JP2008052042A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader equipped with a flatbed scanner which can appropriately select whether reading is continued or interrupted when an original cover is opened while reading the image of an original. <P>SOLUTION: When an original cover opening/closing sensor 27 detects the opening state of the original cover 102 while an image reading part 4 is reading the image of the original placed on a platen glass 101a, the image reading part 4 stops reading, and selection of a mode from a first mode in which reading is continued and a second mode in which reading is stopped is received by a continuing key 10b and a stopping key 10c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus including a flat bed scanner.

  Some image reading apparatuses such as a scanner, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a multi-function machine having a combination of the functions of these devices include a flatbed scanner. The flatbed scanner reads an image on the document placement surface from below the platen in a state where the document placed on the transparent platen is covered and pressed by the document cover. If the manuscript cover is opened due to an operator's mistake during reading the image of the manuscript, an image that has been displaced in the middle due to the manuscript being displaced from the original placement position is read. There has been a problem that abnormal image reading, such as reading an image in which the portion is black, may occur due to light entering from the outside.

  Therefore, for example, the document reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1 displays or prints a reading error when the document cover is opened while reading an image of a document, and simultaneously stops the reading operation. As a result, it is possible for the operator to confirm on the spot that the document cover has been opened during reading of the image of the document, thereby eliminating the need for a review work later.

The image reading apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a reading interruption setting key for selecting and setting in advance whether or not to interrupt reading when a document cover is opened during reading of an image of a document. Provided. Thereby, appropriate processing according to the use state of the operator is enabled. Furthermore, when it is selected in advance to interrupt reading, when the document cover is closed again, reading of the document is automatically resumed. Thus, reading is automatically resumed without pressing the start button again, which is convenient for the operator.
JP-A-10-178508 JP 2003-162183 A

  However, according to the document reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1, if the document cover is opened during reading of an image of the document, the reading must be stopped and the image of the entire document needs to be read again. There is a problem that it takes time to read the image.

  Further, according to the image reading device disclosed in Patent Document 2, selection according to the use state of the operator can be set from the reading interruption setting key, but reading can be continued when the document cover is opened. Whether or not the document is determined by whether or not the original has shifted from the original placement position, there is a problem that it is insufficient to set in advance according to the use state of the operator.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and in an image reading apparatus equipped with a flatbed scanner, when the document cover is opened during reading of an image of a document, whether reading is continued or interrupted is appropriate. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus that can be selected.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention covers a platen on which a document is placed, reading means for reading an image of the document placed on the platen, and the platen that can be opened and closed. Mode selection reception for receiving selection instructions for a document cover, detection means for detecting the open / closed state of the document cover, a first mode in which the reading means continues reading, and a second mode in which the reading means stops reading And when the detecting means detects an open state of the original cover while the reading means is reading an image of the original placed on the platen, the reading means stops reading, and The mode selection receiving means is characterized by receiving a mode selection.

  An image reading apparatus according to a second aspect is the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the mode selection receiving unit receives a mode selection by a key operation.

  According to the image reading apparatus of the first aspect, when the detecting unit detects the open state of the document cover while the reading unit is reading the image of the document placed on the platen, the mode selection receiving unit selects the mode. Accept. Therefore, when the document cover is opened while reading an image of a document placed on the platen, a mode selection accepting unit is used to select a first mode for continuing reading or a second mode for stopping reading. Can be received from the operator. Therefore, since the reading is continued or stopped by the selection instruction made by the operator on the spot, it is possible to reliably prevent reading of an abnormal image. For example, when the operator visually confirms that the document placed on the platen is not deviated from the original placement position, the operator selects the first mode to continue reading. And operability can be improved. On the other hand, when the operator visually confirms that the document placed on the platen has shifted from the original placement position, the operator stops the abnormal reading by selecting the second mode. And operability can be improved. Further, when the detection unit detects the open state of the document cover while the reading unit is reading the image of the document placed on the platen, the reading unit stops reading. Therefore, when the mode selection accepting unit accepts the selection instruction for the first mode, it is not necessary to reread the image of the already read portion of the document, so that it is possible to reduce the time required for reading the image of the document. .

  According to the image reading apparatus of the second aspect, the mode selection receiving unit receives the mode selection by a key operation. Therefore, the operator can easily select a mode by operating a key, and the configuration of the mode selection receiving unit can be simplified and inexpensive.

  Hereinafter, an MFP (Multiple Functional Peripheral) 100 equipped with an image reading device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, the MFP 100 includes an MPU (Microprocessing Unit: control unit) 1, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 2, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 3, an image reading unit 4, a CODEC (Coder and Decoder). : Codec) 5, image memory 6, printer 7, display section 8, notification section 9, operation section 10, modem 11 and NCU (Network Control Unit) 12. Are communicably connected.

  The MFP 100 configured as described above has a scanner function in which the image reading unit 4 reads an image of a document, a copying function in which the printer 7 records an image of the document read by the image reading unit 4 on a recording sheet, and the image reading unit 4 reads the image. Facsimile transmission function for transmitting image data of a document to an external device (not shown) communicably connected via a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 14, an external device communicably connected via the PSTN 14 A facsimile receiving function for receiving data from (not shown) and a printing function for recording and outputting an image based on the received data on a recording sheet are provided.

  The MPU 1 controls the operation of each unit of the MFP 100. The ROM 2 stores various programs for controlling the operation of each unit of the MFP 100 by the MPU 1. The RAM 3 stores various data such as processing setting information and operation information used for processing operations of the MFP 100 in a readable and writable state.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the MFP 100 can freely open and close a document placing table 101 functioning as an FBS (Flat Bed Scanner) and a platen glass (platen) 101 a disposed on the top surface of the document placing table 101. A document cover (document pressing plate) 102 is provided. The document cover 102 is pivotally supported with the right back side in FIG. 2 as an axis so that the front side can be opened and closed with respect to the document table 101. The document cover 102 is equipped with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) 103. The ADF 103 transports the documents set on the document tray 103a one by one along the transport path to the reading position P, and then discharges them to the paper discharge tray 103b located below the document tray 103a.

  The document table 101 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) reading unit 20 that reads an image of a document and acquires image data. The CCD reading unit 20 includes a light source 21 that irradiates light on a document, a plurality of reflection mirrors 22 that guide reflected light from the document in a predetermined direction, a condensing lens 23 that converges reflected light from the document, and converged light. This is a reduction optical system reading unit comprising a CCD line sensor (reading means) 24 etc. that converts it into an electrical signal and outputs it, and is a scanning carriage that reciprocates horizontally in the sub-scanning direction with respect to the platen glass 101a. A light source 21 and a reflection mirror 22 are disposed at 25. The scanning carriage 25 includes a full rate carriage 25a in which the light source 21 and a part of the reflecting mirrors 22 are disposed, and a half rate carriage 25b in which a part of the reflecting mirrors 22 is disposed. When the full-rate carriage 25a moves, the half-rate carriage 25b moves so as to follow the same direction at half the speed, and the optical path length between the reading position and the CCD line sensor 24 is kept constant. It is. The full rate carriage 25a and the half rate carriage 25b are driven by a stepping motor (hereinafter simply referred to as “motor”) 26 (see FIG. 1) and a driving mechanism such as a clutch or a gear (not shown).

  A document cover open / close sensor (detection means) 27 (see FIG. 1) detects the open / closed state of the document cover 102 with respect to the document mounting table 101, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the open / closed state. Specifically, the document cover open / close sensor 27 is a transmissive sensor that detects a feeler (not shown) erected on the document table 101 in a state where the document cover 102 is closed. Is provided. The document cover open / close sensor 27 outputs an open signal when the document cover 102 is open with respect to the document table 101, and outputs a close signal when the document cover 102 is closed with respect to the document table 101. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 controls the lighting of the light source 21 according to a command from the MPU 1 based on the operation signal input from the operation unit 9 and drives the motor 26 to scan the scanning carriage 25. The movement control is performed. The scanner mechanism control circuit 28 also has a function of receiving a detection signal from the document cover opening / closing sensor 27 and controlling the light source 21 and the scanning carriage 25 based on the detection signal. The scanner image processing circuit 29 takes in an image signal obtained by the CCD line sensor 24 reading an image of a document, and performs scanner image processing. Specifically, image processing such as shading correction, γ correction, and enlargement / reduction processing (pixel data interpolation processing or thinning-out processing) is performed as necessary.

  The image reading unit (reading unit) 4 includes a light source 21, a scanning carriage 25, a motor 26, a document cover opening / closing sensor 27, a scanner mechanism control circuit 28, and a scanner image processing circuit 29. When the image reading unit 4 configured as described above reads an image of an original as an FBS, the scanning carriage 25 (full-rate carriage 25a and half-rate carriage 25b) is in a forward direction at a constant speed horizontally with respect to the platen glass 101a (see FIG. 3, the CCD line sensor 24 scans the image of the document placed on the platen glass 101 a at predetermined time intervals, and sequentially reads the scan line images of the document. The scanning carriage 25 moves a certain distance from the start of driving of the motor 26 until the moving speed of the scanning carriage 25 reaches a predetermined constant speed. Therefore, in order for the CCD line sensor 24 to read an image from the scanning carriage 25 that moves at a predetermined constant speed, a home position (a scanning carriage in FIG. 3) where the full rate carriage 25a of the scanning carriage 25 is located below the platen glass 101b. 25), the number of steps until the CCD line sensor 24 starts reading the image, and when the scanning carriage 25 stops halfway under the platen glass 101a, The number of steps for slightly returning in the reverse direction (leftward direction in FIG. 3) and the number of steps until the CCD line sensor 24 starts reading an image after the returned scanning carriage 25 has moved again in the forward direction are stored in the RAM 3. Stored.

  When reading an image of a document conveyed by the ADF 103, the scanning carriage 25 is stationary at the home position, and the CCD line sensor 24 scans the document image for a predetermined time while passing the document through the reading position P at a constant speed. Scanning is performed at intervals, and scanning line images of the original are sequentially read.

  The codec 5 encodes (decodes) image data. Here, the image data of the document that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 4 is encoded, and the encoded image data is decoded.

  The image memory 6 stores image data encoded by the codec 5, image data directly output from the image processing unit 4, image data such as image data received by facsimile, and the like. The printer 7 records the image of the image data read from the image memory 6 on a recording sheet. As a recording method in the printer 7, for example, various recording methods such as an electrophotographic method and an ink jet recording method can be used.

  The display unit 8 displays various display screens, operation states of the MFP 100, and the like with characters and graphics, and includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and the like. The LCD is of a touch panel type, and various operations can be performed by a user touching the screen of the LCD with a finger or the like instead of the operation unit 10. The notification unit 9 performs a notification operation by sounding a voice message or buzzer sound based on voice data, and includes a speaker.

  The operation unit 10 includes a start key 10a for instructing start of document reading, copying, transmission, etc., a continuation key (mode selection receiving means) 10b for instructing a first mode for continuing reading of the document, In addition to the cancel key (mode selection accepting means) 10c for instructing the second mode for canceling the reading, a numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies, a transmission destination number, etc., and various settings are input, although not shown. Various operation keys linked with the display unit 8 such as cursor keys and button keys are provided.

  The modem 11 is an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector) recommendation V.3. Modulate and demodulate transmitted / received data according to the 34 standard or the like. The NCU 12 is a line network control device that controls a telephone line to make or cut a call, and is connected to the PSTN 14.

  Hereinafter, processing operations performed in MFP 100 when an image of a document placed on platen glass 101a is read as FBS will be described based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The processing operation of MFP 100 described based on the following flowchart is performed according to a command issued by MPU 1 based on a program stored in ROM 2.

  First, when a document is placed on the platen glass 101a and the start key 10a of the operation unit 10 is pressed (ON) (S1: YES), it is determined that a document reading start command has been issued, and the scanner mechanism control circuit In 28, the light source 21 is turned on to start warming up (S2). When the amount of light from the light source 21 reaches a predetermined value and warm-up is completed (S3: YES), reading of the document is started (S4). More specifically, the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 drives the motor 26 and moves the scanning carriage 25 in the forward direction, while moving the scanning line 25 from the predetermined number of steps stored in the RAM 3. The sensor 24 reads the image of the document placed on the platen glass 101a for each main scanning line. Then, during the reading of the original image, the open / close state of the original cover 102 is monitored by a detection signal output from the original cover opening / closing sensor 27 (S5).

  If an open signal is not input from the document cover open / close sensor 27 to the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 (S5: NO), it is determined whether or not the image reading of the document is finished (S6). This determination is made based on, for example, whether or not the number of steps determined by referring to a table stored in the RAM 3 has been reached based on the size of the document detected by a document size detection sensor (not shown) composed of a photoelectric sensor. To do. When it is determined that the image reading of the document has been completed (S6: YES), the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 turns off the light source 21 and drives the motor 26 to move the scanning carriage 25 in the reverse direction to the home position. Return (S7), and enters a standby state and ends.

  On the other hand, when an open signal is input from the document cover opening / closing sensor 27 (S5: YES), the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 stops the driving of the motor 26 to stop the movement of the scanning carriage 25 and the CCD line sensor 24. The reading of the image of the original is stopped (S8). Then, an input of mode selection by key operation is accepted (S9). Specifically, an operation of pressing the continue key 10b or the cancel key 10c is accepted. At this time, a message that prompts key operations such as “The document cover has been opened. Press the continue key to continue scanning, or press the cancel key to cancel scanning.” May be displayed. Moreover, even if the alerting | reporting part 9 alert | reports the voice message to the same effect from a speaker etc., you may generate | occur | produce a warning sound only.

  When a key operation for pressing the stop key 10c is received (S10: stop key), the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 turns off the light source 21, drives the motor 26 in the reverse direction, and moves the scanning carriage 25 in the reverse direction. It is moved back to the home position (S11), and it enters a standby state and ends.

  On the other hand, when a key operation for pressing the continuation key 10b is received (S10: continuation key), it is determined whether or not a closing signal is input from the document cover opening / closing sensor 27 to the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 (S12). This is because if the original cover 102 is not closed, light enters from the outside and the original image cannot be read satisfactorily. When the closing signal is not input from the document cover opening / closing sensor 27 (S12: NO), a message prompting the user to close the document cover 102 is displayed on the display unit 8, such as “Please close the document cover”. S13). Moreover, even if the alerting | reporting part 9 alert | reports the voice message to the same effect from a speaker etc., you may generate | occur | produce a warning sound only. When the closing signal is input from the document cover opening / closing sensor 27 (S12: YES), the scanner mechanism control circuit 28 rotates the motor 26 in the reverse direction and returns the scanning carriage 25 by a predetermined distance (S14). When the motor 26 is stopped and the movement of the scanning carriage 25 is stopped in S8, the motor 26 does not stop abruptly. Therefore, the image of the document is read by the CCD line sensor 24 from the scanning carriage 25 which has become low speed before completely stopping. I'm reading. However, since the timing at which the CCD line sensor 24 reads the image is set at a constant interval, the line interval at which the original image is actually read is narrowed. Therefore, the image data read by the CCD line sensor 24 is moved while the motor 26 is rotated in a reverse direction by a predetermined number of steps, the scanning carriage 25 is returned in the reverse direction by a predetermined distance, and moved at a speed slower than the predetermined speed before stopping. Discard. Then, the CCD line sensor 24 starts reading from the portion of the document from which the image data has been discarded, and the image reading is resumed (S15).

  If the continuation key 10b is pressed (S10: continuation key) and a closing signal is input from the document cover opening / closing sensor 27 (S12: YES), the scanning carriage 25 is returned by a predetermined distance (S14), and the image is read. The case of resuming (S15) has been described. However, in this case, the scanning carriage 25 may be returned to the home position, and the original image may be read again from the beginning. Normally, when reading an image of a document from the beginning, the operator presses the reset key and then presses the start key 10a. However, if the reset key is pressed, setting conditions such as reading are reset. It is necessary to input the setting conditions. Only when the operator presses the continuation key 10b, reading is automatically performed under the same setting conditions as before reading is stopped, so that operability is excellent.

  As described above, according to the MFP 100, the document cover open / close sensor 27 is moved to the document cover 102 while the image reading unit 4, more specifically, the CCD line sensor 24 is reading an image of the document placed on the platen glass 101a. When the open state is detected, the mode selection is accepted by the continue key 10b or the cancel key 10c. Therefore, when the document cover 102 is opened while reading an image of a document placed on the platen glass 101a, an operation is performed to select a first mode for continuing reading or a second mode for stopping reading. Can be accepted from a person. Therefore, since the reading is continued or stopped by the selection instruction made by the operator on the spot, it is possible to reliably prevent reading of an abnormal image. For example, when the operator visually confirms that the document placed on the platen glass 101a is not deviated from the original placement position, the operator presses the continuation key 10b to read the document as it is. The operation can be continued and the operability can be improved. On the other hand, when the operator visually confirms that the document placed on the platen glass 101a has deviated from the original placement position, the operator presses the stop key 10c to perform abnormal reading. It can be canceled and operability can be improved. Further, when the document cover opening / closing sensor 27 detects the open state of the document cover while the image reading unit 4 is reading the image of the document placed on the platen glass 101a, the image reading unit 4 stops reading. For this reason, when the selection instruction for the first mode is received by the continue key 10b, it is not necessary to read the original image of the portion that has already been normally read, so that the time required for reading the original image can be shortened. It becomes. Further, since the image reading is continued without having to press the start button 10a, the operability can be improved.

  The configuration of MFP 100 described in this embodiment is only one aspect of the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, although an example in which the document image can be read by the ADF 103 in addition to the FBS as the MFP 100 has been shown, the image of the document may be read only by the FBS. Alternatively, the image of the document may be read in color.

  In addition, an example in which the mode selection instruction is performed by a key operation by pressing the continuation key 10b and the stop key 10c has been described. However, the mode selection instruction is performed by touching the touch panel type LCD screen with a finger or the like. Alternatively, it may be performed by recognizing the voice uttered by the operator.

  Furthermore, although the embodiment has been described in which the image reading apparatus is implemented as MFP 100, the image reading apparatus is not limited to MFP 100, and can be applied to a scanner, a copier, a facsimile machine, and a complex machine thereof. is there.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of MFP 100. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an upper part of MFP 100. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in MFP 100 when reading an image of a document placed on platen glass 101a. 6 is a flowchart showing processing operations performed in MFP 100 when reading an image of a document placed on platen glass 101a.

Explanation of symbols

1 MPU
4 Image reading unit (reading means)
10 Operation unit 10a Start key 10b Continue key (mode selection receiving means)
10c Cancel key (mode selection acceptance means)
21 Light source 24 CCD line sensor 25 Scanning carriage 26 Motor 27 Document cover open / close sensor (detection means)
100 MFP (image reading device)
101a Platen glass (platen)
102 Document cover

Claims (2)

A platen on which the document is placed;
Reading means for reading an image of a document placed on the platen;
A document cover that covers the platen so as to be freely opened and closed;
Detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the document cover;
A mode selection receiving unit that receives a selection instruction of a first mode in which the reading unit continues reading and a second mode in which the reading unit stops reading;
When the detection unit detects an open state of the document cover while the reading unit is reading the image of the document placed on the platen, the reading unit stops reading and the mode selection receiving unit is set to the mode. An image reading apparatus that accepts the selection.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode selection receiving unit receives a mode selection by a key operation.

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