JP2005303901A - Image reading device, image forming device, image reading method, image reading program, and its recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce load of a user concerning page input in case of reading processing of a document bundle in which pages to be performed reading processing and pages not to be performed reading processing are mixed. <P>SOLUTION: The user can select to read pages inputted reading instruction or to also read pages not inputted reading instruction when a partial reading mode is selected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus that reads a document image, and an image forming apparatus that includes the image reading apparatus and forms an image on a sheet, an image reading method, an image reading program, and a recording medium thereof.

  Conventionally, when filing documents and the like, a sheet with an index (tab) is used to easily take out the necessary documents.

  By the way, when a document filed by inserting an index (tab) sheet is taken out of the file and copied by a copying machine or transmitted by FAX, the index (tab) sheet is not copied or transmitted. It is often processed. In that case, the user usually pulls out the sheet with the index (tab) from the document bundle, and then causes the copier or FAX to perform the reading process, and the index (tab) so that the original state is obtained after the reading is completed. Insert the attached sheet at the original insertion position and return it to the file.

  However, when such an operation is performed, when the indexed (tab) -attached sheet is returned to the original state after the reading process, the original insertion position may not be known. For this reason, the user often takes a method in which all the document bundles are not processed at once, but the document bundle is divided and read in a plurality of times. Therefore, the reading process of a document bundle in which a sheet with an index (tab) is inserted is very inefficient.

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, a page to be read is input in advance so that a sheet that is not copied or a sheet that is not FAX-transmitted can be collectively read and read based on the input information. A copier for processing is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-119370 (Publication date: May 21, 1991)

  However, in Patent Document 1, when the number of pages on which reading processing is not performed is small (when there are many pages to be read), the number of pages input by the user (operator) increases. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, when only a black-and-white document is read out of a bundle of documents in which a black-and-white document and a color document are mixed, the user selects a black-and-white document having more pages than a color document. You must enter all page numbers. For this reason, a very troublesome work for the user is required.

  On the other hand, it is possible to set to input pages that are not to be read, but in this case, if there are many pages that are not to be read (if there are few pages to be read). The number of pages input by the user increases. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, when only a black-and-white document is read out of a bundle of documents in which a black-and-white document and a color document are mixed, the user can select a color document having more pages than the black-and-white document. You must enter all page numbers. Therefore, also in this case, a very troublesome work for the user is required.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to input a page when reading a document bundle in which a page to be read and a page not to be read are mixed. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of reducing the burden on the user, an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus, an image reading method, an image reading program, and a recording medium thereof.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the image reading apparatus of the present invention includes a reading unit that performs a reading process of reading a document and converting it into image data, and an input unit that inputs a page number, and requires reading. In an image reading apparatus having a partial reading mode for reading only a document of a page to be input, an input page execution process for reading only the page input to the input means or an input to the input means It is characterized by including a control unit that selects and executes an input page excluding process that performs a reading process for pages other than pages.

  According to the above configuration, when partial reading is performed, it is possible to select which of the page on which the document is read or the page on which the document is not read is input to the input unit. Therefore, even if the number of pages to be read is larger than the number of pages not to be read, and conversely, even if the number of pages to be read is smaller than the number of pages not to be read, the burden on the user for page input work Can be reduced.

  Further, the input means receives a user instruction regarding which input page processing is to be performed, and the control unit selects the input page processing based on the user instruction input to the input means. It is good also as composition to do.

  According to the above configuration, the user can select an input page process suitable for the ratio between the page to be read and the page not to be read. Therefore, even if the number of pages to be read is larger than the number of pages not to be read, and conversely, even if the number of pages to be read is smaller than the number of pages not to be read, the burden on the user for page input work Can be reduced.

  A storage unit configured to store a plurality of partial reading modes and information that is set in advance as to which of the input page processes is selected for each of the partial reading modes; The control unit may be configured to select the preset input page process in accordance with the partial reading mode instructed via the input unit by receiving a user instruction regarding whether to execute the mode.

  According to the above configuration, which input page processing is to be performed for each partial reading mode is set in advance. For this reason, the user simply selects which partial reading mode to perform, and the input page processing suitable for the partial reading mode is automatically selected by the control unit. Therefore, the burden on the user for the page input operation can be reduced.

  In addition, as one of the plurality of partial reading modes, an index processing mode for reading a plurality of pages of an original including an indexed original is included, and when the index processing mode is instructed, the control unit It may be configured to select the input page exclusion process.

  Normally, a document bundle including an indexed document has more pages than an indexed document. For this reason, when the index processing mode is selected, the user's burden on the reading process can be further reduced by setting the input page exclusion process to be selected.

  Further, the input means accepts a user setting instruction relating to the setting of input page processing for each partial reading mode, and the control unit is configured to input each of the above-described values based on the user setting instruction input to the input means. The setting of the input page process for the partial reading mode may be stored in the storage unit.

  According to said structure, the user can preset the input page process suitable for each partial reading mode according to a use environment. Therefore, the user can cause the control unit to select an input page process suitable for the partial reading mode only by selecting which partial reading mode to perform when performing the partial processing. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the burden on the user for the page input operation.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure provided with the display means which displays information, and the said control part displays the guidance display for assisting the user's operation with respect to the said input means on the said display means.

  According to said structure, the guidance display for assisting a user's operation with respect to the said input means is displayed on the said display means. Therefore, the user can perform an input operation with reference to the guidance display, and thus the burden on the user for the page input operation can be further reduced.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes any one of the above-described image reading apparatuses. According to the above configuration, the functions of the image reading apparatuses described above can be realized in the image forming apparatus.

  The image reading method of the present invention is an image reading method that performs reading processing only on a document of a page that needs to be read, input page execution processing that performs reading processing only on an input page, or other than an input page It is characterized by selecting and executing which input page processing to be performed, which is input page exclusion processing for performing the page reading processing.

  According to the above method, when performing partial reading, it is possible to select which of a page for reading a document or a page for not reading a document is input. For this reason, even if the number of pages to be read is larger than the number of pages not to be read, and conversely, even if the number of pages to be read is smaller than the number of pages that are not to be read, The burden can be reduced.

  An image reading program of the present invention is for causing a computer provided in an image reading apparatus to function as a control unit in any of the above-described image reading apparatuses.

  By causing the computer as described above to read the image reading program, the processing of the control unit in any of the image reading apparatuses described above can be realized by the computer.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium on which the image reading program is recorded. By recording these image reading programs on a computer-readable recording medium, the image reading programs can be easily stored and distributed. Further, by reading this recording medium, the processing of the control unit in any of the image reading apparatuses described above can be performed by a computer.

  As described above, the image reading apparatus according to the present invention performs an input page execution process for reading only a page input to the input unit, or an input for reading a page other than the page input to the input unit. A control unit is provided for selecting and executing which input page processing to perform, page exclusion processing.

  Therefore, even if the number of pages to be read is larger than the number of pages not to be read, and conversely, even if the number of pages to be read is smaller than the number of pages not to be read, the user of the page input work The burden can be reduced.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes any one of the image reading devices described above. According to the above configuration, the functions of the image reading apparatuses described above can be realized in the image forming apparatus.

  In the image reading method of the present invention, which input page processing is performed, that is, input page execution processing that performs reading processing only on input pages and input page exclusion processing that performs reading processing on pages other than the input pages? Select and execute.

  Therefore, even if the number of pages to be read is larger than the number of pages not to be read, and conversely, even if the number of pages to be read is smaller than the number of pages not to be read, the user of the page input work The burden can be reduced.

  An image reading program of the present invention is for causing a computer provided in an image reading apparatus to function as a control unit in any of the above-described image reading apparatuses.

  By causing the computer as described above to read the image reading program, the processing of the control unit in any of the image reading apparatuses described above can be realized by the computer.

  The recording medium of the present invention is a recording medium on which these image reading programs are recorded. By recording these image reading programs on a computer-readable recording medium, the image reading programs can be easily stored and distributed. Further, by reading this recording medium, the processing of the control unit in any of the image reading apparatuses described above can be performed by a computer.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 5.

  The image forming apparatus 1 reads an image of a document and forms an image on a sheet. In the image forming apparatus 1, the user does not perform the page to perform the reading process or the reading process with respect to a document bundle composed of a plurality of originals in which a page to be read and a page to be not read are mixed. You can select which page number of the page to enter. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 can perform processing such as conveyance, unloading, and reading on a sheet with an index (tab) as in the case of a normal sheet.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet conveying unit (conveying unit) 2, an image reading unit 3, an image forming unit 4, and an operation unit 5 (not shown) (see FIGS. 3 and 4), A sheet feeding unit 6, a storage unit (storage unit) 7, and a control unit 60 are provided. The sheet conveying unit 2, the image reading unit 3, the operation unit 5, and the control unit 60 form an image reading apparatus.

  The sheet conveyance unit 2 conveys sheet-like documents (hereinafter referred to as sheets) placed on the sheet supply tray 61 one by one to a predetermined document reading position, and after the document reading is completed, the first discharge tray 72 or a second discharge tray 73.

  The image reading unit 3 is used as a scanner device, and reads an image formed on a sheet to be read and converts it into image data. The image reading unit 3 includes a document table (platen glass) 31, a light source unit 32, a mirror unit 33, and a CCD unit 34.

  The document table 31 is a transparent member provided so that the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2 can be read by the CCD unit 34 or the like.

  The light source unit 32 includes a light source 32a, a mirror 32b, a slit 32c, and a mirror 32d. The mirror 32 b condenses the irradiation light from the light source 32 a at a predetermined position on the document table 31. Moreover, the slit 32c allows only the reflected light reflected by the sheet among the irradiation light to pass through. Further, the mirror 32d changes the optical path of the reflected light that has passed through the slit 32c by 90 degrees.

  The mirror unit 33 includes a pair of mirrors 33a and 33b. The pair of mirrors 33a and 33b changes the optical path of the light emitted from the mirror 32d of the light source unit 32 by 180 degrees.

  The CCD unit 34 includes an imaging lens 34a and an image sensor 34b. Then, the light emitted from the mirror unit 33 enters the imaging lens 34a, thereby recognizing the image read by the image sensor 34b.

  In the image reading unit 3 shown in the figure, the light source unit 32 is configured to move in the sheet conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction). In this configuration, the mirror unit 33 also moves in the same direction as the light source unit 32 as the light source unit 32 moves. The mirror unit 33 moves at half the speed of the light source unit 32.

  Further, instead of the optical system including the light source unit 32, the mirror unit 33, and the CCD unit 34, the optical system may be configured by using the imaging lens 34a, the image sensor 34b, and the light source 32a described above. .

  The image forming unit 4 forms an image based on read data (image data) acquired by the CCD unit 34 in the image reading unit 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 4 includes a photosensitive drum 41, a charger 42, a laser unit 43, a developing unit 44, a transfer unit 45, a static eliminator 46, a cleaning unit 47, a fixing unit 48, and a not-shown unit. A storage device or the like is provided. In the image forming unit 4, a charger 42, a laser unit 43, a developing device 44, a transfer device 45, a static eliminator 46, and a cleaning device 47 are arranged around the photosensitive drum 41 in this order. ing.

  The storage device is constituted by a memory, for example. In this storage device, read data acquired by the CCD unit 34 is stored. The charger 42 charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 to a predetermined potential.

  The laser unit 43 includes a semiconductor laser light source, a polygon mirror, an f-θ lens, and the like (not shown). The semiconductor laser light source emits laser light in accordance with data read from the storage device or data transferred from an external device. The polygon mirror polarizes the emitted laser light at an equal angular velocity. The f-θ lens corrects the laser beam so that the polarized laser beam is polarized on the photosensitive drum 41 at a constant speed. The laser irradiation of the photosensitive drum 41 by the laser unit 43 is performed after the photosensitive drum 41 is charged by the charger 42.

  The laser unit 43 forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the read data on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 by such laser irradiation.

  Instead of the laser unit 43, an optical writing head unit including a light emitting element array such as an LED or an EL may be used.

  The developing device 44 supplies toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor drum 41, thereby developing the electrostatic latent image to form a toner image. Further, the transfer unit 45 transfers the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41 by the developing unit 44 to the sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 6. Further, the static eliminator 46 eliminates charging of the surface of the photosensitive drum 41. The cleaning device 47 collects excess toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 41.

  The fixing unit 48 fixes the toner image on the sheet transferred by the transfer unit 45.

  The sheet feeding unit 6 stores the sheet and conveys the sheet to the image forming unit 4 in order to transfer the toner image. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred is discharged to a discharge tray for the image forming unit.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 5 includes an operation input unit 52 and a display unit (display unit) 53.

  The operation input unit (input means) 52 is a block that receives input from the user. The input from the operation input unit 52 is sent to the control unit 60.

  In response to an instruction from the control unit 60, the display unit (display unit) 53 receives an input status at the operation input unit 52, an operating status of the sheet conveying unit 2, an operating status of the image reading unit 3, or an image forming unit 4 Displays the operating status of the.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, as will be described in detail later, out of the sheets placed on the sheet supply tray 61, a sheet page (page number) on which a reading process is performed or a page (page number) on which a reading process is not performed. The number can be entered by the user.

  In addition, the operation part 5 is comprised by the panel shape as shown, for example in FIG. In the same figure, the panel P has shown the structural example which served as a part of operation input part 52, and the display part 53. FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 5 cancels all of the operation input unit 52 as an operation input unit 52, an input key K that receives an instruction regarding the number of processed sheets, a processing page number, and the like, a start button that receives an instruction to execute a process, and setting conditions. All release buttons to return to the initial state are provided. The configuration of the operation unit 5 is not limited to this.

  The storage unit 7 is a memory that stores information corresponding to various reading processing modes in the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 60 reads information corresponding to the reading processing mode selected by the user via the operation input unit 52 from the storage unit 7 and executes each reading processing mode. Further, as will be described later, the storage unit 7 can store a page input method (input page processing) when performing partial reading processing in each reading processing mode. The partial reading process is a process in which a reading process is performed for a part of the sheets placed on the sheet supply tray 61 and the reading process is not performed for the remaining sheets.

  The control unit 60 is a central part of the image forming apparatus 1 that controls all operations in the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the control unit 60 determines whether the sheet conveying unit 2, the image reading unit, or the like according to a user instruction to the operation unit 5, a detection result by each detector, information on various reading processing modes stored in the storage unit 7, or the like. The operation of each component in the unit 3, the image forming unit 4, the operation unit 5, the paper feeding unit 6, and the storage unit 7 is controlled.

Next, details of the sheet conveying unit 2 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sheet conveying unit 2. As shown in this figure, the sheet conveying unit 2 includes a sheet supply tray 61, a sheet detector 62, a pickup roller 63, a sheet feeding roller 64, a separation roller 65, a curved conveyance path 66, a sheet conveyance timing detector 67, a registration roller. 68, conveyor belt 69, reverse switching flapper 70, reverse roller 71, first discharge tray (first sheet discharge means) 72, second discharge tray (second sheet discharge means) 73, first discharge tray operation section ( Alignment means) 74, a first discharge tray position detector 75, and a sheet length detector 76.

  Here, the sheet supply tray 61, the sheet detector 62, the pickup roller 63, the paper feed roller 64, and the separation roller 65 constitute a sheet supply unit. Further, the sheet conveyance timing detector 67, the registration rollers 68, the conveyance belt 69, and the reverse roller 71 constitute a sheet conveyance unit.

  Note that the user's instruction to the operation unit 5 or the detection results by the sheet detector 62, the sheet conveyance timing detector 67, the first discharge tray position detector 75, and the sheet length detector 76 are the control unit 60. To be sent to. Then, the control unit 60 responds to an input signal from the operation unit 5 or an input signal from each of the detectors, a pickup roller 63, a paper feed roller 64, a separation roller 65, a registration roller 68, a conveyance belt 69, a reverse belt. The operation of the switching flapper 70, the reverse roller 71, the first discharge tray operation unit 74, and the like is controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the sheet supply tray 61 is a tray on which a plurality of sheets to be read can be placed. Further, the sheet detector 62 detects whether or not a sheet is placed on the sheet supply tray 61, and transmits the detection result to the control unit 60.

  The pickup roller 63 basically acquires the sheets placed on the sheet supply tray 61 one by one. In addition, the pickup roller 63 shown in the figure acquires in order from the sheet placed on the upper surface among the sheets placed on the sheet supply tray 61.

  However, the pickup roller 63 may acquire a plurality of sheets simultaneously due to its mechanism. For this reason, the sheet conveyed by the sheet feeding roller 64 to the curved conveyance path 66 on the downstream side of the sheet is conveyed at one time using the separation roller 65 disposed opposite to the sheet feeding roller 64. Is set to one.

  The registration roller 68 adjusts the sheet supply timing to the conveyance belt 69 on the downstream side of the registration roller 68 based on the result detected by the sheet conveyance timing detector 67. That is, the registration roller 68 is a roller that adjusts the timing of feeding a sheet to the document table 31 of the image reading unit 3 described above.

  In more detail, the detection result of the sheet conveyance timing detector 67 is temporarily input to the control unit 60, and the control unit 60 controls the operation of the registration roller 68 based on the detection result.

  The conveyance belt 69 conveys the sheet supplied from the registration roller 68 along the document table 31. More specifically, in the sheet reading method in the image reading unit 3, the conveyance belt 69 first conveys the sheet to a predetermined position, and temporarily stops the conveyance of the sheet at the predetermined position. Then, the sheet is read by the image reading unit 3 at this predetermined position. In addition, after the sheet is read, the conveyance of the sheet by the conveyance belt 69 is resumed.

  The reverse switching flapper 70 is a device that switches whether the sheet conveyed by the conveying belt 69 is discharged to the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray 73. More specifically, the reverse switching flapper 70 is configured to be movable, and by taking the first switching position (solid line position in FIG. 5), the sheet can be discharged to the first discharge tray 72, and the second switching position. By taking (the broken line position in FIG. 5), the sheet can be discharged to the second discharge tray 73. Note that the reverse switching flapper 70 performs the switching described above in response to an instruction from the control unit 60.

  The second discharge tray 73 is configured such that the downstream side of the second discharge tray 73 in the sheet conveyance direction is higher than the upstream side.

  In the present specification, the downstream side (or upstream side) of the second discharge tray 73 (or first discharge tray 72) in the sheet conveyance direction is simply referred to as the second discharge tray 73 (or first discharge tray 72). ) On the downstream side (or upstream side).

  When discharging the sheet to the second discharge tray 73, the sheet is conveyed using the reverse roller 71. Here, when the sheet is discharged to the second discharge tray 73, the sheet is discharged in a sheet state different from the sheet state when the sheet is conveyed by the conveying belt 69, that is, in a state where the front and back of the sheet are reversed. Will be. That is, the sheet is discharged in a state where it faces the same surface as when it is placed on the sheet supply tray 61.

  On the other hand, when the sheet is discharged to the first discharge tray 72, the sheet is discharged in the same sheet state as when the sheet is conveyed by the conveying belt 69, that is, the sheet is not reversed. Is done. That is, the sheet is discharged in a state of facing the opposite side to that when the sheet is placed on the sheet supply tray 61. Note that whether the sheet after conveyance is discharged to the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray 73 is information set in advance according to a user instruction, a detection result of each detector, a reading processing mode, The control unit 60 determines according to the above.

  The first discharge tray operation unit 74 includes a drive motor 74a and a driven unit 74b that is rotationally driven in accordance with the operation of the drive motor 74a. Here, the driven portion 74b is installed in a state of being fixed to the first discharge tray 72 side.

  In addition, the first discharge tray operation unit 74 is configured so that the first discharge tray 72 is attached to the sheet surface of the sheet discharged to the first discharge tray 72 via the driven unit 74b by the rotation of the drive motor 74a. To change. That is, the first discharge tray operating unit 74 can change the mounting angle of the first discharge tray 72 by rotating the first discharge tray 72 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 60. Note that the change in the mounting angle is performed within a predetermined range.

  More specifically, the first discharge tray operation unit 74 moves the first discharge tray 72 from the first set position (solid line position in FIG. 2) where the downstream side of the first discharge tray 72 is higher than the upstream side, The first discharge tray 72 is moved between a second set position (a broken line position in FIG. 2) at which the downstream side of the first discharge tray 72 is lower than the upstream side.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when a document bundle including a sheet with an index (tab) is placed on the sheet supply tray 61, the tab portion is placed on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. . Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, when a document bundle including a sheet with an index (tab) is read, the document bundle after the reading process is discharged to the first discharge tray 1 set at the second setting position. It has become. Thereby, the front end portion (side surface opposite to the side surface on which the tab is formed) of the sheet with the index (tab) after discharging can be placed with the front end portion (side surface) of the normal sheet aligned. It is like that.

  The first discharge tray position detector 75 is a device that detects whether or not the first discharge tray 72 is at the second set position. The sheet length detector 76 is a device that detects the sheet length in the sheet conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction in the image reading apparatus) regarding the sheet being conveyed. The detection results by these detectors are sent to the control unit 60. In the following description, the sheet length in the sheet conveyance direction is simply described as the sheet length.

(Example 1)
An example of the operation in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment.

  First, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the partial reading mode is selected (S1). Here, the partial reading mode is a mode in which a reading process is performed on a part of the sheets placed on the sheet supply tray 61 and a reading process is not performed on the rest.

  Note that the control unit 60 displays a “partial processing” button on the panel P (display unit 53, operation input unit 52) as shown by a broken line in FIG. 4 while waiting for an instruction from the user. Yes. The user can select the partial processing mode by touching the “partial processing” button.

  When the partial processing mode is selected in S1, the control unit 60 displays a page input selection screen as shown in FIG. 6A on the panel P (S2). That is, the control unit 60 displays an “input page exclusion” button, an “input page execution” button, an “OK” button, and a “return” button on the panel P. Further, the control unit 60 causes the panel P to display a message prompting the user to input an instruction, that is, a guidance display for assisting the user's operation. The user can select the page input method by selecting either the “exclude input page” button or the “execute input page” button. More specifically, after the user touches the “exclude input page” button or “execute input page” button, the user touches the “OK” button to instruct the control unit 60 about the page input method. Yes. When the “return” button is selected, the control unit 60 changes the display of the panel P to the state shown in FIG. 4 and performs the process of S1.

  Next, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the page input to be read is selected, that is, whether or not the input page execution is selected (S3).

  When the input page execution is selected, the control unit 60 prompts the panel P to input a processing page input screen as shown in FIG. 6B, that is, a page number for performing reading processing (use). And a display screen for displaying the input page number is displayed (S4). Note that the user can input a page number to be read via the input key K shown in FIG. The page number input via the input key K is displayed on the processing page input screen. FIG. 6B shows a case where one page and six pages are input. In addition, the user can instruct the control unit 60 to read a page by touching an “OK” button displayed on the processing page input screen after inputting a page number to be read. .

  Thereafter, the control unit 60 controls the operation of each unit in the image forming apparatus 1 to perform a process of reading a sheet (original) of the input page (S5). Here, the control unit 60 causes the sheet conveying unit 2 to convey a sheet for a page that has not been input in a state where reading of an image by the image reading unit 3 is stopped. The controller 60 discharges the conveyed sheet to the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray 73. Then, the read page is output (S9), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, when the input page exclusion is selected in S3, the control unit 60 inputs the processing exclusion page input screen as shown in FIG. 6C on the panel P, that is, the input of the page number for which the user does not perform the reading process. (A guidance display for supporting the user's operation is performed) and a display screen display screen for displaying the input page number is displayed (S6). Note that the user can input a page number that is not subjected to reading processing via the input key K shown in FIG. Further, the page number input via the input key K is displayed on the processing exclusion page input screen. FIG. 6C shows a case where one page, four pages, and six pages are input. In addition, the user can input a page number not to be read, and then touch the “OK” button displayed on the processing exclusion page input screen so that the control unit 60 can specify a page that is not to be read. It has become.

  Thereafter, the control unit 60 performs a process of reading a sheet (original) other than the input page (S7). Note that the control unit 60 causes the sheet conveying unit 2 to convey a sheet for a page that has not been input in a state where reading of an image by the image reading unit 3 is stopped. Note that the control unit 60 discharges the conveyed sheet to the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray. Then, the read page is output (S9), and the process ends.

  When the partial processing mode is not selected in S1, the control unit 60 reads all the sheets (documents) placed on the sheet supply tray 61 (S8), and loads them to the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray. Let it drain. Then, the read page is output (S9), and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when partial reading is performed, the user selects which of a page for reading a document or a page for not reading a document is input. Can do.

  Therefore, for example, a page input method suitable for the ratio of pages to be read and pages not to be read can be selected. Therefore, even if the number of pages to be read is larger than the number of pages not to be read, and conversely, even if the number of pages to be read is smaller than the number of pages not to be read, the burden on the user for page input work Can be reduced.

(Example 2)
Another embodiment of the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. In this embodiment, a plurality of partial scanning modes can be selected as the partial scanning mode, and whether to input a page to be read or to input a page not to be read according to the selected partial scanning mode. Can be set in advance. In this embodiment, a case where an index processing mode for reading a sheet with an index (tab) and a normal partial reading mode will be described as an example of the plurality of partial reading modes. In this embodiment, when the partial processing mode is selected, the conveyed sheet (original) is discharged to the first discharge tray 72 set at the second set position.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment. As shown in this figure, the control unit 60 first determines whether or not the partial reading mode is selected (S21).

  Note that the control unit 60 displays a “partial processing” button on the panel P (display unit 53, operation input unit 52) as shown by a broken line in FIG. 4 while waiting for an instruction from the user. Yes. The user can select the partial processing mode by touching the “partial processing button”.

  If the partial processing mode is selected in S21, the control unit 60 causes the panel P to display a partial processing content selection screen as shown in FIG. 8 (S22). That is, the control unit 60 inputs an instruction to the user on the panel P with an “index processing” button, an “exclude input page” button, an “execute input page” button, an “OK” button, and a “return” button. A message prompting (a guidance display for supporting the user's operation) is displayed.

  The user can specify which partial reading mode is used for partial reading by selecting any one of the “index processing” button, “exclude input page” button, and “execute input page” button. ing. More specifically, the user touches any one of an “index processing” button, an “exclude input page” button, and an “input page execution” button, and then touches an “OK” button to execute a partial reading mode to be executed. Is instructed to the control unit 60. When the “return” button is selected, the control unit 60 changes the display of the panel P to the state shown in FIG. 4 and performs the process of S21.

  Next, the control unit 60 determines whether or not an index processing mode has been selected (S23). That is, the control unit 60 determines which partial reading mode is used. When “input page exclusion” and “input page execution” are selected, partial reading is performed in the normal partial reading mode described in the first embodiment, and when “index processing” is selected. Will perform partial reading in the index processing mode.

  When the index processing mode is selected, the control unit 60 displays the processing exclusion page input screen shown in FIG. 6C on the panel P (S24). That is, the user is prompted to input a page number for which reading processing is not performed (guidance display for supporting the user's operation is performed), and a display screen display screen for displaying the input page number is displayed. Note that the user can input a page number that is not subjected to reading processing via the input key K shown in FIG. Further, the page number input via the input key K is displayed on the processing exclusion page input screen. In addition, the user can input a page number not to be read, and then touch the “OK” button displayed on the processing exclusion page input screen so that the control unit 60 can specify a page that is not to be read. It has become.

  Thereafter, the control unit 60 performs a process of reading a sheet (original) other than the input page (S25). Note that the control unit 60 causes the sheet conveying unit 2 to convey a sheet for a page that has not been input in a state where reading of an image by the image reading unit 3 is stopped.

  Next, the control unit 60 sets the first discharge tray 72 to a second set position (a broken line position in FIG. 2) where the downstream side of the first discharge tray 72 is lower than the upstream side (S26). More specifically, when the index processing mode is selected, the control unit 60 rotates the drive motor 74a to change the mounting angle of the first discharge tray 72 to the second set position via the driven unit 74b. To change.

  Then, the control unit 60 discharges the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2 to the first discharge tray 72 set at the second setting position (S27).

In the image forming apparatus 1, for example, when a document bundle including sheets with an index (tab) as illustrated in FIG. 9 is placed on the sheet supply tray 61, the tab portion is arranged on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. It is supposed to be placed. In the image forming apparatus 1, when processing a document bundle in which a sheet with an index (tab) and a sheet without a normal index (tab) are processed, the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2 is moved to the second set position. By discharging to the first discharge tray 72 set to, the leading end of the sheet with the index (tab) after discharging (the side opposite to the side on which the tab is formed) and the leading end of the normal sheet (side surface) ) And can be placed together.
Thereafter, the control unit 60 outputs the read page (S28) and ends the process.

  On the other hand, when the index processing mode is not selected in S23, the control unit 60 determines whether or not the input page execution is selected (S29). That is, the control unit 60 determines which one of the “input page exclusion” button and the “input page execution” button is selected.

  When the input page execution is selected, the control unit 60 prompts the panel P to input a processing page input screen as shown in FIG. 6B, that is, a page number for performing reading processing (use). And a display screen for displaying the input page number is displayed (S30). Note that the user can input a page number to be read via the input key K shown in FIG. The page number input via the input key K is displayed on the processing page input screen. In addition, the user can instruct the control unit 60 to read a page by touching an “OK” button displayed on the processing page input screen after inputting a page number to be read. .

  Thereafter, the control unit 60 performs a process of reading a sheet (original) of the input page (S31). Note that the control unit 60 causes the sheet conveying unit 2 to convey a sheet for a page that has not been input in a state where reading of an image by the image reading unit 3 is stopped. Further, the control unit 60 discharges the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2 to the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray 73 (S32). And the control part 60 outputs the read page (S28), and complete | finishes a process.

  When the input page exclusion is selected in S29, the control unit 60 displays on the panel P a processing exclusion page input screen as shown in FIG. 6C, that is, a page number for which the user does not perform the reading process. A display screen for displaying the input page number is displayed while prompting input (performing a guidance display for assisting the user's operation) (S33). Note that the user can input a page number that is not subjected to reading processing via the input key K shown in FIG. The page number input via the input key K is displayed on the processing page input screen. In addition, the user can input a page number not to be read, and then touch the “OK” button displayed on the processing page input screen to instruct the control unit 60 to specify a page that is not to be read. It has become.

  Thereafter, the control unit 60 performs a process of reading a sheet (original) other than the input page (S34). Note that the control unit 60 causes the sheet conveying unit 2 to convey a sheet for a page that has not been input in a state where reading of an image by the image reading unit 3 is stopped. Further, the control unit 60 discharges the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2 to the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray 73 (S32). And the control part 60 outputs the read page (S28), and complete | finishes a process.

  In S21, when the partial reading mode is not selected, the control unit 60 reads all the sheets (documents) placed on the sheet supply tray 61 (S35), and the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray. It is discharged to the tray 73 (S32). Then, the read page is output (S28), and the process ends.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, when the index processing mode is selected, it is set in advance so as to perform reading while excluding sheets with indexes (tabs). In general, in a document bundle including an index (tab) -attached sheet, a normal sheet has more pages than an index (tab) -attached sheet. For this reason, by setting the page input method (input page processing) of partial processing to “exclude input page” when the index processing mode is selected, the user's burden on the reading processing is further increased. Can be reduced.

  Further, in this embodiment, when the index processing mode is selected, the first discharge tray 72 is moved to the second set position (the broken line position in FIG. 2) where the downstream side of the first discharge tray 72 is lower than the upstream side. ) To move. Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, when a document bundle including a sheet with an index (tab) is placed on the sheet supply tray 61, the tab portion is placed so as to be on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction. Yes. For this reason, by discharging the sheet after being conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2 to the first discharge tray 72, the leading end of the sheet with the index (tab) after discharging (the side opposite to the side on which the tab is formed) And the front end (side surface) of a normal sheet can be placed in alignment.

  In this embodiment, when the index processing mode is selected, the sheet conveyed by the sheet conveying unit 2 is discharged to the first discharge tray 72. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, switchback means for switching back the sheet transported by the transport belt 69 toward the transport belt 69 may be provided, and the switched back sheet may be discharged to the second discharge tray 73. Also in this case, it is possible to place the leading end portion of the indexed (tab) -attached sheet after discharge and the leading end portion of the normal sheet.

  For example, a discharge switching flapper 77 as shown in FIG. 11 may be provided as means for switching back the sheet conveyed by the conveyance belt 69. The discharge switching flapper 77 is a device that switches back the sheet conveyed by the conveyance belt 69 toward the conveyance belt 69 in cooperation with the reverse roller 71 and the reverse switching flapper 70. More specifically, the discharge switching flapper 77 is configured to be movable, and can switch back the sheet by taking the third switching position (solid line position in FIG. 11), and the fourth switching position (broken line in FIG. 11). The sheet can be discharged to the second discharge tray 73 by taking the position. In the case of performing switchback, it is assumed that the reverse switching flapper 70 is in the second switching position.

  In the above switchback, since the reverse roller 71 is used, the front and back of the sheet are switched before and after the switchback is performed. Further, when the switchback is performed, the sheet reaches the conveyance belt 69 again. At this time, the operation direction of the conveyance belt 69 is reversed, and the sheet is once conveyed in the direction B in FIG. Then, after the sheet is completely switched back, the operation direction of the conveying belt 69 is reversed again to convey the sheet in the direction F of FIG.

  If it is not necessary to align the leading end of the indexed (tab) sheet and the leading end of the normal sheet, the sheet may be discharged to either the first discharge tray 72 or the second discharge tray 73. The setting position of the first discharge tray 72 may be set to either the first setting position or the second setting position.

  In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, when the normal partial reading mode is performed, the user selects whether to input a page for reading a document or a page for not reading a document. be able to.

  Therefore, for example, a page input method suitable for the ratio of pages to be read and pages not to be read can be selected. Therefore, even if the number of pages to be read is larger than the number of pages not to be read, and conversely, even if the number of pages to be read is smaller than the number of pages not to be read, the burden on the user for page input work Can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, the case where the partial reading mode includes the normal partial reading mode and the index processing mode has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, when processing a document bundle in which a black and white document and a color document are mixed, a page on which a document is read or a page on which a document is not read is displayed. A “color original mixed mode” in which which is input in advance may be provided.

  Note that the page input method (input page processing) employed when the “color document mixed mode” is selected may be changed by the user. In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the frequency of processing a document bundle in which the number of pages of a color document in the document bundle is smaller than the number of pages of a monochrome document is high. In a use environment where the frequency of reading only a document is high, the user can reduce the burden of page input by setting the user to input the page number of a page not to be read.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, the frequency of processing a document bundle in which the number of pages of a color document in the document bundle is larger than the number of pages of a black and white document is high. In a usage environment where the frequency of reading is frequently performed, the user can reduce the burden of page input by setting the user to input the page number of the page to be read.

  The present invention is not limited to a copying machine, but can be applied to any image reading apparatus that reads a document and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus. For example, you may apply to the FAX which transmits the read image using a telephone line etc. Alternatively, the present invention may be applied to a photographic reading apparatus (image reading apparatus) and a photographic printer (image forming apparatus) that read and output an image of a photograph or a photographic film. Or you may apply to the scanner (image reading apparatus) for taking in the read image in information processing apparatuses, such as a personal computer. In this case, the image forming apparatus is configured by a scanner, a personal computer, a display device that displays the read image, a printing device that prints the read image, and the like.

  In the above description, all processes in the image forming apparatus 1 are performed under the control of the control unit 60. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an information processing apparatus capable of recording a program for performing these processes on a recording medium and reading the program may be used instead of the control unit 60.

  In this configuration, the arithmetic unit (CPU or MPU) of the information processing apparatus reads the program recorded on the recording medium and executes the process. Therefore, it can be said that this program itself realizes the processing.

  Here, as the information processing apparatus, in addition to a general computer (workstation or personal computer), a function expansion board or a function expansion unit mounted on the computer can be used.

  The above program is a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program, etc.) of software that realizes processing. This program may be used alone or in combination with other programs (such as OS). The program may be read from the recording medium, temporarily stored in a memory (RAM or the like) in the apparatus, and then read and executed again.

  The recording medium for recording the program may be easily separable from the information processing apparatus, or may be fixed (attached) to the apparatus. Furthermore, it may be connected to the apparatus as an external storage device.

  Examples of such recording media include magnetic tapes such as video tapes and cassette tapes, magnetic disks such as floppy (registered trademark) disks and hard disks, optical disks such as CD-ROM, MO, MD, DVD, and CD-R (magneto-optical). Disc), memory cards such as IC cards and optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, and flash ROM can be applied.

  Also, a recording medium connected to the information processing apparatus via a network (intranet / Internet) may be used. In this case, the information processing apparatus acquires the program by downloading via the network. That is, the above program may be acquired via a transmission medium (a medium that dynamically holds the program) such as a network (connected to a wired line or a wireless line). The program for downloading is preferably stored in advance in the apparatus (or in the transmission side apparatus / reception side apparatus).

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope shown in the claims. That is, embodiments obtained by combining technical means appropriately modified within the scope of the claims are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

  The image reading apparatus, the image forming apparatus, the image reading method, and the image forming apparatus provided with the image reading apparatus of the present invention can be applied to various apparatuses that read an image of an original such as a copying machine, a FAX, a photo reading apparatus, and a scanner.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a position embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of an operation unit in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet conveying device in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A) is a top view which shows the page input selection screen in the image forming apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention. (B) is a top view which shows the process page input screen in the image forming apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. (C) is a top view which shows the process exclusion page input screen in the image forming apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the other Example of the flow of a process in the image forming apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the partial process content selection screen in the image forming apparatus concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the document bundle containing a sheet | seat with an index (tab). . (A) And (b) is a perspective view which shows the example of the document bundle in which a monochrome manuscript and a color manuscript are mixed. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration example in the case where an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes switchback means for switching back a sheet.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Sheet conveyance part (conveyance means)
3 Image reading unit (reading means)
4 Image forming section 5 Operation section 6 Paper feeding section 7 Storage section (storage means)
52 Operation input section (input means)
53 Display (Display means)
60 Control Unit 61 Sheet Supply Tray 72 First Discharge Tray 73 Second Discharge Tray 77 Discharge Switching Flapper K Input Key (Input Means)
P panel (display means, input means)

Claims (10)

It has a reading unit that performs a reading process of reading a document and converts it into image data, and an input unit that inputs a page number, and includes a partial reading mode that performs a reading process only on a document of a page that needs to be read. In the image reading apparatus,
Which input page processing is to be performed, input page execution processing for reading only pages input to the input means, or input page exclusion processing for reading pages other than pages input to the input means? An image reading apparatus comprising a control unit that selects and executes the image. The input means receives a user instruction regarding which input page processing is to be performed,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects the input page process based on a user instruction input to the input unit. A storage unit that stores a plurality of partial reading modes and information that is set in advance as to which input page processing is selected for each of the partial reading modes;
The input means accepts a user instruction regarding which partial reading mode to execute,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects the preset input page process in accordance with a partial reading mode instructed through the input unit. One of the plurality of partial reading modes includes an index processing mode for reading a plurality of pages of an original including an indexed original,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit selects the input page exclusion process when the index processing mode is instructed. The input means accepts a user setting instruction regarding the setting of input page processing for each partial reading mode,
5. The control unit according to claim 3, wherein the control unit causes the storage unit to store input page processing settings for each of the partial reading modes based on a user setting instruction input to the input unit. The image reading apparatus described. A display means for displaying information;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit causes the display unit to display a guidance display for assisting a user's operation with respect to the input unit.   An image forming apparatus comprising the image reading apparatus according to claim 1. In an image reading method that performs reading processing only on a document of a page that requires reading,
Select and execute an input page execution process that performs a reading process on only the input page or an input page exclusion process that performs a reading process on a page other than the input page. A featured image reading method.   The image reading program for functioning the computer with which the image reading apparatus was equipped as a control part in the image reading apparatus of any one of Claims 1-6.   A recording medium on which the image reading program according to claim 9 is recorded.

Images