. A document reading apparatus using the document holder according to claim 1 and reading an image of the document by relative movement between the document holder and the image sensor, wherein the image sensor Read the pattern for detecting positional accuracy and the pattern for detecting the degree of adhesion when the document holder is set on the main body of the document reading apparatus; and read the pattern for detecting positional accuracy and the degree of adhesion read by the image sensor. A control unit that determines whether or not the document holder is correctly set to a prescribed position of the main body of the document reading device and is set in close contact with a document reading surface of the image sensor based on data of the detection pattern A document reading device comprising: 8. The control unit, wherein the data of the position accuracy detection pattern read by the image sensor appears at a predetermined position and width, and the image sensor reads all of the adhesion degree detection pattern. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein it is determined that the document holder is set correctly with respect to a prescribed position of the main body of the document reading device and set in close contact with a document reading surface of the image sensor. Document reading device. 9. An operation input unit for instructing a start of an operation of reading the original by the image sensor, wherein the control unit is configured such that the original holder is positioned correctly with respect to a prescribed position of a main body of the original reading device. When it is determined that the original has been set in close contact with the original reading surface of the image sensor, an instruction signal from the operation input unit is accepted to start controlling the image sensor to start reading the image of the original. 10. The document reading device according to claim 8, wherein: 10. A document reading method using the document holder according to claim 1 and reading an image of the document by relative movement between the document holder and the image sensor. When the is set on the body of the document reading device, the position accuracy detection pattern and the closeness detection pattern are read from the image sensor, and the read position accuracy detection pattern and the closeness detection pattern are The document holder is correctly positioned with respect to a prescribed position of the main body of the document reading device based on the data,
A document reading method for determining whether the document is set in close contact with a document reading surface of the image sensor; 11. When the data of the position accuracy detection pattern read by the image sensor appears at a predetermined position and width and the image sensor reads all the closeness detection patterns, the document is read. 11. The original reading method according to claim 10, wherein it is determined that the holder is set correctly with respect to a prescribed position of the main body of the original reading device and is set in close contact with the original reading surface of the image sensor. 12. When it is determined that the original holder is set correctly with respect to a prescribed position of the main body of the original reading device and is set in close contact with an original reading surface of the image sensor, the image sensor detects 12. The document reading method according to claim 10, wherein an instruction signal from an operation input unit for instructing a start of a document image reading operation is received to control the document image reading operation.