JP2003046699A - Reader, image forming device, control method of reader and control method of image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reader having a simple constitution at low cost, and to provide an image forming device, the control method of the reader and the control method of the image forming device. SOLUTION: A scanner device 2 is provided with a scanner part 19 reading the image of an original placed on an original installation part 17 by scanning the original installation part 17, SAF(Store And Forward) 29 storing the output image read by the scanner part 19 and a transmission part 21 for the read output image. The transmission part 21 transmits the last output image and the scanner part 19 scans the original installation part 17. A comparison image which is read at this time is stored by the SAF 29. The device 2 is provided with a comparison part 23 comparing the comparison image which the SAF 19 stores with the output image which is transmitted last, and a touch panel 25. When the output image and the comparison image compared by the comparison part 23 are matched, the touch panel 25 informs of the leaving of the original.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading device for reading a document image, an image forming device for outputting an image read by the reading device, a reading device control method, and an image forming device control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a copying machine, an image of a document placed on a document placing section such as contact glass is read by a reading unit such as a scanner of a reading device, and the read image is used as a counterpart. Some of them are sent to a facsimile machine on the side or copied. In general,
A method of reading an image of an original using the original placing portion is called "book-type reading".

In such a book-reading type image forming apparatus, for example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-308390, after transmitting or copying an image of a document, the transmitted or copied document remains in the document placing section. In such a case, there is known a technique of displaying a message that the document is to be removed on a display or the like of the operation unit.

[0004]

In recent years, cost requirements have become stricter due to the price reduction of image forming apparatuses, and it is required to reduce the number of sensors as much as possible. However, in the above-described technique, the transmitted or copied original document on the original document placing portion such as the pressure plate open / close detection sensor that detects the opening / closing of the pressure plate that opens / closes the original placing portion, the original size detection sensor, the original presence / absence detection sensor, etc. Since it is necessary to provide sensors for detecting the removal, there is a problem that the configuration is complicated and the cost is high.

Therefore, the present invention provides a reading device, an image forming device, a controlling method of the reading device, and a controlling method of the image forming device, which can prevent the document from being left behind and have a simple structure and can reduce the cost. The purpose is to

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there are provided a reading unit for reading an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit, and a reading unit. An output storage means for storing the read output image,
A reading means for transmitting the read output image, the reading means scans the document placing section after the transmitting means transmits the last output image, and the comparison image read at this time is stored. A reading device comprising a storage means for comparison,
Comparison means for comparing the output image last stored in the output storage means with the comparison image stored in the comparison storage means;
The reading device further comprises notifying means, and when the output image and the comparison image compared by the comparing means match, the notifying means notifies that the document is left behind.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit and an output image read by the reading unit. In a method of controlling a reading device including a transmission unit, the transmission unit transmits the final output image, and then the reading unit scans the document placing portion, and the comparison image read at this time and the final transmission. When the output image matches the output image, the reader is informed that the document is left behind.

In the invention described in claim 1 or 5,
After the last output image was sent to the image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, a printer, or a personal computer, the comparison image read by the reading means and the last sent output image were the same. In this case, since the transmitted original is left behind on the original placing portion, the user is notified of the left behind original by, for example, display on the touch panel of the operation unit, lighting of a notification lamp, or voice. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the document from being left behind.

By comparing the output image read by the reading means with the comparison image, it is possible to know whether or not the document is left behind on the document placing section, so that the presence or absence of the document on the document placing section is detected. Since it is not necessary to provide a document detection sensor or the like, the structure is simple and the cost can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, a start time for setting a time period from the transmission of the last output image to the start of reading the comparison image by the reading means. It is characterized by comprising a setting unit.

According to the invention of claim 2, claim 1
In addition to the same operation and effect as the invention described in (3), when the start setting unit is set to, for example, 30 seconds, when 30 seconds elapse after reading the output image to the image forming apparatus or the personal computer, the reading is performed. The means scans the document placing portion. By providing the start time setting unit, for example, when another document needs to be read immediately after the output image is transmitted, the time set in the start time setting unit can be shortened, etc. Depending on the situation, the timing to start reading the comparative image can be adjusted.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
2. An image forming apparatus comprising: the reading device described in 1); and a facsimile unit that transmits the output image read by the reading unit via a communication line.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit and an output image read by the reading unit is displayed. In a method of controlling an image forming apparatus including a facsimile unit for transmitting via a communication line, a reading unit scans an original placing portion after the last image is transmitted by the facsimile unit. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus is characterized in that when an image and an output image transmitted last match each other, a misplacement of a document is notified.

In the invention described in claim 3 or 6,
If the comparison image read by the reading means and the output image transmitted last match after the last output image is transmitted to the facsimile machine or personal computer on the other side through the communication line, , I have forgotten to leave the sent original on the original tray, so, for example,
The user is informed of the misplacement of the document by a display on the touch panel of the operation unit, lighting of a notification lamp, voice, or the like.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
2. An image forming apparatus comprising: the reading device described in 1); and a copying unit that copies the output image read by the reading unit onto a transfer material.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit and an output image read by the reading unit. In a method of controlling an image forming apparatus that includes a copying unit that copies onto a transfer material, the reading unit scans the document placing unit after the copying unit copies the final output image onto the transfer material, and at this time, the reading is performed. When the comparison image and the finally copied output image match each other, the control method of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that the misplacement of the document is notified.

In the invention described in claim 4 or 7,
After the last output image is copied onto the transfer material, if the comparison image read by the reading unit and the last copied output image match, the copied document is placed on the document placing section. Since the document is left behind, the user is notified of the left behind document by, for example, displaying it on the touch panel of the operation unit, lighting a notification lamp, or voice.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. The facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is connected via a network (communication line) such as PSTN (public line network) or ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Communication Network), and transmits and receives facsimile documents. . The facsimile device 1 has both a facsimile function and a copying function, and includes a scanner device (reading device) 2 for reading an original image, a system control unit 3, a system memory 5, and
The image processing unit 7, the plotter unit (copying unit) 9, the operation panel control unit 11, the operation unit 13, and the communication control unit (facsimile unit) 15 are provided.

The scanner device 2 includes a document placing section 17 having a contact glass on which a document is placed, a scanner section (reading means) 19 for reading an image of the document by scanning the document on the contact glass, and a scanner. A transmission unit 21 that transmits the image read by the unit 19 to the system memory 5 of the facsimile apparatus 1, a comparison unit 23 that compares the images of the system memory 5, a touch panel 25 provided on the operation unit 13, a timer 27, SAF (Store And Forward) provided in the system memory 5
29 and 29.

The system control unit 3 includes a facsimile apparatus 1
Also, it performs control processing of each part of the scanner device 2, facsimile transmission control procedure processing, and operation panel control. In the system memory 5, the system control unit 3
A control processing program to be executed by is stored, and a SAF 29, which is a memory for storing image data such as transmitted / received documents, is provided.

In the present embodiment, the document placing section 17 is a contact glass for placing a book document such as a book or a sheet document, and a pressure plate for pressing the document on the contact glass against the contact glass and providing a white reference. The pressure plate is closed after the document is placed on the contact glass so that the scanner unit 19 can read the document.

The scanner unit 19 scans the contact glass of the document placing unit 17 (main scanning and sub-scanning) to read the image of the document on the contact glass, and is a so-called book-type reading system. It is a thing. The output image of the document read by the scanner unit 19 is stored as image data in the output storage unit (output storage unit) 29a of the SAF 29 of the system memory 5.

In the present embodiment, the scanner section 19 scans the contact glass of the document placing section 17 even after the transmission to the facsimile on the other side is completed or after the copying is completed. After the completion, the document placing section 17
The time it takes to start scanning the contact glass of
It is set by the timer 27.

That is, when the predetermined time set in the timer 27 (30 seconds in the present embodiment) has elapsed after the end of transmission or the end of copying, the scanner section 19 moves the contact glass of the document placing section 17 onto the contact glass. The scanning is started and the comparison image is read. This comparison image is stored as image data in the comparison storage unit (comparison storage means) 29b of the SAF 29 of the system memory 5.

The time (timer value) set in the timer 27 is stored in a nonvolatile memory (not shown) built in the timer 3. Further, in the present embodiment, the timer 27 is set to 30 seconds, but the timer 27 is not limited to this and can be changed as appropriate according to the usage situation of the user. For example, when another original needs to be read immediately after transmission or copying, the time set in the timer 27 can be shortened to 10 seconds. In this way, by providing the timer 27,
The timing to start reading the comparative image can be adjusted according to the usage status of the user.

The image processing unit 7 processes the color image data of the original read by the scanner unit 19, that is, binarizes the color image data (simple binary, dither patterning), image compression, and the like. It is a thing. The image data processed by the image processing unit 7 is stored in the SAF 2 of the system memory 5.
9 and the plotter unit 9. This plotter unit 9
The output image read by the scanner unit 19 is printed (copied) on a transfer material such as paper, or a print of a transmission / reception document and a report of a transmission / reception result are printed. The communication control unit 15 controls the procedure of transmission / reception to / from a facsimile machine or a personal computer on the other side connected via a network and image information.

The operation panel control unit 13 controls the operation unit 13, and controls buttons of the operation unit 13 for performing various settings and support of destinations and the like, an input device such as the touch panel 25 of the scanner device 2, and the like. The touch panel control unit (not shown) and the display control unit that controls (not shown) a display device that displays the status of the facsimile apparatus 1 and displays a document. In the present embodiment, the states of the facsimile device 1 and the scanner device 2 and the state of the document are displayed on the touch panel 25.

In the present embodiment, the facsimile machine 1
Has both a facsimile function and a copy function,
When performing facsimile transmission, there are direct transmission in which the output image read by the scanner unit 19 is directly transmitted, and memory transmission in which the read output image is stored in the output storage unit 29a of the SAF 29 of the system memory 5 and then transmitted. Is possible.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 at the time of memory transmission will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. When the manuscript is placed on the contact glass of the manuscript placing part 17 and the touch panel 25 of the operating part 13 is operated to make settings for memory transmission (memory transmission setting, linear density, destination, etc.), the start button is pressed. (Step S1),
The scanner unit 19 starts reading the image of the document (step S2).

The output image read by the scanner section 19 is processed by the image processing section 7. That is, the image processing unit 7 encodes the output image read by the scanner unit 19 (for example, MH (Modified).
Huffman), MR (Modified REA)
D), MMR (Modeled MR), or JBIG (Ioint-Bi-), which is a standard for binary image coding.
(lebel Image Experts Group)
Etc.), and is stored in the output storage unit 29a of the SAF 29 of the system memory 5 (steps S3 and S4).

After that, if there is a document to be read next (step S5), the same operation as in steps S2 to S4 is performed, and if there is no document to be read next (step S5), the communication control unit 15 is used. Transmission to the other party's facsimile machine or personal computer is started (step S6). When the transmission to the other party's facsimile machine or personal computer is completed (step S
7) The transmission by the facsimile device 1 is completed (step S8).

After the transmission by the facsimile apparatus 1 is completed, the timer 27 starts counting time, and the timer 27
When the count of the set time by is finished, that is,
When a predetermined time (30 seconds in the present embodiment) has elapsed from the completion of transmission of the facsimile apparatus 1 (step S9), scanning of the contact glass of the document placing part 17 by the scanner part 19 is started (step S10). At this time, the comparison image read by the scanner unit 19 is encoded and compressed to S
It is stored in the comparison storage unit 29b of the AF 29 (steps S11 and S12).

The comparison image stored in step S12 (the image read by the scanner unit 19 after transmission) and the output image of the final page among the output images stored in step S4 (the last transmitted output image) The image is compared by the comparison unit 23 (step S13), and if the same code (code data is the same) is obtained (step S14), it means that the document is left on the contact glass of the document placement unit 17. , A message to the effect that the manuscript on the manuscript placing part 17 will be removed is displayed on the touch panel 25 of the operation part 13 (step S
15). As a result, it is possible to prevent the document from being left behind.

If they are not the same code (step S1)
4) Since the original on the original placing portion 17 has been removed, the image data (output image and comparison image) accumulated in the SAF 29 of the system memory 5 is erased (step S16), and the touch panel 25 is in the standby state. A standby display indicating that is displayed is performed (step S17).

As described above, by comparing the output image read by the scanner unit 19 with the comparison image, it is possible to know whether or not the original document is left on the original document placement unit 17, and thus the original document of the original document placement unit 17 is detected. Since it is not necessary to provide a document detection sensor or the like for detecting the presence or absence of the above, the configuration is simple and the cost can be reduced.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the facsimile device 1 during direct transmission will be described. When the manuscript is placed on the contact glass of the manuscript placing part 17 and the touch panel 25 of the operating part 13 is operated to make settings for direct transmission (direct transmission setting, linear density, destination, etc.), the start button is pressed. (Step S20), the scanner section 19 starts reading the image of the document (step S20).
2). The output image read by the scanner unit 19 is encoded by the image processing unit 7 (step S
3) The data is transmitted to the facsimile or personal computer on the other side (step S21) and is stored in the output storage section 29a of the SAF 29 of the system memory 5 (step S24).

When the transmission to the facsimile on the other end is completed (step S22), if there is a document to be transmitted next (step S23), the process returns to step S2, the same operation is performed, and the next transmission is performed. If there is no original to be printed (step S23), the transmission is completed (step S2).
4) Then, the fact that the transmission is completed is displayed on the touch panel 25 (step S25). Then, the same operation as steps S9 to S17 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is performed.

Next, based on the flowchart of FIG.
The operation of the facsimile machine 1 during copying will be described. The original is placed on the contact glass of the original placing section 17, and the operation section 1
When the start button is pressed after operating the touch panel 25 of No. 3 (copy setting) (copy setting, linear density, number of copies, magnification, etc.) (step S3)
0), the scanner unit 19 starts reading the image of the document (step S2). The output image read by the scanner unit 19 is output by the plotter unit 11 (step S31), encoded by the image processing unit 7, and stored in the output storage unit 29a of the SAF 29 of the system memory 5 ( Step S3 and step S
4).

If there is a document to be copied next after the output by the plotter unit 9 (step S35),
Similar operations are performed by returning to step S2. If there is no original to be copied next (step S35), the same operations as steps S9 to S17 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3 are performed.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the present embodiment, the fact that there is no manuscript is displayed on the touch panel 25, but the present invention is not limited to this. You can

In the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 1 and the scanner apparatus 2 are controlled by the same system control section 3, but they may be controlled by different control sections.

Although the present invention is applied to the facsimile 1,
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function, a copying function, and a printer function, which has the same effect when applied to a book-type reading type image forming apparatus. Get the effect.

[0044]

According to the invention described in claims 1 and 5, it is possible to know whether or not the document is left on the document placing portion by comparing the output image and the comparison image read by the reading means. Since it is not necessary to provide a document detection sensor or the like for detecting the presence or absence of a document on the placing portion, it is possible to provide a reading device that prevents misplacement of a document, has a simple configuration, and is low in cost.

According to the invention described in claim 2, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 is obtained, and by providing the start time setting section, the comparison image is read according to the usage situation of the user. You can adjust the timing to start.

The invention described in claims 3, 4, 6 and 7 has the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 1 or 2.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a facsimile device during memory transmission.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a facsimile device during memory transmission.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a facsimile device during direct transmission.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a facsimile device during copying.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile device (image forming device) 2 Scanner device (reading device) 9 Plotter section (copying means) 15 Communication control unit (facsimile means) 17 Document Placement Section 19 Scanner unit (reading means) 21 transmitter (transmitting means) 23 Comparison unit (comparison means) 25 Touch panel (informing means) 27 timer (start time setting part) 29a Output storage unit (output storage means) 29b Comparison storage unit (comparison storage means)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit, and an output storage unit that stores the output image read by the reading unit. The reading means scans the document placing portion after the transmission means transmits the last output image, and stores the comparison image read at this time. Comparing means for comparing the output image last stored in the output storage means with the comparison image stored in the comparison storage means,
A reading apparatus comprising: a notification unit, wherein the notification unit notifies that a document is left behind when the output image and the comparison image compared by the comparison unit match. 2. The reading unit includes a start time setting unit that sets a time period from the transmission of the last output image to the start of reading the comparison image.
The reading device according to. 3. An image forming apparatus comprising: the reading device according to claim 1 or 2, and a facsimile unit for transmitting an output image read by the reading unit via a communication line. 4. An image forming apparatus comprising: the reading device according to claim 1 or 2, and a copying unit that copies an output image read by the reading unit onto a transfer material. 5. A reading device including a reading unit for reading an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit, and a transmitting unit for transmitting an output image read by the reading unit. In the above control method, after the transmitting means transmits the last output image, the reading means scans the document placing section, and the comparison image read at this time and the last transmitted output image are combined. If so, a method of controlling the reading device is characterized in that the user is informed that the document has been left behind. 6. A reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit, and an output image read by the reading unit is transmitted via a communication line. In a method of controlling an image forming apparatus including a facsimile unit, the reading unit scans the document placing portion after the last image is transmitted by the facsimile unit, and the comparison image read at this time and the last image are transmitted. A control method for an image forming apparatus, wherein when the output image matches the original image, a misplacement of the document is notified. 7. A reading unit that reads an image of a document placed on the document placing unit by scanning the document placing unit, and a copying unit that copies the output image read by the reading unit onto a transfer material. In the method of controlling the image forming apparatus, the reading unit scans the document placing portion after the copying unit copies the final output image onto the transfer material, and the comparison image read at this time and the final image A method of controlling an image forming apparatus, wherein when the output image copied in step 1 is coincident with the output image, a misplacement of the document is notified.