JP2005217509A - Original reader and copying machine employing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original reader for accurately detecting a size, a position, and an inclination of an original without the need for additionally installing an original size sensor to eliminate processing time and labor while reducing a cost, eliminating the need for troublesome operations of positioning of the original, and capable of outputting data wherein the inclination of the original is corrected, and to provide a copying machine employing the original reading apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The original reader includes: an image read means 14 provided to the inside of an original platen to read the image of an original on the original platen; an original cover plate 13 on an original reading side of which a regular grating pattern is recorded; an image processing means 16 for collectively processing the original on the original platen read by the image read means at reading of the original and the grating pattern on the image reading side of the original retaining plate as image data; and an original detection means 17 for recognizing original part 19 wherein the grating pattern of the original reading side of the original cover pate is hidden by the original on the basis of the image data processed by the image processing means to detect the size, the position, and the inclination of the original. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a document reading apparatus that can accurately detect the size, position, and inclination of a document placed on a document table, and a copying machine using the same.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 9, a document reading device a used in a copying machine or the like includes a document pressing plate d that presses a document placed on a document reading area c on a document table b from above, and includes a document reading area. The original is set with its corner aligned with the original origin e of one corner of c. The original document origin may be set at any corner of the reading area c or at the center of any side of the reading area c.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the document reading apparatus a includes an image reading unit f including a CCD, a contact sensor, and the like inside a document table b. The image reading unit f is configured to be movable in the scanning direction (left and right in FIG. 10) by the driving unit g, and the document placed on the document table b is read by the scanning of the image reading unit a. Yes. A plurality of first to fifth document size sensors h1 to h5 for detecting the size of the document placed on the document table b are provided inside the document table b.

  As the document size sensors h1 to h5, reflective optical sensors are applied and arranged in accordance with a general document size. When the document is set (placed) on the document table b, signals are output from the first to fifth document size sensors h1 to h5 corresponding to the size of the document, and the size of the document is detected. It is like that. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in the case of a document reading apparatus that recognizes an A3 landscape size document i1, an A4 portrait size document i2, and an A4 landscape size document i3, the first document size sensor h1 is located on the document table b. The third document size sensor is located at a position slightly shorter than the length of the short side of the A4 vertical size document i2 from the document origin e, and the second document size sensor h2 is positioned slightly shorter than the length of the long side of the A4 landscape size document i3. The fifth document size sensor h5 is located at a position where the third document size sensor h4 is slightly shorter than the length of the short side of the A4 landscape size document i3. They are arranged at positions slightly shorter than the length of the long side of the A4 vertical document i2.

  Here, when there is a document on each of the document size sensors h1 to h5, the output of the document size sensor is 1, and in other cases (when there is no document on the document size sensor), the output of the document size sensor is output. If it becomes 0, the size of the document placed on the document table b is determined as shown in Table 1 below based on the outputs from the document size sensors h1 to h5.

また、この他の原稿サイズセンサを備えた原稿読み取り装置としては、原稿サイズセンサを原稿押さえ板側に設置したり（例えば、特許文献１参照）、原稿押さえ板側に設置した原稿サイズセンサとして赤外光反射式の光学センサを適用したものもある（例えば、特許文献２参照）。更に、ドキュメントフィーダを利用して、正確に原稿のサイズを測るようにしたものもある（例えば、特許文献３参照）。
特開昭６１−１００７４１号公報 特開昭６０−１６８１３５号公報 特開昭５８−１５３９６４号公報

In addition, as another document reading apparatus including the document size sensor, the document size sensor is installed on the document pressing plate side (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or the document size sensor installed on the document pressing plate side is red. Some have applied an external light reflection type optical sensor (for example, see Patent Document 2). Further, there is a document feeder that uses a document feeder to accurately measure the size of a document (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP-A-61-100741 JP 60-168135 A JP 58-153964 A

  By the way, in the conventional document reading apparatus, in order to accurately detect the size and position of the document, the document is positioned and set at a predetermined position on the document table b, that is, the document origin e in the document reading area c. It is assumed that. In that case, it is necessary to align the corner of the document with the document origin at any corner of the document reading area, or to align the center of one side of the document with the document origin at the center of either side of the scanning area. In addition, the operation of aligning the corner of a document or the center of one side with the document origin, which differs depending on the manufacturer and model, is very troublesome and troublesome.

  Also, if you place a document such as a bound document or book in an open state on the platen, it will be pressed by the original plate even if the open document is carefully placed on the platen. The document may move before, and the document is read as it is even though the document is tilted. In that case, if it is possible to detect the inclination of the original, it is possible to correct the inclination of the original and output the data. However, as long as the inclination of the original cannot be detected, the original is output when the data is output. It will be copied in a tilted state.

  Furthermore, if the original is not accurately set to the original origin or the original is not set, or if the original size is irregular rather than a fixed size, there is a risk of erroneous detection of the original size due to the position of the original size sensor. . In such a case, it may be possible to add an original size sensor, but this increases the cost and requires time for processing and cannot be an effective solution.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to accurately detect the size, position, and inclination of a document without adding a document size sensor and reduce processing costs while reducing costs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a document reading apparatus and a copying machine using the same, which can eliminate the troublesome operation of aligning the document and can output data in which the inclination of the document is corrected.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as a document reading device, an image reading unit provided inside a document table for reading an image on the document table, and a document reading surface for pressing the document placed on the document table. A document holding plate having a pattern on the side, and an image processing unit that collectively processes the document on the document table and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate read by the image reading unit when reading the document as data. And a document detecting means for recognizing a portion where the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is hidden by the document based on the data processed by the image processing means and detecting the size, position and inclination of the document. And.

  Due to this specific matter, when the document is placed on the document table and pressed by the document pressing plate, the document on the document table and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are collectively read by the image reading means when reading the document. The scanned document and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are processed as batch data, and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is hidden by the document based on the processed data. Thus, the size, position, and inclination of the document are detected.

  In addition, when the image reading unit is provided with a storage unit that develops and stores data obtained by batch processing of the original on the original table read at the time of reading the original and the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate. The pattern on the document reading side of the document holding plate is hidden by the document based on the data developed and stored in the storage unit (data obtained by collectively processing the document and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate). The recognized portion is definitely recognized, and the size, position, and inclination of the document are accurately detected.

  As a result, it is not necessary to set the original at a predetermined position on the platen, that is, the original origin of the original reading area, and the original origin of the original reading area differs depending on the manufacturer or model. It becomes possible to abolish the very troublesome and troublesome operation of aligning. In addition, by detecting the skew of the original when a document such as a bound document or book is set open on the platen, the data with the corrected skew is output to a copier, etc. It becomes possible to do. Further, by detecting the size, position and inclination of the original by recognizing the part of the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate hidden by the original based on the data read by the image reading means, Regardless of this, the size of the document can be accurately detected, and it is not necessary to deal with an increase in the number of document size sensors, thereby making it possible to reduce costs and eliminate the processing effort.

  In addition, when a regularly repeated pattern is applied as the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, the portion where the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is hidden by the document is clearly defined. If it is recognized and the pattern is hidden at least two places on each side of the document, it is possible to easily detect the size, position and inclination of the document if the points are extended and the mutual intersection is obtained. It becomes possible.

  In particular, the following configurations are listed as specifying the pitch of a pattern that is regularly repeated.

  First, when the pitch of the regularly repeated pattern is set to be half or less of the difference between the respective document size dimensions to be identified, the document reading on the document pressing plate is read based on the data processed by the image processing means. It is possible to prevent erroneous recognition when the surface detection pattern is recognized by the document detection unit, and the size, position, and inclination of the document can be detected smoothly.

  In addition, the pitch of the regularly repeated pattern is set within a range that allows the inclination of the original on the data to be within an allowable error when outputting data in which the inclination of the original detected by the original detection means is output. If this is the case, the minute inclination of the original remaining even after correcting the inclination of the original detected based on the data collectively processed by the image processing means will be within an allowable error. When the data is output to a copying machine or the like, the document is copied without a problem of a slight inclination of the document.

  Furthermore, when the pitch of the regularly repeated pattern is set to 1/3 or less of the short side length of the document to be read, or set to less than half of the optical resolution of the image reading means The portion of the document holding plate where the document reading surface side is hidden is more clearly recognized, and there is a high possibility that the pattern is hidden at least two places on each side of the document. If the points are extended to obtain mutual intersections, the size, position and inclination of the original can be detected more easily.

  On the other hand, an irregular pattern with an area of a certain range or more is applied as a pattern formed on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, and the document detection unit is converted into data processed in a batch by the image processing unit. Based on this, if the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is directly recognized and the size, position, and inclination of the document are detected, the image reading means When the scanned document on the platen and the pattern on the document reading side of the document holding plate are processed as data at once, the physical position of the document on the platen is directly specified from the irregular pattern. As a result, the size, position and inclination of the document can be detected more quickly and accurately.

  Then, paper selection means for selecting an appropriate size printing paper by performing clipping and inclination correction of the original read by the image reading means using the size, position and inclination of the original detected by the original detection means. In this case, since the specific document size detected by the document detection means is known, an appropriate output size / scale can be selected even if the document size is irregular. .

  Also, using the size, position and inclination of the original detected by the original detection means, clipping and inclination correction of the original read by the image reading means is performed, and data is automatically set according to separately designated printing paper. Since the specific document size detected by the document detection unit is known, an appropriate output size / scale can be set even if the document size is irregular. It is possible to automatically select according to the printing paper.

  The plurality of documents on the document table read by the image reading unit when the document is read in a state where the plurality of documents are placed on the document table are processed as data by the image processing unit, and the document detection unit Based on the data processed by the image processing means, the part of the original reading surface side of the original holding plate is individually recognized by the plurality of originals, and the size, position and inclination of each original are determined. When each is detected, the size, position, and inclination of each of the plurality of originals are individually detected, and can be output separately as individual data.

  In addition, in the case of providing layout output means for laying out individual originals whose size, position, and inclination are respectively detected by the original detection means and outputting them as single or plural data or print output, a plurality of originals are provided. Can be output in any number of pages and any size.

  In particular, the following configuration is listed as one for specifying the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate.

  That is, as a pattern formed on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, high contrast is obtained with respect to the background pattern or background color of the document that is normally read, and the brightness, saturation, or A hue pattern is applied.

  Due to this specific matter, the document on the platen and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document holding plate are distinguished from each other with high contrast so that the position and inclination of the document can be detected more accurately. Is possible.

  In addition, when the pattern formed on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is difficult or unrecognizable in the normal visible light region and can be identified by illumination of a light source provided in the document detection means Therefore, it is possible to reliably identify the pattern on the side of the original reading surface of the original pressing plate that is difficult to identify in the normal visible light region by illumination of the light source.

  In addition, the original detection means is provided separately from a normal original reading light source, and an infrared light source or ultraviolet light source for pattern reading capable of reading a pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate, and the infrared light source or Document reading surface of the document holding plate that is difficult to identify in the normal visible light region when it is equipped with infrared image sensor or ultraviolet image sensor having sensitivity characteristics corresponding to infrared ray or ultraviolet ray emitted from ultraviolet light source The pattern on the side can be reliably read and identified by an infrared image sensor or an ultraviolet image sensor corresponding to infrared rays or ultraviolet rays emitted from an infrared light source or an ultraviolet light source.

  When the original on the platen and the pattern on the original reading surface of the original holding plate are individually read by different processes by the image reading unit, the original on the original plate and the original holding plate The pattern on the side of the original reading surface is individually read by a different process, and the identification of the original and the pattern can be processed in two passes.

  On the other hand, when the document on the platen and the pattern on the document reading surface of the document holding plate are read simultaneously in the same process by the image reading means, the document on the platen and the document holding plate The pattern on the side of the original reading surface is simultaneously read in the same process, and the identification between the original and the pattern is processed in one pass, and the identification time between the original and the pattern can be shortened.

  Further, when the above document reading apparatus is used in a copying machine, the size, position and inclination of the document can be detected regardless of the standard or irregular shape, and the document can be read without performing a cumbersome and troublesome operation for aligning the document. It is possible to provide a copying machine capable of inputting data with corrected inclination.

  In short, the document on the platen and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are collectively read by the image reading means at the time of reading the document, and the scanned document and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are collectively recorded. Or processing the data stored in the storage unit by developing the batch processing of the original on the platen and the pattern on the original reading surface of the original holding plate. This makes it possible to recognize the missing part of the pattern hidden by the document and detect the size, position, and tilt of the document, thereby making it extremely troublesome and troublesome to align the document to a predetermined position on the document table. Can be abolished. In addition, it is possible to detect the inclination of a document such as a bound document or a book, and output the corrected data of the original to a copying machine or the like. Furthermore, it is possible to accurately detect the size of the original regardless of the standard shape or the irregular shape, and to suppress the cost increase due to the addition of the original size sensor, and to eliminate the processing effort.

  In addition, by applying a pattern that repeats regularly as a pattern on the document reading surface of the document holding plate, the missing part of the pattern hidden by the document can be clearly recognized, and the size, position, and inclination of the document can be easily detected. can do.

  And, by setting the regular pattern pitch to less than half of the difference in size of each document, it prevents misrecognition when recognizing the missing part of the pattern hidden by the document, and the size, position and inclination of the document. Can be detected smoothly.

  In addition, when outputting data that corrects the skew of the document, the regular pattern pitch is set within a range that allows the document skew on the data to be within an allowable error, thereby correcting the skew of the document. However, the minute inclination of the remaining original can be kept within an allowable error, and copying can be performed without causing the problem of the minute inclination of the original when output as data to a copying machine or the like.

  The regular pattern pitch is set to 1/3 or less of the short side length of the original to be read, or the regular pattern pitch is set to half or less of the optical resolution of the image reading means. Thus, the missing part of the pattern hidden by the original can be recognized more clearly, and the size, position and inclination of the original can be detected more easily.

  In addition, the physical position of the document on the document table can be detected from the irregular pattern in the data by directly recognizing the missing part of the irregular pattern hidden by the document and detecting the size, position, and tilt of the document. Can be identified directly, and the size, position and inclination of the document can be detected more quickly and accurately.

  Then, using the document size, position, and skew, perform clipping and skew correction of the document, and select an appropriate size printing paper, so that an appropriate output size and scale can be obtained even if the document size is irregular. You can choose.

  In addition, the original size, position, and skew are used to perform clipping and skew correction of the document, and the data is automatically scaled to fit the printing paper, so that the appropriate output size can be obtained even if the document size is irregular. -The scale can be automatically selected according to the printing paper.

  Then, a plurality of documents on the document table are processed as data, and the missing portions of the patterns hidden by the plurality of documents are individually recognized based on the processed data, and the size, position, and inclination of each document are determined. By detecting each, the size, position, and inclination of a plurality of documents can be individually detected and output separately as individual data.

  In addition, by laying out individual originals, each of which is detected in size, position, and inclination, and outputting them as single or multiple data or print output, multiple originals can be output in any number of pages and in any size. it can.

  In particular, a pattern that has high contrast with the background pattern or background color of the document and that is clearly distinguished from the document in brightness, saturation, or hue, such as a document that is difficult to recognize or cannot be identified in the normal visible light region By forming a pattern that can be identified by the light source of the detection unit on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, the document and the pattern can be clearly distinguished, and the position and inclination of the document can be detected more accurately.

  An infrared light source or ultraviolet light source for pattern reading capable of reading a pattern, and an infrared image sensor or an ultraviolet image sensor having sensitivity characteristics corresponding to the infrared light from the infrared light source or the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light source are provided. Thus, it is possible to reliably read and identify the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate that is difficult to identify in the normal visible light region.

  Further, by separately reading the original and the pattern by different processes by the image reading unit, the identification of the original and the pattern can be processed in two passes. On the other hand, by simultaneously reading the original and the pattern in the same process by the image reading unit, the identification of the original and the pattern can be processed in one pass, and the identification time between the original and the pattern can be shortened.

  Furthermore, by using such a document reading apparatus for a copying machine, it is possible to detect the size, position, and tilt of a document regardless of the standard or irregular shape, and to tilt the document without performing a cumbersome and troublesome operation for aligning the document. It is possible to provide a copying machine capable of inputting data obtained by correcting the above.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a copying machine will be described.

  1 and 2 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the document reading device 1 includes a document pressing plate 13 that presses a document placed in a document reading area 12 on a document table 11 from above. Inside the document table 11, there is provided an image reading means 14 composed of a CCD, a contact sensor or the like (not shown). The image reading unit 14 is configured to be movable in the scanning direction (left and right in FIG. 2) by the drive unit 15, and the document placed on the document table 11 is read by the scanning of the image reading unit 14. Yes. In this case, the document reading apparatus 1 is connected to the copying machine X via a harness Y so that output is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pattern is written on the document reading surface side (the lower surface side in FIG. 2) of the document pressing plate 13 facing the document reading area 12 on the document table 11. As a pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13, a regularly repeated lattice pattern is applied. As shown in FIG. 4, the document reading device 1 collectively collects the document on the document table 11 read by the image reading unit 14 and the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 at the time of document reading. Image processing means 16 for processing as image data, and a document portion 19 (on which the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is hidden by the document based on the image data processed by the image processing means 16) Document detection means 17 for recognizing the missing portion) and detecting the size, position and inclination of the document portion 19 (document). The image reading means 14 expands and stores image data obtained by batch processing the original on the original table 11 read at the time of original reading and the lattice pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate 13. A portion 14a is provided. Further, the document detection means 17 recognizes the edge portion R (see FIG. 5) of the document portion 19 by recognizing the leading end portion where the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is missing. A graphic operation unit 17a for calculating the size, position and inclination of the portion 19 (document) is provided.

  The document reading device 1 uses the size, position, and tilt of the document detected by the document detection unit 17 to perform clipping and tilt correction of the document read by the image reading unit 14, and is specified separately. A scaling unit 18 is provided for automatically setting the optimum output paper size, scaling, and print density for the data according to the print paper.

  The pitch of the lattice pattern that is regularly repeated on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is less than half of the difference between the identified document size dimensions and less than half of the optical resolution of the image reading means 14. It is preferable that it is set to.

  In this case, the pitch of the lattice pattern can be arbitrarily selected. However, if the lattice pattern is made fine, a large load is generated in the image reading process by the image reading unit 14 and the graphic recognition process by the document detection unit 17. It is also necessary to increase the storage capacity. On the other hand, if the grid pattern interval is widened, the load of the image reading process by the image reading unit 14 and the graphic recognition process by the document detection unit 17 is reduced, but the accuracy of detecting the size, position and inclination of the document is lowered. For this reason, generally, this value is determined from the permissible range of recognition and inclination of the document size and position. For example, a resolution of about 1 to 5 mm is required to read an irregularly sized document at an appropriate enlargement / reduction ratio. However, when a continuous pattern such as a lattice pattern is used as the regular pattern, the location where the lattice pattern is hidden by the original can be clearly recognized. Therefore, the pattern is formed in at least two places on each side of the original portion 19. Can be calculated by extending the point and calculating the mutual intersection, so that the size, position and inclination of the document can be calculated. There is no need to make it finer. In principle, it is possible to increase the pitch of the lattice pattern that is regularly repeated up to about 1/3 of the short side length of the document size. Therefore, in this embodiment, the pitch when the lattice pattern is used as a regularly repeated pattern is not limited to the A series or B series, which are generally used for document sizes, regular, legal, etc., but also business cards, etc. As a result of taking into account the reading of a small and frequently used document, it is set to 10 mm.

  Here, a document reading procedure by the document reading apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, a document is placed at an arbitrary position and angle in the document reading area 12 of the document table 11, and the document on the document table 11 is pressed from above by the document pressing plate 13. Next, when the operator performs an original reading operation, the image reading unit 14 reads the entire area of the original reading area 12 of the original table 11, and the original on the original table 11 and the lattice on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate 13. The pattern is processed as image data at once. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the original on the original table 11 and the lattice pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate 13 read by the image reading means 14 at the time of reading the original are collectively collected by the image processing means 16. When processed, it is expanded and stored in the storage unit 14a. In this case, since the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 employs a lattice pattern as shown in FIG. 3, the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 as shown in FIG. The portion P from which the document is read and the actual document portion 19 are clearly identified by the missing portion where the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is hidden by the document.

  Thereafter, based on the data processed by the image processing means 16, a document portion 19 (missing portion) in which the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is hidden by the document is recognized, and the document portion 19 (document) The document detection means 17 detects the size, position and inclination. Specifically, the graphic calculation device 17a of the document detection means 17 recognizes the leading edge portion where the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is missing to recognize the edge portion R of the document portion 19, The size, position and inclination of the document portion 19 (document) are calculated.

  Then, the image data of the document portion 19 detected by the document detection means 17 (the graphic arithmetic unit 17a) is cut out, and the brightness distribution, the brightest portion, the dark portion, etc. are analyzed in the region of the document portion 19. Then, color / brightness correction processing that makes the output image data appropriate, such as processing of the document background pattern / background color, processing for correcting the inclination of the document, and the storage unit 14a of the image reading means 14 or a copying machine Output to X.

  In the printing operation, an optimum output is performed by the scaling unit 18 based on the operator's instruction based on the image data passed from the storage unit 14a of the image reading unit 14 and the actual size data of the accompanying document. The paper size, scaling, and print density are set and output to the copying machine X. In this case, since the specific document size is known rather than the standard size such as A4 size, an appropriate output size / scale is selected even if the document size is irregular. In other words, it is possible to select a printing paper that is a full-size printing paper with a fixed aspect ratio, a full-size printing paper without fixing the aspect ratio, or an actual-size optimum printing paper. .

  Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, when a document is placed at an arbitrary position and angle in the document reading area 12 on the document table 11 and pressed from above by the document pressing plate 13, the document on the document table 11 is read when the document is read. The image reading means 14 collectively reads the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 and the scanned document and the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are collectively processed. The data is developed and stored in the storage unit 14a, and based on the image data (image data obtained by collectively processing the document and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate) stored in the storage unit 14a. A missing part (original part 19) in which the lattice pattern on the original reading surface side of the original holding plate 13 is hidden by the original is recognized, and the original part (original Size, so that the position and the inclination is detected precisely.

  As a result, it is not necessary to align the document with a predetermined position on the document table 11, that is, the document origin of the document reading area 12, and the corner or one side of the document is placed at the document origin of the document reading area which differs depending on the manufacturer or model. It is possible to eliminate the very troublesome and troublesome operation of aligning the center of the image. Further, by detecting the inclination of the original when a document such as a bound document or a book is set on the platen 11 while being spread open, the data obtained by correcting the inclination of the original is copied to the copying machine X or the like. Can be output. Further, based on the image data read by the image reading means 14, a missing portion (original portion 19) in which the lattice pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate 13 is hidden by the original is recognized to recognize the size, position and original of the original. By detecting the tilt, the size of the document can be accurately detected regardless of the standard or irregular shape, so there is no need to deal with an increase in the number of document size sensors, reducing costs and making processing unnecessary. be able to.

  Further, since a regularly repeated lattice pattern is applied as the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13, a missing portion where the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is hidden by the document ( If the document portion 19) is clearly recognized and the pattern is hidden at least at two or more locations with respect to the edge portion R of the document, the points can be extended to obtain mutual intersection points. Tilt can be easily detected.

  The pitch of the regularly repeated lattice pattern is set to be less than or equal to half of the difference between the respective document size dimensions to be identified, so that the document pressing plate 13 is controlled based on the image data processed by the image processing means 16. When the original detection unit 17 recognizes the original portion 19 in which the lattice pattern on the original reading surface is hidden by the original, it is prevented from being erroneously recognized, and the size, position, and inclination of the original can be detected smoothly. . Further, the pitch of the regularly repeated pattern is set to 1/3 or less of the short side length of the document to be read, and is set to be less than or equal to half of the optical resolution of the image reading means 14. Therefore, it is possible to more clearly recognize the document portion 19 in which the lattice pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is hidden by the document, and the pattern can be hidden in at least two places on each side of the document. If the point is extended to obtain the intersection point, the size, position and inclination of the document can be detected more easily.

  Further, using the size, position and inclination of the original detected by the original detection means 17, clipping and inclination correction of the original read by the image reading means 14 are performed, and automatically according to a separately designated printing paper. Since the scaling means 18 for scaling the data is provided, the specific size of the original detected by the original detection means 17 is known, so even if the original size is irregular, an appropriate output size / The scale can be automatically selected according to the printing paper.

  In the first embodiment, a lattice pattern is adopted as a regularly repeated pattern. However, as shown in FIG. 6, a regularly repeated dot pattern is used as a pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 20. It may be applied. In this case, the inclination of the document is based on how much a slight inclination that remains after the read image is processed and corrected, for example, based on the lower end of one side of the corrected image. Even if the upper end is away from the vertical line passing through the lower end, it is about ½ of the allowable distance. From this condition, when the inclination or the like is directly measured, since a pitch of about 0.5 mm to 3 mm is considered appropriate, the pitch of the dot pattern that is regularly repeated is set to 1 mm. As described above, when the pitch of the lattice pattern that is regularly repeated is output image data in which the inclination of the original detected by the original detection means 17 is corrected, the inclination of the original on the image data is within an allowable error. By setting the range within such a range (the pitch of the dot pattern is set to 1 mm), the original that remains even after correcting the inclination of the original detected based on the image data collectively processed by the image processing means 16 Therefore, when the image data is output to a copying machine or the like as an image data, it can be copied without causing a problem of the minute inclination of the document.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, the regularly repeating pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is changed to an irregular one. The rest of the configuration excluding the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is the same as that in the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 21 opposed to the document reading area 12 on the document table 11 is compared with two places over a certain area. However, an irregular pattern is written so that the same pattern does not appear. In general, this pattern is set so that the same pattern does not appear anywhere on the basis of the size of about 5 to 20 times the optical resolution of the image reading means 14.

  The unit size of the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 21 has the same meaning as the pitch of the lattice pattern and the dot pattern in the first embodiment, and is about half the optical resolution of the image reading unit 14, for example, image reading. If the optical resolution of the means 14 is 600 dpi, it is possible to correspond to 2 dots × 2 dots, that is, from about 80 μm square to about 10 mm square that can distinguish the size of the document, but for the same reason as in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the optical resolution of the image reading unit 14 is set so that the same pattern does not appear in units of about 1 mm square.

  The image processing unit 16 is configured to collectively process the document on the document table 11 read by the image reading unit 14 and the irregular pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 21 as data at the time of document reading. Has been. The original detection unit 17 directly detects a missing portion (original part 22) where the irregular pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate 21 is hidden by the original based on the image data collectively processed by the image processing unit 16. The size, position and inclination of the document are detected.

  Here, a document reading procedure by the document reading apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, when the document placed in the document reading area 12 on the document table 11 is pressed by the document pressing plate 21 having an irregular pattern and read by the image reading means 14, as in the first embodiment, Image data of a missing portion (original portion 22) in which a part of the pattern is hidden by the original is obtained.

  Next, the image processing means 16 recognizes the positional information on the irregular pattern on the side of the original reading surface of the original original pressing plate 13 that has been taken in, thereby eliminating the missing part (original part 22) of the pattern hidden by the original. Recognize and detect the size, position and inclination of the document portion 22 (document).

  Therefore, in the above embodiment, when the original on the original platen 11 read by the image reading unit 14 at the time of reading the original and the irregular pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate 21 are collectively processed as image data, From the irregular pattern, the physical position of the document on the document table 11 is directly specified, and the size, position, and inclination of the document can be detected more quickly and accurately.

  Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the third embodiment, the processing of image data read when a plurality of documents are placed in the document reading area on the document table is changed.

  That is, this embodiment further utilizes the fact that the entire document reading area 12 on the document table 11 is read by the image reading means 14. More specifically, three originals are placed in arbitrary positions in arbitrary directions on the original reading area 12 on the original platen 11, are read in a batch, the individual originals are individually recognized, and image data is individually received. It has become.

  Then, the image processing unit 16 reads the three documents on the document table 11 read by the image reading unit 14 when reading the document in a state where three documents are placed in the document reading area 12 on the document table 11. Each is processed as individual image data. Further, in the document detection means 17, a missing part (document parts 31 to 31) where the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13 is hidden by three documents based on the image data individually processed by the image processing means 16. 33) are individually recognized, and the sizes, positions, and inclinations of the individual document portions 31 to 33 are detected. Further, the individual image data whose size, position, and inclination are respectively detected by the original detection means 17 are individually laid out, and the storage unit 14a of the image reading device 14 or the copying machine X as single or plural data or print output. Is provided with layout output means (not shown). In this case, the layout output means is performed based on an instruction from the operator.

  Here, a document reading procedure by the document reading apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, three originals 31 to 33 are placed in the original reading area 12 on the original platen 11, and each original and the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate 13 are read by the image reading unit 14. Read. FIG. 8 shows an image data obtained by recognizing individual document portions 31 to 33 by the method shown in the first and second embodiments.

  Next, a document reading procedure by the document reading device 1 will be described.

  First, after the three originals placed in the original reading area 12 on the original table 11 are pressed by the original pressing plate 13 and read by the image reading means 14, the image processing means 16 is read in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When the image processing is performed, image data of missing portions (original portions 31 to 33) in which a part of the pattern is hidden by each original is obtained.

  Next, the image processing means 16 individually recognizes the positional information about the captured pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate 13, and thereby, the missing portion of the pattern (document portions 31 to 31) hidden by each document. 33) is detected, and the size, position, and inclination of each document portion 31-33 (each document) are detected.

  Then, the individual document portions 31 to 33 whose sizes, positions, and inclinations are respectively detected by the document detection unit 17 are individually laid out, and the storage unit 14a of the image reading device 14 as single or plural image data or print output. Output to copier X.

  Therefore, in the above embodiment, the size, position, and inclination of each of the three originals are detected individually, and can be output separately as individual image data.

  The layout output means individually lays out the individual image data whose size, position, and inclination are detected by the document detection means 17 and stores the single or plural data or print output as the storage unit 14a of the image reading device 14. Alternatively, it can be output to the copying machine X.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the fourth embodiment, the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is changed.

  That is, in this embodiment, as the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, a high contrast is obtained with respect to the background pattern or background color of the document that is normally read, and the brightness and color that are clearly distinguished from the document. A pattern that is a degree or hue is applied. The pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is difficult to recognize or cannot be identified in the normal visible light region, and can be identified by illumination of a light source provided in the document detection means. Specifically, the pattern is formed with white ink that is difficult to recognize or cannot be identified in the visible light region and has a high reflectance with respect to infrared rays.

  The document detection means is provided separately from the normal document reading light source, and is a pattern reading infrared light source capable of reading the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, and is irradiated from this infrared light source. And an infrared image sensor having sensitivity characteristics corresponding to infrared rays. In this case, the document on the document table and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are read by individual processes by the image reading means.

  Therefore, in the above-described embodiment, a high contrast is obtained with respect to the background pattern or background color of the document that is normally read, and the pattern of brightness, saturation, or hue that is clearly distinguished from the document is the document on the document holding plate. Since it is formed on the reading surface side, the document on the document table and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document holding plate are clearly distinguished from each other with a high contrast between them. It can be detected accurately. In addition, the pattern formed on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is difficult to recognize or cannot be identified in the normal visible light region, and is identified by illumination of a light source provided in the document detection means. The pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate that is difficult to identify in the visible light region can be reliably identified by illumination of the light source.

  In addition, an infrared light source for pattern reading that is provided separately from the normal light source for reading originals and that can read the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate, and sensitivity corresponding to infrared rays emitted from this infrared light source. Since the infrared image sensor having the characteristics is provided in the document detection means, the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate that is difficult to identify in the normal visible light region corresponds to the infrared rays irradiated from the infrared light source. It can be reliably read and identified by the infrared image sensor.

  Furthermore, since the document on the document table and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are individually read by different processes, the identification of the document and the pattern can be processed in two passes.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to said each Example, The other various modifications are included. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the document reading apparatus 1 performs clipping and inclination correction of the document read by the image reading unit 14 by using the size, position, and tilt of the document detected by the document detection unit 17. The scaling means 18 is provided to automatically set the optimum output paper size, scaling, and print density according to the separately designated printing paper. However, the document size, position, Further, the document reading device may be provided with a sheet selection unit that performs clipping and inclination correction of the document read by the image reading unit by using the inclination and selects an appropriate size printing sheet. In this case, since the specific document size detected by the document detection unit is known, an appropriate output size / scale can be selected even if the document size is irregular.

  In the third embodiment, the case where three originals are placed on the original reading area 12 on the original table 11 has been described. However, two or four or more originals are placed on the original reading area on the original table. Of course, it may be done.

  In the fourth embodiment, the pattern detection infrared light source and the infrared image sensor are provided in the document detection unit. However, the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is provided separately from the normal document reading light source. A readable pattern reading ultraviolet light source and an ultraviolet image sensor having sensitivity characteristics corresponding to the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source may be provided in the document detection means. Also, instead of using a dedicated image sensor with sensitivity characteristics corresponding to infrared and ultraviolet rays, a pattern that emits fluorescence when illuminated with a specific wavelength from a light source is formed on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, and this pattern is read. May be performed by a document reading sensor.

  Further, in the fourth embodiment, the original and the pattern are read by the individual processes by the image reading means. However, the original on the original table and the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original holding plate are read by the image reading means. May be read simultaneously in the same process. In this case, the document on the document table and the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate are simultaneously read in the same process, the document and the pattern are processed in one pass, and the document and the pattern are identified. Can be shortened.

1 is a perspective view of an entire original reading apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a document reading device connected to the copying machine. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a regular lattice pattern when the document pressing plate is viewed from the document reading surface side. It is a block diagram which similarly shows the component requirements of an original reading apparatus. It is a figure which shows the image data of the part by which the part of the lattice pattern was concealed by the original when image processing was similarly performed by the image processing means. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a regular dot pattern when a document pressing plate according to a modified example of Example 1 is viewed from the document reading surface side. It is a figure which shows the irregular pattern which looked at the original pressing board concerning Example 2 of this invention from the original reading surface side. It is a figure which shows the image data of the part in which a part of lattice pattern was each hidden by each original when image processing was performed by the image processing means according to Example 3 of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the whole original reading apparatus concerning a prior art example. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the document reading device. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an arrangement state of document size sensors in a document reading area on a document table when the document size is similarly determined.

Explanation of symbols

1 Document Reading Device 11 Document Table 13, 20, 21
Document holding plate 14 Image reading means 14a Storage section 16 Image processing means 17 Document detection means 18 Scaling means 19, 22, 31 to 33
Original part (The part of the original reading surface of the original holding plate hidden by the original)
X copier

Claims (19)

An image reading means provided inside the platen for reading an image on the platen;
A document holding plate with a pattern printed on the side of the document reading surface that holds the document placed on the document table;
Image processing means for collectively processing the original on the original plate and the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate read by the image reading means when reading the original as data;
Document detecting means for recognizing a portion where the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is hidden by the document based on the data processed by the image processing means, and detecting the size, position and inclination of the document. An original reading apparatus comprising: In the document reading apparatus according to claim 1,
The image reading means includes a storage unit that develops and stores data obtained by collectively processing the original on the original platen read at the time of original reading and the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate. Document reading device. In the document reading device according to claim 2,
A document reading apparatus, wherein a pattern repeated regularly is applied as a pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate. In the document reading device according to claim 3,
The document reading apparatus, wherein the pitch of the regularly repeated pattern is set to be equal to or less than half of the difference between the document size dimensions to be identified. In the document reading device according to claim 3,
The pitch of the pattern that is regularly repeated is set within a range that allows the inclination of the original on the data to be within an allowable error when outputting data that corrects the inclination of the original detected by the original detection means. An original reading apparatus characterized by comprising: In the document reading device according to claim 3,
A document reading apparatus characterized in that the pitch of the regularly repeated pattern is set to 1/3 or less of the short side length of the document to be read. In the document reading device according to claim 3,
A document reading apparatus characterized in that the regularly repeated pattern pitch is set to be less than or equal to half of the optical resolution of the image reading means. In the document reading apparatus according to claim 1,
As the pattern formed on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate, an irregular pattern with an area exceeding a certain range is applied,
The document detection unit directly detects a portion where the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is hidden by the document based on the data collectively processed by the image processing unit, and determines the size, position, and inclination of the document. An original reading apparatus characterized by detecting. In the document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A paper selection unit is provided for selecting a printing paper of an appropriate size by performing clipping and inclination correction of the original read by the image reading unit by using the size, position, and inclination of the original detected by the original detection unit. An original reading apparatus characterized by comprising: In the document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
Using the size, position, and inclination of the original detected by the original detection means, the original scanned by the image reading means is clipped and corrected, and the data is automatically scaled according to the separately specified printing paper. An original reading apparatus comprising scaling means for performing In the document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The image processing means processes, as data, a plurality of documents on the document table read by the image reading means when reading a document in a state where a plurality of documents are placed on the document table.
The document detection means individually recognizes a portion where the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is hidden by a plurality of documents based on the data processed by the image processing means, and determines the size and position of each document. A document reading apparatus characterized by detecting the inclination and inclination respectively. The document reading apparatus according to claim 11,
An original reading apparatus comprising layout output means for laying out individual originals, each of which has a size, a position, and an inclination detected by an original detection means, and outputting the original or plural data or printed output. In the document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The pattern formed on the document reading surface side of the document holding plate is a lightness, saturation, or hue that provides high contrast with the background pattern or background color of the document that is normally read, and is clearly distinguished from the document. A document reading apparatus characterized in that a pattern is applied. In the document reading device according to claim 13,
The pattern formed on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate is difficult to recognize or cannot be identified in a normal visible light region, and can be identified by illumination of a light source provided in the document detection means. Document reading device. The document reading apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
The document detection means
An infrared light source for pattern reading, which is provided separately from a normal document reading light source, and which can read the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate;
An original reading apparatus comprising an infrared image sensor having sensitivity characteristics corresponding to infrared rays emitted from the infrared light source. The document reading apparatus according to claim 14, wherein
An ultraviolet light source for pattern reading, which is provided separately from a normal document reading light source, and which can read the pattern on the document reading surface side of the document pressing plate;
An original reading apparatus comprising an ultraviolet image sensor having sensitivity characteristics corresponding to ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet light source. The document reading apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein:
An original reading apparatus, wherein the original on the original table and the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate are read by individual processes by the image reading means. The document reading device according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein:
An original reading apparatus, wherein the original on the original table and the pattern on the original reading surface side of the original pressing plate are read by a simultaneous process by an image reading means. A copying machine using the document reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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