JP2002084390A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation device that informs the user of the status of document reading. SOLUTION: Upon instruction to read an image, an image read portion 5 moves a running body to a document read start position. The position of the running body is detected by a position sensor, and, when the running body reaches the read start position, the position sensor causes the CPU in the image read portion 5 to generate 'assert interrupt'. Upon assert interrupt, the CPU in the document read portion 5 informs a system control portion 4 of read start information, and the system control portion 4 causes the display portion of an operation and display portion 2 to indicate that read operation is underway and a voice generating portion 3 to inform by voice that reading is underway. When the running body moves to the document read end position and the reading is completed, the position sensor causes the CPU in the image read portion 5 to generate 'negate interrupt'. The CPU in the image read portion 5 informs the system control portion 4 of read end information, and the system control portion 4 causes the display portion of the operation and display portion 2 to indicate that reading has ended and the voice generating portion 3 to inform by voice that reading has ended.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine for notifying a user of a reading state of a document to a user or a copying system by combining a scanner and a printer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a copying system in which a scanner and a printer are combined, an image of a document is read by an image reading section, and the read image is printed on a sheet such as recording paper by an image recording section. The document is recorded and output, but the user does not know that the document is being read while reading the document, and the document is moved by opening the pressure plate, causing optical unevenness or distortion of the read image, and the normal operation. Images may not be obtained.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatus, it is desired to prevent the user from opening the thick plate during the reading operation of the original to prevent a normal read image from being obtained. Documents are fed using a document feeder, but it is desired that the document can be extracted and replaced properly and efficiently without using such a document feeder or the like. .

For example, in a copying machine in which image data is fetched by one scan, the fetched image data is stored in an image memory, and then the image data is output from the image memory, a plurality of black and white sheets are copied. If you do
When one scan is completed, the image data can be properly captured and the image can be formed even if the original is replaced,
Further, even when one or more full-color copies are made, if one scan is completed, the original can be replaced even during image formation on recording paper or the like. In the case of such a copying machine, if it is possible to know when it is time to replace the original, the original can be replaced efficiently.

Conventionally, a document placed on a transparent platen is provided with a document cover which can be opened and closed so as to press the document from above on the platen. In an image reading apparatus configured to optically scan and read, the document cover is provided with a detection sensor for detecting in advance the state of opening the document cover, and the image of the document is optically scanned. There has been proposed an image reading apparatus provided with control means for performing a message notification via a notifying means to warn the opening of the document cover by validating the detection signal by the detection sensor during reading scanning. (See Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-261750).

This conventional image reading apparatus warns a user to prohibit the opening operation when the hand touches the pressing plate to open the pressure plate during reading of a document, and causes a reading failure due to the opening of the pressure plate. Trying to eliminate.

[0007]

However, in the image reading apparatus described in such a conventional publication, a normal image can be obtained while preventing the user from releasing the pressure plate during reading. However, the user cannot know when the reading of the document is completed, and when the opening operation of the pressure plate and the operation of extracting and replacing the document can be performed. In the case of the "prohibition warning", it is necessary to retry a number of times until the "prohibition warning" is no longer displayed. Therefore, the usability of the image reading apparatus is poor, and there is a need for improvement in efficiently replacing the original.

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 detects the optical scanning state of the original by the image reading means for optically scanning the original and reading the image of the original by the detecting means, and the detecting means detects the optical scanning state of the original by the image reading means. When it is detected that the optical scanning has started, information indicating that the original is being read is output to the notifying unit, and when the detecting unit detects that the optical scanning of the original by the image reading unit is completed, the reading of the original is started. By performing a reading state information notifying process of notifying the information of the completion to the notifying means, the user can know whether or not the document reading operation is being performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus that can prevent the image from being deteriorated due to the opening of the image reading apparatus.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 provides the notification means as:
Only when the display of the read state on the display means is selected by the selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the display processing of the read state on the display means using the display means, display as the read state information notification processing is performed. By performing the reading state display processing on the means, the reading state is not always displayed, and only when the user needs to display the reading state, the reading state is displayed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of preventing an image from being deteriorated due to an easy opening of a pressure plate.

[0010] The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that:
Using the audio output means, the read state information is only displayed when the audio output of the read state from the audio output means is selected by the selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the audio output processing of the read state from the audio output means. As the notification process, by performing the voice output processing of the reading state from the voice output unit, the voice notification of the reading state is not always performed, and only when the user needs the voice notification of the reading state, the notification is performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of preventing the pressure plate from being opened carelessly and deteriorating an image while further improving the performance.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus comprising: an image reading means for optically scanning an original to read an image of the original; an informing means for informing and outputting predetermined information; Detecting means for detecting the optical scanning state of the document by the reading means; and notifying the information that the document is being read when the detecting means detects that the optical scanning of the document by the image reading means has started. Means for outputting a notification, and when the detecting means detects that the optical scanning of the document by the image reading means has been completed, information indicating that the reading of the document has been completed is output to the notifying means for a reading state information notifying process. The above object is achieved by providing a control unit for performing the above.

According to the above arrangement, the optical scanning state of the original by the image reading means for optically scanning the original and reading the image of the original is detected by the detecting means, and the optical scanning of the original by the image reading means is started by the detecting means. When it is detected that the document has been read, the notifying unit outputs a notification indicating that the document is being read, and when the detecting unit detects that the optical scanning of the document by the image reading unit has been completed, it indicates that the reading of the document has been completed. Since the reading state information notifying process of notifying and outputting the information to the notifying unit is performed, it is possible for the user to know whether or not the document reading operation is being performed, so that the usability can be improved and the carelessness can be improved. It can be prevented that the pressure plate is opened and the image deteriorates.

In this case, for example, as set forth in claim 2, the notification means is a display means, and the image reading device determines whether or not to perform the display processing of the reading state on the display means. The reading means further includes a selection unit, and the control unit executes the reading state on the display unit as the reading state information notification process only when the display of the reading state on the display unit is selected by the selection unit. May be performed.

According to the above arrangement, the display means is used as the notification means, and the display of the read state on the display means is selected by the selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the display processing of the read state on the display means. Only when the reading state is displayed, the reading state is displayed on the display means as the reading state information notifying processing. Therefore, the reading state is not always displayed, and the reading state is displayed only when the user needs to display the reading state. Can be
The usability can be further improved, and the image can be prevented from being deteriorated due to the careless opening of the pressure plate.

Further, for example, as set forth in claim 3, the notification means is a sound output means, and the image reading device determines whether or not to perform a sound output process of the read state from the sound output means. The control means may further comprise: the sound output means as the read state information notification process only when the read state sound output from the sound output means is selected by the selection means. It may perform a sound output process of the reading state from the device.

According to the above arrangement, the sound output means is used as the notifying means, and the sound in the read state from the sound output means is selected by the selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the sound output processing of the read state from the sound output means. Only when the output is selected, the reading state sound output processing from the sound output means is performed as the reading state information notifying processing. Only when the notification is required, the notification can be made, the usability can be further improved, and the image can be prevented from being deteriorated due to the careless opening of the pressure plate.

[0017]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore, various technically preferable limitations are added. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description. The embodiments are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of the image reading apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the main components of a copying apparatus 1 to which an embodiment of the image reading apparatus of the present invention is applied. It is a block diagram of a part.

Referring to FIG. 1, a copying apparatus 1 includes an operation display unit 2, a voice generating unit 3, a system control unit 4, an image reading unit 5, an image forming unit 6, and the like.

The image reading section (image reading means) 5 has a traveling body which performs optical scanning by moving along a document set on a contact glass and pressed against the contact glass by a thick plate. Is output to the image forming unit 6. The image reading unit 5 is provided with a traveling body position detection sensor that detects a traveling state of the traveling body. The traveling body position detection sensor (detection unit) outputs a reading gate signal shown in FIG. Output to the CPU. As shown in FIG. 2, the reading gate signal becomes active (hereinafter, asserted) when the traveling body starts traveling and reaches the reading leading end position (reading start position) of the document. When the document reaches the reading end position (reading end position), it becomes inactive (hereinafter, referred to as negation). The traveling body position detection sensor outputs the read gate signal
When asserting, an “assert interrupt” is generated for the CPU in the image reading unit 5 and the CPU in the image reading unit 5 is
Detects this assertion interrupt and notifies the system controller 4 of "reading start" information. Further, when the reading gate signal is negated, the traveling body position detection sensor generates a “negative interrupt” for the CPU in the image reading unit 5, and the CPU in the image reading unit 5 outputs the negated interrupt. And notifies the system controller 4 of the “reading end” information. The traveling body position detection sensor may be a special sensor that detects the position of the traveling body, or a sensor that detects the position of the traveling body by detecting the rotation of a drive motor that drives the traveling body. As described above, an appropriate device can be used as long as it can appropriately detect the position of the traveling body.

The image forming section 6 forms a toner image on recording paper based on an image signal sent from the image reading section 5 in an electrophotographic system. That is, the image forming unit 6 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor based on the image signal sent from the image reading unit 5 and supplies toner to the photoconductor on which the electrostatic latent image is formed. To form a toner image. The image forming unit 6 transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum to recording paper,
The toner image on the recording paper is fixed by heating and pressing, and is discharged onto a discharge tray.

The operation display unit 2 includes various keys for instructing the operation of the copying apparatus 1 and a display unit (display means). The user operates the keys of the operation display unit 2 to operate the copying apparatus 1.
Under the control of the system control unit 4, the display unit displays various information such as the contents of the input operation from the operation display unit 2 and the operation state of the copying apparatus 1, especially the image reading unit 5 Is displayed as document reading status information.

The sound generating section (sound output means) 3 includes a speaker, a speaker driving circuit, and the like. Under the control of the system control section 4, the contents input by the operation display section 2 and the operating state of the copying apparatus 1 are controlled. And the like, in particular, information on the reading state of the document by the image reading unit 5 is loudspeaked.

The system control section (control means) 4 controls each section of the copying apparatus 1, performs basic control processing as the copying apparatus 1, and performs image reading state information notification processing described later.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. The copying apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is characterized in that the start and the end of the image reading operation are notified so as to be understood by the user.

That is, in the copying apparatus 1, the thick plate of the image reading section 5 is opened, a document is set on the contact glass, and key operations such as reading conditions and recording conditions are performed by operating keys on the operation display section 2. Is performed and the start key is operated, the system control unit 4 reads this key operation and controls the image reading unit 5 to instruct reading of the original on the contact glass.

Upon receiving an image reading instruction, the image reading section 5 drives the traveling body, and first moves the traveling body to a document reading start position. The traveling body position detection sensor detects the position of the traveling body. When the traveling body reaches the reading start position, the traveling body position detection sensor asserts, and the CPU in the image reading unit 5 receives an assertion interrupt. Is generated. When there is an assert interruption, the CPU of the document reading unit 5 notifies the system control unit 4 of information of the start of reading, and the system control unit 4
When the reading start information is notified, the display section of the operation display section 2 displays that reading has been started and reading is being performed, and the voice generating section 3 has read and started reading. Is notified by voice.

When the traveling body has moved to the original reading end position and the reading has been completed, the traveling body position detection sensor negates and issues a “negative interrupt” to the CPU in the image reading unit 5. generate. Document reading unit 5 CP
When there is a negation interruption, U notifies the system control unit 4 of information of the reading end, and when notified of the reading end information, the system control unit 4 finishes reading on the display unit of the operation display unit 2. Is displayed, and the voice generating unit 3 is notified by voice that the reading has been completed.

As described above, the copying apparatus 1 of the present embodiment
The optical scanning state of the original by the image reading unit 5 that optically scans the original and reads the image of the original is detected by a detecting unit such as a traveling body position detection sensor. Is detected, the information indicating that the document is being read is output to a notification unit such as the display unit of the operation display unit 2 or the sound generation unit 3, and the detection unit performs optical scanning of the document by the image reading unit 5. When it is detected that the scanning has been completed, a reading state information notifying process of outputting information indicating that the reading of the document has been completed to the notifying means is performed.

Therefore, it is possible to make the user know whether or not the document reading operation is being performed, and it is possible to improve the usability and to prevent the inadvertent opening of the pressure plate from deteriorating the image. Can be prevented.

In addition, the copying apparatus 1 determines whether or not to perform a reading state display notification process for notifying the start and end of reading by displaying on the display of the operation display unit 2 according to the user's selection.

That is, for example, in the “initial setting screen” for customizing the entire system of the copying apparatus 1 so that the user can easily use it, for example, “reading state display”
"Yes" / "No" can be selected. When "Yes" is selected, the reading state is displayed on the operation display unit 2.
When "NO" is selected, the reading state is not displayed on the display unit of the operation display unit 2.

That is, the system control unit 4 stores the setting state of the reading state display in the internal memory, and displays and hides the reading state on the display unit of the operation display unit 2 according to the setting state. Control.

The reading state display setting is not limited to the setting on the initial setting screen of the system. For example, a dedicated key is provided on the operation display unit 2, and the reading state is set in the setting state of the key. Whether or not to perform the display notification process may be controlled.

With this configuration, the display of the reading state is not always performed, but can be displayed only when the user needs to be notified of the reading state, and the usability can be further improved. It is possible to prevent the image from being deteriorated due to the careless opening of the pressure plate.

Further, the copying apparatus 1 determines whether or not to perform a reading state voice notification process for notifying the start and end of reading by voice from the voice generating unit 3 according to the user's selection.

That is, for example, in the “initial setting screen” for customizing the entire system of the copying apparatus 1 so as to be easy for the user to use, for example, “yes” / “no” of “reading state voice notification” is selected. Can be
If "Yes" is selected, the read state is notified by voice from the sound generation unit 3, and if "No" is selected, the read state is not notified by the sound generation unit 3.

That is, the system control unit 4 stores the setting state of the reading state voice notification in the internal memory, and controls the voice notification and non-notification from the reading state voice generating unit 3 according to the setting state. I do.

With this configuration, the notification can be made only when the user needs the voice notification of the reading state without always giving the voice notification of the reading state, and the usability can be further improved. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the image from being deteriorated due to the careless opening of the pressure plate.

Note that the reading state voice notification setting is not limited to the setting performed on the initial setting screen of the system. For example, a dedicated key is provided on the operation display unit 2 and the reading is performed in the setting state of the key. Whether or not to perform the status voice notification process may be controlled.

Although the invention made by the inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the copying apparatus 1 has been described. However, the image reading apparatus is not limited to the copying apparatus 1, and a document such as a copying system in which a scanner and a printer are combined is used. The present invention can be applied to various image reading apparatuses that read an image.

[0043]

According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the detecting means detects the optical scanning state of the original by the image reading means for optically scanning the original and reading the image of the original. When it is detected that the optical scanning of the original by the image reading means has been started, information indicating that the original is being read is output to the notifying means, and the detecting means detects that the optical scanning of the original by the image reading means has been completed. Then, since the reading state information notifying process of notifying and outputting the information indicating that the reading of the document has been completed to the notifying means is performed, it is possible for the user to know whether or not the document reading operation is being performed. Can be improved, and the image can be prevented from being deteriorated due to the careless opening of the pressure plate.

According to the image reading apparatus of the second aspect of the present invention, the display means is used as the notifying means, and the selecting means for selecting whether or not to perform the display processing of the reading state on the display means is used to inform the display means. Only when the display of the reading state is selected, the reading state display processing is performed on the display means as the reading state information notifying processing, so that the reading state is always displayed without displaying the reading state. Can be displayed only when it is necessary, the usability can be further improved, and the image can be prevented from being deteriorated due to the careless opening of the pressure plate.

According to the image reading apparatus of the third aspect of the present invention, the sound output means is used as the notification means, and the sound is output by the selection means for selecting whether or not to perform the sound output processing of the read state from the sound output means. Only when the reading state voice output from the output means is selected, the reading state voice output processing from the voice output means is performed as the reading state information notification processing, so that the reading state voice notification is always performed. In addition, the notification can be made only when the user needs the voice notification of the reading state, the usability can be further improved, and the image is prevented from being deteriorated due to the careless opening of the pressure plate. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a main part of a copying apparatus to which an embodiment of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of a read gate signal output from a traveling body position detection sensor that detects a traveling body position of the image reading unit in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Copier 2 Operation display part 3 Sound generation part 4 System control part 5 Image reading part 6 Image formation part

Claims (3)

[Claims] An image reading means for optically scanning a document to read an image of the document; a notifying means for notifying and outputting predetermined information; a detecting means for detecting an optical scanning state of the document by the image reading means; When the detecting means detects that the optical scanning of the document by the image reading means has been started, the detecting means causes the notifying means to output information indicating that the document is being read, and the detecting means controls the image reading by the image reading means. Control means for performing a reading state information notifying process for notifying the notification means that the reading of the document has been completed when the optical scanning of the document has been completed is detected. apparatus. 2. The notifying means is a display means, and the image reading device further comprises a selecting means for performing or not performing a display process of the reading state on the displaying means. The display process of the reading state on the display unit is performed as the reading state information notification process only when the display of the reading state on the display unit is selected by the selection unit. 2. The image reading device according to 1. 3. The notifying means is a sound output means, and the image reading device further comprises a selection means for selecting whether or not to perform a sound output process of the read state from the sound output means. Performs the audio output processing of the read state from the audio output means as the read state information notification processing only when the audio output of the read state from the audio output means is selected by the selection means. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein: