JP2006287304A - Automatic document feeder and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic document feeder capable of assuring seal impression quality that is uniform under any condition and environment and adaptive to needs of a user in the case of stamping a seal of "completed transmission" or "completed reading" on a document for image transmission or image forming. <P>SOLUTION: The automatic document feeder is provided with a seal impression means and changes either or both of pressing force and pressing time of the seal impression means depending on the paper type of the document. Further, the automatic document feeder adjusts the seal impression quality by changing the pressing force of the seal impression means in accordance with an environmental condition wherein the document is placed or the number of seal impression times. Further, the automatic document feeder is provided with a plurality of seal impression means with different ink concentrations and selects any one of the seal impression means depending on the paper type of the document, the environmental condition or the seal impression condition or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an automatic document feeder for use in an image forming apparatus such as a facsimile machine or a facsimile copier (multifunction machine), and more specifically, an automatic document printing apparatus provided with a stamping means for adding a mark that has been read to a document that has been read. The present invention relates to a document feeder and an image forming apparatus using the same.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, automatic document feeders used in image forming apparatuses such as facsimiles and facsimile copiers (multifunction machines) are provided with a stamping means that gives a scanned mark to a document that has been read and prevents missing documents. In such a model, the original is conveyed from the original placing table to the image reading position, and after the reading of the original is completed by the reading means, a read mark is given by the marking means.

  By the way, when the marking means gives a read mark to a document, the clearness of the marking depends on the marking conditions such as pressing force and pressing time. For example, if the document feeding speed is increased too much for the same pressing time, blurring or misalignment of the read mark becomes a problem, and if it is too slow or paused, bleeding of the mark or a decrease in transmission speed becomes a problem. Depending on the number of times stamped and the environmental conditions where the document is placed, bleeding of the read mark may be a problem.

  In order to solve such problems concerning the marking quality, the pressing time of the stamping means (the time during which the stamping means is brought into contact with the document) can be selected, and the document feed speed is set corresponding to the selected pressing time. Technology for controlling (see Patent Document 1), technology for adjusting and controlling the pressing time of the stamping means in consideration of the influence of environmental temperature and humidity (see Patent Document 2), and adjusting the pressing time of the stamping means according to the number of times of stamping A control technique (see Patent Document 3) is known.

JP 10-254195 A JP2004-193737 JP2004-274549

  However, in recent years, many types of paper with different ink permeability have been provided in the market, and even when a read mark is added to an original of such a paper type, the pressing time of the marking means must be adjusted and controlled. The clear stamping quality of the read stamp cannot be ensured as a whole. Further, depending on the density and quality of the ink, it may not be possible to improve the printing quality only by adjusting the pressing time of the printing means. For example, depending on the type of paper, the ink permeability is large, so that it is easy to bleed, and therefore it may be necessary to change the ink density and the pressing force.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is uniform under any conditions and environment when a mark for confirming whether the image has been transmitted or read has been added to the document for image transmission or image formation. Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic document feeder and an image forming apparatus using the automatic document feeder that can ensure a stamping quality that meets the needs of the user and does not cause a stamping defect.

  In order to achieve the above object, in the first invention of the present application, the pressing force or pressing time of one printing means is changed according to the paper type of the original, the environmental condition or the stamping condition, the paper type of the original and the printing environmental condition, etc. An automatic document feeder is provided.

  An automatic document feeder according to a first aspect of the present invention provides an automatic document feeder for imprinting a read mark indicating that reading of a document has been completed on the document, and any one of the environmental conditions where the document is placed In accordance with both, it is composed of a marking control means for changing the pressing force of the marking means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic document feeder including a stamping unit that stamps a scanned mark indicating that reading of a document has been completed on the document, and a pressing force or a pressing time of the stamping unit according to the paper type of the document. It is comprised from the stamp control means which changes either or both.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic document feeder including a stamping unit that stamps a scanned mark indicating that reading of a document has been completed on the document, and a pressing force or a pressing time of the stamping unit according to the paper type of the document. The printing control means for changing either or both of the printing control means adjusts the pressing force of the printing means in accordance with either or both of the environmental conditions where the document is placed and the number of times of printing of the printing means. Is configured to do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic document feeder including a stamping means for imprinting a read mark indicating completion of reading of a document on the document, and a pressing force or a pressing time of the stamping means according to the paper type of the document. The marking control means is configured to change either or both of the stamping control means, and the stamping control means has a pressing time or a pressing time of the marking means depending on either or both of the environmental condition where the document is placed and the number of times of marking of the marking means. The pressure and the pressing time are configured to be adjusted.

  In the second invention of the present application, automatic document feeding for selecting and controlling one stamping means from a plurality of stamping means in accordance with the paper type of the document, the environmental condition or the stamping condition or the paper type of the document and the stamping environmental condition, etc. A device is provided.

  The automatic document feeder according to claim 5 has a plurality of stamping means for imprinting a scanned mark having different ink densities and indicating that scanning of the document has been completed on the document, and depending on the paper type of the document, It comprises a selection control means for selecting and operating one marking means from a plurality of marking means.

  The automatic document feeder according to claim 6 has a plurality of stamping means for imprinting a scanned mark having different ink densities and indicating that scanning of the document has been completed, and environmental conditions in which the document is placed or It comprises a selection control means for selecting and operating one marking means from a plurality of marking means in accordance with either or both of the number of times of marking by the marking means.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic document feeder having a plurality of printing means for imprinting a scanned mark having different ink densities and indicating that scanning of a document has been completed, a paper type of the document, and a document. In accordance with either or both of the environmental conditions and the number of times of imprinting of the imprinting means, a selection control means for selecting and operating one imprinting means from the plural imprinting means.

  An automatic document feeder according to an eighth aspect of the present invention has a plurality of stamping means for imprinting a scanned mark having different ink densities and indicating that scanning of a document has been completed on the document, and a plurality of documents according to the paper type of the document. Selected by the selection control means in accordance with either or both of the selection control means for selecting and operating one of the marking means and the environmental condition where the document is placed and the number of times of marking of the marking means. The stamping control means changes the pressing force or pressing time of the stamping means.

  An automatic document feeder according to a ninth aspect is the automatic document feeder according to any one of the first, third, fourth, or sixth to eighth aspects, wherein the environmental condition is a temperature, humidity, or temperature. And humidity.

  An automatic document feeder according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is the automatic document feeder according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, wherein when the number of times of stamping exceeds a certain value, it is time to replace the stamping means. The notification means is provided for notification.

  An automatic document feeder according to an eleventh aspect is the automatic document feeder according to the tenth aspect, further comprising a reset unit that sets the number of times of marking of the marking unit to an initial value.

  An automatic document feeder according to a twelfth aspect of the present invention is the automatic document feeder according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, comprising an adjusting means for adjusting the ink density of a read mark imprinted on the document. It is a thing.

  An automatic document feeder according to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is the automatic document feeder according to the twelfth aspect, further comprising a stamping control means for selecting the marking means or changing the operating conditions of the marking means in accordance with the adjustment result of the adjusting means. It is a thing.

  An image forming apparatus according to a fourteenth aspect includes the automatic document feeder according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects. According to the automatic document feeder and the image forming apparatus configured as described above, the following operations and effects can be obtained.

  In the automatic document feeder according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pressing force of the stamping means is changed according to the environmental conditions where the document is placed or the number of times the stamping means is stamped. A more stable stamping quality can be secured against changes in the environment in which it is placed. For example, even if the document feeding speed changes, there is little misalignment or blurring of the mark, and uniform stamping quality can be ensured, and an automatic document feeder that does not cause a stamping defect can be obtained.

  In addition, by changing either or both of the pressing force and pressing time of the printing means according to the paper type of the original, it is possible to prevent blurring and blurring of the mark due to the paper type, ensuring uniform printing quality. can do.

  Depending on the paper type of the document, not only the pressing force or pressing time of the stamping means is changed, but also the environmental conditions in which the document is placed or the number of times of stamping of the stamping means or both Accordingly, by adopting a configuration in which the pressing force of the marking means is adjusted, it is possible to ensure a more stable marking quality against environmental changes and changes with time.

  Further, in the automatic document feeder according to the present invention, not only the pressing force or pressing time of the stamping means is changed according to the paper type of the document, but also the environmental conditions or Since it can be configured to adjust the pressing time or both pressing force and pressing time of the marking means according to either or both of the number of times of marking of the marking means, the marking of the marking means under any conditions and environment It is possible to ensure uniform printing quality without causing blurring, blurring or imprinting.

  In the automatic document feeder according to the second invention of the present application, one stamping means is selected from a plurality of stamping means according to the paper type of the document, so that each stamping means is appropriately selected according to the paper type of the document. If the ink density and operating conditions are set to a high level, there will be few imprinting defects and a uniform imprinting quality without blurring or fading of the marks can be ensured.

  In addition, a plurality of stamping means having different ink densities are provided, and one stamping means is selected from the plurality of stamping means in accordance with either or both of the environmental condition where the document is placed and the number of times of stamping of the stamping means. The same effect can be ensured by operating in the same manner.

  Furthermore, by selecting and operating one printing means from a plurality of printing means according to either or both of the paper type of the original and the environmental condition where the original is placed and the number of times of printing of the printing means, It is possible to more effectively prevent blurring and blurring of the marks due to the seeds and ensure a uniform stamping quality.

  Further, one printing means is selected from a plurality of printing means according to the paper type of the document, and further, the selection control means according to either or both of the environmental conditions where the document is placed and the number of times of printing of the printing means. If the pressing force or pressing time of the marking means selected by is changed, not only can the marking be prevented from blurring or blurring due to the paper type, but also more stable stamping against environmental changes and changes over time. Quality can be ensured. In consideration of temperature or humidity or changes in temperature and humidity as environmental conditions, it is possible to effectively prevent blurring or fading of marks due to the paper quality and moisture content of the document.

  The automatic document feeder according to the present invention is provided with a notification means for notifying that it is time to replace the marking means when the number of times of marking exceeds a certain value. The use of the control means can be continued by providing a reset means for setting the number of times of stamping to an initial value by replacing the means.

  Furthermore, by providing an adjustment unit that adjusts the ink density of the scanned mark that is imprinted on the document, it is possible to provide a printing quality that meets the needs of the user. By providing the stamp control means for changing the selection of the means or operating conditions, it is possible to further improve the uniformity of the stamp quality. According to the image forming apparatus provided with the automatic document feeder according to the present invention, it is possible to effectively provide a printing quality and an operation function suitable for the user's needs.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 and an automatic document feeder 2 which are the most preferred embodiments of the first invention. The automatic document feeder 2 has an electrophotographic multifunction machine having a facsimile function. A state in which the image forming apparatus 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1 is shown.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10 that is a control unit of the entire apparatus, and includes an image reading unit 11, an operation and display unit 12, an image forming unit 13, and an image forming unit 13 whose operations are controlled by the control unit 10. It has a paper feed unit 14 for sending recording paper, a transmission / reception unit 15 and the like.

  The control unit 10 includes a CPU 10a that performs data processing, a ROM 10b that stores a control program, a RAM 10c as a storage unit, an image memory 10d, and a stamping control unit 10e that controls the operation of the stamping unit 31. A timer 10f for determining the pressing time of the stamp means (see FIG. 2, 28) and a counter 10g for storing the number of times of stamping are incorporated.

  The control unit 10 controls the entire operation of the automatic document feeder 2 including the operation control of the marking means 31 while using the RAM 10c as a work area according to a control program stored in the ROM 10b. Note that the image memory 10d is used as a temporary memory or the like when image processing such as encoding processing and decoding processing is performed on document information read from the image reading unit 11.

  The image reading unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1 is a device that reads image information of a document, and an image scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used. The image reading unit 11 scans the surface of the document by irradiating light to the document, and the reflected image is incident on the CCD via an optical system such as an imaging lens to read the image information of the document. Image information can be read at a predetermined resolution determined by the number of CCD elements.

  The operation and display unit 12 is a means for operating the image forming apparatus 1 and the automatic document feeder 2 and a means for displaying the settings and operation state at the time of FAX transmission and copying, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. A keyboard (such as a numeric keypad) is used. The operation unit is provided with a FAX original transmission button, a start button for instructing to start copying, and a marking function selection button for imprinting a read mark of the original. The display unit displays the content of the function selected by the user in the stamping mode, the copy mode, or the like.

  The image forming unit 13 is used when outputting an image read by the image reading unit 11 and temporarily stored. Although not shown, the image forming unit 13 has a drum-shaped photoconductor on the surface of which a latent image is formed, and charging that uniformly charges the photoconductor surface in the order of operation along the outer peripheral surface of the photoconductor. The apparatus includes an apparatus, an exposure apparatus, a developing apparatus, a transfer separation apparatus that separates the recording paper from the photosensitive member, and a cleaning apparatus.

  The exposure device of the image forming unit 13 electrically modulates a semiconductor laser based on image information read by a CCD and digitized, and performs main scanning by a polyhedral reflecting mirror (polygon mirror) and a lens group through a collimator lens. Then, the electrostatic latent image of the original image is reproduced on the photosensitive member by performing sub-scanning by rotating the photosensitive member. The developing device applies toner to the electrostatic latent image to make it visible, and transfers and fixes the toner image on the recording paper placed on the paper supply unit 14 to form an image. The specific configuration of the image forming unit 13 is the same as that of many copying machines, and is omitted here.

  The transmission / reception unit 15 is used when the FAX function is used. The image information stored in the image memory 10d is converted into a transmission signal by the transmission / reception unit 15 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 10, and data is transmitted to the external device. It also receives data from external devices and performs detection.

  The automatic document feeder 2 includes a document conveying unit 20 that conveys a document to the image reading unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 1, a stamping unit 31 that stamps a read mark indicating completion of reading of the document, and a document to be conveyed A document detection sensor 32 for detecting the trailing edge of the document, a temperature / humidity detection unit 33 as a unit for determining an environmental condition where the document is placed, and a paper type determination unit 34 for detecting and determining the paper type of the document are provided. Yes. Note that the environmental conditions and the paper type of the document may be input by operation and manual input from the display unit 12.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the automatic document feeder 2. The document transport means 20 includes a pickup roller 21, a feed roller 22, a separation roller 23, a document guide roller 24, and a pair of paper discharge rollers 25. A document transport path 26 and a document discharge path 27 for transporting the document D by these rollers are provided. Is formed. The document guide roller 24 is in contact with a slit-shaped exposure glass 16 disposed at the lower portion of the automatic document feeder 2 to form a document reading position A.

  In the automatic document feeder 2, the pickup roller 21 picks up the document D placed on the document table 29 with the document writing surface facing upward, and the paper roller is separated by the feed roller 22 and the separation roller 23, and then the uppermost part. Only one sheet is sent out to the document conveyance path 26. The document D is fed to the document reading position A after being guided by a conveyance roller (without reference sign) after feeding timing and skew feeding prevention by a registration roller (without reference sign).

  The document D is exposed by a light source provided in the image reading unit 11 when the document D moves while being guided by the document guide roller 24 in the document reading position A formed by the document guide roller 24 and the exposure glass 16. Is read. Whether or not the image of the document D has been read is determined by whether or not the trailing edge of the document D passing through the document transport path 26 is detected by the document detection sensor 32 fixed to the case 40.

  A signal detected by the document detection sensor 32 is sent to the control unit 10 provided in the image forming apparatus 1, and the document D is temporarily stopped at a predetermined position (marking position), for example, according to a command from the control unit 10. . Then, the control unit 10 controls the marking means 31 to stamp the read mark at a predetermined position on the document D. Thereafter, the document D is placed on the document discharge table 30 by the discharge roller 25 via the document discharge path 27.

  The marking means 31 includes a stamp means 28 and a back plate BP which is a receiving plate at the time of stamping. The marking means 31 is arranged on the upstream side of the pair of paper discharge rollers 25 with the document discharge path 27 interposed therebetween. As shown in FIG. 3, the stamp means 28 includes a movable portion 28a having an ink containing portion therein, a solenoid 28b for driving the movable portion 28a by electromagnetic force, and a mounting plate 28c. It is fixed to the case 40 of the automatic document feeder 2. The stamp means 28 is provided with an ink density adjusting means 28d, and the ink density can be adjusted manually or automatically. The adjustment method is not particularly limited, but it can also be achieved by controlling the size of the ink supply port using a rotary plate to adjust the ink extraction amount.

  A stamp portion 28e that contacts the document D is formed at the tip of the movable portion 28a, and the shape thereof is, for example, a round shape. When the solenoid 28b is excited by a command from the control unit 10 at the time of stamping, the movable unit 28a is pushed out and moved to the position of the one-dot chain line in FIG. As a result, a yellow circle, a blue circle, or the like is marked on the document D depending on the ink used. When the marking is finished, the movable portion 28a is returned to the solid line position by a spring means (not shown).

  In the embodiment according to the first aspect of the invention, the pressing force of the stamp portion 28e on the document D is controlled by the magnitude of the voltage applied to the solenoid 28b, and the pressing time is controlled by applying the voltage to the solenoid 28b. This is achieved by changing the duty ratio of the time. However, this control method is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  Although not shown, temperature / humidity detection means 33 is provided as means for judging the environmental condition where the document D is placed. As the temperature / humidity detection means 33, a thermosensor using a thermocouple, a temperature sensor such as a thermistor, and a hygrometer such as a ceramic humidity sensor or a polymer humidity sensor can be used. However, it may be manually input from the operation and display unit 12 based on environmental information obtained by an arbitrary temperature / hygrometer or the like without using an automatic detection means.

  The paper type discriminating means 34 for detecting and judging the paper type of the document D can be configured in various ways depending on whether the judgment object is a paper thickness, a reflected light amount or a transmitted light amount. A method of manual input directly from the operation and display unit 12 is also conceivable for discriminating the paper type. The control unit 10 is provided with a counter 10g for storing the number of times of stamping by the stamping means 31 and is counted every time the stamping means 31 is operated. When the number of times of stamping exceeds a certain value, a message to that effect is displayed in the stamping number notifying unit 12a of the operation and display unit 12, and when the stamping unit 28 is replaced, the reset unit 12b returns the initial value. It is. The reset unit 12b is operated and manually input from the display unit 12. However, the reset unit 12b may be automatically reset when the marking unit 31 is replaced.

  The operation control of the stamping means 31 of the automatic document feeder 2 which is an optimum embodiment according to the first invention of the present application will be described below. FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to the first embodiment for controlling the pressing force of the marking means 31 of the automatic document feeder 2. The pressing force is controlled by adjusting the voltage applied to the drive source of the marking means 31. For example, the stamp control 1 is performed by setting the applied voltage to the solenoid 28b to 18V, the stamp control 2 to 20V, the stamp control 3 to 22V, the stamp control 4 to 24V, and the like.

  First, the user selects a stamping function by an operation and a selection button (without reference numeral) on the display unit 12 (S11). Then, the temperature / humidity sensor is activated (S12), and the temperature / humidity detection means 33 determines the environmental conditions (S13). If the environmental temperature is less than 25 ° C., the environmental humidity is judged (S14). If the environmental humidity is less than 50%, the printing means 31 is controlled by the printing control 4 having the highest pressing force because it is in a low temperature drying state. (S15). If the environmental humidity exceeds 50% (S16), the moisture content of the document increases, so the pressing control is weakened and the stamp control 2 is selected (S17).

  Similarly, when the environmental temperature is 25 ° C. or higher (S18), the environmental humidity is similarly determined (S19). When the environmental humidity exceeds 50% (S20), the applied voltage is kept low in consideration of the high temperature and high humidity state. The stamp control 1 is selected (S21). When the environmental humidity is 50% or less, it is selected that the applied voltage is slightly increased and controlled by the stamp control 3 (S22).

  Here, when the user presses the FAX transmission button of the operation and display unit 12, transmission is started (S 23), and the document D is sent out from the document placing table 29 by the document conveying means 20. After the document D is read by the image reading unit 11, the control unit 10 applies the voltage applied to the marking unit 31, that is, the stamp unit 28 based on the electrical signal sent from the temperature / humidity detection unit 33 to the control unit 10. The voltage applied to the solenoid 28b is determined, and a command is issued to the marking means 31 to perform the marking (S24). This operation is repeated until the document D is exhausted (S25).

  If the stamp function is not selected, transmission is started as it is by a user operation and a FAX transmission button operation of the display unit 12 (S26). In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, it is also effective to perform not only the printing control by the temperature / humidity detection unit 33 but also the printing control in which the pressing force is changed according to the number of times the printing unit 31 performs the printing. Since the flowcharts in that case are duplicated, they are omitted.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart according to the second embodiment for controlling the pressing time of the marking means 31 of the automatic document feeder 2 in consideration of the paper type of the document. The pressing time is controlled by adjusting the operating time of the marking means 31. For example, in the stamping control 1, the voltage application time to the solenoid 28b of the stamping means 31 is 20% of the stamping selection time (hereinafter referred to as DutyX%), the stamping control 2 is Duty 30%, the stamping control 3 is Duty 40%, the stamping control. 4 is performed by setting the duty to 50%.

  First, when the user selects a stamping function using the operation and selection button of the display unit 12 (S31), the paper type discrimination sensor is activated, and the paper type discrimination means 34 determines the paper type of the document (S32). First, it is determined whether or not the paper type of the document is A (S33).

  When the paper type is A (for example, when the moisture content is high), the stamping control 1 is selected because it is necessary to shorten the pressing time. (S34). If the paper type is not A, it is determined whether or not the paper type is B (S35). If the paper type is B, the stamp control 2 is selected (S36). If it is not B, the paper type is determined to be C (S37), and the stamp control 3 is selected (S38). The correspondence relationship between the stamping control conditions and the paper type of the document is determined in advance by investigation.

  Here, when the user presses the FAX transmission button of the operation and display unit 12, transmission is started (S 39), and the document D is sent out from the document placing table 29 by the document conveying means 20. After the image of the original D is read by the image reading unit 11, the control unit 10 applies the voltage application time to the marking unit 31, that is, the stamp, based on the electrical signal sent from the paper type determination unit 34 to the control unit 10. The pressing time of the means 28 is determined, and a command is issued to the marking means 31 to perform the marking (S40). This operation is repeated until the document D is exhausted (S401).

  If the stamp function is not selected, transmission is started as it is by the user's operation and the FAX transmission button operation of the display unit 12 (S402). Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, instead of automatic discrimination control by the paper type discriminating means 34, the paper type of the document can be input by a button provided on the operation and display unit 12, for example, a numeric keypad. it can. In addition, it is also effective to perform the marking control that changes the pressing force or the pressing force and the pressing time depending on the paper type of the document. The flowchart in that case is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart according to the third embodiment for controlling the pressing force of the marking means 31 of the automatic document feeder 2 in accordance with the paper type of the document and the number of times of marking. The pressing force is controlled by adjusting the voltage applied to the driving source of the marking means 31. For example, the stamp control 1 is performed by setting the voltage applied to the solenoid 28b to 18V, the stamp control 2 to 20V, the stamp control 3 to 22V, and the stamp control 4 to 24V. Although not described in the flowchart, when the ink density adjusting unit 28d is provided, the ink density can be adjusted before the transmission operation to set the density desired by the user. As a result, it is possible to ensure good and good mark quality.

  First, when the user selects the stamping function by the operation and selection button of the display unit 12 (S41), the paper type determination sensor is activated, and the paper type determination unit 34 determines the paper type of the document (S42). Here, it is first determined whether or not the paper type of the document is A (S43).

  When the paper type of the document is A, the number of times of stamping is referred to by the counter 10g of the control unit 10 (S44). If the number of times of stamping is less than 1000 (S45), it is determined that there is little deterioration of the seal portion 28e of the stamping means 31, and the stamping control 1 is selected (S46), and the pressing force is limited to a small value. When the number of times of stamping is 1000 times or more and less than 2000 times, the stamping control 2 is selected (S47), and the pressing force is set one step higher. Further, when the number of times of stamping exceeds 2000 (S48), the replacement of the stamp means 28 is displayed on the operation and display unit 12 in consideration of the deterioration of the stamp part 28e (S49), and then the stamping control 3 is selected (S49). S50).

  If the paper type of the document is not A, it is determined that the paper type is B (S51). Of course, the number of paper types can be increased, but here, for the sake of explanation, two types of paper types are used. Even when the paper type of the document is B, the counter 10g of the control unit 10 refers to the number of times of stamping (S52).

  If the number of times of stamping is less than 1000 (S53), it is determined that the stamp portion 28e of the stamp means 28 has little deterioration, but the stamping control 2 with a stronger pressing force is selected according to the characteristics of the paper type B (S47). When the number of times of stamping is 1000 times or more and less than 2000 times (S54), the stamping control 3 is selected (S50), and the pressing force is set one step higher. If the number of times of stamping exceeds 2000 (S55), the replacement of the stamp means 28 is displayed on the operation and display unit 12 in consideration of the deterioration of the stamp part 28e (S56), and then the stamping control 4 is selected (S56). S57).

  Here, when the user presses the FAX transmission button on the operation and display unit 12, transmission is started (S 58), and the document D is sent out from the document placement table 29 by the document conveying means 20. After the document D is read by the image reading unit 11, the control unit 10 pushes the pressing force to the marking unit 31, that is, the solenoid of the stamp unit 28, based on the electric signal sent from the paper type determination unit 34 to the control unit 10. The voltage applied to 28b is determined, and a command is issued to the marking means 31 to perform marking (S59).

  Each time marking is performed, the counter 10g of the control unit 10 counts one by one (S60), and when the number of times of stamping exceeds a certain value, in this example 2000 times or more, the operation and notification of the number of times stamped on the display unit 12 It is displayed on the means 12a. This operation is repeated until the document D is exhausted (S61). If the stamp function is not selected, transmission is started as it is by the user's operation and the FAX transmission button operation of the display unit 12 (S62).

  Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the stamping control is performed according to the paper type of the document and the number of times of stamping by the stamp means 28, the stamping control can be performed in consideration of the environmental conditions of the document instead of the number of times of stamping. In this case, the marking control method is not limited to the adjustment of the pressing force as in the present embodiment, and the pressing time is controlled according to the paper type of the document, and the pressing force is controlled according to the environmental conditions. It is. On the contrary, for example, a method of controlling the pressing force according to the paper type of the document and controlling the pressing time according to the environmental condition is possible. Since the flowcharts in that case are duplicated, they are omitted.

  Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, instead of automatically determining the paper type by the paper type determining unit 34, the paper type of the document is input by an operation and a button provided on the display unit 12, such as a numeric keypad. It may be configured.

  Next, the control operation of the stamping means 31 of the image forming apparatus 1 and the automatic document feeder 2 which is an optimal embodiment according to the second invention of the present application will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the image forming apparatus 1 and the automatic document feeder 2 which are the optimum embodiment of the second invention.

  In the second invention of the present application, the printing is not controlled by the single printing means 31, but a plurality of printing means 31 having different ink densities to be used according to the paper type of the document are provided, and the controller 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided. One stamping means 31 is selected from the plurality of marking means 31 by the provided stamp selecting means 10h. Further, a method is employed in which each marking means 31 is controlled by environmental conditions and the number of times of marking. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first invention, description of each configuration is omitted. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are used for the same functional components as in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart according to the fourth embodiment in which the control of the marking means 31 (plurality) of the automatic document feeder 2 is selected according to the paper type of the document. The control of the marking means 31 is performed by selecting one from a plurality of marking means 31 having an ink density corresponding to the paper type of the document. For example, the stamping stamp 31 of the stamping means 31 is set to have a low ink density, the stamping stamp 2 has a normal ink density, the stamping stamp 3 has a high ink density, and the like.

  First, when the user selects the stamping function by the operation and selection button of the display unit 12 (S71), the paper type discrimination sensor is activated, and the paper type discrimination means 34 determines the paper type of the document (S72). First, it is determined whether or not the paper type of the document is A (S73).

  When the paper type of the original is A, the stamp 1 having a low ink density is selected in consideration of the paper quality of the original A (S74). If the paper type is not A, it is determined whether or not the paper type is B (S75). If the paper type is B, the stamp 2 is selected (S76). If the paper type is not B, the paper type is determined to be C (S77), and the stamp 3 is selected (S78). The compatibility between the ink density of each stamp stamp and the paper type of the document is adjusted in advance.

  Here, when the user presses the FAX transmission button of the operation and display unit 12, transmission is started (S 79), and the document D is sent out from the document placing table 29 by the document conveying means 20. After the document D is read by the image reading unit 11, the control unit 10 applies a voltage to the solenoid 28 b of the selected marking unit 31 based on the electrical signal sent from the paper type determination unit 34 to the control unit 10. The seal is performed (S80). This operation is repeated until the document D is exhausted (S81).

  If the stamp function is not selected (S71), the transmission is started as it is by the operation by the user and the FAX transmission button operation of the display unit 12 (S82). Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, instead of automatic discrimination control by the paper type discriminating means 34, the paper type of the document may be input by a button provided on the operation and display unit 12, for example, a numeric keypad. good.

  In this embodiment, when the ink density adjusting means of the stamp means 28 is provided, the adjusting means is not a method based on the adjustment of the ink density adjusting means 28d but each of the above-mentioned markings according to the user's desired density. It can also be configured to change the selection of the stamp. For example, when the user desires a high ink density, when the paper type of the original is A, the stamp 2 is selected instead of the stamp 1, and when the original is B, the stamp 2 is selected. It is also possible to configure so that the stamp 3 is selected instead.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart according to the fifth embodiment in which the control of the plurality of marking means 31 provided in the automatic document feeder 2 is selected according to the environmental conditions. In this embodiment, the printing means 31 is controlled by selecting one printing stamp from a plurality of printing means 31 having different ink densities corresponding to the environmental temperature and humidity. For example, the stamp 1 having a low ink density is used at low temperature drying, the stamp 2 having a normal ink density is used at high temperature drying or low temperature and humidity, and the stamp 3 having a high ink density is used at high temperature and humidity.

  First, the user selects a stamping function using the operation and selection button of the display unit 12 (S91). Then, the temperature / humidity sensor is activated, and the temperature / humidity detecting means 33 determines the environmental conditions (S92). When the environmental temperature is lower than 25 ° C. (S93), the environmental humidity is judged (S94). When the environmental humidity is lower than 50%, the stamp 1 is selected because it is in a low temperature dry state (S95). If the environmental humidity exceeds 50% (S96), the moisture content of the document becomes high, so the stamp 2 is selected (S97).

  Similarly, when the environmental temperature is 25 ° C. or higher (S98), the environmental humidity is judged (S99), and when the environmental humidity exceeds 50% (S100), a high ink density stamp is taken into consideration in consideration of the high temperature and high humidity state. The stamp 3 is selected (S101). When the environmental humidity is 50% or less (S99), the stamp 2 is selected in consideration of the dry state (S102).

  Here, when the user presses the FAX transmission button on the operation and display unit 12, transmission is started (S 103), and the document D is sent out from the document placing table 29 by the document conveying means 20. After the document D is read by the image reading unit 11, the control unit 10 selects one of the stamp units 28 based on the electrical signal sent from the temperature / humidity detection unit 33 to the control unit 10, and the marking unit 31. A command is issued to perform marking (S104). This operation is repeated until the document D is exhausted (S105).

  If the stamp function is not selected, the transmission is started as it is by the user's operation and the FAX transmission button operation of the display unit 12 (S106). Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, it is possible to select the stamp means 28 according to the number of times of the stamping means 31 instead of selecting the stamp means 28 based on temperature / humidity detection. The flowchart in that case is omitted because it is only a condition change.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart according to the sixth embodiment in which one of the plurality of marking means 31 provided in the automatic document feeder 2 is selected according to the paper type of the document and the environmental conditions. The control of the plurality of marking means 31 selects one stamping stamp from the plurality of marking means 31 having an ink density corresponding to the paper type of the document, and then selects the pressing force of the selected stamping stamp according to the environmental conditions. This is done by changing. In this embodiment, the control of the pressing force is achieved by adjusting the voltage applied to the solenoid 28b of the stamp means 28.

  The plurality of marking means 31 select, for example, that the stamp 1 has a low ink density and the stamp 2 has a high ink density, and selects one corresponding to the paper type of the document. For example, the stamping control 1 is performed by setting the voltage applied to the solenoid 28b to 18V, the stamping control 2 to 20V, the stamping control 3 to 22V, and the stamping control 4 to 24V. Although not shown in the flowchart of FIG. 10, when the ink density adjusting unit 28d is provided, the ink density can be adjusted before the transmission operation to set the user desired density.

  First, when the user selects the stamping function by the operation and selection button of the display unit 12 (S111), the paper type determination sensor is activated and the paper type determination unit 34 determines the paper type of the document (S112). First, it is determined whether or not the paper type of the document is A (S113).

  When the paper type is A, the stamp 1 having a low ink density is selected (S114). If the paper type is not A, the paper type is determined to be B (S115), and the stamp 2 is selected (S116). Of course, when there are two or more types of paper, it is sufficient to sequentially determine whether the paper type is not B or not. In addition, the compatibility between the paper type of the original and the ink density must be adjusted in advance.

  When the stamping function is selected and the paper type A is set, the temperature / humidity detection sensor is activated at the same time, and the temperature / humidity detection means 33 determines the environmental conditions. When the environmental temperature is lower than 25 ° C. (S117), the environmental humidity is determined. When the environmental humidity is lower than 50% (S118), the stamp control 4 is selected because the low temperature drying state is selected (S119). If the environmental humidity exceeds 50%, the moisture content of the original document is high, so the stamp control 2 is selected (S120).

  When the environmental temperature is 25 ° C. or higher (S117), the environmental humidity is similarly determined. When the environmental humidity exceeds 50% (S121), the stamping control 1 is performed to keep the applied voltage low considering the high temperature and high humidity state. Is selected to activate the stamp (S122). When the environmental humidity is 50% or less, the applied voltage is slightly increased and the stamp control 3 is selected (S123). When the paper type is determined to be B, the stamp stamp 2 is selected, and then the environmental conditions are determined in the same manner as in the stamp stamp 1, and the pressing force of the stamp stamp 2 is controlled according to the environmental conditions. (The portion surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line I performs the same control).

  Here, when the user presses the FAX transmission button of the operation and display unit 12, transmission is started (S 124), and the document D is sent out from the document placement table 29 by the document conveying means 20. After the document D is read by the image reading unit 11, the control unit 10 applies the voltage applied to the marking unit 31, that is, the solenoid of the stamp unit 28 based on the electrical signal sent from the paper type determination unit 34 to the control unit 10. The voltage applied to 28b is determined, and a command is issued to the marking means 31 to perform the marking (S125). This operation is repeated until the document D is exhausted (S126).

  If the stamp function is not selected (S111), the transmission is started as it is by the user's operation and the FAX transmission button operation of the display unit 12 (S127). Further, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, instead of the automatic discrimination control by the paper type discriminating unit 34, the paper type of the document may be input by a button provided on the operation and display unit 12, for example, a numeric keypad. good. It is also effective to perform a stamping control method that changes the pressing force or pressing time according to the number of times of stamping and a stamping control method that changes the pressing time according to environmental conditions. The flowchart in that case is omitted.

  On the other hand, unlike the flowchart of FIG. 10, a plurality of stamping means 31 provided in the automatic document feeder 2 are controlled according to the paper type and environmental conditions of the original or the paper type and the number of times of printing. It is also possible to adopt a method of configuring the stamp control means so as to select one stamp means from the means 31. This method can be achieved by enriching the selection control program (selection control means) stored in the stamp selection means 10h of the control unit 10. This control method has the advantage of simplifying the drive unit of the stamping means 31, but the control of the stamping quality is fixed.

  As described above, in the configuration according to the present invention, if the above-described control method is employed, it is possible to uniformly maintain the stamping quality of the read stamp applied to the document under any environment and condition. It should be noted that the configuration of the present embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited thereto. Needless to say, the configuration can be changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image forming apparatus and an automatic document feeder that are the most preferred embodiments of the first invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the automatic document feeder. It is a figure which shows one structural example of a stamp means. 3 is a flowchart according to a first embodiment for controlling the marking means of the automatic document feeder. 6 is a flowchart according to a second embodiment for controlling the marking means of the automatic document feeder. 12 is a flowchart according to a third embodiment for controlling the marking means of the automatic document feeder. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an image forming apparatus and an automatic document feeder that are the most preferred embodiments of the second invention. 10 is a flowchart according to a fourth embodiment for selecting and controlling a plurality of marking means of an automatic document feeder. 12 is a flowchart according to a fifth embodiment for selecting and controlling a plurality of stamping means of the automatic document feeder. 12 is a flowchart according to a sixth embodiment for selecting and controlling a plurality of marking means of the automatic document feeder.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Automatic document feeder 10 Control part 10d Image memory 10e Marking control part (marking control means)
10f Timer 10g Counter 10h Stamp selection means (selection control means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Image reading part 12 Operation and display part 12a Marking frequency notification means 12b Reset means 13 Image forming part 14 Paper feed part 15 Transmission / reception part 20 Document conveying means 28 Stamping means 31 Stamping means 32 Document detection sensor 33 Temperature / humidity detection means 34 Paper Species discrimination means

Claims (14)

A stamping means for imprinting a scanned mark indicating that the reading of the document has been completed on the document;
An automatic document feeder comprising: a printing control unit that changes a pressing force of the printing unit according to at least one of an environmental condition where the document is placed and a number of times of printing of the printing unit. A stamping means for imprinting a scanned mark indicating that the reading of the document has been completed on the document;
An automatic document feeder comprising: a stamping control unit that changes at least either the pressing force or the pressing time of the stamping unit according to the paper type of the document.   3. The automatic printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the marking control means adjusts the pressing force of the marking means according to at least one of an environmental condition where the document is placed and the number of times of marking of the marking means. Document feeder.   4. The marking control means adjusts the pressing time of the marking means according to at least one of an environmental condition where the document is placed and the number of times of marking of the marking means. Automatic document feeder described in 1. A plurality of stamping means having different ink densities and for imprinting a scanned mark indicating completion of scanning of the document on the document;
An automatic document feeder comprising: a selection control unit configured to select and operate one of the plurality of stamping units according to the paper type of the document. A plurality of stamping means having different ink densities and for imprinting a scanned mark indicating completion of scanning of the document on the document;
Selection control means for selecting and operating one of the plurality of marking means according to at least one of an environmental condition where the document is placed and the number of times of marking of the marking means. Document feeder. A plurality of stamping means having different ink densities and for imprinting a scanned mark indicating completion of scanning of the document on the document;
Selection control for selecting and operating one stamping means from among the plurality of stamping means according to either the paper type of the document, at least the environmental condition where the document is placed, or the number of times of stamping of the stamping means And an automatic document feeder. A plurality of stamping means having different ink densities and for imprinting a scanned mark indicating completion of scanning of the document on the document;
Selection control means for selecting and operating one of the plurality of marking means according to the paper type of the original;
A marking control means for changing a pressing force or a pressing time of the marking means selected by the selection control means according to at least one of an environmental condition where the document is placed and a number of times of marking of the marking means. Automatic document feeder.   9. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the environmental condition is temperature or humidity, or temperature and humidity.   10. The automatic document feeding device according to claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit for notifying that it is time to replace the stamping unit when the number of times of stamping exceeds a predetermined value. apparatus.   The automatic document feeder according to claim 10, further comprising a reset unit that sets an initial value of the number of times the stamping unit performs the stamping.   The automatic document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an adjusting unit that adjusts an ink density of a read mark to be stamped on the document.   The automatic document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a stamping control unit that changes a selection or operating condition of the stamping unit in accordance with an adjustment result of the adjusting unit.   An image forming apparatus comprising the automatic document feeder according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

Images