JP2007194685A - Scanner device and image forming apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a scanner device available, even when the scanner is not used for the application of reading originals. <P>SOLUTION: The scanner device 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a scan unit 11 for applying operations to an original placed on an original platen 2 to read the original and a control section 30 for controlling the operations of the scanner device 10. The scan unit 11 includes a linear-shape light source 12 for lighting a prescribed range of the original platen 2 and an imaging apparatus 13 for imaging a range lighted by the linear light source 12. The control section 30 controls the scan unit 11, to execute the scan function for reading the original and a lighting function. In the lighting function, the control section 30 moves the scan unit 11 to nearly the middle of the original platen 2 and lights the linear light source 12 to light the upper part of the original platen 2. The scanner device 10 can be used for the application of lighting, when the scanner device 10 is not used for the application of reading the original. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a scanner device having a function of scanning a document placed on a document table by a scan unit and reading the document as image data, and an image forming apparatus using the scanner device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a scanner device that reads a document placed on a document table as image data by a scanning unit such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) has been used (for example, see Patent Document 1). Such a scanner device is used, for example, integrally with an image forming device that forms an image on recording paper, or connected to an external personal computer or the like. The scan unit includes, for example, an illuminating unit that illuminates an original on a document table with an LED or the like, and an imaging unit that captures an imaged area of the original. The document is read as image data by capturing an image of the surface of the document while moving the scan unit in a predetermined direction.

Incidentally, such a scanner device or an image forming apparatus equipped with the scanner device has an advantage that it is useful and convenient for reading a document, but there are few opportunities for use depending on the user. On the other hand, there is a disadvantage that it occupies a large installation space, and there is a problem that the disadvantage of the scanner device and the like may be felt larger for the user than the advantage.
JP-A-2005-130118

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a scanner device that is useful even when not used for reading a document and an image forming apparatus using the scanner device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a housing having a rectangular opening formed on an upper surface thereof, a flat platen that is formed of a translucent material and is mounted on the opening of the housing, and Inside the housing, the upper surface is arranged to contact the inner surface of the document table so that the main scanning direction is the longitudinal direction, and the main scanning direction of the document table and the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction An illumination unit configured by a plurality of light emitting diodes that illuminate a predetermined range, and an imaging unit that captures an image of the predetermined range illuminated by the illumination unit, and is moved in the sub-scanning direction. A scanning unit for reading the document placed on the document table as image data, driving means for moving the scanning unit in the sub-scanning direction, image data read by the scanning unit, An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on recording paper based on input image data; and a control unit that controls a reading operation by the scan unit and an image forming operation by the image forming unit. The control unit moves the scanning unit to the approximate center of the document table when the image data is not read or the image forming operation is performed, and the illumination unit is set to a predetermined lighting color and lighting time set from the outside. And a lighting function for controlling lighting based on a lighting pattern, and when the lighting time has elapsed during lighting control of the lighting means or when it is detected that a predetermined operation has been applied from the outside Then, the lighting control of the illumination means is terminated, the illumination function is terminated, and the image data is read or the image forming operation is prepared.

  The invention according to claim 2 is a housing having a rectangular opening formed on the upper surface, a flat platen that is formed of a light-transmitting material and is mounted on the opening of the housing, and the interior of the housing. The upper surface of the platen is in contact with the inner surface of the document table so that the main scanning direction is the longitudinal direction, and illuminates a predetermined range in the main scanning direction of the document table and the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. And an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined range illuminated by the illumination unit, and reads the document placed on the document table as image data by being moved in the sub-scanning direction. In the scanner device including a scan unit, a driving unit that moves the scan unit in the sub-scanning direction, and a control unit that controls a reading operation by the scan unit, the control unit reads image data. The Itoki, the scan unit is moved substantially in the center of the platen, and has a lighting function for lighting the illuminating means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the controller is configured such that the lighting color or lighting time of the illumination means can be set from the outside.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the control unit has an illumination function of moving the scan unit to the approximate center of the document table and lighting the illumination means. Even when not used for forming an image on recording paper, it can be used for lighting such as indoors. Therefore, it is usually possible to make an image forming apparatus that is less frequently used more useful. In addition, the control unit controls lighting based on a predetermined lighting color, lighting time, and lighting pattern set from the outside, for example, lighting means composed of light emitting diodes of three colors of R, G, and B. It becomes possible to illuminate the interior of the room in various lighting modes, and the lighting function becomes a more useful function. Furthermore, when the control unit detects that a predetermined operation has been applied from the outside during the lighting control of the lighting unit, the control unit ends the lighting control of the lighting unit and prepares for image data reading or image forming operation. When the image forming apparatus is used for reading images or forming images on recording paper, it is not necessary for the user to manually operate to stop the illumination function, and the image forming apparatus can be used more easily.

  According to the invention of claim 2, since the control unit has an illumination function of moving the scan unit to the approximate center of the document table and lighting the illumination means, the image forming apparatus is It becomes possible to make it more useful that it can be used for lighting applications such as indoors.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the controller controls lighting based on the predetermined lighting color and lighting time set from the outside, it becomes possible to illuminate the room or the like in various modes. The lighting function becomes a more useful function.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus equipped with a scanner device according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a so-called printer complex machine, and is used by being connected to, for example, an external personal computer. The image forming apparatus 1 controls, for example, the scanner device 10 at the top of the housing 100, the image forming unit 20 at the bottom, and the operations of the scanner device 10 and the image forming unit 20 in a predetermined operation mode. And a control unit 30 composed of a memory or the like.

  As shown in the figure, a document holding plate 110 is provided on the upper portion of the scanner device 10 of the housing 100 so as to cover the upper surface of the housing 100 so as to be rotatable by a hinge 110a. A pad 111 for pressing a document to be placed is attached to the surface of the document pressing plate 110 facing the upper surface of the casing 100 as will be described later. A paper feed tray 120 on which recording paper P is loaded is provided at the upper rear of the housing 100, and an image is formed on the front surface of the housing 100 by a print function of the image forming unit 20 as described later. A paper discharge tray 130 for discharging the recording paper P is provided. On the front side of the upper portion of the housing 100, for example, an operation panel unit 31 having an operation button 31a operable from the outside and a display unit 31b having a function of displaying the state of the image forming apparatus 1 and the like is provided. The image forming apparatus 1 is configured to be controlled in a predetermined operation mode by the control unit 30 based on, for example, an operation of the operation button 31a by a user or a command transmitted from an external personal computer or the like. . Note that the position and configuration of the operation panel unit 31, the positions of the paper feed tray 120, the paper discharge tray 130, and the like are not limited thereto.

  The image forming apparatus 1 has various functions such as a print function for forming an image on the recording paper P, a scan function for reading an original with the scanner device 10, and a function for transmitting image data obtained by the scan function to a personal computer. is doing. For example, the user can operate the operation button 31a of the operation panel unit 31 or send a predetermined command from an external personal computer or the like to change the operation mode of the control unit 30 when the power is turned on. It is configured to be executable by changing from the standby mode which is the standby state. For example, when a document is read by the scanner device 10, the operation mode of the control unit 30 is changed from the standby mode to the scan mode, and the scan function is executed.

  As will be described later, the scanning function performed by the scanner device 10 includes a scan unit 11 arranged in the housing 100 so that the main scanning direction (arrow A in the figure) is in the longitudinal direction, and the sub scanning unit 11 orthogonal to the main scanning direction. It is executed by moving the document in the scanning direction (arrow B in the figure) and causing the scan unit 11 to scan the document. The print function performed by the image forming unit 20 is, for example, an ink jet method on the recording paper P conveyed into the housing 100 based on image data read by the scanner device 10 or image data input from the outside. To form an image. The operation of transporting the recording paper P loaded in the paper feed tray 120 to the inside of the casing 100 and the operation of discharging the recording paper P on which the image is formed to the paper discharge tray 130 are performed by the recording paper transport of the image forming unit 20. (Not shown). Note that the image forming unit 20 may form an image by an electrophotographic method such as a laser beam printer, and is not limited to a specific method.

  FIG. 2 shows the scanner device 10. The arrows A and B in the figure indicate the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the scanner device 10, respectively, similarly to the arrows A and B shown in FIG. A rectangular opening 100 a is formed on the upper surface of the upper portion of the housing 100 of the scanner device 10. In the opening 100a of the housing 100, a flat platen platen 2 made of a translucent material such as glass is mounted. Inside the housing 100, there are a scan unit 11 disposed so that the upper surface abuts the inner surface of the document table 2 so that the main scanning direction (the direction of arrow A in the figure) is the longitudinal direction, and the housing 100. A shaft 15 that is attached and guides the scan unit 11 so as to be movable in the sub-scanning direction (arrow B direction in the figure) and a drive mechanism 16 that moves the scan unit 11 in the sub-scanning direction are arranged. The drive mechanism 16 includes a belt 16a disposed along the sub-scanning direction inside the housing 100, and a motor 16b that rotates the belt 16a via a pulley or the like. For example, a white adjustment sheet 18 provided with a black pattern 18a is provided on the inner surface of the upper surface of the housing 100 in the vicinity of the portion where the document table 2 is provided, along the main scanning direction. It is provided so as to face. As will be described later, the adjustment sheet 18 is used for calibration of the position and the like of the scan unit 11. When the image forming apparatus 1 is in a standby state in which no operation is being performed, the scan unit 11 is stopped near the lower side of the adjustment sheet 18.

  FIG. 3 shows the scan unit 11. The arrows A and B in the figure indicate the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the scanner device 10, respectively, similarly to the arrows A and B shown in FIGS. The scan unit 11 is, for example, a so-called CIS (Contact Image Sensor), and is connected to the control unit 30 via the flat cable 11a. A linear light source (illuminating means) 12 provided along the main scanning direction and an imaging device (imaging means) 13 provided in parallel to the linear light source 12 are provided on the upper part of the scan unit 11. Further, spacers 11b are provided at both ends of the upper surface of the scan unit 11 in the main scanning direction so as to rise from the upper surface of the scan unit 11 by a predetermined height (for example, about 0.1 mm). The spacer 11b is in contact with the inner surface of the document table 2 in a state where the scan unit 11 is arranged inside the housing 100, and has little frictional resistance with the inner surface of the document table 2 so that it is difficult to be worn down. It is made of a resin of a different material. That is, the scan unit 11 is configured such that the distance from the document table 2 is always kept constant by the spacer 11b coming into contact with the inner surface of the document table 2.

  The linear light source 12 of the scan unit 11 includes a light emitting unit 12a provided at one end portion of the scan unit 11 in the main scanning direction, and guides light from the light emitting unit 12a to line substantially upward from the upper surface of the scan unit 11. It is comprised with the light guide lens 12b radiated | emitted in the shape. In other words, the linear light source 12 guides the light from the light emitting unit 12a by the light guide lens 12b, so that the area of the original platen 2 with a predetermined width in the sub-scanning direction and the entire area in the main scanning direction is substantially uniform. Illuminate with brightness. In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 12a is configured by, for example, three LEDs (light emitting diodes) that emit green, red, and blue light emission colors, respectively, so that the scanner device 10 can read a color original. It is configured. That is, the light emitting unit 12a can adjust the light emission color of the entire light emitting unit 12a to white or other various colors by changing the light emission amount of each of the three LEDs. The configuration of the linear light source 12 is not limited to this. For example, the linear light source 12 includes a plurality of light emitting units 12a as described above, and the light guide lens 12b guides light from each to the upper surface of the scan unit 11. For example, the LED may be arranged in the main scanning direction so as to emit light above the scan unit 11. Moreover, the light emission part 12a is not comprised so that a light emission color can be changed as mentioned above, For example, you may be comprised so that it may light-emit only with monochromatic light, such as green.

  The imaging device 13 includes a lens array in which micro lenses are arranged in the main scanning direction, and a light receiving element array in which light receiving elements are arranged in the main scanning direction corresponding to each lens. Each lens is focused on the outer surface of the document table 2, and among the documents placed so as to be in close contact with the outer surface of the document table 2, an image in a predetermined range illuminated by the linear light source 12 is received. An image is formed on the light receiving surface of the element, and an image in a predetermined range is picked up by each light receiving element. The scan unit 11 is connected to a part of the belt 16 a of the drive mechanism 16. When the scan function is executed, an image of the document on the document table 2 is captured while moving in the sub-scanning direction as the belt 16a rotates, and the captured image data is transferred to the control unit 30 via the flat cable 11a. Configured to send.

  Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 when executing the scan function will be described. The scan function is executed by setting the operation mode of the control unit 30 to the scan mode by operating the operation button 31a or operating an external personal computer when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the standby state. Is done. When the scan function is executed, the scan unit 11 is calibrated before the original is read by the scan unit 11. In the calibration of the scan unit 11, the scan unit 11 is moved below the adjustment sheet 18 and the adjustment sheet 18 is read. At this time, the control unit 30 accurately grasps the positional relationship between the scan unit 11 and the document table 2 with reference to the position of the read pattern 18a. Further, at the time of this calibration, the balance of the light emission amounts of the LEDs of the respective colors of the light emitting unit 12a is adjusted based on the result of reading the white adjustment sheet 18 and the black pattern 18a so that the original can be read appropriately. Has been. When the calibration of the scan unit 11 is completed, the control unit 30 moves the scan unit 11 in the sub-scanning direction by the drive mechanism 16 as described above, and uses the image pickup device 13 for the document placed on the document table 2. Read as image data. When the reading of the document is completed, the scan unit 11 is moved again to the vicinity of the adjustment sheet 18 and stopped, and the control unit 30 enters a standby state.

  Here, the image forming apparatus 1 has an illumination function that can be used as indirect illumination when the user goes to bed, for example, in addition to the above-described scan function and print function. Hereinafter, this illumination function will be described.

  The illumination function of the image forming apparatus 1 is performed by turning on the linear light source 12 of the scan unit 11. This illumination function is executed under the control of the control unit 30 when the user operates the operation button 31a of the operation panel unit 31 as in the scan function and the like. In the present embodiment, when executing the illumination function, the user rotates the document pressing plate 110 upward in advance to open the upper surface of the housing 100 to the outside. Then, the operation mode of the control unit 30 is changed from the standby mode to the illumination mode by operating the operation buttons 31a and the like. When the operation mode is changed to the illumination mode, the user operates the operation button 31a to set a lighting color, a lighting time, and a lighting pattern such as the presence or absence of blinking lighting. At this time, the control unit 30 displays the choice of lighting color and lighting time that can be set by the user on the display unit 31b, and the user selects one of the choices displayed on the display unit 31b by operating the operation button 31a. Thus, the lighting color, lighting time, lighting pattern, and the like can be set. When the lighting color, lighting time, and lighting pattern are set by the user, the control unit 30 executes the illumination function as described below.

  First, the control unit 30 drives the drive mechanism 16 to move the scan unit 11 to substantially the center of the document table 2 and stop it. When the scan unit 11 is moved, the light emitting unit 12a emits light with the lighting color and lighting pattern set by the user as described above. As a result, the linear light source 12 is turned on and the upper part of the document table 2 is illuminated. When the lighting time set by the user has elapsed after the light emitting unit 12a emits light, the control unit 30 stops the light emission of the light emitting unit 12a and ends the lighting of the linear light source 12. That is, the control unit 30 controls the lighting of the linear light source 12 based on a predetermined lighting color and lighting time set by the user. After stopping the light emission of the linear light source 12, the control unit 30 drives the drive mechanism 16 to move the scan unit 11 to the vicinity of the adjustment sheet 18 and sets the operation mode to the standby mode.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the control unit 30 also detects that a predetermined operation has been applied from the outside of the image forming apparatus 1 during the lighting control of the linear light source 12. The lighting control is configured to end. For example, a recording paper sensor (not shown) provided in the paper feed tray 120 detects that a new recording paper P is loaded in the paper feed tray 120 while the illumination function is being executed as described above. An operation for replacing an ink cartridge or the like used for forming an image on the recording paper P of the image forming unit 20 has been performed, or some operation has been applied to the operation button 31a of the operation panel unit 31. Is detected, the control unit 30 ends the illumination function and the image forming apparatus 1 returns to the standby state to prepare for image data reading or image forming operation. Also, when the illumination function is being executed, the control unit 30 also terminates the illumination function and performs control based on the changed operation mode when the mode is changed to the scan mode or the print mode. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 is used for reading a document or forming an image on recording paper from a state in which the lighting function is executed, the user needs to perform a manual operation or the like to stop the lighting function. As a result, the image forming apparatus can be used more easily.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, even when the image forming apparatus 1 is not used for reading a document or forming an image on the recording paper P, the lighting function is executed for lighting use in a room or the like. It can be used. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 can be made more useful. In addition, the control unit 30 controls lighting of the linear light source 12 based on a predetermined lighting color, lighting time, lighting pattern, and the like set by an external user, so that the room or the like is illuminated in various lighting modes. It becomes possible to make the lighting function more useful.

  FIG. 4 shows a usage example of the illumination function of the image forming apparatus 1. In this example, as shown in the drawing, the light from the linear light source 12 that is turned on in the illumination function is transmitted to the outside by a dome-shaped translucent dome 300 made of frosted glass placed on the document table 2, for example. Let By performing the illumination function using such frosted glass-like material, the light that is turned on to illuminate when performing the illumination function illuminates the outside gently. In this way, by using a light transmitting body that is separate from the scanner device 10, it is possible to make the illumination using the image forming apparatus 1 look better. When performing the illumination function, in addition to using such a transparent body, for example, a reflection plate that reflects light is attached on the pad 111 of the document pressing plate 110, and the light from the linear light source 12 is emitted, for example. You may make it the structure reflected toward the front, or may affix a photograph etc. on the pad 111, and you may make it the structure that the photograph is illuminated by the linear light source 12. FIG. That is, by executing the illumination function in combination with a light transmitting body, a reflecting plate, a photograph, and the like, the image forming apparatus 1 can be used more effectively according to the purpose of illumination.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the structure of the said embodiment, A various deformation | transformation is possible suitably in the range which does not change the meaning of invention. For example, the illumination function may be configured to be executable when, for example, a user operates an external personal computer or the like and transmits a predetermined command to the image forming apparatus. Also, the lighting function lighting color, lighting time, lighting pattern may be configured to be arbitrarily set by the user, and setting of the lighting color, lighting time, lighting pattern, etc. is unnecessary, You may comprise so that it may light only for predetermined lighting time with the same lighting color. Furthermore, once the illumination function is executed, the linear light source 12 may continue to be lit until it is terminated by an operation by the user or the like.

  Furthermore, the present invention is not applied only to the image forming apparatus 1 integrally including the scanner apparatus 10 and the image forming unit 20 as described above. For example, the scanner apparatus 10 is used alone, and an external personal computer or the like is used. It can also be applied to a document that is connected to and reads a document as image data. Even in this case, as described above, the scanner device 10 can be usefully used for illumination even when not used for reading a document.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a top view of the scanner device of the image forming apparatus. The perspective view of the scanning unit of the scanner apparatus. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of use of the illumination function of the image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Document stand 10 Scanner apparatus 11 Scan unit 12 Linear light source (illuminating means)
12b LED unit (light emitting diode)
13 Imaging device (imaging means)
16 Drive mechanism (drive means)
20 Image forming unit 30 Control unit 31 Operation panel 100 Case 100a Aperture A Main scanning direction B Sub scanning direction P Recording paper

Claims (3)

A housing having a rectangular opening formed on the upper surface;
A flat platen that is formed of a translucent material and is mounted in the opening of the housing;
Inside the housing, the upper surface is arranged so as to contact the inner surface of the document table so that the main scanning direction is the longitudinal direction, and the sub-scanning is perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the main scanning direction of the document table. An illuminating unit configured by a plurality of light emitting diodes that illuminate a predetermined range of directions, and an imaging unit that captures an image of the predetermined range illuminated by the illuminating unit, and moves in the sub-scanning direction A scanning unit that reads the document placed on the document table as image data,
Driving means for moving the scan unit in the sub-scanning direction;
Image forming means for forming an image on recording paper based on image data read by the scan unit or image data input from the outside;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a reading operation by the scan unit and an image forming operation by the image forming unit;
The control unit moves the scanning unit to a substantially center of the document table when the image data is not read or the image forming operation is performed, and the illumination unit is lit with a predetermined lighting color set from the outside. It has a lighting function to control lighting based on time and lighting pattern,
During the lighting control of the lighting means, when the lighting time has elapsed or when it is detected that a predetermined operation has been applied from the outside, the lighting control of the lighting means is ended, the lighting function is ended, and the image is displayed. An image forming apparatus comprising a data reading or image forming operation. A housing having a rectangular opening formed on the upper surface;
A flat platen that is formed of a translucent material and is mounted in the opening of the housing;
Inside the housing, the upper surface is arranged so as to contact the inner surface of the document table so that the main scanning direction is the longitudinal direction, and the sub-scanning is perpendicular to the main scanning direction and the main scanning direction of the document table. An illumination unit that illuminates a predetermined range of directions, and an imaging unit that captures an image of a predetermined range illuminated by the illumination unit, and is placed on the document table by being moved in the sub-scanning direction. A scanning unit that reads the scanned original as image data,
Driving means for moving the scan unit in the sub-scanning direction;
In a scanner device comprising a control unit that controls a reading operation by the scan unit,
The scanner unit has an illumination function of moving the scan unit to a substantially center of the document table and lighting the illumination unit when image data is not read.   The scanner device according to claim 2, wherein the controller is configured to be able to set the lighting color or lighting time of the illumination means from the outside.

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