JP2004320224A - Device and method for image reading and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reading device which is capable of selecting the page of manuscripts so as to output any on paper or in electronic information in the order of pages. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading device is equipped with a transfer means which transfers a unit sheet of the stacked manuscripts at a time successively, a first read means which read in an image on the first page of the manuscripts transferred by the transfer means, a second read means which reads in an image on the second page of the manuscripts, and a selecting means which selects either the first or the second page of the manuscripts. The manuscripts are read by the first or the second read means depending on the read page of the manuscripts selected by the selecting means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, an image reading method, and a control program mounted on a multi-function peripheral (MFP: Multi Function Peripheral) or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a copier that performs one-sided reading with one image sensor and discharges the copied recording paper face-up is configured to read the original in reverse order from the last page in order to align the page order of the copied recording paper. (For example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
[0003]
In an image reading apparatus that reads both sides of a document using two independent image sensors, a single-sided document is read when the document is conveyed by an auto document feeder (ADF) and the image information of the document is read. In this case, the first image sensor scans the surface of the original with the first image sensor that reads the original placed on the platen glass to acquire image data in the normal order of the pages. The image sensor scans the front side of the document and the second image sensor for reading the back side of the document scans the back side of the document to obtain image information in the order of pages (for example, see Patent Document 3).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2000-188666 A
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-320551 A
[Patent Document 3]
JP 2002-199181 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case where the above-described copying machine using one image sensor is added to the MFP with a communication function with an external device such as a personal computer to form an MFP, the copying can be performed in the normal order, but the read image data is used as electronic information. If so, the pages will be in reverse order of data.
[0006]
In an image reading apparatus that reads both sides of a document with two independent image sensors, a first image sensor for reading a single-sided document is used as an image sensor for reading a document fixed on a platen. When copying an original read by an MFP configured in combination with a printer that discharges face-up, or when transmitting image information read by an image reading device to another face-up printer and printing it, If images are read in page order by the reading device and printed in the order in which they were read, printed output sheets will be stacked in reverse order.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and provides an image reading apparatus in which a reading surface of a document can be selected so that either an electronic information output or a paper output can be output in the order of pages. The purpose is to do.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, conveying means for sequentially conveying the stacked n documents, first reading means for reading an image on the lower surface of the document, and second reading for reading an image on the upper surface of the document Means, when reading only a one-sided image of the document by one of the first or second reading means, according to the output form of the read image information, the first or second reading means Selecting means for selecting.
[0009]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0010]
[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of MFP>
FIG. 1 is an overview diagram showing a schematic configuration of an MFP device equipped with an image reading device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0011]
This MFP apparatus includes an image forming apparatus 1, an image reading apparatus 2 arranged on the image forming apparatus 1, and an operation panel 3 arranged on the front of the image reading apparatus 2.
[0012]
<Configuration of image reading device 2>
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the configuration of the image reading device 2 shown in FIG.
[0013]
In the image reading apparatus 2, an ADF including a document placing table 26 and a paper feed unit 29 is mounted on a document table glass 25, and the reading operation is controlled by a control board 27.
[0014]
The second optical unit 22 for reading the upper surface of the document P when reading in the sheet-through mode of the image reading device 2 and a transport system are disposed in the paper feeding unit 29, and are integrated with the document setting table 26 and the document table glass. 25 (ADF), and can be opened and closed by a hinge disposed on the back side of the main body.
[0015]
The document placed on the document placing table 26 with its front face down is picked up by a pickup roller (not shown), and only the lowermost document is separated by a separation mechanism (not shown). The separated and fed document is transported in the direction of the arrow by the transport roller 23, passes through the document reading position, and is discharged by the discharge roller 24 in the direction of the arrow.
[0016]
The first optical unit 21 is an optical unit having a first linear image sensor such as a CCD for reading image information of a surface facing down on a document, and can be operated in the left-right direction of FIG. 2 by a motor (not shown). In the sheet through mode, image information on the front side of the original is read through the original platen glass 25 while being fixed at the position shown in FIG. Further, the second optical unit 22 is an optical unit having a second linear image sensor such as a CCD for reading image information of the surface of the document facing upward, and connects the first optical unit 21 to the document transport path. It is fixedly arranged at a position on the opposite side of the sandwich. The two optical units 21 and 22 are configured so that the lower surface and the upper surface of the document can be read one by one, or both the upper and lower surfaces can be read at a time.
[0017]
<Internal structure of optical unit>
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the optical unit 21 or 22 shown in FIG. 2, and the first and second optical units 21 and 22 have the same structure.
[0018]
Reference numeral 31 denotes a light source for irradiating the document surface, and reference numeral 32 denotes a reflector for increasing illuminance on the document surface. The original is illuminated by the irradiation light from the light source 31 and the reflection light reflected by the reflection plate 32, and the reflection light is reflected by the reflection mirrors 33, 34, 35, 36, and 37, respectively. An image is formed on the top, and one line of image information is obtained.
[0019]
When reading a document in the flat bed mode, the ADF is opened to the front with the hinge as the center of rotation, the document is placed on the platen glass 25, the ADF is closed, and the document is sandwiched and read by the ADF. The first optical unit 21 is driven by a motor (not shown) on a rail 28 and sequentially reads line image information on the surface of the original loaded on the original platen glass 25 while moving in the direction of the arrow, and reads the line information on the surface of the original 2. Obtain dimensional image information.
[0020]
<Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Apparatus 1>
Next, an outline of the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
[0022]
At the lower part of the image forming apparatus 1, paper feed cassettes 131 and 135 loaded with recording paper are mounted. Above the paper feed side of the paper feed cassettes 131 and 135, paper feed rollers 124 and 134 for sequentially feeding paper in the conveyance path from the uppermost recording paper are arranged, respectively.
[0023]
Now, a case where paper is fed from the paper feed cassette 131 will be described. The recording paper separated from the paper feed cassette 131 by the paper feed roller 124 and fed to the transport path is transported to the position of the sensor 127 by the transport rollers 119, 118, and 115. The sensor 127 is arranged to synchronize the leading edge position of the recording paper with the light emission timing of the laser scanner 104 as an exposure light source and to draw an image from a predetermined position on the recording paper.
[0024]
A photosensitive drum (photoreceptor) 110 on which an image is formed is unitized integrally with a developing unit 109, a charger (not shown), a cleaning device, and the like in a process cartridge 120. After the surface of the photosensitive drum 110 is uniformly charged by the charger, the photosensitive drum 110 is exposed to laser light emitted from the laser scanner 104 and reaches the photosensitive drum 110 via the polygon mirror 105 and the mirror 108, and is exposed to the electrostatic latent image. An image is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 110 is applied with toner by the developing device 109 to become a toner image, and this toner image is transferred to a recording sheet passing between the photosensitive drum 110 and the transfer roller 117. .
[0025]
The recording sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to a fixing device (fixing unit) 126 by a conveyance roller 116 along a conveyance guide. The fixing device 126 includes a fixing roller 111a heated by a heater (not shown) and a pressure roller 111b pressed against the fixing roller 111a. When the recording paper passes through the nip portion between the rollers 111a and 111b, the fixing device Is heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the recording paper.
[0026]
When performing printing on only one side and printing on the second side of double-sided printing, the flapper 122 is controlled to a position indicated by a solid line out of a solid line and a broken line in FIG. The sheet is guided to the pair 112 and is discharged onto the discharge tray 113.
[0027]
When performing the printing operation on the first side of the double-sided printing, the flappers 122 and 123 are respectively controlled to the positions shown by the broken lines in the figure, and the recording paper passing through the fixing device 126 is transported by the transport rollers 125 to the temporary transport path. Transport. After the trailing edge of the recording paper has passed through the flapper 123, the flapper 123 is turned in the direction of the broken line, the transport roller 125 is reversed, and is guided to the transport roller 128 in the opposite direction from the trailing edge of the recording paper by a switchback operation. The recording paper transported by the transport roller 128 is guided to the transport roller 129 with the printed surface facing down and the unprinted surface facing upward, transported immediately before the transport roller 130, and temporarily stopped.
[0028]
Thereafter, during the printing operation on the second side, the recording paper on which single-side printing has been performed is conveyed to the position of the sensor 127 by the conveying rollers 130, 118, and 115, and the toner image on the second side is printed on the recording paper in the same sequence as the first-side printing. The toner image formed on the recording paper is heated and pressed by the fixing device 126 and is fixed to the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing device 126 and has the toner images formed and fixed on both sides is guided to the paper discharge roller pair 112 by the flapper 122 being controlled to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. Is discharged to
[0029]
<Operation of First Embodiment>
Next, the operation according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0030]
I. Operation when scanning a single-sided original and copying it on recording paper
It is assumed that three single-sided originals are set on the ADF, read out, and copied on recording paper.
[0031]
The user presses the copy mode designation key 302 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and designates the mode of the MFP as the copy mode (steps S11 and S12). When the copy mode is designated, the display unit 301 displays that the current mode is the copy mode. At the same time, when the ADF is used, a guide for setting the original face up is displayed on the display unit 301 (step S13). FIG. 7A shows the display state of the operation panel 3 at this time.
[0032]
When the original is set on the ADF and the start key 305 is pressed (step S14), the lowermost original of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the original reading position, and the image of the upper surface of the original is scanned by the second optical unit 22. The information is read. When the reading of the first document is completed, the second and third documents are fed and sequentially read in the same manner (steps S15 and S16). FIG. 8A is an explanatory diagram of the document stacking state and reading order at this time. In the figure, a white arrow W1 indicates the direction in which the document is transported, and a black arrow W2 indicates the surface of the document read by the optical unit 22.
[0033]
As shown in FIG. 9, the image files of the document images read in order in this manner include the document image information of the third page at the top, the document image information of the second page, and the document image information of the first page. It becomes order of.
[0034]
The read document image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S17), and first, the document image information of the third page is formed on the recording paper, and the print surface faces upward on the discharge tray 113. Is discharged. Subsequently, the document image information of the second page is formed on the recording paper, and similarly, the document image information of the third page already discharged on the discharge tray 113 is discharged onto the recording paper on which the copy is made. . Similarly, the document image information of the first page is formed on the recording paper, and the document image information of the second page already discharged on the discharge tray 113 is discharged onto the copied recording paper (step S18, Step S19).
[0035]
The printing paper thus copied is stacked on the paper output tray 113 in such a manner that the printing surface faces upward as shown in FIG.
[0036]
II. Operation when scanning a single-sided original and distributing it via a network
Next, a case will be described in which three single-sided originals are set on the ADF, read, and the read image information is distributed as an electronic file to a personal computer (PC) via a network.
[0037]
The user presses the document distribution mode designation key 304 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and designates the mode of the MFP device as the document distribution mode (step S12).
[0038]
When the document distribution mode is designated, the display unit 301 displays that the current mode is the document distribution mode. At the same time, when the ADF is used, a guide for setting the document face down is displayed on the display unit 301 (step S20). The display state of the operation panel 3 at this time is shown in FIG.
[0039]
When the address of the distribution destination is input from the touch panel provided on the display unit 301, the original is set on the ADF, and the start key 305 is pressed (step S21), the original at the bottom of the ADF is picked up and the original is read. The document is transported to the position, and the first optical unit 21 reads the image information on the downward surface of the document. When the reading of the first document is completed, the second and third documents are fed and sequentially read in the same manner (steps S22 and S23).
[0040]
FIG. 8B is an explanatory diagram of the document stacking state and the reading order at this time. In the figure, a white arrow W3 indicates the document conveyance direction, and a black arrow W4 indicates the document surface read by the optical unit 21.
[0041]
As shown in FIG. 9B, the image files of the document images read in order in this way are arranged in page order from the document image information of the first page. The read document image information is distributed to a PC specified by a distribution destination address via a network as electronic file information in which image information of the document is arranged in page order (steps S24 and S25).
[0042]
III. Operation when scanning two-sided originals and making one-sided copies on recording paper
Next, a case will be described in which three double-sided originals are set on the ADF, the six-page original information is read, and each side is copied onto six sheets of recording paper.
[0043]
The user presses the copy mode designation key 302 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and designates the mode of the MFP device as the copy mode (step S31). When the copy mode is designated, the display unit 301 displays that the current mode is the copy mode. At the same time, when the ADF is used, a guide for setting the original face up (upward) is displayed on the display unit 301 (step S32). FIG. 7A shows the display state of the operation panel 3 at this time.
[0044]
Next, a copy mode from both sides to one side is selected, and the original is set on the ADF. FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the document setting state and the reading order at this time. In the drawing, a white arrow W5 indicates the direction of document transport, and black arrows W6 and W7 indicate document surfaces read by the optical units 21 and 22.
[0045]
Subsequently, when the start key 305 is pressed (step S33), the lowermost document of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the document reading position, and the first optical unit 21 causes the image of the lower surface (page 6) of the document to be read. The information is read, and the image information of the upward surface (5 pages) of the document is read by the second optical unit 22 (step S34).
[0046]
The read document image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S35), and first, the image information of the downward face (6 pages) of the document read by the first optical unit 21 is formed on the recording paper. The paper is discharged onto the paper discharge tray 113 with the print surface facing upward. Subsequently, the image information of the upward surface (5 pages) of the original read by the second optical unit 22 is formed on the recording paper, and the original is discharged onto the discharge tray 113 with the print surface facing upward (step S36). ).
[0047]
Then, the next document is picked up and conveyed to the document reading position, similarly read, printed on the fourth and third pages, and discharged onto the discharge tray 113. Similarly, two pages and one page are sequentially discharged onto the discharge tray 113 (step S37).
[0048]
The printed sheets copied in this manner are stacked on the discharge tray 113 in such a manner that the printing surface faces upward and the pages from the first page to the sixth page are arranged in order from the top.
[0049]
IV. Operation when scanning 2-sided originals and copying on both sides of recording paper
Next, a case will be described in which three double-sided originals are set on the ADF, these six pages are read, and copied on both sides of recording paper.
[0050]
The user presses the copy mode designation key 302 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and designates the mode of the MFP device as the copy mode (step S41). When the copy mode is designated, the display unit 301 displays that the current mode is the copy mode. At the same time, when the ADF is used, a guide for setting the original face up (upward) is displayed on the display unit 301 (step S42). FIG. 7A shows the display state of the operation panel 3 at this time.
[0051]
When copying from both sides to both sides is selected, and the original is set on the ADF in the state shown in FIG. 11 and the start key 305 is pressed (step S43), the lowermost original of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the original reading position. Then, the first optical unit 21 reads the image information on the downward surface (page 6) of the document, and the second optical unit 22 reads the image information on the upward surface (page 5) of the document (step S44). ).
[0052]
The read document image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1 (step S45), and first, the image information of the downward face (6 pages) of the document read by the first optical unit 21 is formed on the recording paper. The recording paper is turned over by the double-sided paper feeding unit and fed again, and the image information of the upper surface (page 5) of the original read by the second optical unit 22 is formed on the recording paper and discharged. The sheet is discharged onto the tray 113 (Step S46).
[0053]
Subsequently, the next document is picked up and conveyed to the document reading position, similarly read, and the fourth and third pages are printed on the front and back of the same recording paper and discharged onto the paper discharge tray 113. Similarly, two pages and one page are printed on the front and back sides of the same recording paper and are discharged onto the discharge tray 113 (step S47).
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 12, the three printed sheets copied in this manner are stacked on the discharge tray 113 in the order of page 1 to page 6 with the top surface being the first page.
[0055]
V. Operation when scanning two-sided originals and distributing them over a network
Next, a case will be described in which three double-sided originals are set on the ADF, these six pages are read, and the read image information is distributed to a PC via a network as an electronic file.
[0056]
The user presses the document distribution mode designation key 304 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and designates the mode of the MFP device as the document distribution mode (step S41). When the document distribution mode is designated, the display unit 301 displays that the current mode is the document distribution mode. At the same time, when the ADF is used, a guide for setting the original face down (downward) is displayed on the display unit 301 (step S50). The display state of the operation panel 3 at this time is shown in FIG.
[0057]
When the address of the distribution destination is input from the touch panel provided on the display unit 301, the original is set on the ADF and the start key 305 is pressed, the original at the bottom of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the original reading position. Then, the first optical unit 21 reads the image information on the downward surface (first page) of the document, and the second optical unit 22 reads the upward surface (second page) of the document (step S52). When the reading of the first document is completed, the second and third documents are fed and sequentially read in the same manner (step S53).
[0058]
The image information read in this manner is obtained by arranging the image information read by the first optical unit 21 first and the image information read by the second optical unit 22 next to the image information via a network as electronic file information. Is delivered to the PC specified by the delivery destination address (steps S54 and S55). At this time, the image files of the read original images are arranged in the correct order from the first page to the sixth page.
[0059]
As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to output in the order of pages, either in the form of electronic information output or paper output.
[0060]
In the present embodiment, the document distribution is described as being performed to the PC via the network. However, the document distribution may be performed by a FAX function using a telephone line. Further, in the present embodiment, the ADF having a configuration in which the originals are picked up from the bottom has been described. However, an ADF having a configuration in which the originals are picked up from the top may be similarly configured so that the original reading surface is selected so that an output can be obtained in the page order. Just fine.
[0061]
[Second embodiment]
FIG. 13 is an external plan view showing the configuration of the image reading device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0062]
In the present embodiment, a display unit 901 for guiding and displaying the reading surface of a document to be set on the ADF is provided on the document table 26, which is different from the configuration of the first embodiment.
[0063]
FIGS. 14A and 14B are detailed views of the display unit 901. FIG. The main display unit 901 is formed with a document front-facing pattern and a document back-facing pattern, and these patterns can be individually illuminated by a light source disposed on the back of each pattern. I have.
[0064]
<Operation of Second Embodiment>
I. Operation when scanning a single-sided original and copying it on recording paper
Now, assume a case where three single-sided originals are read using the ADF and copied onto recording paper.
[0065]
The user presses a copy mode designation key 302 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and designates the mode of the MFP apparatus as the copy mode. When the copy mode is designated, the display unit 301 displays that the current mode is the copy mode. At the same time, the light source arranged on the back of the document face-up pattern on the display unit 901 on the ADF document setting table 26 is turned on, and the light source arranged on the back of the document face-down pattern is turned off, as shown in FIG. Thus, the user is guided to set the original face up. The operation after the document is set on the ADF and the start key 305 is pressed is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0066]
II. Operation when scanning a single-sided original and distributing it via a network
Next, a case will be described in which three single-sided documents are read by the ADF, and the read image information is distributed to a PC via a network as an electronic file.
[0067]
The user presses a document distribution mode designation key 304 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and designates the mode of the MFP apparatus as the document distribution mode. When the document distribution mode is designated, the display unit 301 displays that the current mode is the document distribution mode. At the same time, the light source disposed on the back side of the document front-facing pattern on the display unit 901 on the ADF document mounting table 26 is turned off, and the light source disposed on the back of the document back-facing pattern is turned on, as shown in FIG. In this way, the user is guided to set the document face down.
[0068]
The operation after the address of the distribution destination is input from the touch panel provided on the display unit 301, the original is set on the ADF, and the start key 305 is pressed is the same as that of the first embodiment.
[0069]
As described above, in the book according to the present embodiment, the display unit 901 displays the guide of the setting direction of the document to be set on the ADF according to the designated mode, so that the user can read the read document exactly in the page order. Can be output.
[0070]
In this embodiment, the light source is turned on and off from the back of the pattern indicating the orientation of the original to display the front / back orientation, but a display device such as an LCD may be used.
[0071]
[Third embodiment]
FIG. 15 is an external plan view showing the configuration of the image reading device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
[0072]
In the present embodiment, a display unit 901 for guiding and displaying the reading surface of a document to be set on the ADF is provided on the ADF paper feeding unit 29, which is different from the configuration of the second embodiment.
[0073]
As in the first embodiment, the display unit 901 of the present embodiment has a pattern in which a document faces up and a pattern in which a document faces down, and individually illuminates with a light source arranged on the back of each pattern. You can do it. The operation after the document is set on the ADF and the start key 305 is pressed is the same as in the second embodiment.
[0074]
In the present embodiment, the display unit 901 does not hide behind the original even if the original is set on the original placing table 26. Therefore, even after setting the original, it is possible to check whether the orientation of the original is correct.
[0075]
[Fourth embodiment]
FIG. 16 is an overview diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an MFP device equipped with the image reading device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[0076]
The configuration of the MFP apparatus of the present embodiment differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 in the configuration of the image reading apparatus. That is, in the image forming apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, face-up discharge and face-down discharge can be selected, and when face-up discharge is selected, the recording paper is transferred to the face-up discharge tray 113. When the paper is discharged upward and face-down discharge is selected, the recording paper is discharged onto the face-down discharge tray 145.
[0077]
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1A shown in FIG. 16, and the outline of the configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1A will be described with reference to FIG. Elements common to those in FIG. 4 have the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0078]
When performing printing on only one side and printing on the second side of double-sided printing, the flapper 122 is controlled to the position shown by the solid line in the drawing, and the recording paper that has passed through the fixing device 126 is guided to the discharge roller pair 112. I will When the face-up discharge is selected, the flapper 141 is controlled to the position shown by the solid line in the drawing, and the recording paper is discharged onto the face-up discharge tray 113.
[0079]
On the other hand, when face-down discharge is selected, the flapper 141 is controlled to the position shown by the dotted line in the figure, and the recording paper is guided to the conveyance rollers 142 and 143, and the recording paper conveyed by the conveyance rollers 143. The paper is discharged onto a face-down discharge tray 145 by a discharge roller 144.
[0080]
The recording paper on which the toner images have been formed and fixed on both sides after passing through the fixing device 126 is guided to the paper discharge roller pair 112 by controlling the flapper 122 to the position shown by the solid line in the drawing. The recording paper conveyed by the discharge roller pair 112 is discharged onto the face-up discharge tray 113 in the case of face-up discharge in the same manner as in the above-described single-sided print discharge operation. In this case, the sheet is discharged to the face-down sheet discharge tray 145.
[0081]
<Operation of Fourth Embodiment>
Next, an operation according to the present embodiment will be described.
[0082]
It is assumed that three single-sided originals are set on the ADF, read out, and one-sided copied on recording paper.
[0083]
The user presses the mode setting key 403 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIGS. 18A, 18B, and 18C several times to select a copy mode from one-sided original to one-sided. Each time the mode setting key 403 is pressed, the mode is changed to a mode of copying from one-sided original to one-sided, copying from one-sided original to two-sided, copying from two-sided original to one-sided, and copying from two-sided original to two-sided.
[0084]
In the single-sided original to single-sided copy mode, the original setting direction is set to the front side of the original, and the paper discharge port is set to the face-up by default, and these setting conditions are displayed on the display unit 301 as shown in FIG. Will be displayed. If this setting is acceptable, the original is set face-up on the ADF and the start key 305 is pressed, and the original at the bottom of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the original reading position. The image information on the upper surface of the document is read. When the reading of the first document is completed, the second and third documents are subsequently fed and sequentially read in the same manner. The document stacking state and reading order at this time are as described with reference to FIG. 8A.
[0085]
The read document image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1, and first, the document image information of the third page is formed on the recording paper, and is discharged onto the discharge tray 113 with the print surface facing upward. Subsequently, the document image information of the second page is formed on the recording paper, and similarly, the document image information of the third page already discharged on the discharge tray 113 is discharged onto the recording paper on which the copy is made. . Similarly, the document image information of the first page is formed on the recording paper, and the document image information of the second page already discharged on the discharge tray 113 is discharged onto the copied recording paper.
[0086]
As shown in FIG. 9B, the printing paper thus copied is stacked on the discharge tray 113 in such a manner that the printing surface faces upward, and the first page, the second page, and the third page are arranged in order from the top. You.
[0087]
If the user wants to set the original document face down and read it, the user presses the ADF set orientation setting key 402 to select the original face down. Each time the ADF set direction setting key 402 is pressed, the setting of the original is toggled between the original front / back original setting. The display state of the display unit 301 at this time is shown in FIG.
[0088]
When the original is set face down and read, and the recording paper copied to the face-up output tray 113 is discharged, the page order of the original is reversed. Therefore, the page order of the discharged original displayed on the display unit 301 is changed as shown in FIG. The display is reversed from that shown in FIG.
[0089]
If it is desired to arrange the copied recording paper in the same page order as the original, the user presses the paper discharge direction setting key 404 and selects face-down paper discharge. Each time the discharge port setting key 404 is pressed, a face-down discharge port and a face-up discharge port can be selected with a torque. The display state of the display unit 301 at this time is shown in FIG.
[0090]
Thereafter, when the original is set on the ADF face down and the start key 305 is pressed, the original at the bottom of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the original reading position. Is read. When the reading of the first document is completed, the second and third documents are subsequently fed and sequentially read in the same manner. The document stacking state and reading order at this time are as described with reference to FIG. 8B.
[0091]
The read document image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1, and first, the document image information of the first page is formed on a recording sheet, and is discharged to the face-down discharge tray 145 with the print surface facing down. . Subsequently, the document image information of the second page is formed on the recording paper, and similarly, the document image information of the first page already discharged on the face-down discharge tray 145 is discharged onto the copied recording paper. Is done. Similarly, the third page of the document image information is formed on the recording paper, and the second page of the document image information already discharged on the face-down discharge tray 145 is discharged onto the copied recording paper.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 19, the printed sheets copied in this manner are stacked on the face-down discharge tray 145 in such a manner that the print surface faces downward, and pages 1 to 2, pages 3 and 3 are arranged in order from the bottom. .
[0093]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can set and read a document in a desired orientation, and even if one of the reading units fails, it is possible to perform reading with the non-failing reading unit. This makes it possible to realize an image reading apparatus and an MFP apparatus which are excellent in usability.
[0094]
[Fifth Embodiment]
In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the display unit 901 for guiding and displaying the reading surface of the original set on the ADF is set as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The feature is that it is provided on the table 26. That is, the display unit 901 of the present embodiment has a document front-facing pattern and a document back-facing pattern that can be individually illuminated by a light source, as in the second embodiment described above.
[0095]
<Operation of Fifth Embodiment>
It is assumed that three single-sided originals are set on the ADF, read out, and one-sided copied on recording paper.
[0096]
The user presses the mode setting key 403 on the operation panel 3 shown in FIG. 18 several times to select a copy mode from one-sided original to one-sided. In the one-sided original to one-sided copy mode, the original setting direction is set to the front side of the original, and the paper discharge port is set to the face-up by default, and these setting conditions are displayed on the display unit 301 as shown in FIG. Is displayed.
[0097]
In addition, this indicates that the document face-up pattern on the display unit 901 on the ADF document placement table 26 is illuminated by the light source arranged behind the pattern, and the document is set face up. At this time, as shown in FIG. 14A, the light source arranged on the back side of the original backward-facing pattern is turned off.
[0098]
If this setting is acceptable, the original is set face up on the ADF in accordance with the display on the display unit 901 and the start key 305 is pressed, and the original at the bottom of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the original reading position. The image information of the upward surface of the original is read by the second optical unit 22. When the reading of the first document is completed, the second and third documents are subsequently fed and sequentially read. The read document image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1 and copied in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment.
[0099]
If the user wants to set the original document face down and read it, the user presses the ADF set orientation setting key 402 to select the original face down. When the back side of the original is selected, the light source arranged behind the front side pattern of the display unit 901 on the ADF original placement table 26 is turned off, and the light source arranged behind the back side pattern of the original is turned on. The fact that the back side of the original is selected is clearly shown as shown in FIG.
[0100]
On the other hand, when the document is set face down on the ADF in accordance with the display of the display unit 901 and the start key 305 is pressed, the document at the bottom of the ADF is picked up and conveyed to the document reading position, and the first optical unit 21 is read. Reads the image information on the downward surface of the original. When the reading of the first document is completed, the second and third documents are subsequently fed and sequentially read. The read document image information is transferred to the image forming apparatus 1 and copied as in the fourth embodiment.
[0101]
As described above, in the present embodiment, since the setting direction of the document to be set on the ADF is displayed on the display unit 901 as a guide, the user can output the read document accurately in the page order.
[0102]
[Sixth embodiment]
In the present embodiment, in the configuration shown in FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, as shown in FIG. 15, a display unit 901 for guiding and displaying the reading surface of a document set on the ADF is provided in the ADF paper feeding unit 29. This is the configuration provided above. The operation after the document is set on the ADF and the start key 305 is pressed is the same as in the fifth embodiment.
[0103]
In the present embodiment, as in the third embodiment described above, the display unit 901 does not hide behind the original even if the original is set on the original placing table 26, so that even after the original is set, the orientation of the original is correct. Can be checked.
[0104]
The present invention is not limited to the device of the above-described embodiment, and may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices or an apparatus including one device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or apparatus reads and executes the program code stored in the storage medium. It goes without saying that it will be completed by doing so.
[0105]
In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD-R, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, or ROM is used. Can be. When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer performs the actual processing based on the instruction of the program code. It goes without saying that a case where some or all of the operations are performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.
[0106]
Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the expansion is performed based on the instruction of the next program code. It goes without saying that a CPU or the like provided in the expansion board or the expansion unit performs the processing and performs a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.
[0107]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, when reading a plurality of originals and outputting the read image information, what kind of output, such as output with electronic information or output on a recording medium such as paper, is used. Even in a simple output form, it is possible to output in the page order.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an MFP apparatus equipped with an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the image reading device 2 illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of the optical unit 21 or 22 shown in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation panel of the MFP apparatus illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a document stacking state and a reading order in the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the reading order of image files of a read document image.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a stacked state of copy print paper of the image file illustrated in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which originals are stacked in the first embodiment.
FIG. 12 is a view showing a stacked state of copy print paper of the original shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is an external plan view illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a detailed view of a display unit 901.
FIG. 15 is an external plan view illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an MFP device equipped with an image reading device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus 1A illustrated in FIG.
18 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of an operation panel of the MFP apparatus illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a state in which copy print papers of an original are stacked according to a fourth embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Image forming apparatus
2 Image reading device
3 Operation panel
21 First Optical Unit
22 Second optical unit
25 Platen glass
26 Document Stand
27 Control board
29 Paper feed unit
39 CCD
301 Display
302 Copy mode key
303 Scanner mode key
304 Document distribution mode key

Claims (8)

Conveying means for sequentially conveying the stacked n originals;
First reading means for reading an image on the lower surface of the document,
Second reading means for reading an image on the upper surface of the document,
When only one side image of the document is read by one of the first and second reading units, a selection of selecting one of the first and second reading units according to an output form of the read image information Means,
An image reading apparatus comprising: When outputting the read image information to the external device in the reading order, the selecting means selects the first or second reading means so as to read the document in the page order of the document, and outputs the read image. When the read image information is output to the image forming apparatus formed on the recording medium in the reading order, the first or second reading unit is selected so as to read the original in reverse order of the pages of the original. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein: The conveying means sequentially conveys the document from the n-th document stacked at the lowermost position, and the selecting means, when outputting the read image information to the external device in the reading order, reads the reading surface to the conveying means. The first reading means is selected so as to read the lower surface of the stacked originals, and the read images are formed on the recording medium in the reading order, and the recorded recording media are sequentially stacked from below to above. When outputting the read image information to the image forming apparatus to be read in the reading order, the second reading unit is selected so that the transport unit reads the upper surface of the stacked original with the reading surface facing up. The image reading device according to claim 2, wherein: An image forming unit that forms a read image on a recording medium and outputs the read image information, and the selecting unit outputs the read image information to an external device in a reading order, and outputs the read document in the page order of the document. When the first or second reading unit is selected to be read, and the read image is formed on the recording medium in the reading order by the image forming unit and output, the original is read in the reverse order of the pages of the original. 2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first or second reading unit is selected to read. The conveyance unit sequentially conveys the document from the n-th document stacked at the bottom, and the image forming unit forms the read image on the recording medium in the reading order and sequentially records the recorded recording medium from below. When the reading unit outputs the read image information to an external device in the reading order, the selecting unit causes the transport unit to read the lower surface of the stacked document with the reading surface facing down. When one of the reading means is selected and the image forming means forms a read image on a recording medium in the reading order and outputs the read image, the transport means reads the upper surface of the stacked original document with the reading surface facing up. The image reading apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second reading unit is selected as described above. 6. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a stacking direction of the document corresponding to the first or second reading unit selected by the selection unit. An image reading device including a transport unit that sequentially transports the stacked n originals, a first reading unit that reads an image on the lower surface of the original, and a second reading unit that reads an image on the upper surface of the original. An image reading method for reading an image of a document,
When reading a one-sided image of the document by one of the first and second reading units, selecting one of the first and second reading units according to an output form of the read image information An image reading method comprising steps. An image reading apparatus comprising: a conveying unit that sequentially conveys n stacked originals; a first reading unit that reads an image on the lower surface of the original; and a second reading unit that reads an image on the upper surface of the original. A control program,
When reading a one-sided image of the document by one of the first and second reading units, selecting one of the first and second reading units according to an output form of the read image information A computer-readable control program comprising steps.

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