JP2005348113A - Image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate difficulty of using and a fault that a pressure plate is opened and closed against user's intention and to automate the whole of closing and opening of the pressure plate indispensable for reading the pressure plate in an image processor having an original reading part which automatically opens and closes the pressure plate. <P>SOLUTION: When a key for starting a copy (reading) operation of an operation panel is depressed after an original is set on an original platen whose pressure plate is in an open state by a user, the key operation is received (S101) and when the pressure plate is open, the pressure plate is made to be closed (S103). Since the pressure plate is closed by the instruction of the user after setting the original, closing of the pressure plate can be automated without making the user feel the fault. The pressure plate is immediately opened according to recognition of reading completion of a control system itself and the operation of the user is made unnecessary after reading. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having a document reading device (for example, a copying machine, a facsimile, an image scanner, etc.), and more specifically, includes a control unit that automatically closes and holds a pressure plate that holds a document placed on a document table. The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image processing apparatuses such as copying machines, facsimile machines, and image scanners use an image reading apparatus that photoelectrically reads an original image for input of an image to be processed. When reading an original with the image reading device, place the original with the reading surface facing downward at a predetermined position on the contact glass surface of the original table, and then contact the contact with the original closed and held by the pressure plate. Reading is performed by a scanning optical system provided below the glass. The mechanism for pressing the document with the pressure plate is a mechanism that pivotally supports the pressure plate by the hinge portion and can be stopped at an arbitrary opening angle, and can be manually opened and closed. Is normally adopted. When such a mechanism is used, poor operability and burden due to manual opening and closing, or if the pressure plate is left open, dust or the like adheres to the contact glass, which adversely affects the read image.
In order to solve these problems, a proposal has been made to automatically open and close the pressure plate, and an example can be shown in Patent Document 1 below. In Patent Document 1, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of a document on a contact glass or a sensor for detecting that an operator has approached the apparatus is provided, and the use of the apparatus is foreseen by the detection signals of these sensors. The platen is opened and closed. That is, when a predetermined time has passed after the document is taken out from the document setting section or when a person moves away from the device, the device is predicted not to be used, and at that time, the pressure plate is closed and a person approaches. Foreseeing the use of the device, the operation of opening the pressure plate at that time is performed. In the repeat reading operation, the pressure plate opening time can be set, and control is performed to open and close the pressure plate so as to set a document during the set opening time.

By the way, in the document reading apparatus, as described above, in addition to the method of placing the document at a predetermined position on the contact glass surface of the document table and performing reading with the pressure plate closed (referred to as “pressure plate reading”), the sheet document Equipped with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) that automatically feeds originals from a stack of paper one by one, automatically supplies multiple originals to the reading position, and reads the originals in the transported state ( It is possible to perform reading by a method called “ADF reading” or “document feeder reading”. When these two reading methods are enabled, the contact glass surface of the document table is divided into pressure plate reading and ADF reading so that a scanning optical system, an image sensor, and the like that photoelectrically convert an image can be used in common (see FIG. 2). ) Method, and in realizing this method, the structural relationship between the pressure plate and the ADF is put into practical use by placing the ADF integrally with the pressure plate on the upper portion of the pressure plate. Since this structure is used, it is natural that the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate is not required when using the ADF reading. However, when using the pressure plate reading, the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate is indispensable. It becomes necessary to move the integrated ADF together, which increases the burden on the user.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-32082

However, the control of the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate described in Patent Document 1 is performed in accordance with the control conditions set in the device in advance when the device is not used or foreseen for use, or when repeat reading is performed. Since the opening / closing operation may be performed against the will of the operator (user), there is a concern that problems such as difficulty in use and inconvenience may occur. The control of the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate described in Patent Document 1 is performed in the automatic pressure plate opening / closing mode when there is a document in the document setting portion of the ADF even if the user attempts to automatically perform all the pressure plate opening / closing operations. Control conditions are set so as not to shift, and closing at the start is performed manually before pressing the start key. Therefore, since manual opening / closing operations are particularly difficult, a person who has to rely on automatic opening / closing (for example, a person with a disability, etc.) will be difficult to use and troublesome.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems of the prior art. The solution is to automatically open and close the pressure plate (operating with the power of the apparatus). In an image processing device with pressure plate opening / closing means that facilitates setting, it is possible to perform pressure plate opening / closing control without causing inconvenience and problems in conventional devices, such as closing or opening the pressure plate against the user's will. Is to make it. Another object is to improve usability by enabling automation of the entire operation of closing and opening the pressure plate required for pressure plate reading.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pressure plate for closing a document carrying an image to be processed at a reading position, a pressure plate opening / closing mechanism for moving the pressure plate between a closed position and an open position, and driving for driving the pressure plate opening / closing mechanism by power. And a document reading device having a pressure plate portion comprising pressure plate opening / closing control means for controlling the operation of the driving means, and command input means for instructing start of image processing including processing of the document reading device by an input operation. In the image processing apparatus, the pressure plate opening / closing control means is a means for performing a closing operation of the pressure plate in an open state in response to a start command from the command input means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first aspect, the document reading device is provided with a document feeder that enables reading of a document while conveying a document carrying a processing target image, and the pressure plate. The apparatus includes a document reading control unit that prioritizes a reading operation using the pressure plate unit when a reading execution condition is simultaneously generated in the scanning unit and the document feeder.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the document reading device is provided with a document feeder that enables reading a document while conveying a document carrying a processing target image. A reading mode setting means for setting, by an input operation, which reading operation using the pressure plate section or the document feeder is prioritized when a reading execution condition occurs simultaneously in the pressure plate section and the document feeder; and the reading mode setting section The document reading control means for executing the reading operation in the priority order according to the setting is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the pressure plate opening / closing control means causes the pressure plate in the closed state to open after completion of reading using the pressure plate portion. Means are provided.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image processing apparatus according to the fourth aspect, the image processing apparatus further comprises mode setting means for performing image processing in a trial mode, and the pressure plate opening / closing control means reads using the pressure plate portion when setting the trial mode. The means for opening the pressure plate in the closed state after the completion of is deactivated.

According to the first aspect of the invention, by automating the closing of the pressure plate, in addition to the original merit of increasing the usability of the reading device, including those who have difficulty in manually opening and closing the pressure plate, images such as document reading Since the pressure plate can be closed in response to a user operation to input a processing command, it is possible to perform the work when setting a document by the user without being restricted by preset control conditions on the apparatus side. Become.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, a user's processing command operation is performed as a pressure plate reading procedure starting from a state in which the pressure plate is opened, and the pressure plate is closed in accordance with the operation, and the pressure plate reading is preferentially executed. Even when a document is set on the ADF, priority is given to reading of the pressure plate, so that it becomes possible to avoid an unexpected ADF reading operation as a user-desired operation.
According to the invention of claim 3, the user's processing command operation is performed as a pressure plate reading procedure starting from the state in which the pressure plate is opened, and the pressure plate is closed in accordance with the operation to enable reading of the pressure plate. Is set, the user setting can be used to instruct which reading operation of the platen document reading or ADF reading should be prioritized, so that the user's intended operation becomes an unexpected ADF reading operation. It can be avoided.
According to the invention of claim 4, by automatically opening the pressure plate after the completion of reading of the pressure plate original, it becomes possible to automatically perform the entire operation of closing and opening the pressure plate necessary for the reading operation. Therefore, the usability of the image processing apparatus can be further enhanced, including those who have to rely on automatic opening and closing.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the operation of opening the pressure plate after the completion of reading of the pressure plate manuscript can be disabled during the operation based on the trial mode setting. The trial mode can be repeated by shifting or changing the setting, and the operation can be optimized.

  Hereinafter, an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment shown here shows an example in which the image processing apparatus of the present invention is applied to a digital copying apparatus. The copying apparatus to be applied constitutes a known apparatus as an apparatus provided with processing means for performing an image processing process for reproducing a copied image of a document based on image data read by a document reading device. Accordingly, the configuration other than the components related to the automation of the pressure plate opening / closing operation added by applying the present invention is composed of the same elements as those of the conventional digital copying apparatus. Omitted.

First, a control system for a copying apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 showing a schematic configuration as a block diagram.
In FIG. 1, a CPU 101 functions as a main control unit that controls the entire copying apparatus by executing an installed control program.
A CPU 101 functioning as a main control unit includes a system controller 104, an operation unit (LCD touch panel) 105, a document reading unit (scanner / light source) 106, a plotter 107, and network control as element units constituting the copying apparatus of the present embodiment. Commands and data necessary for causing each unit of the unit 108 to perform an operation of a copy creation process for reproducing a copy image of a document is given via the main bus. Note that the ROM 102 and the RAM 103 in FIG. 1 are memories that store programs used by the CPU 101 for control operations and various data necessary for processing by the CPU 101.
At the time of copying, it is necessary for a copy creation process such as reading of a copied document by the document reading unit 106, processing of a read image signal by the system controller 205, and image formation processing on a sheet by the plotter 212 using the processed read image data. Perform control action. The control operation at the time of copying is the same as the technique adopted in the control system of a known digital copying apparatus.

Further, as elements of a control system related to automation of the pressure plate opening / closing operation which is a component unique to the present embodiment, the system controller 104 and the pressure plate portion 112 opened / closed under the control are provided. In accordance with the opening / closing control conditions, a command is issued to the system controller 104 to control the means for driving the pressure plate (the pressure plate 15 shown in FIG. 2 to be described later) of the pressure plate portion 112 so that the pressure plate 15 is opened / closed. . In this example, the pressure plate closing operation command is issued in response to a user operation instructing the start of image processing such as document reading in the state where the pressure plate is open. Therefore, a start key (described later) provided on the operation unit 105 is used. In order to know the input operation of the operation unit such as the print key 34) in FIG. 8 and that the pressure plate is in the open state, a means for acquiring the status information is required. Further, in order to issue a pressure plate opening operation command in response to the end of the pressure plate reading, a means for acquiring status information on the end of the pressure plate reading is required.
Further, in the present embodiment, the copying apparatus is implemented as an apparatus provided with an ADF, and reading control that enables adjustment of the competition between the reading of the pressing plate original and the reading of the ADF is executed as part of the pressing plate opening / closing control flow. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 1, the ADF 111 is placed under the control of the system controller 104 and is operated according to a read control program executed by the CPU 101.

The configuration and operation related to automation of the platen opening / closing operation will be described in more detail.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the document table of the document reading unit of the copying apparatus as viewed from above. In FIG. 2, a document reading unit 10 has a document table 11, and an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) reading glass 13 and a pressure plate reading glass 12 are fixed on the surface of the document table 11. Both are contact glasses with the reading surface facing downward, and the original contacts with the scanning glass. A scanning means provided below the contact glass allows the ADF reading system (that is, the scanning optical system is fixed and the sub-scan is performed by ADF conveyance of the original). Photoelectric reading is performed according to the respective methods of a scanning method and a pressure plate reading method (that is, a method in which a document is fixed and sub-scanning is performed by moving a scanning optical system).
The pressure plate 15 closes the document placed on the contact glass surface. That is, the document is covered under a certain optical condition, and a plate-like structure is formed to close and hold the document reading surface in contact with the glass surface. The pressure plate 15 is supported by a hinge portion (not shown) provided at the end of the document table 11 so as to be openable and closable. When reading by the pressure plate system, the pressure plate 15 is opened as shown in FIG. Is placed, then closed and read in the closed state.
Although not shown in FIG. 2, the ADF is mounted on the upper portion of the pressure plate 15 in the same manner as the conventional method integrally with the pressure plate 15. When reading by the ADF method, it is not necessary to open and close the pressure plate 15, and when the pressure plate 15 is closed, a bundle of documents is placed on the ADF document receiver and the start button is pressed, and the document is automatically conveyed. Reading is performed when passing over the ADF reading glass 13. In ADF reading, control is performed so that reading is performed by repeating conveyance one sheet at a time until there are no more documents in the ADF document receiver, so that a plurality of documents can be continuously copied.
Whether it is pressure plate reading or ADF reading, a detection signal of a sensor for detecting whether or not a document is set is provided at each set position, and by checking the detection signal of the sensor, it is determined which reading is performed. Start the operation.

In the present embodiment, the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate 15 described above is automated. For this purpose, an opening / closing driving means 16 (see FIG. 2) is provided, and the pressure plate 15 that can be opened and closed by supporting it by the hinge portion is driven to perform the opening / closing operation.
Any means may be adopted as the opening / closing drive means 16 as long as the opening / closing operation is performed in the vertical direction. In this example, a pneumatic pump is used. Conventionally, the pressure plate has been provided with a buffer spring to suppress the momentum of the opening and closing operation. The pressure plate is opened and closed by attaching a pneumatic pump to the place where this spring is provided and changing the air pressure electrically. .
The opening / closing drive means 16 is controlled by the system controller 104. The CPU 101 determines an opening / closing operation required at the time of reading the pressure plate according to an operation condition to be described later, issues a command to the system controller 104, controls the opening / closing drive means 16, and causes the pressure plate 15 to open / close. If the pressure controller is instructed to open the pressure plate, the system controller 104 opens the pressure plate 15 to an automatic angle by operating the pneumatic pump at a positive pressure. If the pressure command is to close the pressure plate, the system controller 104 stops the pneumatic pump. Alternatively, the platen 15 is operated in reverse (with negative pressure) to open, and the platen 15 is automatically closed.
Such a drive control of the pressure plate 15 makes it possible to realize an automatic function for improving the usability of the reading apparatus, including those who are difficult to manually open and close.

Next, “embodiment 1” to “embodiment 5” are shown as embodiments relating to the opening / closing control and reading control of the pressure plate 15 by the control system. “Embodiment 1” relates to closing of the pressure plate 15, “Embodiments 2 and 3” relate to adjustment of competition between pressure plate reading and ADF reading, and “Embodiments 4 and 5” relate to opening of the pressure plate 15.
“Embodiment 1”
This embodiment shows an embodiment of closing control of the pressure plate 15 in pressure plate reading.
When performing pressure plate reading as described above, since the user sets a document on the pressure plate reading glass 12 of the document table 11 and closes and reads the document, the opening and closing operation of the pressure plate 15 is indispensable. At this time, by opening and closing the pressure plate 15 by the opening / closing drive means 16, it is not necessary to manually perform the opening / closing operation, so that anyone can easily use the apparatus. However, when the pressure plate 15 is opened after reading and is closed by taking an opening time until the next original is set as shown in the above-described operation at the time of repeat reading, the opening set in the apparatus in advance is used. If the closing operation is performed uniformly over time, the opening time will be longer than necessary, the platen 15 will close before the document is set, and reading will be performed in an incomplete setting state, or a finger etc. will be pinched It can be difficult to use and cause problems.
Therefore, the closing operation is automatically performed according to the user's intention, and the pressure plate is closed without causing the above-described difficulty and trouble. For this reason, in this embodiment, the opening / closing drive means 16 is operated in response to a copy start command directly instructed by the user, that is, an input command by pressing the start key that is always performed after the document is set.

As the key input means for instructing the start, the same means as in the existing copying apparatus provided in the operation unit (corresponding to the operation unit 105 in FIG. 1) is used.
FIG. 3 shows the operation panel 30 in the operation unit 105 of the copying apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the operation panel 30 includes a key in the form of a button switch and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) touch panel in the same manner as a conventional device.
In the operation panel 30 of the present embodiment, a numeric keypad 32, a clear / stop key 33, a print key 34, a mode clear key 35, an initial setting key 36, and a test copy key 38 are provided as buttons in the form of button switches. Prepare. Further, the LCD touch panel 31 takes the same form as the conventional one, and displays a message indicating input operation guidance, the number of copies, and the status of the copying apparatus on the display unit, and various function keys selected when setting the mode. Is displayed, and a touch panel sheet or the like is overlaid on the display unit to enable a key input operation via the touch panel. It should be noted that the input operation to the buttons of the button switch and the touch panel is detected by the CPU 101 of the control system (see FIG. 1).
The print key 34 provided on the operation panel 30 is a key for instructing the start of copying. In this example, when this key is pressed, the operation necessary for the copy making process starting from the closing operation of the pressure plate 15 and the document reading is executed. The

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the closing control of the pressure plate 15 in the present embodiment. With reference to the control flow of FIG. 4, the operation when the pressure plate is closed in the pressure plate reading will be described below.
When performing pressure plate reading, since the document is manually placed on the pressure plate reading glass 12 of the document table, the user sets the document on the document table with the pressure plate 15 opened, and then the operation panel 30. The print key 34 is pressed to start a copy (read) operation.
The CPU 101 of the control system (see FIG. 1) checks whether or not the print key 34 for instructing the start of copying has been pressed by a user operation (step S101).
If it is confirmed that the print key 34 has been pressed, it is next checked whether or not the pressure plate 15 is in an open state (step S102). Acquisition of status information as to whether or not the pressure plate 15 is in an open state can be carried out by applying means conventionally used in various opening / closing detections, such as detection of the opening / closing position of the pressure plate 15 by a position sensor. .
If the pressure plate 15 is in an open state (step S102-YES), the CPU 101 sends a control command for closing the pressure plate 15 to the system controller 104 to cause the pressure plate 15 to close (step S103). This control flow ends.
On the other hand, when the pressure plate 15 is in the closed state (step S102-NO), this control flow is finished without doing anything.
As shown in the above operation, since the pressing plate closing is automated by pressing the start key that is always performed as a user operation after the document is set, the apparatus for setting the document without setting a burden on the user is also set in advance. It is possible to perform by the user main body without being restricted by the control conditions on the side.
In the control flow described above, in order to clarify the operation when the pressure plate is closed, which characterizes this embodiment, it is assumed that the pressure plate 15 is in an open state at the start of the flow, but the pressure plate is closed when not in use. An operation of waiting for use in a state is also possible. In this case, it is necessary to open the pressure plate 15 when reading the pressure plate. The release control is performed by, for example, a key input enabling an opening instruction by a user operation or a sensor input (see Patent Document 1 above) that detects the approach of a user that exists as a known method. You may do it. Further, in the above description, the operation at the time of reading the pressure plate has been described. However, when a situation of waiting for use in an open state can occur, a closing operation is performed for ADF reading (or even when not in use). It is conceivable to make it close. Also in this case, it is possible to perform only the pressure plate closing according to the above flow.

“Embodiment 2”
This embodiment shows an embodiment relating to control that enables adjustment of competition between pressure plate reading and ADF reading in read control accompanied by an operation of automating pressure plate closing by pressing a start key by a user operation.
When copying using ADF reading in a copying machine that is equipped with an ADF and is capable of reading documents using both the pressure plate reading and ADF reading methods, it is necessary to open and close the pressure plate in principle. However, when performing pressure plate reading, since the user sets the document on the pressure plate reading glass 12 of the document table 11, the opening and closing operation of the pressure plate 15 is required. At this time, by opening and closing the pressure plate 15 by the opening / closing drive means 16, it is not necessary to manually perform the opening / closing operation, so that anyone can easily use the apparatus. However, as shown in the conventional repeat reading operation described above, when the pressure plate 15 is opened after reading and the opening is closed until the next original is set, the opening set in the apparatus in advance is set. If the closing operation is performed uniformly over time, the opening time will be longer than necessary, the platen 15 will close before the document is set, and reading will be performed in an incomplete setting state, or a finger etc. will be pinched As a result, it may be difficult to use or malfunction.
Therefore, the closing operation is performed in accordance with the user's intention, and the pressure plate is closed without causing the above-described difficulty in use or malfunction. For this reason, in this embodiment, the opening / closing drive means 16 is operated in response to a copy start command directly instructed by the user, that is, an input command by pressing the start key that is always performed after the document is set.

Further, when the copying operation using the pressure plate reading and the ADF reading is enabled, the operation is started by an input command by pressing the start key in any case. At this time, which one is to be operated is determined by checking the presence of the document by a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the document at each set position on the platen reading glass 12 of the ADF document receiver and the document table. Do the action of the person who is. In this method, for example, when a document is set on the ADF document receiver and the pressure plate reading glass 12 of the document table (when a document is forgotten to be placed on the ADF document receiver, a pressure plate reading document is set). In the conventional apparatus that enables platen reading and ADF reading, a method of giving priority to ADF reading is used. However, in this embodiment, since the pressure plate 15 can be closed in accordance with an input command by pressing the start key, the pressure plate reading is performed in order to match the operation performed in the flow of the pressure plate 15 closing control. Give priority.
The key input means for instructing the copying (reading) operation is the same as that in the existing copying apparatus provided in the operation unit (corresponding to the operation unit 105 in FIG. 1), and is provided on the operation panel 30 shown in FIG. The provided print key 34 is a key for instructing this operation (refer to the description in the above “Embodiment 1” for FIG. 3). In this example, the pressing operation of the pressure plate 15 is performed by pressing this key. Thereafter, by instructing in which operation mode the original plate reading is to be performed, the operation necessary for the copy creation process starting from the original reading can be executed.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the reading control in this embodiment. With reference to the control flow of FIG. 5, a reading control operation accompanied by an operation of automating the pressure plate closing will be described below.
When performing pressure plate reading, since the document is manually placed on the pressure plate reading glass 12 of the document table, the user sets the document on the document table with the pressure plate 15 opened, and then the operation panel 30. The print key 34 is pressed to start a copy (read) operation. On the other hand, when performing ADF reading, after a document is placed on the document receiver of the ADF, the print key 34 of the operation panel 30 is pressed to start the copy operation.
The CPU 101 of the control system (see FIG. 1) checks whether or not the print key 34 for instructing the start of copying has been pressed by a user operation (step S201).
If it is confirmed that the print key 34 has been pressed, it is next checked whether or not the pressure plate 15 is in an open state (step S202). The acquisition of status information as to whether or not the pressure plate 15 is in an open state can be performed by applying means conventionally used in various opening / closing detections, such as detection of the opening / closing position of the pressure plate by a position sensor.
If the pressure plate is in the open state (step S202-YES), the CPU 101 sends a control command for closing the pressure plate 15 to the system controller 104 to cause the pressure plate 15 to close (step S203). Move to step. On the other hand, when the pressure plate 15 is in the closed state (step S202-NO), the process proceeds to the next step without doing anything.

Next, it is checked whether or not the pressure plate is read (step S204). In this check, the document detection sensor detects the presence or absence of a document at the setting position of the pressure plate reading glass on the document table. As a result, if there is a document, it is determined that the pressure plate is read. Judge that there is no.
If it is determined that the pressure plate is read, in order to preferentially read the pressure plate, a pressure plate reading instruction is issued (step S205), and this control flow is ended.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the pressure plate reading is not performed, it is checked whether the ADF reading is performed as the next step (step S206). In this check, the presence / absence of a document in the ADF document receiver is detected by the document detection sensor, and based on the result, if there is a document, it is determined that the ADF is read, and if not, it is determined that the document is not ADF read.
If it is determined that the ADF reading is performed, an ADF reading instruction is issued in order to perform the ADF reading (step S207), and the control flow ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the reading is not ADF (step S206-NO), this control flow is terminated without doing anything.
As shown in the above operation, the pressing plate closing is automatically performed by pressing the start key that is always performed as a user operation after the document is set, so that the work for setting the document is set in advance without burdening the user. It can be performed by the user without being restricted by the control conditions on the apparatus side. In addition, when the reading operation of the pressure plate and the ADF competes, the pressure plate reading is prioritized, so that it is avoided that the user feels a problem as an operation performed in the flow of the pressure plate closing control necessary at the time of reading the pressure plate. It becomes possible.
In the above control flow (FIG. 5), in order to clarify the operation when the pressure plate is closed, which characterizes this embodiment, it is assumed that the pressure plate 15 is in an open state at the start of the flow. An operation of waiting for use in a state where the pressure plate is closed is also possible. In this case, it is necessary to open the pressure plate when reading the pressure plate. The release control is performed by, for example, a key input enabling an opening instruction by a user operation or a sensor input (see Patent Document 1 above) that detects the approach of a user that exists as a known method. You may do it. Further, in the above description, the operation at the time of reading the pressure plate has been described. However, when a situation of waiting for use in an open state can occur, a closing operation is performed for ADF reading (or even when not in use). It is conceivable to make it close. Also in this case, it is possible to perform only the pressure plate closing according to the above flow.

“Embodiment 3”
This embodiment shows another embodiment relating to control that enables adjustment of competition between pressure plate reading and ADF reading in read control accompanied by an operation of automating pressure plate closing by pressing a start key by a user operation.
In the “embodiment 2”, the adjustment of the competition between the pressure plate reading and the ADF reading is performed by giving priority to the pressure plate reading. However, in the present embodiment, when the document that causes the competition is set (that is, When the document is set on both the ADF document receiver and the platen reading glass of the document table), the user may both request the execution of the copy operation.
In such a case, it is intended to determine the reading mode to be prioritized according to the user's instruction so that the reading operation can be executed with priority.
The user instruction of the reading mode to be prioritized can be handled by using means provided in an existing copying apparatus provided in the operation unit (corresponding to the operation unit 105 in FIG. 1). That is, a method is used in which the display screen of the LCD touch panel 31 provided on the operation panel 30 shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 shows an example of a user selection screen displayed using the LCD touch panel 31. As shown in the figure, the selection instruction screen 39 is provided with keys for selecting “pressure plate” and “document feeder” as input keys, and instructs a reading mode to be selected by a user operation on the keys.
Therefore, in this embodiment, after the pressure plate 15 is closed by pressing the print key 34 provided on the operation panel 30, the document reading is started in accordance with the instruction of the document reading mode of the pressure plate or ADF selected by the user operation. Enable operations necessary for the copy creation process. Since the closing operation of the pressure plate 15 is the same as that of the above “Embodiment 2”, the description of the above “Embodiment 2” is referred to.

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the reading control in this embodiment. With reference to the control flow shown in FIG. 7, a reading control operation accompanied with an operation for automating the pressure plate closing will be described below.
When performing pressure plate reading, since the document is manually placed on the pressure plate reading glass 12 of the document table, the user sets the document on the document table with the pressure plate 15 opened, and then the operation panel 30. The print key 34 is pressed to start a copy (read) operation. On the other hand, when performing ADF reading, after a document is placed on the document receiver of the ADF, the print key 34 of the operation panel 30 is pressed to start the copy operation.
The CPU 101 of the control system (see FIG. 1) checks whether or not the print key 34 for instructing the start of copying has been pressed by a user operation (step S301).
If it is confirmed that the print key 34 has been pressed, it is next checked whether or not the pressure plate 15 is in an open state (step S302). Acquisition of status information as to whether or not the pressure plate 15 is in an open state can be carried out by applying means conventionally used in various opening / closing detections, such as detection of the opening / closing position of the pressure plate 15 by a position sensor. .
If the pressure plate 15 is in the open state (step S302-YES), the CPU 101 sends a control command for closing the pressure plate 15 to the system controller 104 to cause the pressure plate 15 to close (step S303). Move on to the step. On the other hand, when the pressure plate 15 is in the closed state (step S302-NO), the process proceeds to the next step without doing anything.

Next, it is checked whether or not it is ADF reading (step S304). In this check, the presence / absence of the document in the ADF document receiver is detected by the document detection sensor, and if the document exists, it is determined that it is necessary to perform the ADF reading operation. Judge that it is unnecessary.
If it is determined that ADF reading is not necessary, a pressure plate reading instruction is issued (step S307), and this control flow ends.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the ADF reading operation needs to be performed (YES in step S304), since it competes with the pressure plate reading, in order to determine by the user operation whether the reading mode to be prioritized is to be selected. The selection screen (see FIG. 6) is displayed on the LCD touch panel 31 of the operation panel (step S305).
Next, it is checked whether the reading mode selected by the user operation as the priority reading mode is “pressure plate” or “ADF” (step S306).
As a result of checking the reading mode to be prioritized, if “pressure plate” is selected, a pressure plate reading instruction is issued (step S307). On the other hand, if “ADF” is selected, an ADF reading instruction is issued. (Step S308) Then, this control flow is complete | finished.
As shown in the above operation, the pressing plate closing is automatically performed by pressing the start key that is always performed as a user operation after the document is set, so that the work for setting the document is set in advance without burdening the user. It can be performed by the user without being restricted by the control conditions on the apparatus side. In addition, when the reading operation of the pressure plate and the ADF competes, the operation of the selected reading mode is given priority by selecting the reading mode of the pressure plate / ADF by the user operation, so that the operation is as intended by the user. Thus, an unexpected ADF reading operation can be avoided.
In the above control flow (FIG. 7), in order to clarify the operation when the pressure plate is closed, which characterizes this embodiment, it is assumed that the pressure plate is in an open state at the start of the flow. An operation of waiting for use in a closed state is also possible. In this case, it is necessary to open the pressure plate 15 when reading the pressure plate. The release control is performed by, for example, a key input enabling an opening instruction by a user operation or a sensor input (see Patent Document 1 above) that detects the approach of a user that exists as a known method. You may do it.

“Embodiment 4”
This embodiment shows an embodiment of opening control of the pressure plate 15 in pressure plate reading.
When the pressure plate reading is performed as described above, since the user sets the document on the pressure plate reading glass 12 of the document table 11, the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate 15 is necessary. At this time, by opening and closing the pressure plate 15 by the opening / closing drive means 16, it is not necessary to manually perform the opening / closing operation, so that anyone can easily use the apparatus. In the closing operation of the “embodiment 1”, the pressure plate is closed in accordance with the user operation of the print key 34 provided on the operation panel 30 for instructing the start of copying. The operation of opening the pressure plate 15 does not need to be performed at the timing of the user as in the case of setting the original so that the original can be removed, and the opening operation can be immediately performed without performing the key operation without bothering the user. It is considered appropriate.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, the opening / closing driving means 16 is operated immediately at the timing when the reading is completed, and the opening operation is controlled. This control operation needs to know the end of the pressure plate reading, and means for this can be implemented by means for acquiring status information generated in drive control of the scanner that performs pressure plate reading.

FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of the opening control of the pressure plate 15 in the present embodiment. With reference to the control flow of FIG. 8, the operation when the pressure plate is opened in the pressure plate reading will be described below.
First, while the reading operation is in progress, it is checked whether or not the current reading operation is a pressure plate reading (step S401).
If the result of this check is pressure plate reading (step S401-YES), it is necessary to remove the document placed on the pressure plate reading glass 12 after the reading is completed. Therefore, the completion of reading is confirmed (step S402-YES), and after the completion of reading, the pressure plate 15 in the closed state is immediately opened (step S403), and this control flow is finished.
On the other hand, when the result of the check whether or not the pressure plate reading is not the pressure plate reading (step S401-NO), the reading in progress is the ADF reading. In the ADF reading, since the pressure plate 15 is in the closed state, unlike the pressure plate reading, it is not necessary to perform the opening operation after the reading is completed. Therefore, the control flow is finished without performing the opening / closing operation of the pressure plate 15.
As shown in the above operation, it is possible to automate the opening of the pressure plate that is absolutely necessary after reading the pressure plate. In the control flow described above, an example of ending the flow in the open state is shown in order to clearly show the operation when the pressure plate is open, which characterizes the present embodiment. However, when not in use, the pressure plate is closed and waits for use. This method is usually employed, so that the operation for this may be performed and terminated. In this case, according to the flow of this embodiment (FIG. 8), the pressure plate is automatically opened after reading the pressure plate (step S403), and after the original set on the original table is removed by the user, the original to be processed further. After confirming the situation in which all the copies are completed, control for adding an operation of closing the pressure plate 15 is performed. This closing control is performed by, for example, a key input enabling an opening instruction by a user operation or by a detection signal of a sensor that detects the approach of the user, which is a known method (detecting that the user has left the copying apparatus). Yes, see Patent Document 1 above), and closing control may be performed.

“Embodiment 5”
This embodiment shows another embodiment related to the opening control of the pressure plate 15 in pressure plate reading.
In the above “Embodiment 4,” the pressure plate 15 is controlled to be opened immediately after reading of the pressure plate. However, in this embodiment, the test copy function (one or one copy is used to check whether a desired copy can be obtained). In the case where the function of making a trial copy of one copy is set, it is intended to avoid unnecessary opening operation by disabling opening of the pressure plate after completion of reading.
In other words, the trial copy rarely results in the copy being stopped by a single trial, and the trial copy function can be used repeatedly by changing the copy processing conditions such as development density, recording paper, and editing processing. Therefore, when the trial copy function is used, if the control is performed to open the pressure plate 15 immediately after the reading is completed, an unnecessary opening operation may be performed. In order to avoid such an operation, the pressure plate opening control after the pressure plate reading is completed is deactivated on the condition that the test copy is set.
The setting of the trial copy is performed using an operation unit provided in the operation unit (corresponding to the operation unit 105 in FIG. 1), as in the case of the existing copying apparatus. That is, a method is used in which the trial copy button 38 provided on the operation panel 30 shown in FIG.
Therefore, in the present embodiment, in accordance with the instruction of the trial copy mode set by pressing the copy button 38 provided on the operation panel 30, an operation for disabling the pressure plate opening control after the pressure plate reading is completed can be executed. Note that the pressure plate opening operation itself after reading the pressure plate is not different from the above-described “Embodiment 4”, and therefore the description of “Embodiment 4” is referred to.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the opening control of the pressure plate 15 in the present embodiment. With reference to the control flow of FIG. 9, the operation when the pressure plate is opened in the pressure plate reading will be described below.
First, while the reading operation is in progress, it is checked whether or not the current reading operation is a pressure plate reading (step S501).
If the result of this check is pressure plate reading (step S501-YES), it is necessary to remove the document placed on the pressure plate reading glass 12 after the reading is completed. Accordingly, the completion of reading is confirmed (step S502-YES), and after confirming the completion of reading, in the normal (actual operation) copy operation, the pressure plate 15 in the closed state is immediately opened (step S504).
However, this operation is performed in the case of a normal copy operation. If “trial copy” is set, the operation is disabled. Therefore, first, it is checked whether or not “trial copy” is set. (Step S503) At the time of “trial copy” setting, the control flow is finished without opening the pressure plate 15.
On the other hand, when “trial copy” is not set (step S503—NO), the completed reading is not trial but pressure plate reading during actual operation. In this case, since it is necessary to open the pressure plate 15 and remove the original, the pressure plate is opened and closed (step S504), and this control flow is finished.
As shown in the above operation, it is possible to automate the opening of the pressure plate that is always necessary after reading the pressure plate in normal (actual operation), and to avoid the unnecessary pressure plate opening operation that may occur when performing the test copy operation.
In the control flow described above, an example of ending the normal (actual operation) pressure plate reading control flow in the open state is shown in order to clarify the operation when the pressure plate is open, which characterizes this embodiment. Since a method of waiting for use in a state in which the pressure plate is closed is usually employed, an operation for this may be performed to end the method. In this case, according to the flow of this embodiment (FIG. 9), after the reading of the pressure plate is completed, the pressure plate is automatically opened (step S504), and after the original set on the original table is removed by the user, the original to be further processed After confirming the situation in which all the copies are completed, control for adding an operation of closing the pressure plate 15 is performed. This closing control is performed by, for example, a key input enabling an opening instruction by a user operation or by a detection signal of a sensor that detects the approach of the user, which is a known method (detecting that the user has left the copying apparatus). Yes, see Patent Document 1 above), and closing control may be performed.

1 shows an example of a control system for a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied. 1 is a schematic view of a document table of a document reading unit of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied viewed from above. 2 shows an operation panel in an operation unit of a copying apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The flowchart of pressure plate closing control (Embodiment 1) is shown. 6 is a flowchart of reading control (second embodiment) with a pressure plate closing operation. An example of a reading mode selection screen to be prioritized is shown. Fig. 6 shows a flowchart (third embodiment) of reading control with a pressure plate closing operation. The flowchart of pressure plate opening control (Embodiment 4) is shown. The flowchart of pressure plate opening control (Embodiment 5) is shown.

Explanation of symbols

10. Document reading section, 11. Document table,
12 .... Pressure plate reading glass 12, 13 .... ADF reading glass,
15 .... Pressure plate, 16 .... Opening / closing drive means,
30 ... Operation panel 31 ... LCD touch panel,
34..Print key, 38..Trial copy button,
101..CPU, 104..System controller,
105 .. Operation part 106 .. Reading part
111 ·· ADF (Automatic Document Feeder),
112 .. Pressure plate part.

Claims (5)

  A pressure plate that closes a document carrying an image to be processed at a reading position; a pressure plate opening / closing mechanism that enables the pressure plate to move between a closing position and an opening position; a driving unit that drives the pressure plate opening / closing mechanism by power; and An image processing apparatus comprising: a document reading device having a pressure plate portion comprising pressure plate opening / closing control means for controlling operation; and command input means for commanding start of image processing including processing of the document reading device by an input operation, The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate opening / closing control means is a means for performing a closing operation of the pressure plate in an open state in response to a start command from the command input means.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading device is provided with a document feeder that enables reading of a document while conveying a document carrying an image to be processed, and is simultaneously used by the pressure plate unit and the document feeder. An image processing apparatus comprising an original reading control unit that prioritizes a reading operation using a pressure plate when a reading execution condition occurs.   3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading device is provided with a document feeder capable of reading a document while conveying a document carrying a processing target image, and the pressure plate unit and the document feeder. When a reading execution condition occurs at the same time, a reading mode setting means for setting, by an input operation, whether to give priority to the reading operation using the pressure plate unit or the document feeder, and reading operations in the priority order according to the setting of the reading mode setting means An image processing apparatus comprising a document reading control means for executing   4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure plate opening / closing control means includes means for opening the pressure plate in a closed state after completion of reading using the pressure plate portion. An image processing apparatus.   5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising mode setting means for performing image processing in a trial mode, wherein the pressure plate opening / closing control means is in a closed state after completion of reading using the pressure plate portion when setting the trial mode. An image processing apparatus characterized in that the means for opening the pressure plate is deactivated.

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