JP2007221246A - Original reader and image forming apparatus employing same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an original reader capable of confirming the number of carried originals and effectively supporting print processing or the like performed successively. <P>SOLUTION: The original reader counts and displays the number of sheets of originals carried and read by an original carrying read section 2 and effectively supports the print processing successive to reading of the originals so as to improve the ease of use. A user confirms whether or not the displayed number of sheets of the originals is coincident with the number of sheets of the originals on an original set tray 11, when the displayed number of sheets of the originals is coincident with the number of sheets of the originals on the original set tray 11, the user discriminates that no overlapping feed of the originals takes place, and when the displayed number of sheets of the originals is less than the number sheets of the originals on the original set tray 11, the user can discriminate that overlapping feed of the originals takes place, and is supported by the print processing successive to the reading of the originals to quickly and easily execute the print processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an original reading apparatus that automatically conveys and reads an original and an image forming apparatus using the original reading apparatus.

  As this type of image forming apparatus, there are a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, and the like, and most of them are provided with a document reading device for reading a document. There are various types of original reading apparatuses. For example, when a plurality of originals are set in a stacked manner, there is an original reading apparatus that reads each original one by one and reads it.

  However, in such an apparatus that automatically pulls out and conveys each document, the document conveyance speed and the reading speed tend to be increased, and several documents are pulled out and conveyed while being overlapped. So-called double feeding of documents is likely to occur, which is regarded as a problem. When this document double feed occurs, the document reading process ends without reading the document superimposed on the lower side. Then, when each original is printed following the reading of each original, since the original that has not been read is not printed, the original is searched for, and the original is read and printed. It must be done separately, and it will be difficult to clean up.

  For this reason, for example, in Patent Document 1, when the number of originals input by the user is different from the number of originals conveyed, it is possible to select whether to stop or continue the copying process.

  In Patent Document 2, a reading error is notified when the number of documents counted in advance and the number of conveyed documents do not match.

  Further, in Patent Document 3, a reading error is notified when the number of originals input by the user and the number of originals conveyed do not match.

In Patent Document 4, the number of originals read is displayed before the copying operation is performed.
JP 60-93461 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 02-177758 JP 11-275303 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-229880

  However, Patent Document 1 only displays whether or not the input number of originals matches the number of conveyed originals, and does not indicate the number of originals conveyed. For this reason, the user cannot confirm the number of conveyed documents.

  Similarly, Patent Documents 2 and 3 only display whether or not the number of originals counted or input matches the number of originals conveyed, and display the number of originals conveyed. Not in.

  In Patent Document 4, the number of read originals is displayed before the copying operation is performed, but the copying operation support following the display of the number of read originals is not sufficiently performed.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can confirm the number of conveyed documents and can effectively support subsequent printing processing and the like thereafter. It is an object to provide a reading device and an image forming apparatus using the reading device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, a document reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading instruction unit for instructing an input to start reading a document, and a document conveyance that starts conveying a document in response to an input instruction by the reading instruction unit. Means, a document reading means for reading the document conveyed by the document conveying means, a counting means for counting the number of documents conveyed by the document conveying means and read by the document reading means, and the counting means Display means for displaying the number of originals counted in step (1), and determination instruction means for instructing to input the validity for the number of originals displayed by the display means.

  According to such a document reading apparatus of the present invention, the number of documents conveyed by the document conveying means and read by the document reading means is counted and displayed. Can be confirmed. In addition, since it is possible to input an instruction for the validity of the number of displayed documents, it is possible to perform a document printing process in response to the instruction for inputting the validity, and to perform printing following the confirmation of the number of documents. It is possible to effectively support processing and the like.

  Further, the determination instruction means can input an invalidity for the number of documents displayed by the display means. Unless the original printing process or the like is performed in response to the invalidity input instruction, the printing process is not performed wastefully. In addition, the document data read in response to the invalidity input instruction may be invalidated, thereby simplifying the input operation.

  Further, the instruction to input the validity with respect to the number of documents by the determination instruction means indicates the start of document printing. As a result, the printing of the document can be started immediately.

  The document reading means can read a double-sided document.

  Further, the display means displays the number of documents for each of a plurality of types of document printing forms. For example, the plurality of types of document printing forms are single-sided document printing, double-sided document printing, and blank page document printing. In this case, the number of documents is displayed every time a single-sided document is printed, a double-sided document is printed, or a blank page document is printed.

  The printing of the one-sided document is printing on the front side of the document or printing on the back side of the document. In this case, the number of documents is displayed separately for printing on the front side of the document or printing on the back side of the document.

  On the other hand, the image forming apparatus of the present invention uses the document reading apparatus of the present invention. For this reason, the same operation and effect as those of the document reading apparatus of the present invention can be achieved.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the number of originals conveyed by the original conveying means and read by the original reading means is counted and displayed, the number of originals conveyed and read can be confirmed. it can. In addition, since it is possible to input an instruction for the validity of the number of displayed documents, it is possible to perform a document printing process in response to the instruction for inputting the validity, and to perform printing following the confirmation of the number of documents. It is possible to effectively support processing and the like.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  1 and 2 are a perspective view and a side view showing an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of a document reading apparatus of the present invention is applied. In this image forming apparatus 1, a copy mode in which an image of a document is read and printed on a recording sheet, a facsimile mode in which an image of the document is read and transmitted, and a document image is received and printed on a record sheet, and information A copy mode for printing an image received from a terminal device via a network on a recording sheet can be selectively performed. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a document conveyance reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, and a paper discharge processing device 5, when roughly classified.

  Next, taking the copy mode as an example, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.

  First, a document is set on the document set tray 11 of the document conveyance reading unit 2, and then the operation panel 12 of the document conveyance reading unit 2 is operated to input and set the size and magnification of the printing paper. Then, the start of copying is instructed by operating the operation panel 12.

  In response to this, in the document conveying / reading section 2, each document on the document setting tray 11 is pulled out one by one by the pickup roller 13, and the document is sent to the platen glass 16 through the gap plate 14 and the conveying roller 15. The document is conveyed on the platen glass 16 in the sub-scanning direction and discharged to the document discharge tray 17.

  At this time, the first reading unit 21 reads the surface (lower side) of the document. The first scanning unit 23 of the first reading unit 21 is moved to the position P and positioned, the second scanning unit 24 is positioned at a predetermined position, and the surface of the document is platen glass by the exposure lamp of the first scanning unit 23. 16, the reflected light of the document is guided to the imaging lens 26 by the reflecting mirrors of the first and second traveling units 23 and 24, and the reflected light of the document is condensed on the CCD 27 by the imaging lens 26. Then, the image on the surface of the original is imaged on the CCD 27, thereby reading the image on the surface of the original.

  Further, the back side (upper side surface) of the document is read by the second reading unit 22. The second reading unit 22 is disposed above the platen glass 16, and is an exposure lamp (LED array, fluorescent lamp, etc.) that irradiates the back side of the document, and a SELFOC lens that collects the reflected light of the document for each pixel. A contact image sensor (CIS) that photoelectrically converts reflected light of the original received through the array and the SELFOC lens array and outputs an analog image signal is provided.

  Further, it is possible to open the upper housing of the document conveyance reading unit 2 and place the document on the platen glass 16, and in this state, the first reading unit 21 can read the surface of the document. In this case, the first and second scanning units 23 and 24 are moved in the sub-scanning direction while maintaining a predetermined speed relationship with each other, the original on the platen glass 16 is exposed by the first scanning unit 23, and the first The reflected light from the original is guided to the imaging lens 26 by the second scanning units 23 and 24, and the image of the original is formed on the CCD 27 by the imaging lens 26.

  When one or both sides of the document are read in this way, image data indicating an image on one or both sides of the document is input to a control unit 51 (shown in FIG. 3) such as a microcomputer, where various image processing is performed on the image data. The image data is output to the image forming unit 3.

  The image forming unit 3 prints an image of a document indicated by image data on a recording sheet. The image forming unit 3 is a photosensitive drum 31, a charging device 32, a laser scanning unit (hereinafter referred to as LSU) 33, a developing device 34, a transfer device. A device 35, a cleaning device 36, a static eliminator (not shown), a fixing device 37, and the like are provided.

  The image forming unit 3 is provided with a main conveyance path 38 and a reverse conveyance path 39, and the recording sheet fed from the sheet feeding unit 4 is conveyed along the main conveyance path 38. The paper feeding unit 4 pulls out the recording paper stored in the paper cassette 41 or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray 42 one by one, and sends the recording paper to the main conveyance path 38 of the image forming unit 3. .

  While the recording paper is being conveyed along the main conveying path 38 of the image forming unit 3, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum 31 and the transfer device 35, and further passes through the fixing device 37 to be recorded. Printing on paper is performed. The photosensitive drum 31 rotates in one direction, and after the surface is cleaned by the cleaning device 36 and the static eliminator, the surface is uniformly charged by the charging device 32. The laser scanning unit 33 modulates the laser beam based on the image data from the document conveying / reading unit 2, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 in the main scanning direction with this laser beam, thereby converting the electrostatic latent image into the photosensitive member. Formed on the surface of the drum 31. The developing device 34 supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31. The transfer device 35 transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 onto a recording sheet that passes between the transfer device 35 and the photosensitive drum 31. The fixing device 37 heats and pressurizes the recording paper to fix the toner image on the recording paper.

  A branching claw 43 is disposed at a connection position between the main conveyance path 38 and the reverse conveyance path 39. When printing is performed only on one side of the recording paper, the branching claw 43 is positioned at a position indicated by a solid line, and the recording paper from the fixing device 37 is fed to the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5 by the branching claw 43. Led to.

  Further, when printing is performed on both sides of the recording paper, the branching claw 43 is rotationally moved to the position indicated by the dotted line, and the recording paper is guided toward the reverse conveyance path 39. Then, the recording sheet passes through the reverse conveyance path 39, is turned upside down and is conveyed again to the main conveyance path 38, and printing on the back surface is performed during the re-conveyance of the main conveyance path 38. Then, the paper is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5.

  The recording sheet printed in this way is guided toward the paper discharge tray 44 or the paper discharge processing device 5 and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 44 or to any one of the paper discharge trays 5a of the paper discharge processing device 5. Discharged.

  By the way, in such an image forming apparatus, there is a tendency that the document conveying speed and the reading speed are increased, and so-called document double feeding in which several documents are pulled out and conveyed while being overlapped easily occurs. .

  Therefore, in the document reading apparatus of this embodiment, the number of documents conveyed and read by the document conveying / reading unit 2 is counted and displayed, and further, the printing process following the reading of the document is effectively supported, thereby improving usability. We are trying to improve. The user checks whether or not the number of displayed documents matches the number of documents on the document set tray 11, and if the number of displayed documents matches the number of documents on the document set tray 11, If it is determined that there is no document double feed, and if the number of displayed documents is smaller than the number of documents on the document set tray 11, it can be determined that document double feed has occurred. With the support of the printing process that follows the reading of the document, this printing process can be performed quickly and easily.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the document reading apparatus according to this embodiment. The document reading apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided in a control unit 51 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 1, a document conveyance reading unit 2, an operation panel 12 that is operated to perform various input instructions, and an operation panel 12. A display unit 52, a RAM 53 for storing various data, a ROM 54 for storing a control program and a data table for operating the image forming apparatus 1, a counter 55, a hard disk device 56, and the like are provided.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the operation panel 12. The operation panel 12 is provided with a display section 52, keys 57 for setting a copy mode, a facsimile mode, a copy mode, and the like, a numeric key 58, a clear key 59, a start key 60, and the like. Further, since a transparent touch panel (not shown) is provided on the display unit 52, the keys 61 displayed on the display unit 52 can be selectively operated by operating the touch panel. . Input instructions by operating these keys are notified to the control unit 51. Further, the display content of the display unit 52 in FIG. 4 is in the initial state.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by the document reading apparatus of the present embodiment. With reference to this flowchart, a procedure for displaying the number of conveyed documents and supporting the printing process subsequent to reading the document will be described.

  First, the control unit 51 monitors the detection output of a document sensor (not shown) provided on the document set tray 11, and detects that the document on the document set tray 11 is detected by the document sensor, that is, the document. It waits for a document to be set on the set tray 11 (“No” in step S101). Then, when a document is set on the document setting tray 11 (“Yes” in step S101), the control unit 51 performs print settings in accordance with an input instruction on the operation panel 12. For example, as described above, the print paper size, magnification, etc., which are instructed to be input by operating the operation panel 12, are set.

  Note that various methods have been proposed as print setting methods based on input instructions on the operation panel 12, and these methods may be applied.

  After the print setting is thus performed, the control unit 51 waits for the start key 60 of the operation panel 12 to be pressed (“No” in step S102), and when the start key 60 is pressed (“Yes” in step S102). "), The document conveyance reading unit 2 is driven and controlled (step S103). As a result, the originals on the original set tray 11 are pulled out one by one as described above, and one or both sides of the original are read by the first and second reading units 21 and 22.

  When reading the original, the control unit 51 monitors the operation of the original conveying / reading unit 2 and increments the count value of the counter 55 each time the original is conveyed and read to determine the number of originals conveyed and read. Count (step S104). Further, the control unit 51 determines whether the original is a single-sided document or a double-sided document based on image data indicating a single-sided or double-sided image of the document. For example, if the image on one side indicated by the image data is blank, it is determined to be a single-sided original, and otherwise, it is determined to be a double-sided original. Then, the control unit 51 causes the counter 55 to distinguish between counting the number of single-sided originals and counting the number of double-sided originals, and further causes the counter 55 to count both the total number of sheets. Therefore, the counter 55 counts the number of single-sided originals, the number of double-sided originals, and the total number of originals.

  Further, the control unit 51 stores image data indicating a single-sided image in the hard disk device 56 if it is a single-sided original, and stores image data indicating a double-sided image in the hard disk device 56 if it is a double-sided original.

  Then, when the original on the original set tray 11 is no longer detected by the original sensor on the original set tray 11, that is, when all the originals on the original set tray 11 have been read, the control unit 51, as shown in FIG. A document number notification screen 62 is displayed on the display unit 52 of the operation panel 12 (step S105).

  The document number notification screen 62 includes a row 63 indicating the total number of documents counted, a row 64 indicating that the printing process is to be continued after reading the document, a cancel key 65, an OK key 66, and a detail confirmation key 67. It is displayed.

  The user can know the total number of originals that have been read by looking at the total number of originals displayed in the row 63, and the total number of originals that have been read and the number of originals that have been set on the original setting tray 11. Are compared, it is determined that there is no double feeding of the documents, and if the total number of displayed sheets is less than the number of documents on the document set tray 11, It can be determined that double feeding has occurred.

  Here, if the total number of documents displayed in the row 63 is less than the number of documents on the document set tray 11, the documents are double-fed, and therefore all the documents stored in the hard disk device 56. Even if this image data is printed, an unprinted document is generated. Therefore, the user presses the cancel key 65 on the document number notification screen 62 and inputs an instruction to cancel the printing process subsequent to reading the document (“cancel” in step S106). In response to this, the control unit 51 clears the count value of the counter 55 without performing the printing process (step S107), and invalidates the image data of all the originals stored in the hard disk device 56 (step S108). 4) The display on the display unit 52 is returned to the state shown in FIG. The method of invalidating the image data in the hard disk device 56 includes not only completely erasing the image data but also erasing management data for managing the writing and reading of random data to the storage area of the image data, Any method may be used.

  In this way, when the document double feed occurs, the copy of the document can be quickly avoided.

  If the total number of documents displayed in the row 63 matches the number of documents on the document set tray 11, it is considered that the document has not been double-fed and the reading of the document has been completed normally. it can. Therefore, the user presses the OK key 66 on the document number notification screen 62 to input an instruction to start the printing process subsequent to the document reading (“print” in step S106). In response to this, the control unit 51 sequentially reads the image data of all the originals stored in the hard disk device 56 and sequentially gives them to the image forming unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1. In the image forming apparatus 1, printing is performed on a recording sheet according to the image data as described above, and the recording sheet is discharged (step S109).

  Therefore, when there is no double feeding of originals, the original can be copied quickly.

  Thereafter, the control unit 51 clears the count value of the counter 55 (step S107), invalidates the image data of all the originals stored in the hard disk device 56 (step S108), and displays the display on the display unit 52. Return to the state of 4.

  Further, when the user wants to know not only the total number of documents on the document number notification screen 62 but also the number of single-sided documents and the number of double-sided documents, the user presses the detail confirmation key 67 on the document number notification screen 62 (step). “Detail confirmation” in S106). In response to this, the control unit 51 displays a detailed notification screen 71 as shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 52 of the operation panel 12 instead of the document number notification screen 62 of FIG. 6 (step S110).

  The detailed notification screen 71 displays a column 72 indicating the total number of document sheets counted, a line 73 indicating the number of single-sided documents, a line 74 indicating the number of double-sided documents, a cancel key 75, and a print execution key 76. ing.

  At this time, the user compares the total number of documents displayed in the column 72 with the number of documents set on the document setting tray 11 to determine whether or not a document double feed has occurred. In addition, the number of single-sided originals and the number of double-sided originals can be known by looking at each of the lines 73 and 74, whereby it is possible to more accurately determine whether or not the reading of the original has been completed normally. it can.

  If the user looks at the detailed notification screen 71 and determines that the reading of the document has not been completed normally, the user presses the cancel key 75 of the detailed notification screen 71 to input an instruction to cancel the printing process (“Step S111”). Cancel"). In response to this, the control unit 51 clears the count value of the counter 55 without performing the printing process (step S107), and invalidates the image data of all the originals stored in the hard disk device 56 (step S108). 4) The display on the display unit 52 is returned to the state shown in FIG.

  Therefore, even when the detailed notification screen 71 is displayed, it is possible to quickly avoid copying the document.

  If the user looks at the detail notification screen 71 and determines that the reading of the document has been normally completed, the user presses the print execution key 76 on the detail notification screen 71 to input an instruction to start the printing process (step S111). "Print"). In response to this, the control unit 51 sequentially reads out image data of all the originals stored in the hard disk device 56, sequentially supplies the image data to the image forming unit 3 of the image forming apparatus 1, and supplies the image forming apparatus 1 to a recording sheet. Is printed (step S109).

  Accordingly, even when the detailed notification screen 71 is displayed, the copy of the document can be executed promptly.

  Thereafter, the control unit 51 clears the count value of the counter 55 (step S107), invalidates the image data of all the originals stored in the hard disk device 56 (step S108), and displays the display on the display unit 52. Return to the state of 4.

  As described above, the document reading apparatus according to the present embodiment counts and displays the number of documents conveyed and read. For this reason, the user can check the number of originals that have been conveyed and read. The number of originals is compared with the number of originals that the user has set on the original document setting tray 11, and double feeding of originals has occurred. It can be determined whether or not.

  In addition, since the number of single-sided originals and the number of double-sided originals are counted and displayed, the user looks at the displayed number of single-sided originals and the number of double-sided originals to determine whether or not the reading of the original has been completed normally. Can be judged more accurately.

  Furthermore, since not only the number of documents but also a key for inputting an instruction to cancel the printing process and a key for inputting an instruction to start the printing process are displayed on one screen, it is possible to avoid or execute the printing process. Can be performed quickly and easily.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, It can deform | transform variously. For example, when the detail confirmation key 67 on the document number notification screen 62 is pressed, the detail notification screen 81 as shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed instead of the detail notification screen 71 of FIG. In this detailed notification screen 81, instead of the respective lines 73 and 74 in the detailed notification screen 71 of FIG. 7, a line 82 indicating the number of single-sided originals and the number of original pages read, the number of double-sided originals and the original surface read. A row 83 indicating the number of the images is displayed.

  Alternatively, when the detail confirmation key 67 on the document number notification screen 62 is pressed, a detail notification screen 91 as shown in FIG. 9 may be displayed. The detailed notification screen 91 displays the number of originals conveyed and read for each original printing form. That is, a line 92 indicating the number of originals read on one side (front), a line 93 indicating the number of originals read on one side (back), a line 94 indicating the number of originals read on both sides, and a blank original A line 95 indicating the number of sheets is displayed. Further, a scroll key 96 capable of scrolling in units of pages is displayed.

  The document whose one side (front) is read is, for example, a document serving as a front cover, and is a document whose image has been read by the first reading unit 21. The document whose one side (back) is read is a document that becomes a back cover, for example, and is a document whose image is read by the second reading unit 22. The blank document is a document that is detected when the blank state is indicated by the image data, and the blank state is read by both the first and second reading units 21 and 22.

  Further, the document number notification screen 62 of FIG. 6 may be omitted, and the detailed notification screen shown in any of FIGS. 7 to 9 may be displayed immediately.

1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus to which an embodiment of a document reading apparatus of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a side view showing the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document reading apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an operation panel in the document reading apparatus of FIG. 3. 4 is a flowchart showing processing by the document reading device of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a document number notification screen in the document reading apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a detail notification screen in the document reading apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another example of a detail notification screen in the document reading apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing another example of a detail notification screen in the document reading apparatus of FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Document conveyance reading part 3 Image forming part 4 Paper feed part 5 Paper discharge processing apparatus 11 Document setting tray 12 Operation panel 13 Pickup roller 14 Buckle plate 15 Conveyance roller 16 Platen glass 17 Document discharge tray 21 First reading part 22 Second Reading Unit 23 First Scan Unit 24 Second Scan Unit 26 Imaging Lens 27 CCD
51 Control Unit 52 Display Unit 53 RAM
54 ROM
55 counter 56 hard disk drive

Claims (8)

Reading instruction means for instructing input of reading start of a document;
A document conveying unit that starts conveying a document in response to an input instruction by the reading instruction unit;
An original reading means for reading an original being conveyed by the original conveying means;
Counting means for counting the number of originals conveyed by the original conveying means and read by the original reading means;
Display means for displaying the number of documents counted by the counting means;
An original reading apparatus comprising: a determination instruction means for instructing input of validity with respect to the number of originals displayed by the display means.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination instruction unit can input an invalidity for the number of documents displayed by the display unit.   2. The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the instruction to input the validity with respect to the number of documents by the determination instruction means indicates start of document printing.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading unit is capable of reading a double-sided document.   The document reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit displays the number of documents for each of a plurality of types of document printing forms.   6. The document reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of types of document printing forms are single-sided document printing, double-sided document printing, and blank page document printing.   The document reading device according to claim 6, wherein the printing of the one-sided document is a printing on the front side of the document or a printing on the back side of the document.   An image forming apparatus using the document reading device according to claim 1.

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