JP2003348275A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which has improved operability for an operator by automatically starting second and succeeding reading processing in the case of continuous reading. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus comprises: a continuous reading mode discrimination means for continuous reading operation according to setting of a copy mode; an image accumulation means for accumulating images until starting of printing is instructed when reading continuously; a platen opening and closing detection means for detecting opening and closing of a platen in the case of platen copying; a document-table document detection means for detecting a document on the document table; and a reading control means for automatically starting the second and succeeding document reading processing in response to the detecting state of the opening and closing detection means and in response to the detecting state of a DF document detection means for detecting setting of the document to a DF in the case of DF copying. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

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 such as an image scanner and a copying machine, and more particularly to a control for starting a reading operation in a continuous reading mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image scanners, copiers, etc.
In an image forming apparatus in which read images are stored in a memory, reading of a pressure plate, reading of a DF, and reading of a document are repeated a plurality of times in combination (continuous reading)
In the case of reading the pressure plate, the pressure plate is opened, the document is placed on the platen, and the pressure plate is closed. In the DF reading, the DF document is removed and a new document is set. After that, it was necessary to press the start button every time.

In a copy process in which reading and printing are repeated successively instead of continuous reading, in order to simplify the copying process repeatedly, the opening and closing of the pressure plate is detected, and automatically when the pressure plate is closed. Various proposals have been made for the function of starting a copy operation. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-63904, an automatic start function is executed in combination with either the automatic magnification setting mode or the automatic paper selection mode. It is disclosed that the automatic start mode is automatically canceled when a manual copy magnification adjustment operation is detected.

[0004]

However, when the copying operation is started by opening and closing the pressure plate as described above, copying is performed in a state that the operator does not expect.
At the time of continuous reading, the start button must be pressed every time, even though the output mode is determined in the first reading process. The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the above-described conventional technology,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus with improved operability for an operator.

[0005]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: an openable and closable pressure plate for pressing an original on a platen; In an image forming apparatus provided with a copy mode setting unit for setting various copy modes, a continuous reading mode determining unit for performing a continuous reading operation according to the setting of the copy mode, and at the time of continuous reading, an image is read until a print start is instructed. Image storage means for storing, pressure plate opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the pressure plate, platen document detection means for detecting a document on the document table, and second and subsequent reading in response to the detection state of the opening / closing detection means Reading control means for automatically starting the document reading process.

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect is provided.
In the image forming apparatus described above, a copy mode is set in an image forming apparatus including a DF that feeds a set of originals sheet by sheet, a unit that reads an original, and a copy mode setting unit that sets various copy modes. Continuous reading mode discriminating means for performing a continuous reading operation in accordance with the condition, image storing means for storing an image until continuous printing is instructed during continuous reading, and DF document detecting means for detecting that a document has been set in the DF The reading control means automatically starts the document reading process for the second and subsequent consecutive readings in response to the detection state of.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a third aspect is provided.
In the image forming apparatus described in the above, the continuous reading operation according to the first and second aspects is such that the original is entirely read into the image memory by reading the pressure plate, reading the DF, and a combination thereof.
A copy print output is started by a print start instruction.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a fourth aspect of the present invention is provided.
In the continuous reading mode according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, when reading the pressure plate, the copy mode setting means sets the two-sided output, the sort output, the group output, the cover / insert, and the OHP insertion. When one of the reduced layout, mixed document, bookbinding, or continuous reading is set, and when continuous reading is set by the copy mode setting means during DF reading, continuous continuous reading is automatically performed. It operates in a mode.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic system configuration of an image forming apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1-1 denotes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) which controls the entire image forming apparatus and performs arithmetic processing. And so on. 1-2 is a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a storage area for a system startup program, character data, character code information, and the like. 1-3 is RA
M, that is, a random access memory, which is a data storage area with no usage restriction, and is an area where each program and data represented by the flowcharts described below are loaded and executed for various processes. It is also possible to temporarily store image data of a document. Reference numeral 1-4 denotes an external storage device such as a hard disk, which spools jobs received by the image forming apparatus, stores programs and various information files, stores image data of originals, and serves as a work area. Used. Reference numeral 1-5 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display (touch panel) for setting a mode of the image forming apparatus, displaying a mode setting state, a current processing state in the printing apparatus, an error state, and the like. 1
An operation unit -6 such as a start key is used for inputting various commands, changing settings of the image forming apparatus, resetting, and the like. Reference numeral 1-7 denotes an engine interface (engine I / F) for exchanging commands for actually controlling the engine, such as a scanner engine and a printer engine. Reference numeral 1-8 denotes a network interface (network I / F).
The device is connected to the network via -8. 1-9
Is an external interface (external I / F), which is connected to a host computer via an interface such as parallel (or serial). Reference numeral 1-10 denotes a system bus, which serves as a data path between the above-described components.

FIG. 2 is a drawing depicting the periphery of the panel of the image forming apparatus, and 2-1 is a start button. In a normal copy operation, the copy process starts when the start button is pressed.

FIG. 3 shows the opening and closing of the pressure plate.
It can be opened and closed as shown by. The opening and closing of the pressure plate is detected by a sensor. Depending on the copy mode and state, the opening and closing of the pressure plate triggers the start of the reading process.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a place where a document is placed on the DF. As shown at 4-1, a document consisting of one or more pages can be placed on the DF. It is possible to feed each page and read the image of each page. In addition, DF
It is possible to detect whether a document is placed on the document. Depending on the copy mode and state, the placement of the document on the DF triggers the start of the reading process.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for determining the continuous reading mode. If it is determined that the continuous reading mode has been selected, the entire original is read into the image memory by reading the pressure plate, reading the DF, or a combination thereof, and starts copy print output in response to a print start instruction by a start button or a software switch displayed on a display unit. . In step S501, it is determined whether the document reading process is performed from the DF. If it is determined that reading is not from the DF but reading from the platen, the process proceeds to S502.
Proceed to S510. In S502, it is determined whether or not the copy mode setting is set for duplex printing. If double-sided printing is set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If duplex printing is not set,
The process proceeds to S503. In S503, it is determined whether the copy mode setting is set to the sort output. If the sort output is set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If sort output is not set, S
Proceed to 504. In S504, it is determined whether the copy mode setting is set to group output. If the group output is set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If the group output has not been set, the process proceeds to S505. In step S505, it is determined whether the copy mode setting is set to cover / insert. If the cover / interleaf setting has been set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If the cover / insert is not set, the process advances to step S506. In S506, it is determined whether or not the copy mode setting is set to OHP insertion. OH
If the P insertion is set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If the OHP insertion is not set, the process proceeds to S507. In step S507, it is determined whether the copy mode setting is set to the reduced layout. If the reduced layout is set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If the reduced layout has not been set, the process advances to step S508. S5
At 08, it is determined whether or not the copy mode setting is a mixed original setting. If the mixed original setting is set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If the mixed original setting is not set, the process advances to step S509. In step S509, it is determined whether the copy mode setting is set to bookbinding output. If the bookbinding output is set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If the bookbinding output is not set, the process proceeds to S510. In S510,
It is determined whether the copy mode setting is set to the continuous reading mode. If the continuous reading mode has been set, the process advances to step S511 to process in the continuous reading mode. If the continuous reading mode is not set, processing is performed as normal reading, and the continuous reading mode determination means ends.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the reading control at the time of normal processing and continuous reading processing. In step S601, a copy mode is set using the display unit 1-5 such as a touch panel or the operation unit 1-6, and what kind of copy is to be performed is determined at this time. In S602, it is determined whether the start key 2-1 has been pressed. If the start key has been pressed, the process advances to step S603. If the start key is not pressed, the process waits for an input in the state of S601 without doing anything. S
In step 603, the document on the document table or the document set in the DF is fed one page, and the image of the document is read. S
In step 604, it is determined whether or not the continuous reading mode has been determined by the continuous reading mode determining means in S501 to S511 in FIG. In the case of continuous reading mode, S
The image read in 603 is a RAM of 1-3 or
The information is stored in the external storage device 1-4, and the process proceeds to S605. If it is determined that the mode is not the continuous reading mode but the normal mode, the process proceeds to step S612, and the image read in step S603 is printed out without being stored. In step S605, it is determined whether a print start instruction has been issued from the display unit 1-5 or the operation unit 1-6 such as a touch panel. If you receive a print start instruction,
The printing of the document image read in S603, which is stored in the RAM 1-3 or the external storage device 1-4, is started, and the process ends. If the print start instruction is not given, the process enters the second and subsequent processes of the continuous reading process. In step S606, the DF document detection unit determines whether a document has been placed on the DF. If a document is placed on the DF, the process proceeds to S607 in response to the detection state of the
After the reading process of the original placed on F is started, S60
The process returns to step 5 and waits for a print start instruction to be issued again. DF
When the document is not placed on the platen, it is determined whether or not the platen has been opened by the platen open / close detecting means for detecting the opening and closing of the platen. If the pressure plate has been opened, the process proceeds to S609. If the pressure plate cannot be opened, the process advances to step S611 to determine whether the start key 2-1 has been pressed. In S609, it is determined whether the pressure plate has been closed. When the pressure plate is closed, the process proceeds to S610. If the pressure plate is not closed, the process proceeds to S611, and it is determined whether the start key 2-1 has been pressed. In step S610, the document table document detection unit detects whether a document is placed on the document table. If a document is placed, S607
To start reading the original image on the platen,
The process returns to step S605 and waits for a print start instruction to be issued again. If no document is placed on the platen, the process returns to S605 and waits for a print start instruction to be issued again. S611
In step S607, if the start key is pressed,
After performing the document reading process, the process returns to S605 and waits for a print start instruction to be performed again. If it is determined in step S611 that the start key has not been pressed, the process returns to step S605 to wait for a print start instruction to be issued again.

[0016]

As described in detail above, according to the information processing method and system of the present invention, the copy mode is determined in the first reading process. Platen opening / closing detection means for detecting a document, document platen document detection means for detecting a document on a document table, and continuous reading 2
Automatically starts the original reading process for the second time or later, or automatically starts the original reading process for the second and subsequent times in response to the detection state of the DF original detecting unit that detects that an original has been set on the DF. By the reading control means, which is started at the same time, there is no need to press the start button every time, and even when the above-mentioned trigger cannot be detected, reading can be started by pressing the start button. Therefore, there is an effect that the operability of the operator is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the periphery of a panel of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an open / closed state of a pressure plate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a place where a document is placed on a DF;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for determining a continuous reading mode in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a reading control flow chart during normal processing and continuous reading processing according to the first embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1-1 CPU 1-2 ROM 1-3 RAM 1-4 External storage device 1-5 Display 1-6 Operation unit 1-7 Engine interface 1-8 Network interface 1-9 External interface 1-10 System bus 2-1 Start button 3-1 Opening and closing the pressure plate 4-1 DF manuscript set

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/04 107 H04N 1/04 107B F term (Reference) 2H027 DA24 DA25 DB03 DB08 ED12 ED16 ED29 EE07 EE08 EF06 FA01 FA06 FA12 FA13 FA20 FA22 FA23 FA24 FB02 FB06 FB12 FB18 FC03 GB05 2H108 FC01 FC04 GA09 5C062 AA05 AB02 AB20 AB30 AC02 AC04 AC11 AC22 AC65 AD02 5C072 AA01 AA03 LA07 NA08 RA02 UA11 XA01

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: an openable / closable pressure plate for pressing an original on a platen; a unit for reading the original on the platen; and a copy mode setting unit for setting various copy modes. Continuous reading mode discriminating means for performing a continuous reading operation according to the setting of the above, image storing means for storing an image until continuous printing is instructed at the time of continuous reading, pressure plate opening / closing detecting means for detecting opening / closing of a pressure plate, platen A document reading means for detecting a document on the upper side, a continuous reading 2 in response to a detection state of the opening / closing detecting means.
An image forming apparatus provided with reading control means for automatically starting a document reading process after the first time. 2. An image forming apparatus comprising: a DF for feeding a set of originals sheet-by-page, an original reading unit, and a copy mode setting unit for setting various copy modes, according to the setting of the copy mode. Continuous reading mode determining means for performing continuous reading operation, image storing means for storing images until continuous printing is instructed at the time of continuous reading, and D for detecting that a document is set in DF.
F Continuous reading 2 in response to the detection state of the original detection means.
An image forming apparatus provided with reading control means for automatically starting a document reading process after the first time. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the continuous reading operation, the original is entirely read into the image memory by reading a pressure plate, reading a DF, or a combination thereof, and starts copy print output in response to a print start instruction. An image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the continuous reading mode, when reading the pressure plate, the copy mode setting means sets a double-sided output, a sort output, a group output, a cover / interleaf, and an OHP. Insertion, reduced layout, mixed originals, bookbinding, or continuous reading is set. When reading DF, if the continuous reading is set by the copy mode setting means, continuous continuous reading is automatically performed. An image forming apparatus that operates in a reading mode.