JP2009088873A - Image reading apparatus and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a user to easily grasp document read necessary times in a both-side turnover read mode and a both-side simultaneous read mode. <P>SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus includes: a document feeding section 21; a scanner section 22; a CIS 231; an inverting mechanism; a control section 61 which allows a document reading operation in one of the both-side turnover read mode and both-side simultaneous read mode; and a document read necessary time detection section 613 which detects document read necessary times of a document set on the document feeding section 21 in the both-side turnover read mode and both-side simultaneous read mode, wherein the control section 61 makes a display section 51 display the document read necessary times in the both-side turnover read mode and both-side simultaneous read mode detected by the document read necessary time detection section 613. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus capable of reading both sides of a document, and an image forming apparatus including the image reading apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile, the front and back surfaces of a document are automatically read by an image reading device provided with an automatic document feeder (ADF). In this document reading, a method is widely employed in which an image sensor reads an image on the front side of a document, then reverses the front and back sides of the document, and the image sensor reads the image on the back side of the document again.

  Further, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, by providing image sensors on both the front and back sides of the document in the document transport path from the document tray, the document can be transported once (one pass) without reversing the document. An image forming apparatus that employs a method of reading both sides of a document almost simultaneously is known. In an image forming apparatus that employs a method for reading both sides of a document almost simultaneously, one side of the document is read by a reduction optical system image sensor disposed on the apparatus body side, and the other side of the document is read by an installation. In many cases, the contact optical system image sensor disposed on the automatic document feeder side is used because of space and cost.

If the optical configuration of the image sensor that reads the front and back surfaces of the document is different as in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, there is a difference in the image quality of the read image due to differences in the light source and lens array used for each. Arise. Further, the difference in image quality of the read image appears as a difference in image quality of images formed on the front and back surfaces of the recording paper. Therefore, in such an image forming apparatus, in order to make the image quality of the front and back surfaces of the recording paper the same, one original is reversed and conveyed twice to the same image sensor (reduction optical system image sensor). Both-sided reverse reading mode in which the front and back sides of the document are read by the image sensor, and both sides in which the front and back sides of the document are read almost simultaneously using two image sensors of the reduction optical system and the contact optical system in order to shorten the image reading time. Two modes, a simultaneous reading mode, are provided so that the user can select a desired mode.
JP 2007-82033 A

  As described above, in the double-sided reverse reading mode, it is necessary to reverse the original and transport it again to the same image sensor (reduction optical system image sensor). In the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, the two image sensors are used for the front and back sides of the original. Since the reading is performed almost simultaneously, the document reading times in both modes are different. However, since it is difficult for the user to predict how much each original reading time differs in the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode, double-sided reverse reading is performed from the viewpoint of both the read image quality and the required reading time. It has been difficult to determine whether it is optimal to perform document reading in the mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and it is an object of the present invention to enable a user to easily grasp the time required for reading each document in the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode.

The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a display unit that displays operation guidance for a user,
A document feeder for feeding documents,
A first reading unit that reads one side of the document conveyed by the document feeding unit;
A second reading unit for reading the other side of the document conveyed by the document feeding unit;
A reversing unit for reversing and transporting the original so that the other side is read by the first reading unit after the first reading unit finishes reading one side of the original;
A two-sided reverse reading mode in which one side of the original is read by the first reading unit and the other side of the original is read by the first reading unit after the original is reversed by the reversing unit; In one mode of the double-sided simultaneous reading mode in which the first reading unit reads one side of the original and the second reading unit reads the other side of the original in one-time document conveyance by A control unit for performing a document reading operation;
A document reading required time detecting unit for detecting each document reading required time in the duplex reverse reading mode and the duplex simultaneous reading mode for the document set in the document feeding unit;
The control unit is an image reading device that causes each display unit to display each document reading required time in the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode detected by the document reading required time detection unit.

  According to the present invention, since the control unit displays each document reading required time in the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode detected by the document reading required time detection unit, the user can display the display unit on the display unit. Based on the time required for reading the originals in both modes, it can be understood how much each original reading time differs in the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode. Thus, the user can easily determine in which mode the document reading is optimal from the viewpoint of the read image quality and the required reading time in each mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image reading apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the time required for displaying each document reading time in the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode is displayed on the display unit. A required time display instruction reception unit for receiving instructions from a user is provided.
When the required time display instruction is received by the required time display instruction receiving unit, the control unit causes the display unit to display the detected document reading required times in both modes.

  According to the present invention, when the required time display instruction is received from the user by the required time display instruction receiving unit, the control unit displays the time required for reading each document in both modes on the display unit. Whether or not to display each document reading required time in both modes on the display unit can be switched according to the necessity of displaying each document reading required time in the mode.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the image reading apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the document reading required time detecting unit is a thickness of the document set in the document feeding unit. Thickness detecting unit for detecting a document time, and a required time detection for calculating each document reading required time in the duplex reverse reading mode and the duplex simultaneous reading mode corresponding to the document thickness detected by the document thickness detecting unit Part.

  According to the present invention, the required time detecting unit calculates each document reading required time in both modes corresponding to the document thickness detected by the document thickness detecting unit, so that each document reading required in both modes is required. Since the time is detected, it is possible to accurately detect the time required to read each document in both modes according to the thickness of the document that changes according to the number of documents set in the document feeder.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided the image reading apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the document feeding unit is placed on a document placing table on which a document is placed, and on the document feeding unit. Pick-up roller for picking up the originals one by one, a raising / lowering member for raising / lowering the original placing table to press the original on the original placing table against the pickup roller, a driving motor for raising / lowering the raising / lowering member, and the driving motor A rotation detector for detecting the number of rotations of
The document thickness detector detects the thickness of the document on the document table based on the number of rotations of the drive motor detected by the rotation detector;
The required time detection unit is configured to calculate the number of documents on the document placement table calculated from the thickness of the document on the document placement table detected by the document thickness detection unit and the document type input by the user. Based on this, the time required to read each original of the original on the original table in the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode is detected.

  According to the present invention, the document thickness detecting unit detects the thickness of the document on the document placing table based on the rotation speed of the drive motor detected by the rotation detector, and the required time detecting unit detects the detected time. Based on the document thickness calculated from the document thickness and the document type input by the user, each document reading required time in the double-sided reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode is detected, so the document placed on the document placing table Thus, it is possible to accurately detect the time required to read each document in both modes.

An invention according to claim 5 is the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a reading start instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to start reading a document from a user;
A mode selection instruction receiving unit that receives a mode selection instruction for selecting either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode from a user;
The control unit displays each document reading required time in the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode on the display unit, and then receives a mode selection instruction for selecting any of the modes in the mode selection instruction receiving unit. When the reading start instruction receiving unit receives the instruction to start reading the document, the document reading operation in the selected mode is performed by the document feeding unit, the first reading unit, the second reading unit, and the inversion. Each of the required parts is to be performed.

  According to the present invention, based on the time required for reading the originals in both modes displayed on the display unit, the user can determine which of the two-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode is optimal for reading the original. After the determination, it is possible to easily read the document in a desired mode.

The invention according to claim 6 is the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first reading unit is provided on one side of the original by a reduction optical system image sensor. Read
The second reading unit reads one surface of the document by a contact optical system image sensor.

  According to the present invention, since the first reading unit used for reading both sides of the document is a reduction optical system image sensor, if both sides of the document are read by the first reading unit by reversing the front and back, the read images on both sides of the document are read. A color image can be read with high quality without making a difference in color. Further, since the second reading unit for reading the other side of the document is a contact optical system image sensor, the second reading unit is relatively small without requiring a large space as in the case of providing the reduction optical system image sensor. Can be arranged in space.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image reading apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on read image data read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit.

  According to this invention, there exists an effect | action obtained by the invention in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 6.

  According to the present invention, the user can grasp how much each document reading time in the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode differs based on the time required to read each document in both modes displayed on the display unit. From the viewpoint of the read image quality and the required reading time in each mode, it is possible to easily determine which mode is optimal for reading the original.

  Hereinafter, an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, an example in which the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention are integrated into a multifunction machine having functions such as a color copy, a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction machine 1 which is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The multifunction device 1 includes an image reading device 2 and a device main body 3. The image reading apparatus 2 includes a document feeding unit 21, a scanner unit 22, a CIS 231, an operation unit 5, and a reversing mechanism and control unit 61 described later. The document feeder 21 includes an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder), and includes a document table 211, a pickup roller 212, a transport drum 213, a paper discharge roller 214, and a paper discharge tray 215. A document to be read is placed on the document placement table 211. The documents placed on the document placement table 211 are taken one by one by the pickup roller 212 and conveyed to the conveyance drum 213. The document that has passed through the transport drum 213 is discharged to a discharge tray 215 by a discharge roller 214.

  The scanner unit (first reading unit) 22 optically reads an image of a document and generates image data. The scanner unit 22 includes a platen glass 221, a light source 222, a first mirror 223, a second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, a first carriage 226, a second carriage 227, an imaging lens 228, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 229, A second mirror 224, a third mirror 225, a first carriage 226, a second carriage 227, and an imaging lens 228 are provided. In the scanner unit 22, a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube is used as the light source 222, and the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, the third mirror 225, the first carriage 226, the second carriage 227, and the imaging. A lens 228 guides light from the document to the CCD 229. Since the scanner unit 22 uses a white fluorescent lamp such as a cold cathode fluorescent tube as the light source 222, it is superior in color reproducibility to the CIS 231 described later in which a three-color LED or the like is used as the light source.

  A document is manually placed on the platen glass 221 by a user's manual operation when reading the document without using the document feeder 21. In the platen glass 221, the light source 222 and the first mirror 223 are supported by the first carriage 226, and the second mirror 224 and the third mirror 225 are supported by the second carriage 227.

  As the document reading method of the image reading apparatus 2, the scanner unit 22 reads a document placed on the platen glass 221, and the document is loaded by the document feeding unit 21 (ADF), and the document is being transferred. There is an ADF reading mode for reading a document. In the flat bed reading mode, the light source 222 irradiates a document placed on the platen glass 221, and the reflected light for one line in the main scanning direction is reflected in the order of the first mirror 223, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225. Then, the light enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. The CCD 229 is a one-dimensional image sensor, and simultaneously processes a document image for one line. The first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are configured to be movable in a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction (sub-scanning direction, arrow Y direction). The first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 move in the orthogonal direction, and the next line is read.

  In the ADF reading mode, the document feeding unit 21 takes in the documents placed on the document placing table 211 one by one by the pickup roller 212. At this time, the first carriage 226 and the second carriage 227 are disposed below the reading window 230. When the document is transported by the document feeder 21, when the document passes over the reading window 230 provided in the transport path from the transport drum 213 to the paper discharge tray 215, the light source 222 irradiates the document and corresponds to one main scanning line. The reflected light is reflected in the order of the first mirror 233, the second mirror 224, and the third mirror 225, and enters the imaging lens 228. The light incident on the imaging lens 228 is imaged on the light receiving surface of the CCD 229. Subsequently, the document is conveyed by the document feeder 21 and the next line is read.

  Further, the document feeder 21 has a reversing mechanism (reversing unit) including a switching guide 216, a reversing roller 217, and a reversing conveyance path 218. This reversing mechanism reverses the original whose surface (one side of the original) has been read by the scanner unit 22 by the first ADF reading, and transports it again to the reading window 230 (scanner unit 22), so that the scanner can be read again. The back side (the other side of the document) is read by the unit 22. This reversing mechanism operates only when reading both sides and does not operate when reading one side. After reading the back side during single-sided reading and double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, and the document that has passed through the transport drum 213 is discharged to the discharge tray 215 by the discharge roller 214. After the surface reading at the time of double-sided reading, the switching guide 216 is switched to the lower side, and the document that has passed through the transport drum 213 is transported to the reverse transport path 218 by the reverse roller 217. Thereafter, the switching guide 216 is switched to the upper side, the reverse roller 217 rotates in the reverse direction, and the original is fed again to the transport drum 213. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using a reversing mechanism is referred to as a double-sided reversal reading mode or a high image quality mode.

  Further, in the ADF reading mode, the image reading apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment causes the scanner unit 22 (CCD 229) to read the surface of the document while the document is being transported, as described above, and at the same time, the CIS (first display). (2 reading unit) 231 can read the back side of the document. In this case, the surface of the document conveyed from the document table 211 by the document feeder 21 is read by the CCD 229 when passing through the reading window 230, and the back surface is read when passing through the location where the CIS 231 is arranged. . In CIS231, RGB three-color LEDs or the like are used as light sources. As described above, by using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231, it is possible to read both the front and back sides of a document by a single document transport operation (one pass) from the document placing table 211 to the discharge tray 215 by the document feeding unit 21. Hereinafter, a mode in which both sides of a document are read using the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 in this way is referred to as a double-sided simultaneous reading mode or a high-speed mode.

  Here, the high image quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) and the high-speed mode (double-sided simultaneous reading mode) will be described. In the high image quality mode, both sides of the original are read by the same image sensor (CCD 229). Therefore, even if duplex printing is performed based on the acquired image data, there is no difference in the image quality of the printed images on both sides. However, in the high-speed mode, reading is performed by different image sensors such as the CCD 229 on the front side of the document and the CIS 231 on the back side. Therefore, particularly in the case of a color document, when duplex printing is performed based on the image data acquired by each image sensor, There is a difference in the image quality of the printed images. This is because the CCD 229 and the CIS 231 are configured as an image sensor in which a plurality of light receiving elements are formed on a single chip in addition to the difference in spectral distribution of the light source used when reading an original. In CIS231, since a plurality of solid-state image sensors are connected to form an image sensor, the sensitivity varies between the solid-state image sensors, which is considered to cause a difference in image quality.

  Therefore, in the multi-function device 1 of the present embodiment, in order to solve the above-described difference in image quality, when performing double-sided reading of an original using the ADF reading mode, the user can use the high-quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) or the high-speed mode. One of the modes (double-sided simultaneous reading mode) can be selected. In other words, high-quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) is used to match the image quality of double-sided printed images, and high-speed mode (priority is given to shortening the reading time even if there is a difference in image quality of double-sided printed images) The user can select a mode according to the situation, for example, “double-sided simultaneous reading mode”.

  Further, the multifunction machine 1 includes an apparatus main body 3 and a stack tray 6 disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 3. The apparatus main body 3 includes a plurality of paper feed cassettes 461, a paper feed roller 462 that feeds recording paper from the paper feed cassette 461 one by one and transports it to the recording unit 40, and a recording paper transported from the paper feed cassette 461. And a recording unit 40 for forming an image. Also, a manual feed tray 471 is provided, and from this manual feed tray 471, paper of a size that is not stored in any paper feed cassette, paper that has already been subjected to image formation on one side (back paper), or OHP sheet Such an arbitrary recording medium can be placed, and is fed into the apparatus main body 3 one by one by a paper feed roller 472.

  The recording unit (image forming unit) 40 is acquired by the neutralization device 421 that neutralizes residual charges from the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, the charging device 422 that charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 43 after neutralization, and the scanner unit 22. A laser beam is output based on the obtained image data to expose the surface of the photosensitive drum 43, and an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 43; Formed on the photosensitive drum 43 and developing devices 44K, 44Y, 44M, and 44C that form toner images of each color of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) on the photosensitive drum 43. A transfer drum 49 on which the toner images of the respective colors are transferred and overlaid, a transfer device 41 for transferring the toner image on the transfer drum 49 to the paper, and heating the paper on which the toner image is transferred. And a fixing device 45 for fixing the toner image onto the sheet. Note that toner is supplied to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black from a toner supply container (toner cartridge) (not shown). In addition, conveyance rollers 463 and 464 that convey the recording paper that has passed through the recording unit 40 to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48 are provided.

  When forming images on both sides of the recording paper, the recording unit 40 forms an image on one side of the recording paper, and then the recording paper is nipped by the conveyance roller 463 on the discharge tray 48 side. In this state, the conveyance roller 463 is reversed to switch back the recording paper, and the recording paper is sent to the paper conveyance path L and conveyed again to the upstream area of the recording unit 40, and an image is formed on the other surface by the recording unit 40. Thereafter, the recording paper is discharged to the stack tray 6 or the discharge tray 48.

  Further, in front of the apparatus main body 3, an operation unit (mode selection instruction receiving unit) having a display unit through which a user can visually recognize an operation screen and various messages, and operation buttons for inputting various operation commands. 5 is provided. FIG. 2 is an example of a front view of the operation unit 5. The operation unit 5 includes a display unit (display unit) 51, a touch panel 52, a numeric key group 53, various operation buttons 54 to 57, a function selection button 58, and the like. The display unit 51 is configured by an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (Electronic Luminescent Display), or the like, and displays an operation guidance screen for the user such as paper size selection, magnification selection, density selection, and the like. The display unit 51 is formed integrally with the touch panel 52. The touch panel 52 detects a touch position and outputs a detection signal to a control unit described later when a touch operation is performed by the user.

  The numeric key group 53 is for inputting, for example, the number of copies when operating the copy function of the multifunction machine 1 and the telephone number of the transmission destination when operating the facsimile function. The power saving button 54 is a button for setting the multifunction machine 1 in a power saving (low power) mode. The start button 55 is a button for starting a copy operation or a scanner operation, and the stop / clear button 56 is a button for stopping the copy operation or the scanner operation or canceling an input operation. The reset button 57 is a button for setting the display of the display unit 51 and various settings to an initial state or a standard operation state. The function selection button 58 is a button for setting a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

  A drive mechanism for the elevating member provided on the document placing table 211 of the document feeder 21 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the document feeder 21 of the copying machine shown in FIG. This figure is a perspective view when the viewpoint is on the back side (non-operation side) above the document feeder 21 in the side view shown in FIG. The document placing table 211 includes a lifting member 201 on which a document end portion on the leading end side of the document in the document transport direction is placed and is configured to be movable up and down.

  The document feeder 21 is provided with a drive motor 202 that moves the elevating member 201 up and down. Racks 203a to 203d constituting a rack and pinion mechanism for transmitting power from the drive motor 202 are lifted and lowered on the operation side (back side in FIG. 2) and back side (front side in FIG. 2) of the lifting member 201. It is fixed to the side surface of the member 201 by welding or the like. Pinions 204a to 204d that respectively mesh with the racks 203a to 203d are disposed on the operation side (back side in FIG. 2) and the non-operation side (front side in FIG. 2) of the document feeder 21.

  Further, the pinions 204a and 204b mesh with each other, and the pinions 204c and 204d mesh with each other. Further, the pinions 204a and 204c are connected by a connecting shaft 205a so as to rotate synchronously, and the pinions 204b and 204d are connected by a connecting shaft 205b so as to rotate synchronously. In this way, the pinions 204a to 204d are configured to be rotatable in synchronization.

  The driving force from the drive motor 202 is transmitted to the pinion 204a via a coupling gear (not shown) and the like, and the pinions 204a to 204d are configured to rotate in synchronization as described above. Communicated. When the pinions 204a to 204d are rotated by the driving force from the drive motor 202, the racks 203a to 203d are raised and lowered, and the lifting member 201 is raised and lowered.

  A rotation detector (not shown) for detecting the number of rotations is disposed on the rotation shaft of the drive motor 202, and a detection signal is input to a control unit 61 (document reading required time detection unit 613) described later. Further, an original detector (not shown) including a photo sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an original is disposed at an appropriate position of the original feeder 21 and the original detector detects that the original is placed. Then, the control unit 61 outputs a drive instruction signal to the drive motor 202, and the elevating member 201 is raised through the pinions 204a to 204d, the connecting shafts 205a and 205a, and the racks 203a to 203d.

  When the document placed on the elevating member 201 is pressed against the peripheral surface of the pickup roller 212 and the drive motor 202 is overloaded, the control unit 61 stops the rotation of the drive motor 202 and the elevating member 201 stops rising. As a result, the elevating member 201 is raised by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the placed document (a document bundle when there are a plurality of documents; hereinafter simply referred to as a document), and is placed on the elevating member 201. The originals can be picked up one by one from the uppermost original by the pickup roller 212. The rotation detector outputs the detection signal of the rotation number (pulse number) of the drive motor 202 from the start of raising and lowering of the elevating member 201 to a document reading required time detection unit 613 (described later).

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the document reading required time detection unit. The same parts as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 61, a document feeding unit 21, a scanner unit 22, a CIS 231, an operation unit 5, an image processing unit 64, a recording unit 40, and a communication unit 66.

  The control unit 61 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 1 and is configured by a CPU or the like. The document feeding unit 21, the scanner unit 22, the CIS 231, the operation unit 5, the image processing unit 64, the recording unit 40, and the communication unit 66 operate under the control of the control unit 61. The control unit 61 executes processing based on an operation control program stored in an unillustrated ROM or HDD in accordance with various instruction signals input to the operation unit 5 from the user, The multifunction device 1 is comprehensively controlled by outputting an instruction signal, transferring data, and the like. Further, the control unit 61 performs operation control necessary for causing the display unit 51 to display each document reading required time in a double-sided reverse reading mode and a double-sided simultaneous reading mode which will be described later.

  The control unit 61 includes a mode setting unit 611. The mode setting unit 611 is determined in advance by required units of the document feeding unit 21, the scanner unit 22 (CCD 229), the CIS 231 and the reversing mechanism in each of the above-described double-sided reverse reading mode and double-sided simultaneous reading mode. Stored operation and operation control. The mode setting unit 611 is configured to input the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode to each of the required units in accordance with a mode selection instruction for selecting either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode input by the user operating the operation unit 5 Which operation is to be performed is set. The control unit 61 operates the required units in the mode set by the mode setting unit 611.

  In addition, the control unit 61 includes a document reading required time detection unit 613. The document reading required time detection unit 613 performs processing for detecting each document reading required time in the duplex reversing reading mode and the duplex simultaneous reading mode for the document set on the document feeding unit 21. The document reading required time detection unit 613 includes a document thickness detection unit 614 and a required time detection unit 615.

Based on the detection signal sent from the rotation detector that detects the number of rotations of the rotation shaft of the drive motor 202, the document thickness detection unit 614 detects the drive motor 202 from the start of raising and lowering of the raising and lowering member 201. The number of rotations (number of pulses) is counted, and the thickness of the document is detected from the counted number of rotations. The document thickness detection unit 614 has, for example, a table that stores a correspondence relationship between each rotation speed of the drive motor 202 from the start of lifting of the elevating member 201 to a stop of the lifting and the corresponding document thickness. The original thickness corresponding to the number of rotations is read from the table to detect the original thickness. The document thickness detection unit 614 is connected between the drive motor 202 and the racks 203a to 203d shown in FIG. 2, and is a connecting gear and pinions 204a to 204d, which are members that transmit the drive force from the drive motor 202. Using the following equation (1) using the amount of elevation of the racks 203a to 203d (= the amount of elevation of the elevating member 201) α (mm) with one rotation of the drive motor 202 determined by the gear ratio, etc. The thickness TH (mm) may be obtained.
TH = α × TN (1)

  The required time detection unit 615 includes a document type identification unit 6151, a unit document thickness storage unit 6152, and a required time calculation unit 6153. The document type specifying unit 6151 is based on an operation instruction for designating the document type from the user via the operation unit 5, and the type of document (plain paper, cardboard) set in the document feeding unit 21 and to be read. , OHP paper, etc.). For example, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a screen for inputting a document type, and the document type specifying unit 6151 receives a document type designation instruction input by the operation of the touch panel 52 by the user, and the document indicated by the instruction The type is specified as the type of document placed on the document placement table 211.

  The unit document thickness storage unit 6152 stores a unit document thickness, which is the thickness of one document, for each document type.

The required time calculation unit 6153 reads the unit document thickness corresponding to the document type specified by the document type specifying unit 6151 from the unit document thickness storage unit 6152, and the document thickness TH detected by the document thickness detection unit 614, Using the unit document thickness ΔTH stored in the unit document thickness storage unit 6152, the number of documents CN is obtained by the following equation (2).
CN = TH / ΔTH (2)

For example, when the document thickness TH is 5 mm and the unit document thickness ΔTH is 0.1 mm, the document count CN is 50 (= 5 / 0.1). Furthermore, the required time calculation unit 6153 previously calculates a time t1 required to read both sides of a single document in the duplex reverse reading mode, and a time t2 required to read both sides of a single document in the simultaneous duplex reading mode. I remember it. The required time calculation unit 6153 reads the calculated document number CN and the time t1 required to read both sides of one original in the double-sided reverse reading mode, and reads both sides of one original in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode. Using the required time t2, each original reading required time T1 in the double-sided reverse reading mode for the original placed on the original placing table 211 is calculated by the following expression (3), and the original is calculated by the expression (4). Each document reading required time T2 in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode for the document placed on the placement table 211 is calculated.
T1 = t1 × CN (3)
T2 = t2 × CN (4)

  Note that the method for detecting each document reading required time in both modes by the required time detecting unit 615 is not limited to the above. For example, the required time detection unit 615 reads each original reading required time T1 in the double-sided reverse reading mode and each original reading in the double-sided simultaneous reading mode corresponding to each combination of the rotation number (pulse number) of the driving motor 202 and the original type. A table for storing the required time T2 in advance is provided, and when the information on the rotation speed (number of pulses) of the drive motor 202 and the document type is obtained, the document reading required times T1 and T2 corresponding to the combination are obtained. You may make it read from a table.

  When a document is copied or scanned in the ADF reading mode, the document feeder 21 automatically captures the document placed on the document placement table 211 and scans the document by the scanner unit 22 (CCD 229) or the CIS 231. Transport it so that it can be read.

  The display unit 51 displays various screens showing operation guidance for the user. The display unit 51 displays a display screen based on the display signal input from the control unit 61.

  The image processing unit 64 performs various image processing relating to image data. For example, the image processing unit 64 is transferred via the communication unit 66 from image data acquired by the scanner unit 22 (CCD 229) or the CIS 231, a personal computer connected via a network, a facsimile machine connected via a public line, or the like. Image processing such as correction processing such as level correction and gamma correction, image data compression or expansion processing, enlargement or reduction processing is performed on the coming image data.

  The recording unit 40 forms on the recording paper an image based on the image data obtained by the scanner unit 22 (CCD 229) or the CIS 231 or image data transferred from the personal computer or facsimile device via the communication unit 66. .

  The communication unit 66 uses a network interface to transmit / receive various data to / from an external device such as a computer or a facsimile machine connected via a network.

  Next, a first embodiment of the document reading process by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of document reading processing by the multifunction machine 1. 7 to 11 show screen examples of the display unit 51. In the following description, the scanner unit 22 is displayed as the CCD 229.

  For example, when a document placed in a face-up state by the user is placed on the document placing table 211 and the copy function of the multifunction device 1 is selected by the operation of the operation unit 5 by the user, the control unit 61 performs the operation shown in FIG. A standard screen for the copy function as shown in FIG. When the function list key 101 is pressed by the user on the standard screen, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a function list screen as shown in FIG. When the user presses the duplex / split key 102, the control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display a duplex / split screen as shown in FIG. Note that the keys displayed on the screens and the keys displayed on the screens shown below receive an instruction input from the user by a touch panel function.

  In the duplex / split screen shown in FIG. 9, a key 103 that receives an instruction to read one side of a plurality of documents and prints on one side, a key 104 that receives an instruction to read one side of the document and prints on both sides, and 104 A key 105 for receiving an instruction for reading and printing on one side, a key 106 for receiving an instruction for reading on both sides of an original and printing on both sides, a key 107 for receiving an instruction for reading an open original and printing on one side, and a key 107 for reading an open original Then, the control unit 61 displays setting keys such as a key 108 that receives an input of an instruction for duplex printing.

  In the duplex / split screen shown in FIG. 9, for example, the key 103 or the like is selected by the operation of the operation unit 5 by the user, and an instruction to read only one side of each document set in the document feeding unit 21 is given to the key 103 or the like. When accepted (YES in S1), the control unit 61 causes the document feeding unit 21 and the CCD 229 to perform a reading operation on one side (front side) of the document. That is, the control unit 61 outputs a signal for instructing the document feeding unit 21 to take in the document, and causes the document feeding unit 21 to fetch the document placed on the document placing table 211 (S16). The sheet feeding unit 21 conveys the document toward the reading window 230 in which the CCD 229 is disposed below. At this time, the document feeder 21 feeds the document from the topmost document. Then, the CCD 229 reads the surface of the document under the reading window 230 (S17). The document feeder 21 discharges the surface-read document to the discharge tray 215 (S12). The control unit 61 repeats the processes of S16, S17, and S12 for all the documents placed on the document placing table 211, and performs image forming processing based on the image data on each document surface (S13).

  On the other hand, when the double-sided / divided screen shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the display unit 51, for example, the key 106 is selected by the operation of the operation unit 5 by the user, and both sides of the original placed on the original placement table 211 are displayed. When the key 106 or the like is accepted (NO in S1), the control unit 61 displays a high-quality image near the center of the display area of the display unit 51 on the double-sided / divided screen, as shown in FIG. A mode setting key of the mode key 109 and the high-speed mode key 110 and a document reading time display key 111 are displayed (S2).

  When the user presses the high image quality mode key 109, a document double-sided reading instruction in the high image quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode) is received by a touch panel function. Similarly, the high-speed mode key 110 accepts a document double-sided reading instruction in the high-speed mode (double-sided simultaneous reading mode) based on depression by the user. The document reading required time display key 111 is based on the pressing by the user, and each of the documents when all the documents placed on the document placing table 211 are read in the high image quality mode and the high speed mode when the key 111 is pressed. An instruction to display the document reading required time for each mode on the display unit 51 is received from the user.

  If the user presses down the document reading required time display key 111 while the display of S2 is being performed on the display unit 51 (YES in S3), the document thickness detecting unit 614 of the document reading required time detecting unit 613 is displayed. However, the thickness of the document placed on the document placement table 211 is detected by the above-described detection method (S4). Then, the required time detection unit 615 reads all the documents placed on the document placement table 211 in the high-quality mode and the high-speed mode based on the detected thickness of the document by the detection method described above. The time required for reading the document in each mode is detected (S5). The control unit 61 causes the display unit 51 to display each document reading required time in the high image quality mode and the high speed mode detected by the required time detection unit 615 (S6). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 61 displays the high-quality mode key 109 and the high-speed mode key 110 on the double-sided / split screen, and displays each key below the high-quality mode key 109 and the high-speed mode key 110. The time required for document reading in the mode indicated by is displayed.

  When the user presses the high image quality mode key 109 after displaying each document reading time in the high image quality mode and the high speed mode on the display unit 51 shown in FIG. 11 (“high image quality mode” in S7), the mode setting unit Reference numeral 611 sets the document reading operation to the high image quality mode (double-sided reverse reading mode), and when the user presses the start button 55, the control unit 61 instructs the document feeding unit 21 to capture the document. A signal is output, the document feeder 21 takes in the document placed on the document placement table 211 (S8), and conveys the document toward the reading window 230 in which the CCD 229 is disposed below. At this time, the document feeder 21 feeds the document from the topmost document (hereinafter, the same applies to each embodiment). The start button 55 of the operation unit 5 is an example of a reading start instruction receiving unit in the claims, and the high image quality mode key 109 and the high speed mode key 110 are examples of the mode selection instruction receiving unit in the claims.

  The CCD 229 reads the surface of the original conveyed to the reading window 230 (S9). After reading the document surface, the reversing mechanism reverses the document and transports it again to the reading window 230 (CCD 29) (S10). Subsequently, the CCD 229 reads the back side of the original re-conveyed to the reading window 230 (S11), and the original feeding unit 21 discharges the original after reading the front and back sides to the paper discharge tray 215 (S12). The controller 61 repeats the processes of S8 to S12 for all the documents placed on the document placement table 211.

  Next, the control unit 61 causes the image processing unit 64 to perform necessary image processing on the image data on the front and back surfaces of each document acquired by the CCD 229, and based on the image data after the image processing, The recording unit 40 is caused to perform image formation of corresponding image data on the front and back surfaces (S13). The image forming process in S13 is not necessarily performed after the processes in S8 to S12 are completed for all the documents placed on the document placing table 211. Even during the processes of S8 to S12 for each original, the image forming process (S13) on the recording paper for the image data capable of image formation may be started.

  When the user presses the high-speed mode key 110 in S7 (“High-speed mode” in S7), the mode setting unit 611 sets the document reading operation to the high-speed mode (double-sided simultaneous reading mode), and the control unit 61 A signal for instructing document capture is output to the document feeder 21, the document feeder 21 captures the document placed on the document placement table 211 (S <b> 14), and toward the reading position by the CCD 229 and the CIS 231. Transport the document. During the single document transport operation by the document feeder 21, the CCD 229 reads the front surface of the document transported to the reading window 230, and the CIS 231 reads the back surface of the document (S15). The document feeder 21 discharges the document after reading the front and back surfaces to the discharge tray 215 (S12). The control unit 61 repeats the processes of S14, S15, and S12 for all the originals placed on the original placement table 211, and the image forming process (S13) based on the image data on the front and back sides of each original. This is performed in the same manner as in the high image quality mode.

  On the other hand, when the user does not press down the document reading required time display key 111 and presses the high-quality mode key 109 or the high-speed mode key 110 in S3 (NO in S3), the processes in S4 to S6 are skipped. Then, the process proceeds to S7, and the control unit 61 causes the document reading operation to be performed in the mode indicated by the instruction received by the high image quality mode key 109 or the high speed mode key 110 pressed by the user (S7 to S13, S14, S15).

  In the above-described embodiment, since it is not the main point of the present invention, it is not particularly described. However, the reversing mechanism and the original so that the originals after reading are aligned and discharged to the discharge tray 215 in a face-down state. The document is fed after the document feeder 21 replaces the document surface.

  Next, a second embodiment of document reading processing by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of document reading processing by the multifunction machine 1. 13 and 14 show examples of the screen of the display unit 51. FIG. In the following description, the scanner unit 22 is displayed as the CCD 229. Note that the description of the same processing as in the first embodiment is omitted.

  In the second embodiment, on the double-sided / split screen shown in FIG. 10, for example, the high-quality mode key 109 is selected by the operation of the operation unit 5 by the user, and the document reading instruction in the high-quality mode is displayed on the key 109 or the like. When received (“high image quality mode” in S22), the control unit 61, as shown in FIG. 13, displays a desired document reading end time (mounted on the document mounting table 211) for the user on the duplex / split screen. A message prompting the user to input the time until the reading of all placed originals (that is, the time for the user to finish reading the originals) is displayed.

  When the user inputs a desired document reading end time (for example, in units of seconds) by operating the numeric keypad or the like of the operation unit 5 when the double-sided / divided screen shown in FIG. 13 is displayed, the control unit 61 causes the double-sided / divided screen shown in FIG. When the user-desired reading time display area D of the divided screen displays the inputted user-desired document reading end time and the user presses the OK key 113 in the screen (YES in S23), the document reading is required. The document thickness detection unit 614 of the time detection unit 613 detects the thickness of the document placed on the document placement table 211 by the detection method described above (S24). Then, when the required time detection unit 615 reads all the documents placed on the document placement table 211 in the high image quality mode based on the detected thickness of the document by the detection method described above. The document reading time is detected (S25).

  After detecting the required document reading time in the high image quality mode, the control unit 61 determines whether the required document reading time in the high image quality mode is shorter than the user-desired document reading end time input in S23. Judgment is made (S26). If the user-desired document reading end time input in S23 is shorter than the document reading required time in the high image quality mode (YES in S26), the control unit 61, for example, as shown in FIG. Then, a message for prompting selection of the high speed mode or the high image quality mode is displayed on the display unit 51 (S27). That is, in the document reading operation in the high image quality mode, since the document reading cannot be completed within the time desired by the user, the control unit 61 displays a message prompting the display unit 51 to switch to the high speed mode. In the screen shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 61 includes a high-speed mode switch key 112 that receives an instruction to switch to the high-speed mode and a high-quality mode instruction key 113 that receives an instruction to execute document reading in the high-quality mode. 51.

  When the user presses the high-speed mode switching key 112 (“high-speed mode” in S28), the control unit 61 causes the document in the high-speed mode by the processes of S14, S15, S12, and S13 described in the first embodiment. The reading and image forming processes are executed by required units such as the document feeder 21, the CCD 229, and the CIS 231 (S30).

  On the other hand, when the high image quality mode instruction key 113 is pressed by the user (“high image quality mode” in S28), the control unit 61 reads the document in the high image quality mode by the processing of S8 to S13 described in the first embodiment. Then, the image forming process is executed by the required parts such as the document feeder 21, the reversing mechanism, and the CCD 229 (S29).

  If the user does not input a desired document reading end time in S23 (NO in S23), the control unit 61 skips the processes in S24 to S28 and performs document reading in the high image quality mode in S29. The image forming process is performed. If the user's desired document reading end time is equal to or longer than the document reading required time in the high image quality mode in S26 (NO in S26), the control unit 61 skips the processing in S27 and S28 and increases the processing in S29. The document reading process and the image forming process in the image quality mode are performed.

  Next, a third embodiment of the document reading process by the multifunction machine 1 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of document reading processing by the multifunction machine 1. In the following description, the scanner unit 22 is displayed as the CCD 229. Note that the description of the same processing as in the first or second embodiment will be omitted.

  In the second embodiment, before the document reading operation in the high image quality mode is started, the user inputs a desired document reading end time, and the document reading in the high image quality mode is performed within the input document reading end time. However, in the third embodiment, after the document reading and the image forming process in the high image quality mode are started, the user can read a desired document reading end time. Is input, and when the document reading is not completed in the high image quality mode within the input document reading end time, the switching process to the high speed mode is performed.

  Referring to FIG. 15, in the third embodiment, on the duplex / split screen shown in FIG. 10, for example, the high image quality mode key 109 is selected by the operation of the operation unit 5 by the user, and the original in the high image quality mode is displayed. When a reading instruction is received by the key 109 or the like (“high image quality mode” in S42), the control unit 61 reads the document and forms an image in the high image quality mode by the processes in S8 to S13 described in the first embodiment. The process is started by each required part such as the document feeder 21, the reversing mechanism, and the CCD 229 (S43).

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 61 displays a display screen indicating that the copying operation is being performed on the display unit 51, and displays a desired reading time input key 120 on the display screen. When the desired reading time input key 120 is pressed by a user operation, the control unit 61 prompts the user to input a desired document reading end time on the display screen as shown in FIG. Is displayed. When the user inputs a desired document reading end time by operating the numeric keypad or the like of the operation unit 5 when the display screen shown in FIG. 17 is displayed, the control unit 61 displays the user desired reading time display area of the display screen shown in FIG. When the input desired document reading end time is displayed on D and the user presses the OK key 113 in the screen (YES in S44), the document in the high image quality mode is the same as in the second embodiment. A required reading time detection process is performed (S45 and S46). However, in the case of the third embodiment, the document reading required time detection unit 613 performs the processing for all the documents placed on the document placing table 211 when the input of the document reading end time from the user is received. The time required for document reading in the high image quality mode is detected.

  Here, when the document reading time desired by the user input in S44 is shorter than the required document reading time in the high image quality mode (YES in S47), the control unit 61, for example, as shown in FIG. Then, a message for prompting selection of the high speed mode or the high image quality mode is displayed on the display unit 51 (S48). However, during this message display, the control unit 61 continues the document reading operation in the high image quality mode to the document feeding unit 21, the reversing mechanism, the CCD 229, and the like. As described above, since the control unit 61 continues the document reading operation in the high image quality mode, the document reading operation is performed even while the user is considering whether to switch to the high speed mode. Even when the user switches to the high speed mode or when the high image quality mode is continued, the document reading can be terminated early.

  Then, when the high-speed mode switching key 112 is pressed by the user (“High-speed mode” in S49), the control unit 61 causes the required units to execute document reading and image forming processing in the high-speed mode described above (S50). When the user presses the high image quality mode instruction key 113 (“high image quality mode” in S49), the document reading and the image forming process in the high image quality mode described above are continued in each required part (S43). When the high image quality mode is continued, the control unit 61 displays the display screen shown in FIG. 16 on the display unit 51 again, and finishes the original document reading until the document reading operation in the high image quality mode is completed. The series of processes (S44 to S49) based on time is performed.

However, the control unit 61 determines that all the reading operations of the remaining documents placed on the document placement table 211 are completed within the time required for the user to determine whether to switch from the high image quality mode to the high speed mode. In this case, by inputting the desired reading time input key 120 from the user, for example, by canceling the display of the desired reading time input key 120 on the display screen shown in FIG. You may make it not accept. For example, the control unit 61 stores a predetermined time T3 (for example, 10 seconds) as a time required for the user to determine whether or not to switch from the high image quality mode to the high speed mode. After the relationship between the time t1 required for reading both sides of the original and the remaining number of originals CN2 placed on the original placement table 211 satisfies the following expression (5), The input of the desired document reading end time may not be accepted.
T3 ≧ t1 × CN2 (5)

  In the third embodiment, the control unit 61 determines that the user-desired document reading time input in S44 is shorter than the document reading required time in the high image quality mode (YES in S47). The document reading operation in the high image quality mode is continued while waiting for the mode selection instruction from the user (S48, S49). However, the control unit 61 sets the document reading time desired by the user in the high image quality mode. When it is determined that the original reading time is shorter than the original reading time, the original reading operation in the high image quality mode may be temporarily suspended, and a mode selection instruction from the user may be waited.

  In the second and third embodiments, when the user-desired document reading end time is shorter than the document reading required time in the high image quality mode (YES in S26 in FIG. 12, YES in S47 in FIG. 15), the control unit 61 displays a message prompting the user to select the high-speed mode or the high-quality mode on the display unit 51 (S27 in FIG. 12, S48 in FIG. 15), and then performs the document reading operation in the mode selected by the user ( When S28 in FIG. 12 and S49 in FIG. 15 do not perform these processes, the controller 61 determines that the document reading end time desired by the user is shorter than the document reading required time in the high image quality mode (FIG. 12). 12 YES in S26, YES in S47 in FIG. 15), the document reading operation may be performed immediately by switching to the high speed mode.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, between S21 and S22 in the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12, or between S41 and S42 in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 15, S2 to S6 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. By inserting the processing, according to the operation by the user, the control unit 61 displays the document reading required time display process shown in the first embodiment and the user-desired document reading end time shown in the second and third embodiments. It is also possible to selectively perform the mode switching process according to the above, or to perform both the display process of the document reading required time and the mode switching process.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the document reading required time detection unit 613 detects the document thickness from the number of rotations (number of pulses) of the drive motor 202 from the start of raising and lowering of the elevating member 201 to the document thickness. Based on this, the time required for reading the original in the double-sided reverse reading mode and the simultaneous double-sided reading mode is detected. However, the method for detecting the required time for reading the original is not limited to this, and other methods may be used. For example, (1) an optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light of light emitted from the light emitting unit on the document feeding unit 21 from above the document placed on the document placing table 211. The document is provided in a state in which light can be irradiated, and a timer that measures a time t3 from when the light emitting unit of the optical sensor emits light to when the reflected light is received by the light receiving unit, and each measured time t3 A document thickness storage table for storing each document thickness associated with the document thickness, and the document thickness detection unit 614 determines the document thickness corresponding to the measured time t3 from the document thickness storage table. By reading, the thickness of the document placed on the document placement table 211 may be detected. The method for calculating the required document reading time from the document thickness is the same as in the above embodiment.

  (2) The document feeder 21 is provided with a document weight sensor 219 (FIG. 1) for detecting the weight w of the document placed on the document placement table 211, and further, the document type specifying unit 6151, A unit document weight storage unit for storing the weight w1 per document of each type and a required time calculation unit 6153 are provided, and the required time calculation unit 6153 specifies the document type weight w1 specified by the document type specifying unit 6151. Is read from the unit document weight storage unit, the number of documents is calculated from the weight w detected by the document weight sensor 219 and the read weight w1, and the time required to read the document in each mode is calculated based on the calculated number of documents. You may make it calculate.

  The document weight sensor 219 is installed so that its upper end is positioned on the document placement surface of the document tray 211. When a document is placed on the document tray 211, the upper end of the document weight sensor 219 is The structure supports the entire weight and detects the weight of the document. The document weight sensor 219 outputs the detected weight to the control unit 61 (document reading required time detection unit 613). As the document weight sensor 219, for example, a load cell is used. Since the detailed structure of the load cell is a well-known technique, description thereof is omitted. The reason why the load cell is used as the document weight sensor 219 is that a minute weight of one document sheet can be detected. However, the configuration of the document weight sensor 219 is not limited to the load cell. Other sensors may be used as long as they can detect a minute weight.

  In the above-described embodiment, the processing at the time of the document reading operation is described by taking the operation at the time of the copying operation by the multifunction device 1 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the processing at the scanner operation and the facsimile operation It is possible to apply the processing during the document reading operation of each embodiment described above to the document reading operation.

  In the above embodiment, the first reading unit in the claims is described as the scanner unit 222 (CCD 229), and the second reading unit is described as the CIS 231. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first and second reading units are described. Can be configured by either the scanner unit 222 (CCD 229) or the CIS 231.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration of the image reading apparatus and the image forming apparatus according to the present invention and the embodiments of the processing are shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 17, but these are only examples, and the image reading apparatus according to the present invention is described. This is not intended to limit the apparatus and the image forming apparatus to the configuration and control described above.

1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a multifunction peripheral that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. It is an example of the front view of an operation part. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an example of a document feeder of the copier illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of the multifunction machine. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a document reading time detection unit. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of document reading processing by the multifunction machine. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of document reading processing by the multifunction machine. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a third embodiment of document reading processing by the multifunction machine. The example of the screen of a display part is shown. The example of the screen of a display part is shown.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunctional device 2 Image reading apparatus 3 Apparatus main body 5 Operation part 21 Document feeding part 201 Lifting member 202 Drive motor 211 Document placing table 212 Pickup roller 22 Scanner part 229 CCD
231 CIS
40 Recording unit 51 Display unit 52 Touch panel 61 Control unit 611 Mode setting unit 613 Document reading required time detecting unit 614 Document thickness detecting unit 615 Required time detecting unit 6151 Document type specifying unit 6152 Unit document thickness storage unit 6153 Required time calculating unit 109 High-quality mode key 110 High-speed mode key 111 Original reading time display key 112 High-speed mode switching key 113 High-quality mode instruction key

Claims (7)

A display unit for displaying operation guidance for the user;
A document feeder for feeding documents,
A first reading unit that reads one side of the document conveyed by the document feeding unit;
A second reading unit for reading the other side of the document conveyed by the document feeding unit;
A reversing unit for reversing and transporting the original so that the other side is read by the first reading unit after the first reading unit finishes reading one side of the original;
A two-sided reverse reading mode in which one side of the original is read by the first reading unit and the other side of the original is read by the first reading unit after the original is reversed by the reversing unit; In one mode of the double-sided simultaneous reading mode in which the first reading unit reads one side of the original and the second reading unit reads the other side of the original in one-time document conveyance by A control unit for performing a document reading operation;
A document reading required time detecting unit for detecting each document reading required time in the duplex reverse reading mode and the duplex simultaneous reading mode for the document set in the document feeding unit;
The control unit is an image reading apparatus that causes each display unit to display each document reading required time in the double-side reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode detected by the document reading required time detection unit. A required time display instruction receiving unit for receiving a required time display instruction for displaying each document reading required time in the double-side reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode on the display unit;
2. The control unit according to claim 1, wherein when the required time display instruction is received by the required time display instruction receiving unit, the control unit displays the detected document reading required time in both modes on the display unit. Image reading apparatus.   The document reading time detection unit includes a document thickness detection unit that detects the thickness of a document set on the document feeding unit, and the both sides corresponding to the document thickness detected by the document thickness detection unit. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a required time detecting unit that calculates a time required for reading each document in the reverse reading mode and the double-sided simultaneous reading mode. The document feeding unit is configured to press a document placing table on which a document is placed, a pickup roller that takes in documents placed on the document feeding unit one by one, and a document on the document placing table against the pickup roller. For this purpose, the apparatus includes a lift member that lifts and lowers the document table, a drive motor that moves the lift member up and down, and a rotation detector that detects the number of rotations of the drive motor
The document thickness detector detects the thickness of the document on the document table based on the number of rotations of the drive motor detected by the rotation detector;
The required time detection unit is configured to calculate the number of documents on the document placement table calculated from the thickness of the document on the document placement table detected by the document thickness detection unit and the document type input by the user. The image reading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the time required to read each document of the document on the document table in the duplex reversal reading mode and the duplex simultaneous reading mode is detected. A reading start instruction receiving unit that receives an instruction to start reading a document from a user;
A mode selection instruction receiving unit that receives a mode selection instruction for selecting either the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode from a user;
The control unit displays each document reading required time in the double-sided reverse reading mode or the double-sided simultaneous reading mode on the display unit, and then receives a mode selection instruction for selecting any of the modes in the mode selection instruction receiving unit. When the reading start instruction receiving unit receives the instruction to start reading the document, the document reading operation in the selected mode is performed by the document feeding unit, the first reading unit, the second reading unit, and the inversion. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading apparatus is caused to be performed by each of the required units. The first reading unit reads one side of the document by a reduction optical system image sensor,
The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second reading unit reads one surface of the document with a contact optical system image sensor. An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording sheet based on read image data read by the first reading unit and the second reading unit.