JP2004072233A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor the operability of which can be enhanced by making users perform take-out operations of paper from an in-body paper discharge unit in a natural attitude (conventionally, the users have peeped into the inside of the paper discharge unit in a squatting attitude and extracted paper while observing the state of paper discharging). <P>SOLUTION: The image processor incorporates a CCD camera 2 to photograph the in-body paper discharge unit 9, and the CCD camera 2 displays a picked-up image on a display screen attached to an operation section 1. The CCD camera is installed in front of the upper part of a space formed by the in-body paper discharge unit 9, so that an operator can virtually recognize the presence of paper from the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel of the operation section 1 so as to easily extract the paper in a natural attitude. Further, the image processor controls the CCD camera to activate photographing / display operations in required timings (the CCD camera is no activated when the operator is not present and after the lapse of a prescribed time at the end of image forming). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus (e.g., a copier, a printer, a facsimile, etc.) having an in-body paper discharge unit. The present invention relates to the image processing apparatus including a unit that can improve user operability.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a cylinder that discharges paper discharged through a copying process in a copying machine to a tray that protrudes outward from an apparatus main body to a space provided inside a main body without depending on a conventional method (wing type). The internal discharge type is widespread. The adoption of an in-body discharge type in a copying machine is based on the fact that digitization makes it possible to separate a document reading unit and an image forming (image forming) unit, and the space is used as a discharge space. In any case, the internal discharge type has the advantage of saving space (in the horizontal plane) compared to the wing type, but since the paper is discharged to the space provided in the apparatus main body, it is necessary for the user to notice the discharge. It becomes difficult. In particular, when a sheet is small, or in the case of a multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function, there may be no user at the time of reception, and there is a risk that the user may not notice that the sheet has been discharged.
[0003]
In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-78330 has been proposed. In this conventional example, the solution is to illuminate the paper discharge unit when paper is present in the paper discharge unit, and the configuration shown in FIG. 7 is disclosed as an embodiment thereof.
As shown in FIG. 7, a document reading unit (details other than a light source for document illumination 107 is not shown) and an operation unit 101, which can be read by an ADF (automatic document feeder) 106, are provided above a copying machine main body 105. And an in-body paper discharge unit 109 is provided between the original reading unit and the like and an image forming unit and a paper supply unit (not shown) provided below the main body 105. An image output tray 103 that receives the paper to be discharged after the image forming process is finished is provided in the internal paper discharge unit 109 (note that the user can easily take out the paper discharged inside the tray. Provided with a take-out part 110 having a notch in the center.
With such a configuration, light does not enter from the surroundings into the in-body discharge unit 109, and the inside state is dark and it is difficult to see the inside. Therefore, by illuminating the inside, it is intended to improve the visibility. . Here, the light from the light source 107 of the image reading unit is guided to the internal discharge unit 109 by the light transmitting member 108, and the discharged paper (output paper processed by the copy function or the facsimile function) is illuminated. ing. By performing such illumination when paper is present in the paper discharge unit, in this conventional example, the discharge of the paper to the internal discharge unit 109 is easily noticed, and the paper in the internal discharge unit 109 is visually recognized. It is possible to improve the quality.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, by illuminating the paper discharge section when paper is present in the internal discharge section, the discharge of the paper is easily noticed, and the visibility of the paper is improved, whereby the paper can be taken out from the paper discharge section. Although it facilitates and makes a certain contribution to the improvement of the operability at the time of paper removal by the user, the operability at the time of paper removal still has a problem inherent in the internal discharge. In other words, in the internal discharge, when the user takes out the ejected paper, it crouches and looks into the paper discharge section because it is internal discharge, and removes the paper while watching the paper discharge inside the paper discharge section Need to do. This operation impairs a more desirable mode of operation in which a user standing in front of the apparatus can perform operations naturally.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems in the related art, and has as its object to provide an image processing apparatus (for example, an image processing apparatus having a paper discharge unit provided inside a body as a paper discharge place of paper used for image processing). Copiers, printers, facsimile machines, multi-function machines based on copiers, etc.) to improve the operability by allowing the user to naturally take out the paper from the internal discharge section. It is another object of the present invention to provide the image processing apparatus provided with a unit that enables the image processing.
In addition, a device with higher performance is provided by controlling the operation so that the means provided to meet the above-mentioned purpose of improving operability operate at a required timing without lowering its function. It is a further purpose.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input operation unit provided with a display screen operated by a video signal, an image processing unit for processing an image in accordance with an instruction from the input operation unit, and an inner body serving as a paper discharge location for the image processing. An image processing apparatus having an in-body paper discharge unit provided in the image processing apparatus, wherein a CCD camera for photographing the in-body paper discharge unit is built in, and a display screen provided by the CCD camera is attached to the input operation unit. An image processing apparatus comprising a paper ejection state photographing / displaying means for projecting the image on a paper.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, when the image processing unit includes a reading unit for reading an image illuminated by a light source, the light source captures an image of an internal discharge unit. It is characterized in that it is commonly used for lighting.
[0007]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the discharge state photographing / display unit is configured to perform image processing on the processing unit after the discharge to the internal discharge unit. Has been completed, and a control means for operating the apparatus until a predetermined time has elapsed is provided.
[0008]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the third aspect, there is provided a human detecting unit for detecting that a person is near the apparatus, and the control unit detects the presence of the person by the human detecting unit. The discharge state photographing / display means is operated when the sheet is discharged.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An image processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on the following embodiments shown with the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, as an embodiment relating to the image processing apparatus of the present invention, an example in which the present invention is applied to a digital copying machine (a composite type having a facsimile function or the like) will be described. An outline of the function will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-body paper discharge unit of a copying machine according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when the copying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control system for controlling the operation of the copying machine shown in FIGS.
The copying machine according to this embodiment is provided with a document reading unit (not shown except for the document illumination light source 7) and an input operation unit 1 which can be read by an ADF (automatic document feeder) at the upper part of the main body 5. The document reading unit reads a copy / FAX document and converts image information (optical signal) of the document into an electric signal.
An image forming unit (illustration, omitted) is disposed substantially at the center of the main body 5, and a paper feeding unit (illustration, omitted) is provided below the image forming unit. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet from a sheet feeding unit using print data generated based on an image signal such as copy / fax. An in-body paper discharge unit 9 is provided in a space provided between an image forming unit and a paper supply unit provided at a lower part of the main body 5 and a document reading unit and an input operation unit 1 provided at an upper part (FIGS. 1 to 3). The sheet after image formation is discharged here.
[0010]
In the document reading unit, a document illuminated by the light source 7 is photoelectrically read by a CCD image sensor. As a reading operation, a method capable of operating in both a pressure plate (book document) / sheet-through mode may be adopted. It is possible. Scanning by a scanner is essential for the operation of reading a book document. In the sheet-through reading operation, it is preferable that the operation of reading a plurality of documents continuously using the function of the ADF is enabled.
The image forming unit is a print engine normally used in an electrophotographic copying machine, and includes a laser writing device, an electrophotographic process unit, a fixing device, and the like. The paper feed unit has a plurality of paper feed cassettes and supplies paper to the image forming unit, which also can be normally used in a copying machine.
Of the three sides excluding the front side, the inside paper discharge unit 9 is usually surrounded on two sides or three sides by a side wall surface, and the upper and lower sides are surrounded by a reading unit and an image forming unit. As shown in FIG. 1, a paper discharge tray 3 is provided at the bottom of the internal paper discharge unit 9, a paper conveyance path is provided in a side wall surrounding the paper discharge unit, and the paper on which an image is formed by the image forming unit is provided. The paper passes through this side wall and is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 3 from the paper discharge port 4 in the cylinder that opens into the paper discharge section 9.
[0011]
Here, an operation using the copy function in the copying machine according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to an example in a pressure plate (book original) reading mode.
When reading a pressure plate (book document), the pressure plate integrated with the ADF is opened, and the document is placed on the contact glass surface above the scanner in order to perform reading using the scanner. After closing the pressure plate, the user performs an input operation such as the number of copies from the input operation unit 1 and presses a start button. Then, reading of a document illuminated by the light source 7 by the scanner is started, and the read document is read. The image information is photoelectrically converted by a CCD image sensor and then processed by an image processing unit as a digital image signal usable on an output side (image forming unit). Using a print data generated based on the processed digital image signal, the image forming unit forms a latent image on the photoreceptor by optical writing in the image forming unit, visualizes it with toner, and feeds it from the paper cassette of the paper feeding unit A series of electrophotographic processes such as transfer of a toner image to the transferred sheet and fixing of the transferred toner image on the sheet are performed, and the sheet is discharged onto the discharge tray 3 of the internal discharge section 9.
In the case of the operation using the facsimile function in the copying machine of the present embodiment, the original set on the ADF is read by a scanner, and the obtained image signal is subjected to a binarization process and transmitted to an external line as a FAX signal. On the other hand, when printing out the received image information, print data is generated based on the received FAX signal, and thereafter, an image is formed by a series of electrophotographic processes in the same manner as the above-described copy processing. Discharge up.
[0012]
Here, a control system for controlling operations relating to copy / fax processing in the copying machine shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described with reference to the schematic block diagram of FIG.
The system control unit 20 shown in FIG. 4 functions as a system controller that controls the operation of the entire copying machine, and internally processes a CPU, a ROM for storing a control program, and image information and control information according to the control program. And the like for providing a work memory for the operation. In this example, the system control unit 20 functioning as a system controller includes an input operation unit 21 (corresponding to the input operation unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3), an ADF 22, a document reading unit 23, an image memory 24, The processing unit 25, the non-volatile memory 26, the paper feed unit 27, the image forming unit 28, the fixing unit 29, the paper discharge unit 30, the paper discharge completion recognition unit 31, the paper discharge unit paper presence detection unit 32, and the human body detection unit 33 (FIG. 2) , 3), a CCD camera 34, and the like, and perform the operations related to the copy / FAX process outlined above.
Further, the input operation unit 21 (corresponding to the input operation unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3) has an operation function for inputting a command such as an operation condition requested by the user, and also provides the user with a state of the copying machine side. By making the notification, a dialog-type operation can be realized, and control of the display unit 11, for example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel, which is an element for this, is required. The document reading unit 23 requires control of a scanner and a light source necessary for reading. A CCD camera 34 and a display are provided to control an operation of photographing and displaying the state of the paper feed unit when paper is present in the internal paper discharge unit 9 (described later in detail). The unit 11, a discharge completion recognition unit 31, a discharge unit paper presence / absence detection unit 32, and a human body detection unit 33 are used.
[0013]
Next, a description will be given of an embodiment relating to a means for photographing the inside of the in-body paper discharge unit 9 and projecting the image on the screen of the operation unit, which characterizes the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to improve the operability by allowing a user (operator) to naturally take out a sheet from an in-body paper discharge unit, and to improve the operability. It is characterized in that a CCD camera for photographing the paper discharge unit is built in, and a means for projecting an image captured by the CCD camera on a display screen attached to the input operation unit is provided.
It is necessary that the CCD camera for photographing the inside paper discharge unit be arranged in a place where it does not interfere with the discharge of paper to the paper discharge tray after image formation or the removal of paper from the paper discharge tray by the operator. . Furthermore, in order to allow the user to naturally take out the paper from the internal paper discharge unit, an image taken by the CCD camera is displayed on the screen of the input operation unit, and when the operator looks at the screen. In addition, it is desirable to be able to take an image from a direction in which the state of the sheet placed on the sheet discharge tray can be visually recognized.
[0014]
In the copying machine shown in the above-described embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4), the CCD camera 2 for photographing the inside of the in-body paper discharge unit 9 is located at the upper front of the space created by the in-body paper discharge unit 9, that is, the input operation unit 1 The operator (see FIG. 3) standing toward is positioned at a position where the screen can be photographed so that the operator can feel the presence of the paper discharged to the internal discharge unit 9 (see FIG. 1). The state of the paper discharged to the internal discharge unit 9 is photographed by the CCD camera 2 arranged as described above, and the image is displayed on the screen of the liquid crystal display panel of the input operation unit 1 as shown in FIG. The display screen is displayed, and the presence of the paper can be recognized in a virtual manner, thereby facilitating the operation of taking out the paper. In addition, it is possible to perform an operation of taking out a sheet in an extremely natural state when looking at the liquid crystal display panel of the input operation unit 1.
In addition, when taking a picture with the CCD camera 2, there may be a case where the photographing light is insufficient. Although it is possible to provide a dedicated light source for photographing, the light source used for reading in the document reading unit is shared here as the light source for photographing. When taking out the paper from the paper output unit, since the image formation is completed, it is effective to adopt this method when it can be considered that the reading of the original is stopped. In order to obtain photographing light from the light source 7 of the document reading unit, it is necessary to guide the light from the light source 7 to the internal discharge unit 9, for example, the upper surface of the internal discharge unit 9 facing the discharge unit. This can be implemented by providing a light transmitting member 8 (a transparent member or a transmission hole) in the casing of the document reading unit.
[0015]
Next, by controlling the CCD camera 2 to perform the operation of photographing the internal discharge unit 9 and projecting it on the operation unit at a necessary timing, the power consumption required for useless operation is suppressed, and a higher power consumption is achieved. An embodiment designed to improve performance will be described.
In this example, the job (image forming process) requested by the user is completed, and the operation of projecting the state of the internal discharge unit 9 photographed by the CCD camera 2 onto the operation unit until a predetermined time has elapsed is performed. The display operation is prevented from continuing unnecessarily.
FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of photographing / display according to the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 5, the photographing / display control operation of the present example performed by the system control unit 20 (see FIG. 4) will be described. First, it is confirmed that the image formation has been completed (S1). Here, the end of the image formation is based on confirming the recognition result in the paper discharge completion recognition unit 31. The paper ejection completion recognizing unit 31 checks the processing of the page image by a sensor that detects the paper ejection from the paper ejecting unit, for example, and performs a process of recognizing that the paper ejection according to the user setting has been performed.
When the end of the image formation is confirmed (S1-YES), the photographing of the inner discharge unit 9 by the CCD camera 2 is started, and the photographed image is displayed on the LCD panel of the input operation unit 21 (S2). At this time, when the light source of the document reading unit 23 is used as the light source, lighting control of the light source is performed.
The photographing / display operation by the CCD camera 2 is terminated when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start, so that the timer for starting the time counting by starting the photographing is moved, and thereafter, it is confirmed that the predetermined time set in the timer has passed (S3). . Normally, the predetermined time is set to a time sufficient for the user to take out the paper from the paper discharge unit. However, since different measures are required depending on the use conditions, the user can arbitrarily set the predetermined time.
When the elapse of the predetermined time is confirmed (S3-YES), the photographing of the inner discharge unit 9 by the CCD camera 2 is terminated. At the same time, the display on the LCD panel of the input operation unit 21 is terminated, and if the light source is turned on, the light source is turned off, and the control operation according to this flow ends.
[0016]
Next, with the same intention as in the above-described embodiment (FIG. 5), still another embodiment in which the CCD camera 2 controls the photographing of the internal discharge unit 9 and the operation of projecting the photographed image on the operation unit at a required timing is performed. Is shown.
In the present embodiment, assuming a situation in which a user is waiting to take out a sheet from the sheet discharge unit, the photographing / display operation by the CCD camera is performed when a condition that a person (operator) exists near the copying machine is satisfied. Is performed, and an operation is performed so that the operation is not performed when the operation is not performed.
In order to realize this operation, a human body detection unit for detecting the presence of a person near the copying machine is provided. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, this detecting unit is provided at a position where an operator who stands in front of the copying machine and operates can be detected. In this case, the human body detection unit 33 corresponds to this), and the present invention can be implemented by applying known means used for this type of application.
The embodiment described below corresponds to a case where the paper is taken out from the paper discharge unit immediately after the completion of the image formation, or a case where the operator leaves the place after the completion of the image formation and takes out the paper after a while. In this way, it is checked whether or not there is a sheet in the sheet discharge unit. If there is a sheet, the photographing / display operation is performed by the CCD camera. This is also different from the above embodiment (FIG. 5). The means for detecting the presence of a sheet in the sheet discharge unit can be implemented by providing a sheet presence / absence detection unit 32 in the sheet discharge tray 3 provided in the sheet discharge unit 9.
[0017]
FIG. 6 is a control flowchart of photographing / display according to the present embodiment.
Referring to FIG. 6, the photographing / display control operation of the present example performed by the system control unit 20 (see FIG. 4) will be described. First, the human body detection unit 15 determines whether or not the operator is standing in front of the copying machine. A check is made based on the detection result (S11). Here, when there is no operator (no person is detected) (S11-NO), the situation is not such that the operator is on standby to perform an operation (in this case, take out paper from the paper discharge unit). Therefore, this control flow ends.
On the other hand, if there is an operator (a person has been detected) (S11-YES), it is determined whether there is a sheet in the sheet discharge unit to determine whether or not the operator performs an operation of removing the sheet from the sheet discharge unit. It is checked whether or not it is (S12). The presence / absence of paper in the paper discharge unit is based on checking the detection result by the paper presence / absence detection unit 32 of the paper discharge unit. As the paper output unit paper presence / absence detection unit 32, for example, a sensor provided on the paper output tray 3 for detecting the presence of paper is used. Here, when there is no paper in the paper discharge unit (S12-NO), the operator does not perform the operation of taking out the paper from the paper discharge unit, and thus performs the photographing / display control operation using the CCD camera. Instead, the control flow ends.
[0018]
If there is a sheet in the sheet discharge unit in step S12 (S12-YES), the operator determines that the user is performing an operation to take out the sheet from the sheet discharge unit, and performs the photographing / display operation using the CCD camera. Follow the steps.
As a procedure, it is confirmed that the image formation has been completed so that the photographing / display operation is not performed unnecessarily (S13). The end of the image formation is based on confirming the recognition result in the paper discharge completion recognition unit 31. The paper ejection completion recognizing unit 31 checks the processing of the page image by a sensor that detects the paper ejection from the paper ejecting unit, for example, and performs a process of recognizing that the paper ejection according to the user setting has been performed.
When the end of the image formation is confirmed (S13-YES), the photographing of the inner discharge unit 9 by the CCD camera 2 is started, and the photographed image is displayed on the LCD panel of the input operation unit 21 (S14). At this time, when the light source of the document reading unit 23 is used as the light source, lighting control of the light source is performed.
The photographing / display operation by the CCD camera 2 is terminated when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start, so that the timer for starting the time measurement by starting the photographing is operated, and thereafter, it is confirmed that the predetermined time set in the timer has passed (S15). . Normally, the predetermined time is set to a time sufficient for the user to take out the paper from the paper discharge unit. However, since different measures are required depending on the use conditions, the user can arbitrarily set the predetermined time.
When the elapse of the predetermined time is confirmed (S15-YES), the photographing of the inner discharge unit 9 by the CCD camera 2 is terminated. At the same time, the display on the LCD panel of the input operation unit 21 is ended, and if the light source is turned on, the light source is turned off (S17), and the control operation according to this flow ends.
Here, if the paper is taken out by the user before the predetermined time elapses, the photographing / display operation is uselessly performed. It is checked (S16). If it is determined that the paper is out, that is, it is considered that the paper is taken out (S16-NO), the photographing / display operation by the CCD camera 2 is terminated (S17), and the control operation according to this flow is performed. Finish.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
(1) An effect corresponding to the first and second aspects of the present invention. A built-in CCD camera for photographing the paper discharge section inside the body, and an image captured by the CCD camera can be displayed on a display screen attached to the input operation section. As a result, the user can take out the paper ejected naturally while looking at the appearance of the paper output unit projected on the display screen, and conventionally, he crouched and looked into the internal paper discharge unit, This makes it possible to eliminate the disadvantage that the user has to perform the take-out operation while observing the state of paper ejection. In addition, since the light source used for the image reading means is shared with the illumination for photographing the internal discharge unit, disadvantages of providing a new light source for photographing (the function of the internal discharge unit Therefore, it is possible to provide a high-performance device by avoiding securing and installing a space that does not impair the use, inefficiently using resources, and increasing costs.
[0020]
(2) Effect according to the third aspect of the invention The image pickup / display operation of the discharge state by the CCD camera is performed until a predetermined time elapses after the image processing for the processing unit is completed, so that the image pickup / display operation becomes unnecessary. The continuation can be limited, power consumption required for useless operation can be suppressed, and higher performance can be achieved.
(3) Effects corresponding to the fourth aspect of the invention In addition to the effect of the above (2), when a condition that a person (operator) is present near the image processing apparatus is satisfied, the photographing / display operation by the CCD camera is performed. , An operation that does not operate when it is not present is avoided, so that unnecessary operations such as shooting and displaying operations when an operator is absent are avoided, power consumption required for useless operations is suppressed, and higher performance is achieved. It becomes possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-cylinder paper discharge unit of a copying machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the copying machine shown in FIG. 1 when viewed from above.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state when the copying machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is used.
FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a control system for controlling the operation of the copying machine shown in FIGS.
FIG. 5 shows a control flow of a shooting / display operation by the CCD camera 2 in the copying machine shown in FIGS.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the control flow of the photographing / display operation by the CCD camera 2 in the copying machine shown in FIGS.
FIG. 7 shows a conventional example of a copying machine provided with a means for illuminating an inner paper discharge unit.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 21 ... input operation unit, 2, 34 ... CCD camera,
3: paper discharge tray, 4: inner paper discharge port,
5 ... device body, 7 ... light source,
8: light transmitting member, 9: paper discharge section in the body,
11, 21, display unit (LCD panel),
15, 33: human body detecting section, 23: original reading section,
31: paper discharge completion recognition unit; 32: paper discharge unit paper presence / absence detection unit.

Claims (4)

An input operation unit provided with a display screen operated by a video signal, an image processing unit for processing an image in accordance with an instruction of the input operation unit, and a discharge inside the cylinder provided in the cylinder as a discharge place of the paper used for the image processing An image processing apparatus having a built-in CCD camera for photographing the inside paper discharge section, and photographing a discharge state photographing image projected by the CCD camera on a display screen attached to the input operation section. An image processing apparatus comprising a display unit. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the image processing unit includes a reading unit for reading an image illuminated by a light source, the light source is commonly used for illumination for photographing the internal discharge unit. An image processing apparatus, comprising: 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge state photographing / display unit is configured to perform a predetermined time after the image processing for the processing unit is completed after the discharge to the internal discharge unit is performed. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a control unit configured to operate until an operation is performed. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a person detecting unit configured to detect a presence of a person near the device, wherein the control unit captures a sheet ejection state when the person detecting unit detects the presence of a person. -An image processing apparatus characterized by operating display means.

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