JP2006108858A - Image scanner provided with automatic document feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image scanner provided with an automatic document feeder that detects mixed original sizes, avoids occurrence of miscopy and degraded working efficiency even when a user forgets designation of a mixed loading mode wherein a size of recording sheet is automatically selected in matching with the size of each original, and assists the user to be able to set desired copying operations. <P>SOLUTION: The image scanner detects the size of one original each, and displays an operation explanation picture of the mixed loading mode when the image scanner detects mixed loading of originals in the case that no mixed loading mode is designated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

  Conventionally, there is known a function called a mixed loading mode, which is a mode in which the size of a recording sheet can be automatically selected according to the size of each document even when documents of different sizes are mixed in the document group. . When the mixed loading mode is instructed, the size of the output sheet on which the image is formed is output according to the original size of each sheet. Further, even when documents of different sizes are mixed in the document group, if the mixed loading mode is not designated, image formation is performed on the paper size designated by the user in advance or the size of the first document, The size of the output sheet is the same size for image formation output.

  However, there are many cases where it is not recognized whether or not originals of different sizes are mixed in the original bundle, and the mixed loading mode is not set even when originals of different sizes are mixed in the original bundle. It is often seen that a copying operation is instructed. As a result, the image formation is completed with a result not desired by the user. Miss copy generation and user operability are reduced.

Regarding the above problems, there has been a proposal to automatically set the mixed loading mode when the document size is detected before the copying operation and it is determined that the document has a different size as a result of the size detection (for example, patents). Reference 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-272021

  However, in the above invention, since the mixed loading mode is automatically set, the print result desired by the user may not be obtained.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, A3 and A4 are mixed as a document. The right half of A3 is a page that exists for notes. When the user wants to print only the page on which the contents are written on A4, or when the mixed mode is set, images are formed on A3 and A4, respectively. When mixed loading is not designated, an image is formed on a single type of paper (A4 size here) designated by the user desired by the user.

  That is, when the mixed size of the original is detected and as a result, the mixed loading mode is automatically set, it is impossible to cope with such a case. However, as described in Patent Document 1, when the user wants to output an image specifying a mixed loading mode in which the size of the recording sheet is automatically selected according to the size of each document, the mixed loading mode is simply used. You may forget to specify.

  In order to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for assisting a user to set a desired copy operation.

  To achieve the above object, according to the present invention, in an image reading apparatus having an automatic document feeder, a document tray on which a document bundle is placed and a main scanning width of the document bundle placed on the document tray are provided. Document width regulating means that can be slid together, a document conveying path that conveys from the document tray to the image reading position, a separating means that feeds a bundle of documents on the document tray one by one to the document conveying path, Detection means for detecting the leading edge of the document fed from the separating means to the document conveyance path, document size detection means for detecting the size of each conveyed document, and sheet feeding from the automatic document feeder First instruction means for instructing that a plurality of document bundles contain different document sizes, and a plurality of different size documents are placed on the automatic document feeder by the first instruction means. Instructed And if, according to the document size, characterized by having a means for displaying an operation explanation screen mode altering the size of paper to be copied output.

  When the first instruction means instructs that a plurality of different size documents are placed on the automatic document feeder, a screen explaining the mixed loading mode is displayed before the image forming operation is started. It is characterized by.

  Further, when the first instruction means instructs that a plurality of originals of different sizes are placed on the automatic document feeder, a screen explaining the mixed loading mode is displayed during the image reading operation. Features.

  Further, the means for displaying the operation explanation screen of the mode for changing the size of the paper to be copied and output is displayed when the mode for changing the size of the paper to be copied and output is not set.

  In addition, display or non-display of the operation explanation screen can be selected.

  According to the present invention, when a document reading operation of a different size is performed, it is possible for the user to check whether the operation is a desired operation by the user, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of miscopying. Become.

  Also, by displaying the function description of the mixed loading mode, it is possible to help the user learn the operation method and improve the user operability.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a main part configuration of an embodiment of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming apparatus main body 10 and a finisher 700. The image forming apparatus main body 10 includes an image reader 200 and a printer 300 that read a document image.

  A document feeder 100 is mounted on the image reader 200. The document feeder 100 feeds documents set upward on the document tray to the left one by one in order from the first page, flows on the platen glass 222 from the left through a curved path, and passes through the reading position. The paper is conveyed to the right and then discharged toward the external paper discharge tray 121. When the original passes through the sink reading position on the platen glass 222 from the left to the right, the original image is read by the scanner unit 224 held at a position corresponding to the sink reading position. This reading method is generally referred to as document scanning. Details of the document feeder 100 will be described later.

  When the original passes through the reading position, the original reading surface is irradiated with the light from the lamp 223 of the scanner unit 224, and the reflected light from the original is guided to the lens 228 via the mirrors 225, 226, and 227. The light that has passed through the lens 228 forms an image on the imaging surface of the image sensor 229.

  By transporting the document so that it passes through the flow reading position from the left to the right in this way, the document reading scan in which the direction perpendicular to the document transport direction is the main scanning direction and the transport direction is the sub-scanning direction is performed. Done. That is, the entire original image is read by conveying the original in the sub-scanning direction while reading the original image by the image sensor 229 line by line in the main scanning direction when the original passes the reading position. The read image is converted into image data by the image sensor 229 and output. Image data output from the image sensor 229 is input as a video signal to the exposure control unit 110 of the printer 300 after predetermined processing is performed in an image signal control unit 202 described later.

  It is also possible to read the document by transporting the document onto the platen glass 102 by the document feeder 100 and stopping it at a predetermined position, and scanning the scanner unit 104 from left to right in this state. This reading method is a so-called fixed document reading method.

  When reading a document without using the document feeder 100, first, the user lifts the document feeder 100 to place the document on the platen glass 222, and then scans the scanner unit 224 from left to right. The original is read by. That is, when reading a document without using the document feeder 100, a fixed document reading is performed.

  The exposure control unit 310 of the printer 300 modulates and outputs a laser beam based on the input video signal, and the laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 311 while being scanned by the polygon mirror 310a. An electrostatic latent image corresponding to the scanned laser beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 311. Here, as will be described later, the exposure control unit 310 outputs a laser beam so that a correct image (an image that is not a mirror image) is formed during fixed document reading.

  The electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 311 is visualized as a developer image by the developer supplied from the developing device 313. In addition, paper is fed from each cassette 314, 315, manual paper feed unit 325 or double-sided conveyance path 324 at a timing synchronized with the start of laser light irradiation, and this paper is placed between the photosensitive drum 311 and the transfer unit 316. To be transported. The developer image formed on the photosensitive drum 311 is transferred onto a sheet fed by the transfer unit 316.

  The sheet on which the developer image is transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 317, and the fixing unit 317 fixes the developer image on the sheet by heat-pressing the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 317 is discharged from the printer 300 toward the outside (finisher 700) through the flapper 321 and the discharge roller 318.

  Here, when the sheet is discharged with its image forming surface facing down (face-down), the sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 317 is once guided into the reverse path 322 by the switching operation of the flapper 321, and the trailing edge of the sheet. After passing through the flapper 321, the paper is switched back and discharged from the printer 300 by the discharge roller 318. Hereinafter, this form of paper discharge is referred to as reverse paper discharge. This reverse paper discharge is performed when forming an image sequentially from the first page, such as when forming an image read using the document feeder 100 or when forming an image output from a computer. The paper order after paper discharge is the correct page order.

  Further, when a hard sheet such as an OHP sheet is fed from the manual sheet feeding unit 325 and an image is formed on the sheet, the image forming surface is faced up without leading the sheet to the reverse path 322 (face-up). ) By the discharge roller 318.

  Furthermore, when double-sided recording for image formation is set on both sides of the paper, the paper is guided to the reverse path 322 by the switching operation of the flapper 321, then transported to the double-sided transport path 324, and guided to the double-sided transport path 324. Control is performed so that the fed paper is fed again between the photosensitive drum 311 and the transfer unit 316 at the timing described above.

  The paper discharged from the printer 300 is sent to the finisher 700. The finisher 700 performs post-processing such as binding processing.

(System block diagram)
Next, the configuration of the controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the controller includes a CPU circuit unit 150. The CPU circuit unit 150 includes a CPU (not shown), a ROM 151, and a RAM 152. Each block 101 is controlled by a control program stored in the ROM 151. , 201, 202, 209, 301, 401, 701 are collectively controlled. The RAM 152 temporarily stores control data and is used as a work area for arithmetic processing associated with control.

  The document feeder control unit 101 controls driving of the document feeder 100 based on an instruction from the CPU circuit unit 150. The image reader control unit 201 performs drive control on the above-described scanner unit 224, the image sensor 229, and the like, and transfers an analog image signal output from the image sensor 229 to the image signal control unit 202.

  The image signal control unit 202 converts each analog image signal from the image sensor 229 into a digital signal, performs each process, converts the digital signal into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the printer control unit 301. Further, the digital image signal input from the computer 210d via the external I / F 209 is subjected to various processes, and the digital image signal is converted into a video signal and output to the printer control unit 301. The processing operation by the image signal control unit 202 is controlled by the CPU circuit unit 150. The printer control unit 301 drives the above-described exposure control unit 310 based on the input video signal.

  The operation display device control unit 401 exchanges information between the operation display device 400 and the CPU circuit unit 150. The operation display device 400 includes a plurality of keys for setting various functions relating to image formation, a display unit for displaying information indicating a setting state, and the like, and a key signal corresponding to the operation of each key is sent to the CPU circuit unit 150. While outputting, corresponding information is displayed on the display unit based on the signal from the CPU circuit unit 150.

  The finisher control unit 701 is mounted on the finisher 700, and performs drive control of the entire finisher by exchanging information with the CPU circuit unit 150.

(Description of the document feeder)
Hereinafter, the document conveying apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  An ADF 100 serving as a document conveying device is fed from a document stack S set on a document tray 120 with its surface facing up to a separation unit 102 from a top document by a pickup roller 101. The separation unit 102 is provided with a separation roller on the upper side and a separation pad on the lower side, and performs separation one by one from the uppermost sheet of the document bundle S.

  When reading the image on the front side with a single-sided document, the separated document is subjected to skew correction during separation and conveyance by the first registration roller 103, and then the first registration roller 103 to the second registration roller 104, the first registration roller 103. The image on the surface is read while being conveyed by the conveyance roller 105 and conveyed at the reading position R. Then, the paper is discharged in order from the second transport roller 106 onto the paper discharge tray 121 with the paper discharge roller 108 facing down.

  When reading both front and back images with a double-sided document, the separated document is subjected to skew correction during separation and conveyance by the first registration roller 103, and then from the second registration roller 104 to the first conveyance roller 105. The image on the surface is read while being conveyed by the second conveyance roller 106 and conveyed at the reading position R. Then, the end of the document is once transported onto the paper discharge tray 121 by the paper discharge roller 108 from the second transport roller, and the transport is stopped with the rear end side of the reading being nipped by the paper discharge roller 108.

  Thereafter, the document is switched back and conveyed, and the skew correction is performed again by the second registration roller 104, and then conveyed by the first conveyance roller 105 and the second conveyance roller 106, and the reading position R is conveyed again. In the meantime, the back side image is read.

  If the document is discharged from the second conveying roller onto the paper discharge tray 121 with the paper discharge roller 108 facing up, the order of the surfaces set on the document tray 120 will be different. Therefore, the document whose back side has been read is conveyed again by the second conveying roller 106 and the discharge roller 108 onto the discharge tray 121 and the read rear end side is nipped by the discharge roller 108. The transport is stopped, switched back and transported by the second registration roller 104, the first transport roller, and the second transport roller, and then in order by the paper discharge roller 108 with the surface facing down on the paper discharge tray 121. Discharged. However, even while the reading position R is being conveyed, the document image is not read during this period.

  The document set detection sensor 114 is a sensor for detecting whether or not a document is set on the document tray 120. A pair of width direction regulating plates 116 is slidably disposed in the width direction of the document S on the document tray 120, and the width direction of the document S placed on the document tray 120 is regulated so that the document S Ensures stability during feeding.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the slide switch 115 inside the pair of width direction regulating plates 116. By moving the width direction restricting plate 116, the four internal slide switches 115 are turned on / off on five lines, and the values from SW0 to SW4 are added, whereby the size of the document in the width direction as shown in FIG. Can be identified. FIG. 7 is a table showing width direction size information of the document S determined by the slide switches SW0 to SW4. For example, when only the slides SW0 and SW3 are “1”, the size information is A4 / A3.

  The separation detection sensor 110, the paper feed detection sensor 111, the reading detection sensor 112, and the paper discharge detection sensor 113 are used to detect a document being conveyed, detect the conveyance state of the document, and the length of the document in the conveyance direction. It is also used for detection.

  A method for detecting the length of the document in the conveyance direction using the separation paper feed detection sensor 110, the paper feed detection sensor 111, and the reading detection sensor 112 will be described.

  The separated original is subjected to skew correction during separation and conveyance by the first registration roller 103, and then conveyed from the first registration roller 103 by the second registration roller 104 and the first conveyance roller 105. When the leading edge of the document is detected by the reading detection sensor 112, the paper length is determined from the outputs of the separation paper feed detection sensor 110 and the paper feed detection sensor 111. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, as a table, size information on the conveyance (length) direction of the document S determined from the outputs of the separation sheet detection sensor 110 and the sheet detection sensor 111 when the reading detection sensor 112 detects the leading edge of the document. is there. In this embodiment, the distance between the reading detection sensor 112 and the paper feed detection sensor 111 is about 260 mm, and the distance between the reading detection sensor 112 and the separation paper feeding detection sensor 110 is about 300 mm. For example, in FIG. 7, when the document size is determined to be A4 or A3, document conveyance is started, and the leading edge of the document being conveyed is detected when the leading edge of the document is detected by the reading detection sensor 112. When the output of the sensor 111 is ON, the document size is determined as A3, and when the output is OFF, it is determined as A4.

(Operation display device)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation display device 400 in the image forming apparatus of FIG.

  The operation display device 400 includes a start key 402 for starting an image forming operation, a stop key 403 for interrupting the image forming operation, ten keys 404 to 412 and 414 for setting numerical values, an ID key 413, and a clear key. 415, a reset key 416, a maintenance key 417, and the like are arranged. In addition, a liquid crystal display unit 420 having a touch panel formed thereon is arranged, and a soft key can be created on the screen.

(Mode setting flow)
Hereinafter, the mixed mode setting flow of FIG. 11 will be described.

  When the CPU 150 determines that the start key 402 of the operation unit 400 has been pressed by the user, the CPU 150 starts a reading operation, and the document set detection sensor 114 determines whether there is a document on the document tray 120 (S20-1). If it is determined in step S20-1 that the document set detection sensor 114 is ON, that is, there is a document on the document tray 120, a document reading mode, that is, a document reading operation using the document feeder 100 is started (S20-). 2).

  Then, it is determined whether or not the mixed loading mode is set by the user in the operation unit 400 (S20-3). If it is determined in step S20-3 that the mixed loading mode is set, the mixed loading mode FLG is set and the mixed loading mode operation is started (S20-4).

  If it is determined in step S20-3 that the mixed loading mode is not set, the mixed loading mode FLG is cleared and normal operation is started (S20-5).

  If the document set detection sensor 114 is OFF, that is, it is determined that there is no document on the document tray 120, the document reading mode, that is, the document reading operation without using the document feeder 100 is started (S20-3).

(Original size detection flow)
Hereinafter, the document size detection flow of FIG. 10 will be described.

  When the document reading operation using the document feeder 100 is started in step S20-2, document size detection is started. The CPU 150 clears the embedded FLG (S21-1). Then, it is determined whether or not the leading edge of the document is detected by the reading detection sensor 112 (S21-2). In step S21-2, when it is determined that the leading edge of the document has been detected by the reading detection sensor 112, the size of the document being conveyed is determined from the outputs of the separation paper feed detection sensor 110 and the paper feed detection sensor 111 (S21-3). ). The document size is determined using FIG.

  Then, the size of the document being transported determined in step S21-3 is compared with the size of the previous transported document, and it is determined whether the document sizes are the same (S21-4).

  If it is determined in step S21-4 that the size of the document being transported is the same as the size of the previous transported document, step S21-6 is executed. If it is determined in step S21-4 that the size of the document being transported is different from the size of the previous transported document, the mixed FLG is set (S21-5). In step S21-3, the detected document size is stored as the previous document size data (S21-6). Then, it is determined whether or not the trailing edge of the document is detected by the reading detection sensor 112 (S21-7).

  If it is determined in step S21-7 that the trailing edge of the document has been detected by the reading detection sensor 112, it is determined whether reading of all the documents has been completed (S21-8). If it is determined in step S21-8 that all the originals have been read, the original size detection process is terminated. If it is determined in step S21-8 that all the originals have not been read, step S21-2 is executed again.

(Consolidated operation screen display flow)
Hereinafter, the mixed operation screen display flow of FIG. 12 will be described.
In step S20-2, a document reading operation using the document feeder 100 is started.

  The CPU 150 determines whether or not the mixed loading mode is set in step S20-4 (S22-1). In step S21-5, it is determined whether or not mixed loading of the original is detected (S22-2). If it is determined in step S22-2 that the mixed loading flag has not been set, it is determined whether reading of all the originals has been completed (S22-8). If it is determined in step S22-8 that all the originals have been read, the mixed operation screen display process is terminated. If it is determined in step S22-8 that reading of all originals has not been completed, step S22-2 is executed again. If it is determined in step S22-2 that the mixed loading flag has been set, a selection screen (FIG. 9b) for displaying the mixed loading mode explanation display is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 400 (S23-3). ). Then, it is determined whether or not an explanation display of the mixed loading mode is displayed (S22-4). In step S22-4, when it is determined that display of explanation of the mixed loading mode is selected, a display screen (FIG. 9c) explaining the mixed loading mode is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 400 (S22-5). Then, it is determined whether or not to return to the main screen is selected (S22-6). If it is determined in step S22-6 that the user has selected to return to the main screen, the main screen in operation (FIG. 9a) is displayed (S22-7), and the mixed operation screen display processing is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S22-4 that the mixed mode explanation display is displayed but not selected, it is determined whether or not the mixed mode explanation display is selected (S22-9). If it is determined in step S22-9 that the mixed mode explanation display is not displayed but not selected, step S22-4 is executed again. In step S22-9, when it is determined that the explanation display of the mixed loading mode is not displayed, the mixed loading operation screen display process is terminated.

  In addition, when the usage method of the mixed loading mode is permeated to the user, it is possible to set ON / OFF of the mixed loading operation screen display operation in consideration that the display of the explanation screen of the mixed loading mode becomes troublesome for the user. It is considered desirable. Therefore, a case where ON / OFF of the mixed operation screen display operation can be set will be described below.

  When the maintenance key 417 of the operation display device 400 is pressed, a selection screen for the user to make a desired setting is displayed (FIG. 13a). In FIG. 13a, when the user selects copy specification setting, a copy specification setting screen is displayed (FIG. 13b). In FIG. 13b, when the user selects the mixed mode explanation screen automatic display, the mixed mode explanation screen automatic display ON / OFF setting screen is displayed (FIG. 13c). In FIG. 13c, the user can set ON / OFF of the mixed mode explanation screen automatic display.

(Second mixed operation screen display flow)
Hereinafter, the mixed operation screen display flow of FIG. 14 will be described.

  In step S20-2, a document reading operation using the document feeder 100 is started.

  The CPU 150 determines whether or not the mixed operation screen display operation is set to ON in the step operation display device 400 (S23-1). If it is determined in step S23-1 that the mixed operation screen display operation is OFF, the mixed operation screen display process ends. If it is determined in step S23-1 that the mixed operation screen display operation is ON, the CPU 150 determines whether or not the mixed mode is set in step S20-4 (S23-2).

  Then, in step S21-5, it is determined whether or not mixed document detection is detected (S23-3). If it is determined in step S23-3 that the mixed loading flag has not been set, it is determined whether reading of all the originals has been completed (S23-10). If it is determined in step S23-10 that all the originals have been read, the mixed operation screen display process is terminated. If it is determined in step S23-10 that reading of all documents has not been completed, step S23-3 is executed again.

  If it is determined in step S23-3 that the mixed loading flag has been set, a selection screen (FIG. 9b) for displaying the mixed loading mode explanation display is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 400 (S23-3). ). Then, it is determined whether or not an explanation display of the mixed loading mode is displayed (S23-8). If it is determined in step S23-8 that display of the mixed loading mode explanation display is selected, a display screen (FIG. 9c) explaining the mixed loading mode is displayed on the screen of the operation unit 400 (S23-5). Then, it is determined whether or not to return to the main screen is selected (S23-6). If it is determined in step S23-6 that the user has selected to return to the main screen, the main screen in operation (FIG. 9a) is displayed (S23-7), and the mixed operation screen display processing is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S23-8 that the mixed mode explanation display is displayed but not selected, it is determined whether or not the mixed mode explanation display is selected (S23-9). In step S23-9, when it is determined that the explanation display of the mixed loading mode is not displayed but is not selected, step S23-8 is executed again. In step S23-9, when it is determined that the explanation display of the mixed loading mode is not displayed, the mixed loading operation screen display process is terminated.

Overall configuration diagram Overall block diagram Cross section of the document feeder Illustration of operation display device Configuration diagram of slide switch 115 Table showing an example of document size detection Table showing an example of document size detection Explanatory drawing of output result of mixed loading mode and non-mixed loading mode The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on an operation display apparatus Diagram showing document size detection flow Diagram showing the mode setting flow The figure which shows the mixed operation screen display flow The figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on an operation display apparatus The figure which shows the mixed operation screen display flow

Claims (5)

In an image reading apparatus provided with an automatic document feeder, a document tray on which a bundle of documents is placed;
A document width regulating means slidable in accordance with a main scanning width of a document bundle placed on the document tray;
A document transport path for transporting from the document tray to the image reading position;
Separating means for feeding the original bundle one by one from the original stack on the original tray to the original conveyance path;
Detecting means for detecting the leading edge of the document fed from the separating means to the document conveying path;
Document size detection means for detecting the size of each conveyed document;
First instruction means for instructing that a plurality of document bundles fed from the automatic document feeder include different document sizes;
When the first instruction means instructs that a plurality of different size documents are placed on the automatic document feeder, the mode of changing the size of the paper to be copied and output according to each document size. An image reading apparatus having means for displaying an operation explanation screen.   When the first instruction means instructs that a plurality of documents of different sizes are placed on the automatic document feeder, a screen describing the mixed loading mode is displayed before the image forming operation is started. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   When the first instruction means instructs that a plurality of documents of different sizes are placed on the automatic document feeder, a screen describing the mixed loading mode is displayed during the image reading operation. An image reading apparatus according to claim 1.   The means for displaying an operation explanation screen of a mode for changing the size of a sheet to be copied and output is displayed when a mode for changing the size of a sheet to be copied and output is not set. Image reading device.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein display or non-display of the operation explanation screen can be selected.

Images