JP2006174107A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent original from being left unintentionally in an original reader where no sensor is installed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has: a notification means for notifying a user after all the image data are read that an original after reading should be collected; an input means for inputting that the user has collected the original in response to the notification; and a control means for starting print output in response to the input. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a document reading device and a printing device.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine for copying a document, after reading the document, it is read on the reading device when reading the plate, and when read by the continuous document reading device, it is read on the document discharge unit of the continuous document reading device. The finished document may be left unattended. The problem of misplacement is particularly important for highly important manuscripts and highly confidential manuscripts.

Conventionally, as a measure for preventing the misplacement of an original, printing is performed as it is after the original is read, and if the original remains in the image reading unit during printing, a misplacement warning is displayed. Printing is continued as it is, and when a document is still left after the printing is finished, there is one that displays a warning of misplacement again (for example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2004-112429 A

  However, the above-described conventional technology prints even if the original is left behind, which is insufficient as a measure for preventing the misplacement.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides image reading means for reading a document image, image data storage means for storing the read image data, and image image data stored in the image data storage means. An image output means for printing out, a notification means for notifying the user to collect the original after the reading of all image data by the image reading means, and a user receiving the notification Has an input means for inputting that the original has been collected, and a control means for receiving the input and starting print output.

  Further, according to the present invention, the user stores the image data read and stored by the image reading means until printing is performed without an instruction or until an input means for inputting that the user has collected the original is received and the input is stored. And having a judgment control means capable of selecting whether to start printing and receiving, and having a storage means capable of storing the result of the judgment control means.

  According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, after the original is read once, the printing is not performed until the original is collected and checked. By starting the printing process for the first time after the user collects the original document, forgetting to remove the important / confidential document is surely reduced.

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

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of the copying machine 1001.

  The copying machine 1001 includes a controller unit 2000, to which a scanner 2070 as an image input device and a printer 2095 as an image output device are connected, and an operation unit 2012 is connected. The controller unit 2000 performs control for realizing a copy function for printing out image data read by the scanner 2070 by the printer 2095, and is connected to a LAN 1006 or a public line 1008 (WAN) to thereby obtain image information and devices. Controls to input / output information.

  Specifically, the controller unit 2000 includes a CPU 2001. The CPU 2001 starts up an operation system (OS) by a boot program stored in the ROM 2003, and is stored in an HDD (hard disk drive) 2004 on the OS. The application program is executed, and various processes are thereby executed. A RAM 2002 is used as a work area of the CPU 2001. The RAM 2002 provides a work area and an image memory area for temporarily storing image data. The HDD 2004 stores the application program and image data.

  Along with the ROM 2003 and the RAM 2002, the CPU 2001 includes an operation unit I / F (operation unit interface) 2006, a network I / F (network interface) 2010, a modem 2050, and an image bus I / F (image bus interface). ) 2005 is connected.

  An operation unit I / F 2006 is an interface with an operation unit 2012 having a touch panel, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 2012 to the operation unit 2012. Further, the operation unit I / F 2006 sends information input by the user through the operation unit 2012 to the CPU 2001.

  Next, the network I / F 2010 is connected to the LAN 1006 and inputs / outputs information to / from each device on the LAN 1006 via the LAN 1006. The modem 2050 is connected to the public line 1008 and inputs / outputs information via the public line 1008.

  An image bus I / F 2005 is a bus bridge for connecting a system bus 2007 and an image bus 2008 that transfers image data at high speed and converting the data format. The image bus 2008 is configured by a PCI bus or IEEE1394. On the image bus 2008, a raster image processor (hereinafter referred to as “RIP”) 2060, a device I / F 2020, a scanner image processing unit 2080, a printer image processing unit 2090, an image rotation unit 2030, and an image compression unit 2040 are provided. .

  The RIP 2060 is a processor that develops a PDL code into a bitmap image. A scanner 2070 and a printer 2095 are connected to the device I / F 2020, and the device I / F 2020 performs image data synchronous / asynchronous conversion. A scanner image processing unit 2080 corrects, processes, and edits input image data. The printer image processing unit 2090 performs correction, resolution conversion, and the like corresponding to the printer 2095 for the print output image data. The image rotation unit 2030 rotates image data. The image compression unit 2040 compresses multi-value image data into JPEG data and binary image data into data such as JBIG, MMR, and MH, and performs decompression processing thereof.

  Next, the hardware configuration of the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a side sectional view showing a hardware configuration of the scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 shown in FIG.

  The scanner 2070 and the printer 2095 are integrally configured as shown in FIG. The scanner 2070 includes a document feeding unit 250. The document feeding unit 250 feeds documents one by one from the top to the platen glass 211 one by one, and each time the scanning operation of each document is completed, the document is fed. Is discharged from the platen glass 211 to a discharge tray (not shown). When the original is fed onto the platen glass 211, the scanner 2070 turns on the lamp 212 and starts moving the moving unit 213. The scanning of the original on the platen glass 211 is performed by the movement of the moving unit 213. During this scanning, the reflected light from the document is guided to a CCD image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) 218 via each mirror 214, 215, 216 and lens 217, and an image on the document is on the imaging surface of the CCD 218. Is imaged. The CCD 218 converts an image formed on the imaging surface into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal is input to a control device (not shown) after being subjected to predetermined processing.

  The printer 2095 has a laser driver 321, and the laser driver 321 drives the laser emission unit 322 based on image data input from the control device. As a result, laser light corresponding to the image data is emitted from the laser light emitting unit 322, and this laser light is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 323 while being scanned. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 323 by the irradiated laser light, and the electrostatic latent image is visualized as a toner image by the toner supplied from the developing device 324. In synchronization with the irradiation timing of the laser beam, the recording paper is fed from the cassettes 311 and 312 between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 via the conveyance path, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 323 is transferred to the transfer unit 325. Is transferred onto the recording paper fed.

  The recording paper onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to a fixing roller pair (heating roller and pressure roller) 326 via a conveyance belt, and the fixing roller pair 326 records the toner image on the recording paper by heat-pressing the recording paper. Fix on paper. The recording paper that has passed through the fixing roller pair 326 is discharged to the paper discharge unit 330 by the paper discharge roller pair 327. The paper discharge unit 330 includes a sheet processing apparatus that can perform post-processing such as sorting and stapling.

  When the duplex recording mode is set, after the recording sheet is conveyed to the discharge roller pair 327, the rotation direction of the discharge roller pair 327 is reversed and guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 by the flapper 328. . The recording paper guided to the refeed conveyance path 339 is fed again between the photosensitive drum 323 and the transfer unit 325 at the timing described above, and the toner image is transferred to the back surface of the recording paper.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation unit 2012 shown in FIG.

  The LCD display unit 2013 has a structure in which a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD. The LCD display unit 2013 displays an operation screen of the copying machine 1001, and when a key displayed on the screen is pressed, the position information is displayed on the controller unit 2000. To the CPU 2001. A start key 2014 is used when starting a document image reading operation. A green and red two-color LED 2018 is provided at the center of the start key 2014, and indicates whether or not the start key 2014 can be used depending on the color. A stop key 2015 is operated to stop an operation in operation. The ID key 2016 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. A reset key 2017 is used when initializing settings from the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation screen displayed on the operation unit 2012.

  A copy tab 901, a transmission / FAX tab 902, a box tab 903, a browser tab 904, and a right arrow tab 905 for selecting various functions are displayed at the top of the operation screen of the operation unit 2012.

  FIG. 4 shows an initial screen of the copy function when the touch key of the copy tab 901 is pressed. The display relating to the copy function is performed in the area 906. From the top of the area 906, the area to be displayed for the copy function is displayed in the area where “Can copy” is displayed, and the magnification below is displayed in the area below it. , The selected paper feed tray, and the set number. In addition, as a touch key for setting the operation mode of the copy function, the left arrow key corresponding to the same size, magnification, paper selection, sorter, double-sided, interrupt, character, thinning for density adjustment, corresponding to the darkening The right arrow key for automatically adjusting and the automatic key for automatically adjusting the density are displayed, and the operation mode designation screen that cannot be displayed on the initial screen is hierarchically displayed in the area 906 by pressing the application mode key. It has become so.

  A display area 907 is an area for displaying the status of the copying machine 1001, for example, an alarm message such as a jam, or a status message indicating that PDL printing is being performed when PDL printing is being performed. It is an area. A system status / cancel touch key 908 is displayed in the display area 907. When the system status / cancel touch key 908 is pressed, a screen for displaying device information of the copier 1001 or a screen for displaying the print job status (not shown). ) Is displayed, and the job can be canceled on this screen.

  When a transmission / FAX tab 902 is pressed, a setting screen for sending an image read by the copying machine 1001 to a device on the LAN 1006 by E-mail or FTP transmission, or by facsimile transmission using the public line 1008 (FIG. (Not shown).

  When the box tab 903 is pressed, an image read on the copier 1001 is stored in the box area in the HDD 2004, printed by designating image data stored in the box area, or transmitted to a device on the LAN 1006. Display a setting screen (not shown).

  If the controller unit 2000 is equipped with five or more functions, the right arrow key 905 is displayed on the right side of the four function tabs 901 to 904 of copy, send / fax, box, and browser, and the right arrow When the key 905 is pressed, a screen for another function is displayed.

  FIG. 5 illustrates a part of the form of the scanner 2070 shown in FIG. 1 and describes an image reading apparatus in which a document is set directly on a document reading unit and an image is read.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart at the time of reading when the image reading apparatus of FIG. 5 is used.

  A document is set on the document reading function (603) in FIG. 5, the document presser (601) is lowered to fix the document, and the start key (2014) in FIG. 3 is pressed.

  As a result, the copy starts (S1001), and the original reading (S1002) is executed. The read image of the original is stored as image data inside the device.

  The function for determining whether or not to forget the original document stored in the main body is determined (S1003). If it is determined to be executed, the device reads the original and stores it, and then prompts the user for the display means in FIG. Then, the message [Recover document] (S1004) is displayed and the apparatus waits for a user instruction.

After this notification, the user collects the original placed on the original reading unit. (S1005) Thereafter, the instruction input device is instructed to “document collection confirmation / printing start”. (S1006)
When the instruction is received, the stored image data is sent to the image forming apparatus and printing is started. (S1007)
After that, when the document is replaced and the same operation is repeated again, the process returns to (S1002).

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a part of the scanner 2070 shown in FIG. 1 and describes an automatic document reading apparatus that automatically reads a plurality of documents.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart at the time of reading when the continuous image reading apparatus of FIG. 6 is used.

  A document is set in the document insertion slot (801) in FIG. 6, and the start key (2014) in FIG. 3 is pressed.

  As a result, the copy starts (S1201), the original is continuously read, and the original is read (S1202). The read image of the original is stored as image data inside the device. The read original is stored in a read original discharge unit (803).

  The function for determining whether or not to forget the original document stored in the main body is determined (S1203), and if it is determined to be executed, the device reads all the originals and stores them in the display means shown in FIG. On the other hand, the message [Recover document] (S1204) is displayed, and the apparatus waits for a user instruction.

After this notification, the user collects the original placed on the read original output section. (S1205) After that, the instruction input device is instructed to “confirm document collection / start printing”. (S1206)
When the instruction is received, the stored image data is sent to the image forming apparatus and printing is started. (S1208)
When printing of all stored image data is completed, the copy process ends.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a copying machine. It is a sectional side view which shows the hardware constitutions of the scanner and printer shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the operation part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the operation screen displayed on an operation part. It is a figure which shows the scanner part which has the form shown in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the scanner part which has the form shown in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a series of processing procedures in the embodiment using the scanner shown in FIG. 5. It is a flowchart figure which shows a series of processing procedures in embodiment using the scanner shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1001 Copying machine (multifunction device)
1002 Copier 1003 Facsimile Machine 1004 Database / Mail Server 1005 Client Computer 1006 LAN (Network)
1007 Facsimile machine 1008 Public line 2000 Controller unit (auto clear means, judgment means, control means)
2012 Operation unit (operation screen, display input means)
2070 scanner 2095 printer

Claims (3)

Image reading means for reading a document image, image data storage means for storing the read image data,
Image output means for printing out image data stored in the image data storage means;
A notification means for notifying a user to collect a document after the completion of reading after reading of all image data by the image reading means;
In response to the notification, an input means for inputting that the user has collected the manuscript;
An image forming apparatus comprising: control means for receiving the input and starting print output.   In the image forming apparatus, select whether to perform print output without an instruction after the image data that has been read is stored in the image data storage unit, or to start print output in response to an input that the user has collected the document The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a determination control unit capable of performing the determination.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a storage unit that stores a result of the determination control unit.

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