JP2003125168A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To read a one-side original with an image reader for both-side reading. SOLUTION: The both-side image reader has: two image read sections provided to read the front and rear sides of an original at the same time and is configured to read an image by using either of the two image read sections when reading the one-side original, wherein an operator can designate one of the read sections to read an image. The image reader has also a function of discriminating the front or rear side on which the image of the original exists so as to automatically discriminate the side on which the image of the original exists. The read resolution differs between the two read sections and the image reader prompts the operator to place the original in a proper direction when the resolution is designated. Thus, the read of a one-side original with the both-side image reader can be made more flexible than that of a conventional reader.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to means for reading a single-sided original in an image reading apparatus for reading both sides of the original.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional double-sided image reading apparatus is roughly classified into two types. One is to provide a document reversing mechanism in the document feeding device with one reading section, and the document is passed through the reading section twice by the reversing mechanism to read the double-sided document (FIG. 1). ). The other is that there are two reading sections, and both sides of the original are read at the same time when the original is passed (Fig. 2). The former has the disadvantages such as the need for a document reversing mechanism and the throughput of document reading is inferior to the throughput of single-sided reading. Most of them have the advantage that they can be shared. On the other hand, the latter has a merit that the performance that approaches the throughput when reading one side is obtained because there is no document reversing mechanism, but it also has the demerit that the cost of the device increases because there are two reading parts. . Although an image reading apparatus that seeks throughput has a cost disadvantage, it is often configured to have two reading units.

In a double-sided image reading apparatus, when a single-sided original is read, if the reading unit is provided at one place, the operator checks the front and back of the original so that the apparatus can be read without using the original reversing mechanism. It was placed on the device. Similarly, in the case of a configuration in which two reading sections are provided, a reading section for reading a single-sided original is determined, and the original is placed on the apparatus by the operator so as to match this.

[0004]

When a single-sided original is placed on the double-sided image reading apparatus, the operator must check the front and back sides as described above, but all the image reading apparatuses have the same function. That is not the case. Although an attempt has been made to urge the operator to set the front and back sides of the document using the GUI, it is not uncommon to accidentally read an image opposite to the desired surface.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reading a single-sided original regardless of the orientation of the original in the image reading apparatus.

[0006]

According to the double-sided image reading device described in the claims of the present invention, an image reading device having two image reading portions provided for simultaneously reading the front and back sides of an original is provided. When reading a document, either of the two image reading units provided can read the image. -The operator can specify which reading unit will read the image. -There is a function to determine whether the image of the document is on the front side or the back side, and the side with the image on the document can be automatically determined. The two reading units have different reading resolutions, and when the resolutions are designated, a warning is issued to prompt the document to be placed in the proper direction. This makes the double-sided image reading apparatus more flexible than before when reading a single-sided original.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (Embodiment 1) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a double-sided image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A first-side reading unit and a second-side reading unit are arranged on both sides of the document to be read. When reading a one-sided original, there are a case where the first side reading unit reads as shown in FIG. 3A and a case where the second side reading unit reads as shown in FIG. 3B. Conventionally, it was fixed so that either the first surface reading unit or the second surface reading unit was read, but in the present invention, either the first surface reading unit or the second surface reading unit can be read. (Claim 1).

The operator can select which of the first-side reading unit and the second-side reading unit is used for reading (claim 2).

(Second Embodiment) Another embodiment will be described.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a double-sided image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A first surface reading section having a resolution A and a second surface reading section having a resolution B are arranged on both sides of the document to be read. Similar to the first embodiment, when reading a single-sided original, either the first-side reading unit or the second-side reading unit can read the data (claim 3).

The operator can select which of the first-side reading unit and the second-side reading unit is used for reading (claim 4).

(Embodiment 3) Another embodiment will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a double-sided image reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

A first surface reading unit and a second surface reading unit are arranged on both sides of the document to be read. When reading a one-sided original, an automatic discriminating device for discriminating which side the image exists on is added, and only the side having the image is selected and read (claim 6).

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an image reading apparatus having two image reading portions provided to read the front and back sides of an original at the same time, two are provided when a single-sided original is read. An image can be read by either of the image reading units. -The operator can specify which reading unit will read the image. -There is a function to determine whether the image of the document is on the front side or the back side, and the side with the image on the document can be automatically determined. The two reading units have different reading resolutions, and when the resolutions are designated, a warning is issued to prompt the document to be placed in the proper direction. This makes the double-sided image reading apparatus more flexible than before when handling single-sided originals.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a double-sided image reading device having a single reading unit.

FIG. 2 is a double-sided image reading device having two reading units.

FIG. 3 is a configuration of the present proposal.

FIG. 4 is a configuration of the present proposal.

FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the present proposal.

[Explanation of symbols]

1a, 1b CCD image sensor 21 manuscript 22 Document reading section 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d Conveying rollers 31a, 31b Reading glass 32a, 32b transport guide 33a, 33b Total reflection plate 34a, 34b Imaging lens 35 Two-sided manuscript

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Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image reading means for illuminating an original moved by an original conveying means by a light source and forming an optical image of the original on a reading sensor through a lens to read an image is a first surface of the original. And an image reading device having two for the second side, when reading a single-sided original, the image reading device can be read by either the reading means for the first side or the reading means for the second side. . 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a single-sided original is read, an operator can select whether to read by the first-side reading means or the second-side reading means. Image reading device. 3. An image reading means for illuminating an original moved by an original conveying means by a light source and forming an optical image of the original on a reading sensor through a lens to read an image is for the first surface of the original. And an image reading apparatus including two for the second side, wherein the reading means for the first side and the reading means for the second side are different in resolution from each other. An image reading device capable of reading by either of the reading means for the second surface. 4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when a single-sided original is read, the operator can select whether to read by the first-side reading means or the second-side reading means. Image reading device. 5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when a resolution of single-sided original reading is designated by an operator, it is determined whether the image is read by the reading unit for the first side or the second side. However, the image reading device is characterized in that the operator is notified of the front and back sides of the original. 6. An image reading means for illuminating an original moved by an original conveying means by a light source, and forming an optical image of the original on a reading sensor through a lens to read an image is for the first surface of the original. And an image reading apparatus having two functions for the second side and having a determination function for determining the front and back sides of a single-sided original, when reading the single-sided original, the reading means for the first side or the second side An image reading device characterized by automatically determining whether to read by a reading means. 7. An image reading means for illuminating an original moved by an original conveying means by a light source and forming an optical image of the original on a reading sensor through a lens to read an image is for the first surface of the original. And an image reading device having two for the second side, wherein the reading means for the first side and the reading means for the second side have different resolutions, and has a judgment function for judging the front and back sides of a single-sided original. An image reading apparatus characterized in that when a document is read, it is automatically judged whether to read by the reading unit for the first side or the reading unit for the second side.