JP2005340894A - Original reading apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original reading apparatus whereby an original left behind on an original placing glass is held so that a third party cannot extract it and only a person permitted for extraction can extract the original when the original is left behind on the original placing glass. <P>SOLUTION: The original reading apparatus provided with a freely openable original cover for pressing the original placed on the original placing glass and an image reading means 5 for reading image information of the original pressed by the original cover is configured to include: an original holding means 70 for inhibiting extraction of the original after reading of the image information by the image reading means 5; an operator identification means 80 for identifying a particular operator; and an original hold releasing means 75 for releasing the holding state of the original by the original holding means 70 for the particular operator identified by the operator identification means 80. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an original reading apparatus including an openable / closable original cover for pressing an original placed on an original glass and an image reading unit for reading image information of the original pressed against the original cover. Then, the present invention relates to a document reading apparatus that stores a document remaining on a document mounting table after document reading in a secure state without being viewed by a third party in an unauthorized manner and can be taken out only by authorized persons.

  Conventionally, in a medium forgetting prevention inducing guidance device that induces the removal of the medium from an apparatus that requires the operator to remove the various media, an operator position detection unit that detects the position and movement of the operator, Medium detecting means for detecting whether or not the medium that needs to be taken out from the apparatus remains in the apparatus, warning sound notifying means for notifying and outputting a predetermined warning sound to the operator, and the operator position detection And the medium detection means detects that the medium remains in the device by discriminating the operation of the operator leaving the device from the detection result of the operator position detection device. In addition, there has been proposed a medium removal forgetting prevention inducing device including a control unit that outputs the warning sound from the warning sound notification unit.

  The above-mentioned medium removal forgetting prevention guidance device detects the position and movement of an operator of an apparatus that requires the operator to take out various media by the operator position detection means, and discriminates the leaving action of the operator from the apparatus. When the medium detection means detects that the medium remains in the device, the warning voice notification means can be driven to output a predetermined warning voice to the operator, It is possible to reliably prevent the user from forgetting to remove the medium without causing annoyance or discomfort to the surrounding people.

  In addition, an automatic document feeder having document feeding means for feeding a document to a document placing table of the image forming apparatus main body and discharging the document after copying the document is provided on the image forming apparatus main body so as to be openable and closable. In an image forming apparatus that fixes an original by closing the automatic document feeder when the original is manually placed on the document, the original is manually placed on the original placement table, and the automatic original feeder is closed to remove the original. There has been proposed an image forming apparatus provided with control means for controlling the document conveying means to drive and eject the document on the document placing table after a predetermined time has elapsed after fixing and copying.

The above-described image forming apparatus manually places a document on a document placement table, closes the document automatic conveyance device, fixes the document, performs copying, and drives the document conveyance means after a predetermined time has elapsed to drive the document placement table. Since the original document is controlled to be discharged, it is possible to prevent the document from being left on the document table and to discharge the document from the document table that is unnecessary when copying again due to poor copying. Can be reliably prevented, and troublesome work at the time of re-copying can be reduced.
JP 2001-202551 A JP 2000-214642 A

  However, in the conventional technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, even when the medium is forgotten to be removed, it is possible to prevent the medium from being forgotten by generating a warning. However, the operator does not notice the warning or does not recognize it. When there is a situation that must be ignored, there is a problem that the media left behind are not protected from any third party.

  Further, in the conventional technique described in Patent Document 2 described above, when a document is forgotten to be placed on the document placement table, the document conveying means is driven and the document on the document placement table is discharged, thereby preventing the document from being left behind. However, similarly, there is a problem that when the discharged document is left behind, the document is not protected from any third party.

  In view of the above-described conventional drawbacks, the present invention holds a document so that it cannot be taken out by a third party when the document is left on the document glass, and only a person who has been permitted to remove the document can take out the document. Therefore, it is possible to provide a document reading apparatus capable of performing the above.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the first characteristic configuration of the document reading apparatus according to the present invention is the opening and closing that presses the document placed on the document glass as described in claim 1 of the document of the claims. An original reading apparatus comprising a free original cover and an image reading means for reading image information of the original pressed against the original cover, wherein the original holding prohibits taking out of the original after completion of reading by the image reading means Means for identifying the specific operator, and document holding release means for releasing the document holding state by the document holding means only for the specific operator identified by the operator identifying means. It is in the point which is provided and configured.

  According to the above configuration, even if the original is left on the original glass, the original holding means prohibits taking out of the original, and only the operator specified by the operator identification means changes the original holding state by the original holding release means. Since the document can be taken out and the document can be taken out, a third party cannot take out the document illegally, and even a misplaced document can be kept in a secure state.

  As described in claim 2, the second characteristic configuration is that, in addition to the first characteristic configuration described above, the document holding means includes a lock mechanism that prevents the document cover from being opened. .

  According to the above-described configuration, the lock mechanism is activated to prevent the document cover from being opened, so that the document on the document glass cannot be taken out and is securely held.

  According to the third feature configuration, in addition to the second feature configuration described above, in addition to the second feature configuration described above, reading prohibition that prohibits the document reading operation by the image reading unit during document holding by the document holding unit. It is in the point comprised by providing means.

  According to the above configuration, the document reading operation by the image reading unit is prohibited while the document holding unit is holding the document, so that the document held by the third party is copied and output, so that the document can be illegally handled. Can be prevented.

  In the fourth feature configuration, as described in claim 4, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the document holding means locks the document storage portion for storing the document and the document storage portion. The present invention is configured to include a lock mechanism and a document transfer means for transferring a document on the document glass to the document storage unit.

  According to the above-described configuration, a document that has been misplaced on the document glass is stored in the document storage unit by the document holding unit, and the document storage unit is locked by the lock mechanism, so that the document can be stored by a third party. Unauthorized acquisition can be avoided, and further, a third party can use the document reading apparatus after the document is stored in the storage unit.

  According to the fifth feature configuration, as described in claim 5, in addition to the first feature configuration described above, the document holding means stores storage means for storing image information of the document read by the image reading means. And a document crushing mechanism that crushes the document after being stored in the storage means.

  According to the above-described configuration, the document that has been left on the document glass is crushed by the document crushing mechanism after the image information is stored in the storage means, so that the document is illegally obtained by a third party. I can't do that. However, since the document is stored in the storage means as image information, it can be taken out as necessary. Also in this case, after the original is crushed, a third party can use the original reading apparatus.

  In the sixth feature configuration, as described in claim 6, in addition to any of the first to fifth feature configurations described above, the document holding unit finishes reading the document by the image reading unit. The document cover is configured to operate when the document cover is not opened within a predetermined time.

  According to the above-described configuration, the document holding unit operates when the document cover is not opened within a predetermined time after the reading of the document is completed, so that the operator can easily take out his document. Even if it is forgotten to be removed, it is safely held by the document holding means after a predetermined time.

  As described in the seventh aspect of the present invention, the seventh feature configuration includes notifying means for notifying the operation of the document holding means in addition to any of the first to sixth feature configurations described above. In the point.

  According to the above-described configuration, the operator who is the owner of the document or the administrator of the image forming apparatus can recognize that the operator has left the document by the notification means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a document is forgotten to be placed on the document glass, the document is held so that it cannot be taken out by a third party, and only a person who is permitted to remove the document can take out the document. It is now possible to provide a manuscript reading apparatus capable of performing the above.

  Hereinafter, a case where the document reading apparatus according to the present invention is mounted on a digital copying machine as an image forming apparatus will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the copying machine includes an image forming apparatus 100 and a document reading apparatus 200 placed on top of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a charging charger 11, an exposure head 12, a developing device 13, a cleaner 14, and an eraser lamp 15 arranged along the rotation direction of the photoconductor 10, and an exposure head 12 driven based on image data. The image forming unit 1 in which the electrostatic latent image formed by the developing unit 13 is visualized as a toner image by the developing unit 13 and the recording paper 20 of an appropriate size are supplied from the cassette 21 in which the recording papers 20 of different sizes are accommodated. A paper feed roller 22 for feeding paper, a transport belt 23 for transporting the fed recording paper 20 to the transfer area of the photoconductor 10, and a recording paper 20 onto which the toner image has been transferred are transported to the fixing unit 30 for discharging the paper. 24 or the refeeding unit 25, and a transporting unit 2 including a plurality of transporting roller pairs 26 and the like are provided.

  The document reading device 200 includes a document conveying means 4, an image reading means 5, and an operation unit (not shown). The image reading means 5 includes document glasses 50 and 51 and a document as shown in FIG. An image pickup unit 52 having a CCD image sensor for reading originals on the glasses 50 and 51, an optical system 53 for focusing the original image on the image pickup unit 52, and an original detection sensor 54 for detecting the presence of an original on the original glass 51. The document conveying means 4 includes a document tray 41 disposed on a document cover 40 that can swing up and down with respect to the document glasses 50 and 51, and a document placed on the document tray 41. A first document transport mechanism 42 that transports the documents one by one onto the document glass 50 is configured, and the operation unit is set as input keys such as various operation modes of the copying machine and a print key for starting a copying operation. Indicates the state It is then configured with a radical 113 or the like.

  The optical system 53 includes a lamp 530 as a light source for illuminating the document fed to the document reading position, a first mirror 531 that captures reflected light from the document, a second mirror 532, a third mirror 533, When a document is placed on the document glass 51 for placing a document in a mirror scanning type optical system comprising a lens 534 for focusing the light beam from the third mirror 533 on the imaging unit 52, a lamp 530, A mirror scanning mode in which the mirrors 531, 532, and 533 scan (sub-scan) from the position indicated by the solid line in the drawing to the position indicated by the alternate long and short dash line to read the image information of the document, and the first transport mechanism 42 causes the document to be scanned. When the sheet is conveyed, the lamp 530 and the mirrors 531, 532, and 533 are fixed at the positions indicated by the solid lines in the drawing, and the sheet through mode for reading the image information of the document being conveyed (sub-scanned). It is to switch configured to be able to.

  The above-mentioned copying machine includes a plurality of microcomputers, a plurality of ROMs storing their execution programs, a RAM for performing arithmetic processing necessary for executing the programs, motors for driving the copying machines, various clutches and solenoids. And a plurality of control circuit boards including a drive circuit for controlling various loads such as a heater of the fixing unit 30 and a buffer circuit for inputting various signals such as a switch, a paper sensor, and a temperature sensor. The copying operation is executed.

  These will be described based on functional blocks. As shown in FIG. 3, various loads of the document conveying unit 4 and the image reading unit 5 are connected, and the document reading device 200 is mainly controlled to read a document image. The image reading control unit 200A is connected to various loads of the image forming unit 1, the conveying unit 2, and the fixing unit 30, and mainly controls the image forming apparatus 100 to form and output an image on recording paper. A network interface unit for transmitting and receiving data between the unit 100A and an external device is provided, and document image data read by the image reading unit 5 is output to the exposure head 12 at a predetermined timing. As a result, an image corresponding to the original image is formed on the photoreceptor 10.

  When the original image is read in the mirror scan mode by the copying machine described above, the operator opens the original cover 40 and places the original document at a predetermined position on the original glass 51, and then closes the original cover 40 and the original document glass. The user presses the button 51 and operates the print key of the operation unit (not shown). However, the user may forget to remove the original placed after the copying operation is completed. When a neglected manuscript is obtained by a third party, important information may be leaked.

  Therefore, a document holding unit 70 that prohibits taking out of a document after completion of reading by the image reading unit 5, an operator identifying unit 80 that identifies a specific operator, and a specific operation identified by the operator identifying unit 80. Document holding release means 75 for releasing the document holding state by the document holding means 70 is provided only for the person.

  The operator identification unit 80 includes a fingerprint input scanner provided in the operation unit, a fingerprint data storage unit that stores fingerprint data of the operator in advance, fingerprint data input from the fingerprint input scanner, and the fingerprint The apparatus is configured to include collation means for collating fingerprint data stored in the data storage means and specifying an operator.

  The document holding means 70 includes a lock mechanism 55 that prevents the document cover 40 from being opened. The locking mechanism 55 includes a locking hole provided on the lower surface side of the document cover 40 and a locking claw provided on the upper surface side of the cover of the image reading unit 5 so as to be retractable. The original cover 40 is locked by driving a solenoid provided in the locking claw and entering and engaging the locking claw into the locking hole. The locking claw is withdrawn from the locking hole to release the engagement, thereby unlocking the cover 40. The document holding unit detects that the document cover 40 has been moved within a predetermined time after the reading of the document by the image reading unit, for example, after 30 seconds to 1 minute set as an operation time of the auto reset function has elapsed. Operates when not opened.

  When the operator is recognized by the operator identification unit 80 during operation of the document holding unit 70, the document holding release unit 75 issues an operation release command to the document holding unit 70, and the document holding unit 70 Allow removal.

  The document reading control unit 200A prohibits the document reading operation in the mirror scan mode by the image reading unit 5 so that the document being held is not copied while the document is held by the document holding unit 70. Read prohibiting means 90 is provided. Here, the reading prohibiting means 90 permits the document reading operation in the sheet through mode so that a copying operation other than the held document can be performed.

  Further, a notifying unit 95 for notifying the operation of the document holding unit is provided, and the operation unit is configured to display that the document holding unit 70 has been operated. The notification means 95 further indicates that the document holding means 70 has been activated for the operator and the manager who are the owners of the document based on the mail address registered in advance linked to the fingerprint data. Mail processing means for sending electronic mail via the network interface unit is provided, and either means or both means are operated so as to be dealt with quickly.

  The operation of the document holding means 70 and the document holding release means 75 will be described with reference to FIG. When the copying operation in the state where the operator is recognized by the operator identification means 80 is completed (S1), the time counting is started immediately after the completion (S2).

  The document cover 40 is attached to a frame on the image reading means 5 side via a hinge mechanism that swings and supports the cover 40 so as to be openable and closable on the back side thereof. A photo sensor is provided as a document cover open / close detection sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the cover by. If the document cover open / close detection sensor detects that the document cover 40 has been opened within a predetermined time, it is determined that the document has been removed (S3). If the predetermined time elapses without the document cover being opened (S3) (S4), it is determined that the document has been misplaced, the document holding means 70 is activated, and the document cover 40 is locked (S5).

  While the document cover 40 is locked, the reading prohibiting unit 90 prohibits reading of the document in the mirror scan mode. This prevents the original from being copied and obtained by a third party.

  When the document cover 40 is locked, the notification means 95 notifies the administrator and the operator (S7). The reason for notifying not only the operator but also the administrator is that if the operator is unable to respond for some reason, the administrator will respond to the situation quickly.

  When an operator or administrator who notices that he / she has forgotten to take a document by a notification or the like, a fingerprint is input to the operator identification means 80 and is authenticated as an operator or administrator recognized at the start of copying (S8). The document cover 40 is unlocked and the document is taken out (S9). When fingerprint authentication is not performed by the operator or the administrator, the document cover 40 is locked and enters a standby state with copying prohibited.

  Another embodiment will be described below. In the above-described embodiment, the document holding unit 70 is configured by the lock mechanism 55 that prevents the document cover 40 from being opened. However, the document holding unit 70a includes a document storage unit 60 that stores the document, A lock mechanism 63 that locks the document storage unit 60 and a document transfer unit that transfers the document on the document glass 51 to the document storage unit 60 may be provided.

  More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a second transport mechanism 43 for transporting a document placed on the document glass 51 to the document storage unit 60 is provided. The document storage unit 60 includes: A document storage box 61 for storing a document and an openable / closable box cover 62 provided on the side of the document storage box 61 are configured to store the document transported by the second transport mechanism.

  The locking mechanism 63 includes a locking hole provided in the box cover 62 and a locking claw provided in the document storage box 61, and drives and locks a solenoid provided in the locking claw. The box cover 62 is locked by entering and engaging the claw into the locking hole, and the locking claw is withdrawn from the locking hole by releasing the solenoid to release the engagement. unlock.

  The second transport mechanism 43 as the document transporting unit transports the document on the document glass 51 to the document storage unit 60, and within a predetermined time after the document reading by the image reading unit is completed. For example, it operates when the document cover 40 is not opened after 30 seconds to 1 minute, which is set as the operation time of the auto reset function.

  Based on FIG. 6, the operation of the original holding means 70a and the original holding release means 75a that issues an operation release command to the original holding means 70a will be described. When the copying operation in the state where the operator is recognized by the operator identification means 80 is completed (S1), the time counting is started immediately after the completion (S2).

  If the document cover open / close detection sensor detects that the document cover 40 has been opened within a predetermined time, it is determined that the document has been removed (S3). If the document cover is not opened (S3) and a predetermined time elapses (S4), it is determined that the document has been misplaced, the document holding means 70a is activated, and the document is transferred to the document storage box 61 by the document transfer means. At the same time, the box cover 62 is locked (S5).

  When the original is transferred to the original container 60, the notification means 95 notifies the administrator and the operator (S6).

  When an operator or administrator who notices that he / she has forgotten to take a document by a notification or the like inputs a fingerprint to the operator identification means 80 and is authenticated as an operator or administrator recognized at the start of copying (S7) The box cover 60 is unlocked and the document is taken out (S8). When fingerprint authentication is not performed by the operator or the administrator, the box cover 60 is in a standby state while being locked.

  In the above-described embodiment, the document holding unit 70 is configured by the lock mechanism 55 that prevents the document cover 40 from being opened. However, the document holding unit 70b is configured to store the document read by the image reading unit 5. You may comprise the memory | storage means 71b which memorize | stores image information, and the original crushing mechanism 72b which crushes the said original document after memorize | stored in the said memory | storage means 71b.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the original crushing mechanism 72b includes a shredder 73b that crushes the original into an unreadable state and a dust box 74b that temporarily stores the crushed original. Composed.

  The operation of the document holding means 70b will be described with reference to FIG. When the copying operation in the state where the operator is recognized by the operator identification means 80 is completed (S1), the time counting is started immediately after the completion (S2).

  If the document cover open / close detection sensor detects that the document cover 40 has been opened within a predetermined time, it is determined that the document has been removed (S3). If the document cover is not opened (S3) and a predetermined time elapses (S4), it is determined that the document has been misplaced, the document is read by the image reading means 5, and the read image information is stored in the storage means 71b. Then, the document is crushed by the original crushing mechanism 72b (S5).

  When the original is transferred to the original container 60, the notification means 95 notifies the administrator and the operator (S6).

  When an operator or administrator who notices that he / she has forgotten to take a document by a notification or the like inputs a fingerprint to the operator identification means 80 and is authenticated as an operator or administrator recognized at the start of copying (S7) Then, the image forming apparatus 100 is driven based on the image information stored in the storage unit 71b, and the document is output (S8). When fingerprint authentication is not performed by the operator or the administrator, the storage unit 71b is in a standby state with image information stored therein.

  In the above-described embodiment, the document holding unit 70 locks the document cover 40 to hold the misplaced document. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the document cover 40 is locked and the document is held for a predetermined time. Thereafter, when there is no authentication by fingerprint within the predetermined time, the original may be transferred to the original container 60 by the original transfer means, and the original may be held in the original container 60.

  In the above-described embodiment, the manuscript that has been misplaced is held by locking the manuscript cover 40 by the manuscript holding means 70. However, after the manuscript cover 40 is locked and the manuscript is held for a predetermined time, within the predetermined time. When there is no authentication by fingerprint, the original may be read by the image reading unit 5 and the read image information may be stored in the storage unit 71b, and then the original may be crushed by the original crushing mechanism 72b.

  In the above-described embodiment, the timing of locking the document cover 40 by the document holding means 70 is set within a predetermined time after the reading of the document by the image reading means, for example, the operation time of the auto reset function. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the timing of locking the document cover 40 by the document holding means 70 is as follows. The operator can freely set it via the operation unit.

  In the embodiment described above, fingerprint data is used as an authentication method. However, the authentication method is not limited to fingerprint authentication, but biometrics authentication based on authentication of iris, voiceprint, face, vein, etc. It may be adopted. In addition, a registration means for newly registering newly registered persons under the management of the administrator is provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, a copy operation is performed, and when a predetermined time elapses without the document cover 40 being opened, it is determined that the operator has left the document, and the document cover 40 is locked. However, the document detection sensor may determine whether the document has been left behind.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the document reading apparatus is mounted on the image forming apparatus as an example of the document reading apparatus has been described. However, the document reading apparatus can be applied to a single scanner apparatus, an apparatus mounted on a FAX, or the like. is there.

Cross section of the document reader Sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus in which the document reading apparatus in this embodiment is mounted Block configuration diagram explaining the control unit flowchart Sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus in which the original reading apparatus in another embodiment was mounted flowchart Sectional drawing of the image forming apparatus in which the original reading apparatus in another embodiment was mounted flowchart flowchart

Explanation of symbols

5: Image reading means 40: Document cover 43: Second transport mechanism 55: Lock mechanism 70: Document holding means 75: Document holding release means 80: Operator identification means 90: Reading prohibition means 95: Notification means

Claims (7)

An original reading apparatus comprising an openable / closable original cover for pressing an original placed on an original glass and an image reading means for reading image information of the original pressed against the original cover,
Document holding means for prohibiting taking out of a document after completion of reading by the image reading means, operator identifying means for identifying a specific operator, and only for a specific operator identified by the operator identifying means An original reading apparatus provided with an original holding release means for releasing an original holding state by the original holding means.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document holding unit includes a lock mechanism that prevents the document cover from being opened.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a reading prohibiting unit that prohibits a document reading operation by the image reading unit while the document holding unit holds the document.   The document holding unit includes a document storage unit that stores the document, a lock mechanism that locks the document storage unit, and a document transfer unit that transfers the document on the document glass to the document storage unit. The document reading device according to claim 1.   The document holding unit includes a storage unit that stores image information of a document read by the image reading unit, and a document crushing mechanism that crushes the document after being stored in the storage unit. 1. A document reading apparatus according to 1.   6. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document holding unit operates when the document cover is not opened within a predetermined time after the document reading by the image reading unit is completed.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify the operation of the document holding unit.

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