JP2007067910A - Image reader, and control method and control program therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus capable of shortening the time needed for printing on a document. <P>SOLUTION: The image processing apparatus comprising an image reader 13 and an image forming apparatus 30 is equipped with: an image read unit 14 which reads the document, a head 11 which prints a document in a print area, a printing mechanism 27 which moves the head 11 between the print area and a non-print area, a timer 15, and a CPU 16 which measure the time elapsed from the completion of the reading the document by the image read unit 14 or the completion of the printing on the document by the head 11 to the present time, and an operation part 43 which sets a standby time for which the head 11 stands by in the print area. The CPU 16 controls the printing mechanism 27 to make the head 11 stand by in the print area when the time from the completion of the reading the document or the completion of the printing on the document to the present time is shorter than the set standby time (step S64 to step S69). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that reads an image of a document and prints on the document in conjunction with the reading, a control method thereof, and a control program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image processing apparatus that reads an image of a document and prints on the document is known. Such an image processing apparatus includes a head unit that performs printing, and the head unit includes an impact type device using an ink ribbon, an ink ejection type printing device, and the like, and either the front stage or the rear stage of the image reading unit. One or both. In this image processing apparatus, additional information such as a serial number search number and a read processed mark related to the read image of the original is arbitrarily designated by the operation unit, and the additional information is printed on the original.

  Also, in this type of image processing apparatus, in recent years, an ink ejection type printing apparatus has been increasingly used as a head unit in order to mute the apparatus and reduce the size of the entire apparatus.

  The ink discharge type printing apparatus has a plurality of ink discharge ports (nozzles) and is conveyed by selectively controlling ink discharge for each ink discharge port in synchronization with the conveyance speed of the document passing through the print area. Desired additional information is printed.

  In such an ink ejection type printing apparatus, clogging occurs in the nozzle or ink flow path of the head of the apparatus due to drying, or ink droplets are completely ejected from the head due to a change in ink physical properties or precipitation of solid matter. It may disappear.

  Further, even if ink droplet ejection does not stop, the precipitation of solids in the ink has an adverse effect on uniform ink droplet ejection or stable ink droplet flight, and recording properties (limited to one original document). (Including the case of continuous recording on a document), which may cause deterioration in ejection stability or ejection response.

In order to solve such a problem, there is a cap mechanism that prevents ink from being vaporized by capping the head of the ink ejection type printing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus is provided at the home position outside the printing area. Is known (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-210995 A

  In the image processing apparatus in which the cap mechanism is provided at the home position, the head that has moved to the print area to perform printing returns from the print area to the home position after printing is completed in order to avoid ink drying. However, when scanning a plurality of documents, the head is kept in the print area while the document is placed on the document table, rather than moving to the print area and moving to the home position for each document. When the document is not placed on the document table, the head is moved to the home position.

  However, in such an image processing apparatus, immediately after all the documents on the document table are conveyed into the apparatus, a new document is placed on the document table, and the document is read and printed (for example, should be read). The thin document is thin, and the thin document may be damaged by the separation feeding mechanism that feeds paper by separating it from a bundle of multiple documents one by one. In the case of paper), the head returns to the home position when there are no more documents on the document table, and there is a waiting time while the head moves to the print area when the next document is fed.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a control program capable of reducing the time required for printing on a document.

  To achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 includes a reading unit that reads a document, a printing unit that prints the document in a printing region, and the printing unit between the printing region and the non-printing region. Moving means, a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from completion of reading of the original by the reading means or completion of printing on the original by the printing means, and the printing means in the printing area. Based on the standby time setting means for setting the standby time to wait, the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means, and the standby time set by the standby time setting means, the printing means is made to wait in the printing area. And a control means for controlling the moving means.

  The control method of the image processing apparatus according to claim 5 includes: a reading unit that reads a document; a printing unit that prints on the document in a printing region; and a moving unit that moves the printing unit between the printing region and the non-printing region. A timing step of measuring an elapsed time from the completion of reading of the original by the reading means or the completion of printing on the original by the printing means to the current time, and the printing means. Based on a standby time setting step for setting a standby time to wait in the print area, an elapsed time measured by the time measuring step, and a standby time set by the standby time setting step, the printing means is configured to connect the print means to the print area. And a control step of controlling the moving means so as to stand by.

  The control program according to claim 6 is an image comprising reading means for reading a document, printing means for printing on the document in a printing area, and moving means for moving the printing means between the printing area and the non-printing area. In a control program executed by a processing device, a time measuring module for measuring an elapsed time from the completion of reading of a document by the reading unit or the completion of printing on a document by the printing unit to the current time, and the printing unit includes the printing unit Based on a standby time setting module for setting a standby time for standby in the print area, an elapsed time measured by the timekeeping module, and a standby time set by the standby time setting module, the printing means is set in the print area. And a control module for controlling the moving means to wait.

  According to the present invention, the printing unit is made to wait in the printing area based on the elapsed time from the completion of reading of the document or the completion of printing on the document by the printing unit to the current time and the set standby time. Thus, the moving means is controlled. As a result, the printing unit can be prevented from returning to the non-printing area unnecessarily, and the time required for the printing process on the document can be shortened.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a control system of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an image reading apparatus 13 and an image forming apparatus 30.

  In FIG. 1, the image reading device 13 includes a reading end button 7, an image reading unit 14, a timer 15, a CPU 16 and an interface 17, and is connected to an image forming device 30 and an external device 40 (for example, a host computer). .

  The reading end button 7 ends the reading of the document. The timer 15 measures the current time. The interface 17 communicates between the image reading device 13 and the external device 40 or the image forming device 30. The CPU 16 is a central processing unit that controls each part of the image reading apparatus. The image reading unit 14 includes a lamp that irradiates light on a document, a lens that collects reflected light from the document, and an image sensor that converts light that has passed through the lens into an electrical signal. Omitted. The image reading unit 14 transmits a read signal obtained by reading the image of the document to the CPU 16. The CPU 16 analyzes the read signal or obtains information from the timer 15 when it is determined that the document reading is completed from the document size setting information or the like. To do.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main part of the control system of the external device 40.

  The external device 40 includes an input / output port 31 for connecting to the image reading device 13, a memory 42 for storing a control program for the external device, an operation unit 43 for performing various settings, a display unit 44, an external device A CPU 45 that controls the entire device and a storage device 47 that stores read image data and the like are provided. These are connected to each other via a bus 46.

  In the operation unit 43, a reading mode, a standby time, and an image to be printed are set. The reading mode includes a standard paper feeding mode for reading an original until all the originals placed on the original table are exhausted, and a manual feeding mode for feeding a manually fed original. 8 is displayed on the display unit 44, and the user slides the slide button 81 to a desired waiting time between 0 to 100 seconds and presses the OK button 82 to operate the user. The unit 43 can also set a standby time.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the image reading device 13 and the image forming device 30. FIG. 3A illustrates the image reading unit 14 disposed between the paper feed roller 1, the separation roller 2, and the conveying roller 3. FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image reading unit 14 is disposed between the rear paper feed port 23 and the paper discharge roller 4.

  The image reading device 13 includes an original platen 5, an original detection sensor 6, a reading end button 7 for ending the reading of the original, a rear paper discharge port 22, and a rear paper supply port 23. Further, the image reading device 13 includes a paper feed roller 1, a conveyance roller 3, a paper discharge roller 4, a separation roller 2, a motor 8, and an image reading unit 14 inside the casing.

  The image forming apparatus 30 includes a paper feed port 25, a transport roller 9, a paper discharge port 24, and a printing mechanism 27. The image forming apparatus 30 is used by being mounted at a predetermined position on the back side of the image reading apparatus 13 as required by the user, and is configured as an optional device that can be attached to and detached from the image reading apparatus 13.

  In a state where the image forming apparatus 30 is mounted at a predetermined position on the back side of the image reading apparatus 13, the rear paper discharge port 22 of the image reading apparatus 13 communicates with the paper supply port 25 of the image forming apparatus 30, and image reading is performed. A rear paper feed port 23 of the apparatus 13 communicates with a paper discharge port 24 of the image forming apparatus 30.

  The document detection sensor 6 detects whether or not a document is placed on the document table 5. The motor 8 drives the paper feed roller 1, the separation roller 2, the transport roller 3, the paper discharge roller 4, and the transport roller 9, and is composed of, for example, a stepping motor. The paper feed roller 1 feeds a document placed on the document table 5 to the transport roller 3 side. The separation roller 2 separates a plurality of documents placed on the document table 5. The transport roller 9 transports the document from the paper feed port 25 to the paper discharge port 24 side.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the printing mechanism 27.

  The printing mechanism 27 includes the motor 10, the carriage 18, the head 11, the control unit 12, and the cap 20. The carriage 18 supports the head 11 and is moved between the print area and the home position by the motor 10 in the horizontal direction with respect to the document. The head 11 performs printing. The cap 20 functions to prevent ink vaporization when the head 11 is at the home position. The control unit 12 receives a command from the CPU 16 and controls the position of the head 11 and performs printing processing. Further, when the printing on the document is completed, the control unit 12 transmits a signal indicating the completion of printing to the CPU 16 in FIG. 1, and the CPU 16 obtains time information from the timer 15 when the signal indicating the completion of printing is received. get. When the control unit 12 does not have a function of transmitting a signal indicating the completion of printing to the CPU 16, information on the time when the CPU 16 issues a print command to the control unit 12 or a predetermined time after that time is received from the timer 15. You may get it.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a standby time setting process. This process is executed by the CPU 16 based on a control program stored in the storage unit 19.

  First, the reading mode set by the operation unit 43 of the external device 40 is acquired (step S51), and it is determined whether or not the acquired reading mode is the standard paper feed mode (step S52).

  If the result of determination in step S52 is that the reading mode is the standard paper feed mode, the standby time is set to 0 seconds (step S53). On the other hand, if the reading mode is not the standard paper feed mode, that is, if it is the manual feed mode, the standby time is set to 20 seconds (step S54).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the standby time set by the operation unit 43 has been received via the interface 17 (step S55). When the standby time set by the operation unit 43 is not received via the interface 17, the present process is terminated, while when the standby time set by the operation unit 43 is received via the interface 17. Sets the received waiting time (step S56), and ends this processing.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the image reading device 13. This process is executed by the CPU 16 based on a control program stored in the storage unit 19. However, the printing process by the printing mechanism 27 is controlled by the control unit 12 that receives a command from the CPU 16 and is executed by the image forming apparatus 30. Further, it is assumed that the image reading device 13 has the configuration of FIG.

  First, upon receiving a document presence / absence check request incorporated in the control program, the CPU 16 checks the state of the output signal of the document detection sensor 6 (step S61).

  Based on the output signal from the document detection sensor 6, it is determined whether or not there is a document on the document table 5 (step S62).

  When it is determined that there is a document on the document table 5, the image reading unit 14 reads one document conveyed from the document table 5, and further relates to the image of the document read by the printing mechanism 27. The controller 12 is instructed to print additional information such as a serial number search number and a read processed mark on the document (step S63).

  Thereafter, a signal indicating completion of printing is received from the control unit 12, information on the time when the signal is received is obtained from the timer 15, the obtained time is set as the start time (step S64), and step S61. Return to. When there is a document on the document table 5, the processes from step S61 to step S64 are repeated, and the start time set in step S64 is overwritten successively.

  If it is determined in step S62 that there is no document on the document table 5, the current time counted by the timer 15 is set as the end time (step S65), and the step time from the end time set in step S65 is set. It is determined whether or not the time between the start times set in S64 is shorter than the standby time set in any of steps S53, S54, and S56 (that is, end time−start time <standby time). Step S66). Thereby, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the completion of printing on the document of the last page to the current time is shorter than the set standby time.

  If it is determined in step S66 that end time-start time <standby time, the control unit 12 is instructed to wait for the head 11 in the print area (step S69), and the process proceeds to step S70. On the other hand, if the end time−the start time <the standby time is not satisfied, it is determined whether or not the head 11 is at the home position (step S67). If the head 11 is not at the home position, the head 11 is set at the home position. The controller 12 is commanded to move (step S68), and the process proceeds to step S70. If the head 11 is at the home position, step S68 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S70.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the reading mode is the standard paper feeding mode or the reading end button 7 is pressed (step S70), and when the reading mode is the standard paper feeding mode or the reading end button 7 is pressed. If the reading mode is not the standard paper feed mode or the reading end button 7 is not pressed, the process returns to step S61.

  If the image reading device 13 has the configuration shown in FIG. 3B, it is determined in step S64 whether or not the original has been read based on the read signal received from the image reading unit 14 and the time information at that time is determined. Is acquired from the timer 15 and the acquired time is set as the start time. Thus, in step S66, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time from the completion of reading the last page of the document to the current time is shorter than the set standby time.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a modification of the process executed by the image reading device 13 of FIG.

  The same processing steps are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof is omitted.

  First, while there are documents on the document table 5, the processing steps from step S61 to step S63 are repeated. Then, when there is no document on the document table 5, the time information when it is determined that there is no document based on the output signal of the document detection sensor 6 is acquired from the timer 15, and the acquired time is set as the start time. (Step S71), the process proceeds to step S65. Thus, in step S66, the elapsed time from when the last page of the document disappears from the document table 5 (when the document on the document table 5 cannot be detected by the document detection sensor 6) to the current time is set. It is determined whether or not the waiting time is shorter.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the elapsed time from the completion of reading of the document or the completion of printing on the document to the current time is shorter than the set standby time, the head 11 is moved. The printing mechanism 27 is controlled to wait in the printing area. Therefore, when it is not necessary to return the head to the home position, the time for returning the head to the home position and the time for moving the head to the printing area can be shortened, and the time required for the printing process on the document can be shortened.

  Further, the elapsed time from when the last page of the document disappears from the document table 5 (when the document on the document table 5 cannot be detected by the document detection sensor 6) to the current time is longer than the set standby time. Since the printing mechanism 27 is controlled to make the head 11 stand by in the printing area when the printing time is short, the time required for the printing process on the document can be shortened as described above.

  In the above embodiment, 0 or 20 seconds is set as the standby time as initialization of the standby time (steps S53 and S54), but the initialization value of the standby time is not limited to this. . Further, although there are two types of initialization values for the standby time, any number of values may be used.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the initialization value of the standby time is changed according to the type of the reading mode. However, the condition for changing the initialization value of the standby time is limited to the type of the reading mode. is not.

  In the above embodiment, the external device 40 includes the operation unit 43 for setting the standby time. However, the operation unit 43 may be provided in the image reading device 13 to set the standby time.

  In addition, the memory 42, the operation unit 43, the display unit 44, and the storage device 47 included in the external device 40 are incorporated in one of the image reading device 13 and the image forming device 30, and only the image reading device 13 and the image forming device 30 are included. The image may be read and printed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 30 is configured as an optional device that can be freely attached to and detached from the image reading apparatus 13, but an integrated apparatus that includes the image reading apparatus 13 and the image forming apparatus 30 may also be used. The present invention can be applied.

  Another object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the embodiments to a system or apparatus, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus stores the storage medium. It is also achieved by reading out and executing the program code stored in.

  In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the program code and the storage medium storing the program code constitute the present invention.

  Examples of the storage medium for supplying the program code include a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVD-RAM, and a DVD. -RW, DVD + RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, etc. can be used. Alternatively, the program code may be downloaded via a network.

  Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also an OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. A case where part or all of the actual processing is performed and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing is also included.

  Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion is performed based on the instruction of the program code. This includes the case where the CPU or the like provided in the board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system principal part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system principal part of an external apparatus. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and (A) is a diagram illustrating a state in which an image reading unit is disposed between a paper feed roller, a separation roller, and a conveyance roller; FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating a state in which the image reading unit is disposed between the paper feed port and the paper discharge roller. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of a printing mechanism. It is a flowchart which shows the setting process of waiting time. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed by the image reading apparatus. 7 is a flowchart showing a modification of processing executed by the image reading apparatus in FIG. 6. It is a figure which shows an example of a waiting time setting dialog.

Explanation of symbols

6 Document Detection Sensor 7 Reading End Button 11 Head 13 Image Reading Device 14 Image Reading Unit 15 Timer 16 CPU
17 Interface 18 Carriage 20 Cap 27 Printing Mechanism 30 Image Forming Apparatus 40 External Device 41 Input / Output Port 42 Memory 43 Operation Unit 44 Display Unit

Claims (6)

Reading means for reading a document;
Printing means for printing on the document in the printing area;
Moving means for moving the printing means between the printing area and the non-printing area;
Time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from completion of reading of the original by the reading means or completion of printing on the original by the printing means to the current time;
A waiting time setting means for setting a waiting time for waiting the printing means in the printing area;
Control means for controlling the moving means to cause the printing means to stand by in the printing area based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring means and the waiting time set by the waiting time setting means. An image processing apparatus.   The control unit controls the moving unit to cause the printing unit to stand by in the printing area when the elapsed time measured by the timing unit is shorter than the standby time set by the standby time setting unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The waiting time setting means includes a plurality of waiting time setting values, and sets one waiting time setting value selected from the plurality of waiting time setting values as the waiting time. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A document table for loading documents; and document detection means for detecting the presence or absence of documents on the document table;
4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time measuring unit measures an elapsed time from the time when the document detection unit stops detecting the document to the current time. 5. In a control method of an image processing apparatus, comprising: a reading unit that reads a document; a printing unit that prints on the document in a printing region; and a moving unit that moves the printing unit between the printing region and a non-printing region.
A time measuring step of measuring an elapsed time from completion of reading of the original by the reading means or completion of printing on the original by the printing means to a current time;
A standby time setting step of setting a standby time for waiting the printing means in the printing area;
A control step of controlling the moving means so as to make the printing means stand by in the printing area based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring step and the standby time set by the standby time setting step. A method for controlling an image processing apparatus. A control program executed by an image processing apparatus comprising: a reading unit that reads a document; a printing unit that prints on the document in a printing region; and a moving unit that moves the printing unit between the printing region and the non-printing region. In
A time measuring module for measuring an elapsed time from the completion of reading of the original by the reading means or the completion of printing on the original by the printing means to the current time;
A waiting time setting module for setting a waiting time for waiting the printing means in the printing area;
A control module for controlling the moving means to cause the printing means to stand by in the printing area based on the elapsed time measured by the time measuring module and the waiting time set by the waiting time setting module. A control program characterized by

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