JP2009170951A - Image reader and image-forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of preventing an abnormal image from occurring by correcting a read image when an object to be read is moved on contact glass by impact from the outside, and to provide an image-forming system. <P>SOLUTION: The image reader has: image read means 60a, 60f, and the like for reading an image of an original; movement means 106-108, and the like for moving the image read means; a CPU 400 for performing control so that the image read means read the image of the original, while moving along the original on the contact glass; a paper sheet placement means 43, and the like having a paper sheet placement table for placing a prescribed paper sheet and a take-in/out mechanism for taking in and out the paper sheet placement table from an initial position; an open/close detection section 104 for detecting the taking-in/out of the paper sheet placement table; and an image processing section 102 for determining whether abnormality has occurred in the read image because the original has moved (slid) on the contact glass, when the taking-in/out of the paper sheet placement table has been detected during the read of the original, and for correcting the read image when it is determined that the abnormality has occurred. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming system having a function of detecting and correcting an abnormality of a read image.

  In recent years, the performance of image reading devices (scanners) that read an image of an original document has increased, and accordingly, the amount of data has increased. In order to process this large amount of data, much time is required for reading. .

  In this type of image reading apparatus, when vibration or the like is applied due to an external factor, the image quality is deteriorated, for example, a read image includes a discontinuous area.

  For example, if the impact of opening and closing the paper feed tray is transmitted to an image reading apparatus equipped with this, the traveling body (carriage) provided with the light source cannot be scanned at a constant speed, or the image reading apparatus is provided. Due to the vibration of the automatic document feeder (ADF), the document on the contact glass slides and moves, so that the read image quality deteriorates.

  Here, a document is placed (fixed) on the contact glass (if an automatic document feeder is provided, the document is pressed by a pressure plate on the bottom of the automatic document feeder), and a traveling body provided with a light source is caused to travel. In the fixed reading method, the document during the reading operation is stationary on the contact glass, and “the contact glass has a small friction coefficient (dynamic friction coefficient for paper: 0.25 or less)”, “for document conveyance” The endless belt has a large friction coefficient (dynamic friction coefficient with respect to paper: 0.8 to 1.1), so that the document easily slips on the contact glass with the vibration of the automatic document feeder, and the read image quality is improved. There is a risk of lowering. On the other hand, in the sheet-through reading method in which the traveling body provided with the light source is stopped and the document is read while being conveyed, the document is conveyed while the document is brought into close contact with the contact glass. It is considered that there is relatively little deterioration in the read image quality by moving.

  Therefore, in the conventional image reading apparatus, even when vibration occurs in the image reading apparatus, a defective image is not output, and wasteful time consumption due to continuing image reading is prevented in advance. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Here, an anti-vibration material that mechanically prevents vibration is provided between the scanner and the casing (the main body of the image forming apparatus) to insulate transmission of high-frequency vibration components (approximately 200 to 300 Hz) to the image reading apparatus. Thus, it is intended to prevent the reading sensor of the scanner from vibrating due to the impact of the motor thrust accompanying the rotation of the revolver type developing unit. However, no consideration is given to the movement of the original by the opening / closing operation of the ADF.

  In addition, in order to eliminate image distortion caused by vibration due to external influences, there is a technique in which reading processing is stopped when vibration is detected (for example, see Patent Document 2). Here, a vibration detection sensor for detecting vibration applied to the film scanner main body (including the optical system and the sub-scanning drive unit) is provided, and the sub-scanning operation and image processing are stopped when vibration affecting the sub-scanning operation is detected. And notifies the occurrence of vibration. However, no consideration is given to the movement of the film itself. Further, no consideration is given to determining whether the read image at the time of vibration detection is an abnormal image. Further, no consideration is given to the fact that the machine stop time is wasted when the read image is not an abnormal image.

  In addition, there is one that detects vibration due to the operation of the drive motor of the traveling body (see, for example, Patent Document 3). Here, a reference pattern (straight line extending in the sub-scanning direction) provided on the document position regulating plate is read together with the document, and a fluctuation amount in the main scanning direction is detected from the position (pixel) of the read reference pattern, and the detected fluctuation amount is obtained. Based on this, the entire image information of the document is corrected. This correction processing shifts the image information of the document left and right by the amount of variation for each line. However, when the original is displaced with respect to the original position restricting plate (for example, when the original position restricting plate and the original have different displacement directions and the read image of the reference pattern is normal but the read image of the original is an abnormal image) There is no consideration.

Furthermore, when the rotational speed is different from the target speed due to deterioration of the drive motor of the traveling body, there is one that performs drive control in accordance with the rotational speed (see, for example, Patent Document 4). Here, based on the output value of the acceleration pickup attached to the mirror base of the optical system, the optical system and the photosensitive member vibrate due to the resonance action of the optical system drive motor itself or the combination of the optical system and the drive system. Not trying to set an appropriate scan speed. For example, the original image is reproduced by reading at a scanning speed that is lower than the scanning speed at which vibration occurs, and applying reduction correction corresponding to the reduced speed to the read image information. However, no consideration is given to the movement of the original by the opening / closing operation of the ADF.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-057678 JP 2001-230905 A JP-A-5-207231 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-17896

  In conventional image reading devices, the occurrence of abnormal images due to the document placed on the contact glass slipping on the contact glass due to the vibration of the pressure plate due to external impact or the automatic document feeder as the pressure plate is prevented. There was a problem that no consideration was given to doing.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of an abnormal image by correcting the read image when the reading object moves on the contact glass due to an external impact. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus and an image forming system.

  (1) The image reading apparatus of the present invention includes an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, a moving unit that moves the image reading unit, and the document while the image reading unit moves along the document on the contact glass. Control means for controlling the moving means and the image reading means so as to read the image, a paper placement means provided with a paper placement portion for placing a predetermined paper, and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the paper placement portion, An open / close detecting means for detecting an open / close state of the open / close mechanism; and when the open / close mechanism is detected by the open / close detecting means during reading of the original, the original moves on the contact glass. An image determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the read image, and an image that corrects the read image when the image determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the read image It is characterized in that it comprises a positive means.

  (2) In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the control means causes the image reading means to perform a reading operation when the open / close detecting means detects the open state of the opening / closing mechanism during reading of the image of the document. It is characterized by controlling to stop and return to the initial position.

  (3) The image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a document conveying unit that places the document and conveys the document to a predetermined reading position. The control unit conveys the image reading unit by the document conveying unit. When an open state of the opening / closing mechanism is detected by the open / close detection means during reading, the reading operation is stopped and the read / corrected image is corrected by the image correction means. When the closed state of the opening / closing mechanism is detected by the detecting unit and an unread document is placed on the document conveying unit, the image reading unit is controlled to continue the reading operation. is there.

  (4) The image reading apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the image reading apparatus includes an informing means for informing an opening / closing state of the opening / closing mechanism based on detection by the opening / closing detecting means.

  (5) In the image reading apparatus according to the present invention, the image determination unit compares the abnormality detection image prepared in advance with the read image read by the image reading unit. It is characterized by determining whether or not it has occurred.

  (6) In the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the abnormality detection image includes a partial image of a component part of the image reading apparatus, and a part of the component part is a main scanning direction of the image reading unit. Is located within the maximum readable range and outside the maximum document reading range.

  (7) The image reading apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that a part of the component parts is an end portion of a document scale for positioning two orthogonal sides of the document on the contact glass.

  (8) The image reading apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a correction display means for displaying the read image corrected by the image correction means.

  (9) The image reading apparatus of the present invention is input by the availability information input means for inputting the availability information indicating whether to permit the corrected read image displayed by the correction display means, and the availability information input means. Correction permission means for determining whether to permit the corrected read image based on the permission information.

  (10) An image forming apparatus according to the present invention provides a predetermined sheet based on the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and image information of a document read by the image reading apparatus. An image forming apparatus that forms an image and a sheet conveying unit that conveys the predetermined sheet placed on the sheet placing portion of the image reading apparatus to the image forming apparatus.

  (1) According to the present invention, when an open / close detection unit (for example, an open / close detection unit) detects an open state of an open / close mechanism of a paper stacking unit (for example, a paper feed tray) while reading a document, the document contacts An image determination unit (for example, an image processing unit) that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the read image by moving on the glass, and reading when the image determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the read image And an image correcting means (for example, an image processing unit) that corrects the image, and when the document moves on the contact glass by the opening operation of the opening / closing mechanism of the sheet placing unit, an abnormal image is detected. Since this is corrected, it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus having an effect that a read image having a stable quality can be obtained regardless of the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing mechanism of the paper placement unit. In addition, since it is not necessary to add a mechanical configuration (for example, sensors), it is possible to suppress an increase in cost due to an increase in the number of parts and an increase in size of the apparatus.

  (2) According to the present invention, the control means (for example, CPU) causes the image reading means to perform a reading operation when the open / close detection means detects the open state of the paper placement unit during reading of the document. Since the image reading unit and the moving unit (for example, the carriage) are controlled so as to stop and return to the initial position, even if an impact is applied even when the opening / closing mechanism of the sheet placing unit is open in the pressure plate mode, There is no effect on the scanned image of other documents.

  (3) According to the present invention, the control means (e.g., CPU) causes the image reading means to stop the reading operation, and after the read image is corrected by the image correcting means, the open / close detection means opens / closes the paper placement unit. When it is detected that the mechanism is in a closed state and an unread document is placed on the document conveying means (for example, ADF), the image reading means controls to continue image reading. Since the reading operation is interrupted in the conveyance mode, there is no need for the user to perform troublesome operations such as resetting a document. The user only needs to return the pulled-out paper placement unit to the initial position.

  (4) According to the present invention, the user is provided with notification means (for example, an operation unit) for notifying whether or not the opening / closing mechanism of the sheet placing unit is in the closed state, so that the user can open / close the sheet placing unit. It is possible to reliably grasp the open / close state of the. Therefore, it is expected that the paper placement unit is prevented from being inadvertently operated during image reading.

  (5) According to the present invention, the image determination unit determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the read image by comparing the abnormality detection image prepared in advance with the read image read by the image reading unit. Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the read image immediately before the reading operation is stopped with a simple process.

  (6) According to the present invention, the abnormality detection image includes a partial image of a component part of the image reading device, and a part of the component part is within the maximum readable range in the main scanning direction of the image reading unit. Since the image reading unit reads the maximum readable range, the positional relationship between a part of the component and the document is operated when the opening / closing mechanism of the paper stacking unit is operated. Based on this, it can be determined whether or not the document is displaced.

  (7) According to the present invention, some of the components used for detecting an abnormal image are the end portions of the document scale (lines in the sub-scanning direction) for positioning two orthogonal sides of the document on the contact glass. Therefore, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the read image using an existing part without providing an abnormality detection part or performing any processing. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress an increase in cost and an increase in size of the apparatus due to an increase in the number of parts.

  (8) According to the present invention, the correction display unit (for example, the display unit of the operation unit) that displays the read image corrected by the image correction unit is provided, so that the user can obtain a desired read image by correction. It can be confirmed whether or not.

  (9) According to the present invention, the availability information input means (for example, the operation unit) for inputting the availability information indicating whether to permit the corrected read image displayed by the correction display means, and the availability information input means. By providing correction permission means (for example, CPU) for determining whether or not to permit the corrected read image based on the input enable / disable information, the user can correct the corrected read image as a desired read image. The image reading apparatus can provide a read image with stable quality according to the user's request.

  (10) The present invention forms an image on the predetermined sheet based on the image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and image information of a document read by the image reading apparatus. And an image forming apparatus for conveying the predetermined sheet placed on the sheet placing table to the image forming apparatus (for example, a sheet carry-out unit and a sheet carry-in unit). The above-described effects can be obtained by the reading device, and an image forming system having an effect that good image forming quality can be maintained based on the read image obtained by the user can be provided. For example, the document reading device is placed on a paper feeding device (for example, a first paper feeding device) having a large capacity paper feeding tray capable of accommodating 2000 sheets, and forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the paper feeding tray. Even in an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus (for example, a printer device) including an image forming unit and a paper feeding device are connected, good image quality can be provided.

  Hereinafter, an image forming system as an embodiment of an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an image forming system as an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the printer device of this image forming system, and FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the first paper feeding device. FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of the control system of this image forming system.

  In FIG. 1, the image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a printer device 10 as an image forming device, a first paper feeding device 40 as an image reading device, and a second paper feeding device 50. . The first and second paper feeding devices 40 and 50 are also a mass paper feeding device having a paper feeding tray capable of stacking 2000 sheets of A3 size paper.

  First, the printer apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The printer device 10 is a full-color printer that uses four color toners of yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). As shown in detail in FIG. In addition, four image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K that perform image forming with respective color toners are arranged side by side. Since the configuration and the operation of each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are substantially the same, the image forming units will be described with the symbols (Y, M, C, and K) indicating colors omitted. . In the image forming unit 1, a charger 3, a developing device 4, a cleaning device 5 and the like are disposed around a photosensitive drum 2 as an image carrier. An exposure means 7 is disposed above the photosensitive drum 2.

  Below the four image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, an intermediate transfer belt 8 wound around a plurality of support rollers is disposed. The intermediate transfer belt 8 is driven to run in the direction of arrow A when one of the support rollers is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown). A transfer roller 6 as a primary transfer unit is disposed so as to face the photosensitive drum 2 of each image forming unit with the intermediate transfer belt 8 interposed therebetween.

  In each image forming unit 1, the photosensitive drum 2 is rotationally driven counterclockwise in the drawing, and the surface of the photosensitive member is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by the charger 3. Next, the charged surface is irradiated with a light-modulated laser beam emitted from the exposure means 7, whereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photosensitive drum 2. The electrostatic latent image is developed with toner applied from the developing device 4 and visualized as a toner image. The yellow, cyan, magenta, and black color toner images formed by the image forming units are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 8.

  On the other hand, a sheet feeding section 14 having sheet feeding trays 14a and 14b is provided at the lower part of the apparatus main body, and the first and second sheet feeding apparatuses 40 and 50 mounted on the sheet feeding section 14 or the printer apparatus 10 are provided. For example, transfer paper (paper) is fed as a recording medium. The fed transfer paper is conveyed toward the registration roller 11 as indicated by an arrow B.

  The transfer paper that has been stopped by being abutted against the registration roller 11 is sent from the registration roller 11 in timing with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 8, and the secondary transfer roller 9 and the intermediate transfer belt 8 come into contact with each other. It is sent to the secondary transfer section. A voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner is applied to the secondary transfer roller 9, whereby the superimposed toner image (full color image) on the intermediate transfer belt 8 is transferred onto the transfer paper. The transfer paper after transfer of the toner image is conveyed to the fixing device 13 by the conveyance belt 12, and the toner is fixed to the transfer paper by heat and pressure in the fixing device 13. The transfer sheet after the toner image is fixed is discharged out of the apparatus as indicated by an arrow C, and is discharged onto a discharge tray (not shown). In the case of single-sided printing, when the paper is discharged from the back side (face-down paper discharge), the paper is reversed outside by being discharged through the paper reversing unit 15 as indicated by an arrow C. In the case of double-sided printing, the fixed sheet is fed again from the refeed path 17 to the registration roller 11 via the duplex reversing unit 16, and the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 8 to the back side of the sheet. The paper after the toner image transfer is fixed by the fixing device 13, and as indicated by an arrow C from the fixing device 13 as in the case of single-sided printing, or after passing through the paper reversing unit 15, as shown by an arrow C. The paper is discharged and discharged onto a paper discharge tray (not shown). Switching claws 18 and 19 for switching the paper transport direction are appropriately arranged.

  In the case of monochrome printing, the printer apparatus 10 of this example forms a toner image using only the black (K) image forming unit 1K, and transfers the toner image onto the transfer paper via the intermediate transfer belt 8. . The handling of the paper after fixing the toner image is the same as in the case of full-color printing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a toner bottle setting unit 20 for setting each color toner bottle 21 storing toner to be supplied to the developing device 4 of each image forming unit is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body. An operation unit 24 having a display unit 22 and an operation panel 23 is also provided on the upper surface of the apparatus main body. The display unit 22 displays information indicating the open / closed state of the open / close mechanism of the paper feed tray detected by the open / close detection unit 104 described later, a corrected image of the abnormal image detected by the abnormal image diagnosis process, and the like. Further, on the right side surface of the apparatus main body, a paper carry-in portion D from a large-volume paper feeder (first paper feeder 40 in the image forming system shown in FIG. 1) is provided. In the paper carry-in section D, an opening 25 for receiving paper and a transport means 26 for transporting the paper are provided.

  Next, the first paper feeding device 40 that is a mass paper feeding device will be described.

  In FIG. 3, the first paper feeding device 40 includes two-stage paper feeding trays 41 and 42, and for example, transfer paper P is stored in the paper feeding trays 41 and 42 as a recording medium. Paper feeding means 43 for feeding transfer paper from each of the paper feeding trays 41 and 42 is provided, and the transfer paper from each of the paper feeding trays 41 and 42 passes through the paper transport path 44 and passes through the first paper feeding device. The paper is delivered from the paper carry-out unit E1 of 40 to the paper carry-in unit D of the printer apparatus 10. The paper feed trays 41 and 42 are opened and closed by an opening / closing mechanism (not shown). Specifically, the entry / exit (withdrawal and push-in) is performed from the initial position (position shown in FIG. 3). The paper feed trays 41 and 42, the paper feed means 43, and the opening / closing mechanism correspond to paper placement means.

  When the paper feed tray 41 becomes empty during the image forming operation and the paper feed tray 42 is full of paper, the paper feed from the paper feed tray 42 is automatically continued. Further, in order to cope with a large amount of image formation, paper supply to an empty paper feed tray can be performed even during the image forming operation. In the present embodiment, the paper feed tray 41 can be opened and closed (in / out) even during the image forming operation. It has become.

  Further, the first paper feeding device 40 has a paper feeding path (first paper feeding path) 44 that collects the papers from the paper feeding trays 41 and 42 in one place and sends them to the printer device 10, as well as a second paper feeding path. When the paper device 50 is connected, a relay conveyance path (second paper conveyance path) 45 and a relay conveyance path 45 that can relay and convey the sheet from the second sheet feeding device 50 and join the first sheet conveyance path 44. A vertical conveyance path (third paper conveyance path) 46 that merges with the first paper conveyance path 44 is provided. In each paper transport path 44, 45, 46, a transport roller pair 47 as a paper transport means is appropriately arranged. However, in order to avoid complication of the drawing, one transport roller pair 47 in the paper transport path 44 is excluded. The reference numerals of the conveying roller pairs are not shown. In this example, each paper transport path 44, 45, 46 is provided as a unit. A part 45a of the relay conveyance path 45 is configured to be able to be pulled out in the front direction of the apparatus (the direction perpendicular to the drawing and upward), and the jam handling property at that part is improved. In addition, you may comprise so that the whole relay conveyance path 45 can be pulled out.

  The upstream end of the relay conveyance path 45 is configured as a paper carry-in part E2. The paper carry-out part E1 and the paper carry-in part E2 are provided at the same height, and the height is the same as that of the paper carry-in part D of the printer device 10.

  An image reading device 60 is disposed above the first paper feeding device 40, and an automatic document feeder (ADF) 70 is disposed on the image reading device 60. The image data of the document read by the image reading device 60 is transmitted from the first paper feeding device 40 electrically connected by a connector (not shown) to the printer device 10.

  The image reading device 60 includes a light source 60a that illuminates an original on a contact glass (not shown) (corresponding to 64 in FIG. 4), and a first mirror 60b and a second mirror 60c that reflect light reflected from the original, respectively. A third mirror 60d, and a CCD image sensor 60f for converting the light imaged by the lens 60e that images the light reflected from the third mirror 60d onto the CCD image sensor 60f into an electrical signal.

  The light source 60a and the first mirror 60b are attached to a first traveling body (carriage) not shown, and the second mirror 60c and the third mirror 60d are attached to a second traveling body (carriage) not shown. ing. The first traveling body and the second traveling body move to the left and right in FIG. 3 along guide rails (not shown) disposed below both side portions below the contact glass. The first traveling body and the second traveling body constitute moving means.

  When the first traveling body and the second traveling body read the document placed on the contact glass, the first traveling body and the second traveling body are moved from the initial position (not shown) in FIG. When reading a document passing through a reading position (not shown), the document is stopped below the slit glass. The image reading device 60 can read an image (including characters (text), figures, photographs, etc.) displayed on the document.

  The ADF 70 is connected to the image reading device 60 by a connecting member such as a hinge and is mounted on the contact glass so as to be freely opened and closed. By opening the ADF 70 with respect to the document conveying surface of the contact glass, the document can be placed on the contact glass or removed from the contact glass, and the document can be contacted by closing with respect to the document conveying surface. Can be pressed against the glass surface.

  In addition, the ADF 70 stops (fixes) the first traveling body and the second traveling body, conveys a document to be read at a predetermined speed, and reads the image thereof (automatic conveyance mode), and reading This is applicable to either a fixed reading method (pressure plate mode) in which a target document is fixed on a contact glass and an image is read while moving the first traveling body and the second traveling body.

  Further, a control circuit of the image forming system according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the image forming system as one embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control circuit of the image forming system includes a CPU 400 of the controller of the first paper feeding device 40, a CCD 60f, an image processing unit 102, a DC servo motor 106, a motor driver 108, and a drive control unit. 107, an open / close detection unit 104 that detects an open / close state of an open / close mechanism of the paper feed tray (such as an openable / closable door or drawer included in the apparatus), a light source 60a, a light source lighting device 109, and paper feed trays 41 and 42. An input / output unit (I / O) for exchanging signals between the paper feeding unit 43 for feeding paper and the outside (the second paper feeding device 50, the printer device 10, the operation unit 24 capable of direct input by the user, etc.) Part) 103, the CPU 500 of the controller of the second paper feeding device 50, the paper feeding means 501 for feeding paper from the paper feeding tray, and the CPU 100 of the controller of the printer device 10 An image forming unit 101 such as an exposure unit 7 is configured to have an operation unit 24, a.

  When receiving a reading command from the outside (for example, the operation unit 24 of the printer apparatus 10) via the I / O unit 103, the CPU 400 of the first paper feeding device 40 controls the motor driver 108 via the drive control unit 107. The DC servo motor 106 is driven. At the same time, an output signal from the CCD 60 f is input to the image processing unit 102, and the image processing unit 102 executes image processing under the control of the CPU 400 and outputs a recorded image to the I / O unit 103. The I / O unit 103 outputs a recorded image to the CPU 100 of the printer device 10 under the control of the CPU 400. When the CPU 100 of the printer apparatus 10 receives the image data of the recorded image from the first paper feeder 40 via the I / O unit 103, the CPU 100 forms an image on a predetermined transfer sheet. When the CPU 500 of the second paper feeding device 50 receives a transfer paper conveyance command from the printer device 10 via the I / O unit 103, the CPU 500 causes the paper feeding means 501 to feed paper from a predetermined paper feeding tray. The first paper conveyance path 44 of the paper feeding device 40 is merged. The drive control unit 107, the motor driver 108, and the DC servo motor 106 constitute moving means.

  Here, the reading range of the image reading apparatus as an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, document scales 62 and 63 for abutting documents are mounted on two orthogonal sides (end surfaces) of a contact glass 64 mounted on the upper part of the image reading device 60. The document scale 62 extends in the main scanning direction, and the document scale 63 extends in the sub-scanning direction. By pressing two orthogonal sides of the document against both document scales 62 and 63 in the pressure plate mode, the document scale 62 Is positioned and pressed and fixed by a pressure plate on the bottom surface of the ADF. Further, in the main scanning direction, the maximum readable range that can be read by moving the first traveling body and the second traveling body is wider than the maximum document reading range when the document placed on the contact glass 64 is read. Has an area. Further, the end position of the document scale 63 on the contact glass 64 is arranged between the maximum document reading range and the maximum readable range.

  Since the configurations of the image reading device 60 and the ADF 70 other than those described above are the same as those conventionally known, descriptions of portions that are not the gist of the present invention will be omitted. Further, the image reading device 60 and the ADF 70 can be used for existing image reading devices and automatic document feeders.

  The image reading operation of the image forming system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of image reading processing as one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the abnormal image diagnosis process. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an image read by the image reading apparatus. FIG. 9 is a view for explaining the read image correction processing.

  As shown in FIG. 6, first, the first carriage and the second carriage described above are driven by starting the reading of the document (step S101), and the image of the document is captured (step S102).

  Specifically, an original is placed on the contact glass 64 (pressure plate mode), and a read command is issued from the CPU 100 of the printer device 10 via the I / O unit 103 based on the operation of the operation unit 24 of the printer device 10. Upon receipt, the CPU 400 of the first sheet feeding device 40 controls the motor driver 108 via the drive control unit 107 to drive the DC servo motor 106 and also causes the light source lighting device 109 to light the light source 60a. A document image (maximum readable range) is captured in accordance with the movement of the first carriage and the second carriage, and an output signal of the CCD 60f is input to the image processing unit 102.

  Next, the CPU 400 of the first paper feeding device 40 determines whether or not the paper feeding tray is opened and closed during image reading (step S103). Specifically, the open / close detection unit 104 always detects the open / close state of the paper feed tray, and determines whether an open / close detection signal is transmitted from the open / close detection unit 104 during image reading.

  If it is determined that the paper feed tray has not been opened / closed during image reading, the CPU 400 of the first paper feed device 40 determines that there is no influence of vibration due to the opening / closing of the paper feed tray, and the process proceeds to step S110. Transfer. If it is determined that the paper feed tray is opened or closed during image reading, it is determined that there is an influence of vibration due to the opening and closing of the paper feed tray, and the driving of the first carriage and the second carriage is stopped (step S104). Then, an abnormal image diagnosis process (see FIG. 7) is executed (step S105).

  Next, the CPU 400 of the first paper feeding device 40 determines whether or not an abnormal image is detected in the abnormal image diagnosis process in step S105 (step S106). If no abnormal image is detected, the image processing unit The image data of the recorded image is output to the I / O unit 103. This image data is transmitted to the printer apparatus 10 via the I / O unit 103, and is output to a predetermined transfer sheet in the printer apparatus 10.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S106 that an abnormal image has been detected, the CPU 400 of the first sheet feeding device 40 causes the image processing unit 102 to perform abnormal image correction processing (step S107), and the corrected image data. Is transmitted to the printer apparatus 10 via the I / O unit 103. When receiving the corrected image data via the I / O unit 103, the CPU 100 of the printer apparatus 10 displays the corrected image on the display unit 22 of the operation unit 24 (step S108). At the same time, for example, the user can select whether or not to permit the output of the corrected image as a read image. For example, a selection button “◯” “X” is displayed, and any one of the instructions can be input from the operation panel 23. The permission information indicating whether to permit the corrected image, which is input here, is transmitted from the printer device 10 to the first paper feeding device 40.

  Next, the CPU 400 of the first paper feeding device 40 determines whether or not the image reading operation by the image reading device 60 is permitted (step S109). Specifically, it is determined whether or not to permit the image reading operation based on the availability signal indicating the availability information that is input from the operation unit 24 and received via the I / O unit 103.

  If it is determined that the image reading operation is permitted (when the corrected image matches the user's request level), the image reading operation is permitted (continued) (step S110). When the image reading operation is permitted in step S110, the first paper feeding device 40 notifies the printer device 10 of permission of the image reading operation (corresponding to an image forming operation command), and the corrected image data is displayed. Based on this, an image forming process is performed. After permitting the image reading operation, the CPU 400 of the first sheet feeding device 40 confirms that the sheet feeding trays 41 and 42 are not pulled out based on the presence / absence of the opening / closing detection signal of the opening / closing detection unit 104, and the next document. The image reading operation is continued.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S109 that the image reading operation is not permitted (if the corrected image is lower than the user's requested level), the user is notified of the prohibition of the image reading operation (step S111). . That is, the CPU 400 of the first paper feeding device 40 transmits a prohibition signal indicating prohibition of the image reading operation to the CPU 100 of the printer device 10 via the I / O unit 103, and the CPU 100 of the printer device 10 transmits the prohibition signal. Based on the above, the prohibition of the image reading operation is displayed on the display unit 22 of the operation unit 24. By this display, the user resets the document on the ADF 70 (positions by contacting the document scales 62 and 63), and instructs the image reading of the document again by operating the operation unit 24. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a selection button indicating permission / prohibition of the document reading operation is displayed on the screen of the display unit 22, and the operation is permitted by the user inputting an instruction from the operation panel 23. Also good.

  Next, the abnormal image diagnosis process in step S105 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the image processing unit 102 of the first paper feeding device 40 detects the end position of the document scale 63 mounted on the contact glass 64 with respect to the image captured in step S102 of FIG. Here, when the end position of the document scale 63 is detected as shown in FIG. 7 (step S201), the detected end position information of the document scale is not shown (for example, the first paper feed). The data is stored in the RAM / ROM of the controller of the device 40 (step S202).

  Next, the image processing unit 102 detects the edge position of the document for the image captured in step S102 of FIG. Here, when the end position of the document is detected (step S203), the detected end position information of the document is not shown (for example, the RAM / ROM of the controller of the first paper feeder 40). (Step S204).

  Next, the image processing unit 102 determines the distance from the longitudinal end of the original scale 63 to the end of the original based on the above-described end position information of the original scale 63 and the end position information of the original, according to the control of the CPU 400. Calculation is performed over the entire area in the sub-scanning direction (step S205), and it is determined based on this calculation whether there is vertical line fluctuation (step S206). Here, when it is determined that there is vertical line fluctuation, a storage unit (for example, the RAM / ROM of the controller of the first paper feeding device 40) that does not show the determination result (information indicating that an abnormal image has been detected) is shown. (Step S207). For example, a flag indicating abnormal image detection is set in a predetermined area of the storage unit.

  Here, FIG. 8 shows an example of a normal image without vertical line fluctuation and an abnormal image with vertical line fluctuation. In the drawing, in order to clarify the positional relationship between the longitudinal end portion 67 of the document 65 and the longitudinal end portion 66 of the document scale 63, both gaps are expressed larger than actual.

  In FIG. 8, (a) shows a read image of the document 65 and the document scale 63 when the image is read in a normal state. Here, since the document 65 is abutted against the longitudinal end portion 66 of the document scale 63, the longitudinal end portion 67 of the document and the longitudinal end portion 66 of the document scale 63 are substantially parallel to each other. It is in.

  On the other hand, (b) shows, for example, that the paper feed trays 41 and 42 are pulled out (opening operation) and pushed back (closing operation) during the reading operation of the document, and the document moves on the contact glass 64 due to the impact accompanying this opening and closing operation ( It shows a read image (abnormal image) when it is slid. Here, since the document 65 is affected by the impact, the read image fluctuates in the main scanning direction. While the document 65 slides on the contact glass 64, the document scale 63 maintains the state of being attached to the contact glass 64. Therefore, in the image area 68 including the fluctuation portion of the document 65, the document scale 63 extends in the longitudinal direction. There is no fluctuation in the image of the end portion 66. Therefore, an abnormality detection pattern is provided based on the read image of the end portion 66 of the document scale 63, and the abnormality image (vertical line fluctuation) is detected by comparing the abnormality detection pattern with the read image of the document 65. The vertical line fluctuation (distortion) of the document image in the area 68 is corrected.

  Next, the principle of correcting the vertical line fluctuation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method for correcting an abnormal image caused by sliding of a document as one embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 9, an area surrounded by parallel lines in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is defined as a pixel. In the main scanning direction, pixels for one line read at a time by the CCD 60f are arranged. Pixels for a plurality of lines are arranged in the sub-scanning direction. In the fixed reading method, the carriage reads an image while sequentially moving the reading range of one line in the main scanning direction in the sub-scanning direction. When a document image is converted into an electrical signal by the fixed reading method, it can be understood that the document image (pixels) is arranged as it is on a plane composed of a plurality of pixels.

  In FIG. 9, a pixel pattern 119 is an abnormality detection pattern (corresponding to the end portion 66) extracted from the image of the document scale 63. The pixel patterns 120 ′ and 121 ′ are pixel patterns extracted from the image of the document 65 (corresponding to the end portion 67 (both ends in the main scanning direction)).

  Here, when the document 65 slides on the contact glass 64 due to the impact of the opening / closing operation of the paper feed trays 41 and 42 during image reading, as shown in FIG. The image pattern 119 corresponding to the end portion 66 is linear, but the pixel patterns 120 ′ and 121 ′ corresponding to both end portions 67 of the document 65 have non-linear portions. That is, vertical line fluctuation occurs.

  In this embodiment, pattern determination of each pixel is performed to determine whether there is vertical line fluctuation.

  First, an 8-bit (0 to 255) read value is given (0 = white, 255 = black). Each pixel has a threshold value 2 that can recognize the edge 66 of the document scale 64 and the edge 67 of the document 65. Convert to value. Further, among the binarized binarized data, pixel patterns 120 ′ and 121 ′ corresponding to the end portion 67 of the document 65 are obtained from the binarized data of the pixel pattern 119 corresponding to the end portion 66 of the document scale 63. The number of pixels ΔX1n and ΔX2n in the main scanning direction up to the binarized data is calculated at each pixel position (n = 1 to m) arranged in the sub-scanning direction.

  Next, the document inclination Sn is calculated by the following equation (1).

  From the above, the number of pixels from the end portion 66 of the document scale 63 to both end portions 67 of the document 65 excluding the influence of the document tilt at an arbitrary sub-scanning position n is expressed by the following equations (2) and (3). Can be represented.

  When the values of the equations (2) and (3) are equal to or greater than a certain threshold A, the portion is determined to be vertical line fluctuation. Note that, as described above, in the vertical line fluctuation generated when the document 65 slides on the contact glass 64, the values of the expressions (2) and (3) are the same.

  Further, a correction amount calculation method for correcting an abnormal image with vertical line fluctuation will be described.

  The correction amount is expressed by the following equation (4) using a threshold A used for determination of vertical line fluctuation.

  In the area determined to be vertical line fluctuation, correction is performed by shifting the pixel calculated by Expression (4) in the main scanning direction.

  By performing the above-described correction, an image (shown in FIG. 8A) corresponding to the pixel patterns 120 and 121 in FIG. 9A is obtained.

  Next, a description will be given of control when the image reading operation of the first paper feeding device 40 and the image forming operation (for example, copying (copying) operation) of the printer device 10 are executed in parallel in the automatic conveyance mode. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing image reading processing and copying processing as an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 10, for example, the speed of the image reading operation is 80 spm, the speed of the copying operation is 90 ppm, 20 copies of 10 copies of the original A, and then 20 copies of the original B of 5 copies. Duplicating.

  First, ten sheets of the first group of documents A are read by the image reading device 60 on the first paper feeding device 40. Specifically, ten originals A are set on the ADF 70 (step S301), the operation unit 24 of the printer device 10 is operated, and a reading command is transmitted from the printer device 10 to the first paper feed device 40. Based on this reading command, the image reading operation of the image reading device 60 is started (step S302), and the image reading is completed in 8 seconds (step S303). Image data of the read image is transmitted to the printer device 10.

  Next, the printer apparatus 10 starts a process of copying 200 copies of the original A based on the transmitted image data (step S401). Here, it is assumed that post-processing operations such as stapling are performed one by one, and it takes 134 seconds to output 20 copies of document A.

  While 20 copies of the document A are output by the printer 10, the image reading device 60 of the first paper feeding device 40 reads the document B next to the document A. Specifically, five sheets of the second group of originals B are set in the ADF 70 (step S304), the operation unit 24 of the printer apparatus 10 is operated, and a reading command is transmitted from the printer apparatus 10 to the first paper feed apparatus 40. Is done. Based on this reading command, the image reading operation of the image reading device 60 is started (step S305).

  After the start of the image reading operation, for example, when the opening / closing of the paper feed tray 41 is detected based on the opening / closing detection signal of the opening / closing detection unit 104 for paper supply (step S306), the image reading operation is stopped ( In step S307), the abnormal image diagnosis process described above is executed (step S308). If an abnormal image is detected in the abnormal image diagnosis processing, the image reading operation is resumed (permitted) based on the operation of the operation unit 24 of the printer device 10 after being corrected as described above (step S309). Thereafter, the reading of the five images of the document B is completed (step S310). Here, it is assumed that 64 seconds are required from when the document B is set and image reading is started to when it is interrupted to perform abnormal image diagnosis, and when the reading operation is restarted and completed. In this case, the image reading of the document B can be completed within the time (134 seconds) required for the copying operation of the document A performed by the printer apparatus 10. Image data of the read image is transmitted to the printer device 10.

  On the other hand, in the printer 10, since the paper feed tray 41 is pulled out while 20 copies of the document A are output, the paper is fed from the other paper feed trays 42 without interrupting the copying operation. Then, the copying operation for 20 copies of the original A is completed in 134 seconds (step S402). At the end of copying of the document A, since the image reading of the document B has been completed as described above, the image reading operation of the document B is performed following the document A (steps S403 and S404).

  According to such an image forming system as an embodiment of the present invention, the open / close detection unit 104 detects the open / closed state of the paper feed trays 41, 42, and when the paper feed trays 41, 42 are open, the CPU 400 By stopping the document reading operation and the image processing (reading processing) by the control, the image reading device 60 is not affected by the impact caused by the closing operation of the paper feed trays 41 and 42, so that the quality of the read image is reduced. It becomes possible to prevent. In particular, even in a configuration such as the first paper feed device 40 and the second paper feed device 50 that can receive a large impact by an operation of opening and closing (opening / closing) large capacity paper feed trays 41 and 42 capable of accommodating 2000 sheets. The reading device 60 can provide good read image quality.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in the read image due to an impact when pulling out the paper feed trays 41 and 42, an abnormal image is detected by the abnormal image diagnosis process of the image processing unit 102. Since the abnormal image is corrected, it is expected to provide a stable read image quality.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the user pulls out the paper feed trays 41 and 42 while reading a plurality of originals in the automatic conveyance mode, other than the originals read at that time by the control of the CPU 400 (next Since the reading operation of the original and subsequent sheets is stopped, the influence on the read image is taken into consideration even if any impact is applied in a state where the large capacity (for example, 2000 sheets can be accommodated) paper feed trays 41 and 42 are pulled out. There is no need to do it.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the user pulls out the paper feed trays 41 and 42 while reading a plurality of originals in the automatic conveyance mode, other than the originals read at that time by the control of the CPU 400 (next When the reading operation of the document and subsequent sheets is stopped and then the paper feed trays 41 and 42 are pushed in and closed, the next reading operation can be continuously performed. This eliminates the need for cumbersome work such as resetting.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the open / closed state of the paper feed trays 41, 42, etc. is displayed on the display unit 22 of the operation unit 24, the user can reliably grasp the open / closed state of the paper feed tray. It is possible to reduce the inadvertent opening / closing operation.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the opening / closing detection unit 104 detects the drawing (opening operation) of the paper feed trays 41, 42, etc., an image (that is read simultaneously with the opening operation based on the abnormal image diagnosis process) It is determined whether or not (the image immediately before the reading operation is stopped) is abnormal (whether or not an abnormal image is detected). If an abnormal image is detected, the abnormal image is corrected to thereby correct the paper feed tray 41. , 42 and the like adversely affect the read image, and when the read image quality is deteriorated, a corrected read image can be provided instead.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when an abnormal image is detected as described above, the corrected image is displayed to obtain the user's required quality by displaying the corrected image and determining whether or not the user is allowed. It is possible to confirm whether or not the user is satisfied. Furthermore, when the corrected read image does not satisfy the user-required quality, the user can reset only the corresponding document on the ADF 70 and retry the reading operation. Therefore, it is possible to provide a good and stable read image quality by outputting only the read image that satisfies the quality required by the user.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the first reading time (for example, 8 seconds) determined by the operation speed of image reading and the number of reading of the first document (for example, the document A), and the image reading A second reading time (for example, included in the 64 seconds) determined by the operation speed and the number of readings of the second document (for example, the document B), and diagnosis of a read image of any second document (for example, The sum of the second diagnostic time (for example, included in the 64 seconds) required for abnormal image determination, abnormal image correction, and correction image permission or reset is the image forming operation speed and the first document. The image forming operation of the second original without stopping continuously the image forming of the first original when the time is shorter than the first image forming time (for example, 134 seconds) determined by the number of images formed By executing It can be efficiently performed in parallel reading operation and image forming operation.

  For example, even when the paper feed tray 41 is opened for paper setting and the document reading operation is stopped, the paper can be supplied from the other paper feed trays 42 to the printer device 10 and thus has already been read. In the case of outputting the read image to paper, the image forming operation can be performed in parallel even when the paper feed tray 41 is pulled out and opened.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the image reading operation and the copying operation of the originals A and B are performed in parallel, the image reading of the original B is performed within the time required for the copying operation of the original A performed by the printer device 10. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the copying operation when the opening / closing mechanism such as the paper feed trays 41 and 42 is operated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first paper feeding device 40 including the ADF 70 and the image reading device 60 and the printer device 10 including the image forming unit 101 are connected has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Even when the ADF 70 and the image reading device 60 are mounted on the upper portion of the printer device 10, the same effect can be obtained in terms of opening and closing of the paper feed unit 14.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the first paper feeding device 40 including the image reading device 60 and the printer device 10 including the image forming unit 101 are connected has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained even when the image reading device 60 is mounted on the upper portion of a printer device having a post-processing machine having functions and the like and a large-capacity paper feeding unit.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, information indicating the open / closed state of the paper feed trays 41, 42, the corrected image of the abnormal image, and the notification of prohibition of the image reading operation are displayed on the display unit 22 of the operation unit 24 for notification. However, in the present invention, the same effect can be obtained even if notification is made using an alarm sound, a voice message, blinking of a lamp, or the like. Or it is good also as a structure in which a user selects either of several alerting | reporting means. According to this configuration, in addition to the above-described effects, it is possible to arbitrarily select the notification unit according to the use environment of the user and the presence or absence of a failure.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the maximum readable range is read when reading the image of the document has been described, but the present invention also reads the maximum document reading range normally in the pressure plate mode. The maximum readable range may be read when the tray drawer is detected.

  An image reading apparatus according to the present invention is an image reading apparatus that reads an image of a document and prevents the occurrence of an abnormal image by correcting the read image when the document moves on the contact glass due to an external impact. A copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, or a multi-function machine having these functions that forms an image by an image forming process using an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method that forms an image read by an image reading device on a sheet. It is useful for use in the following devices.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming system as an embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing of the printer apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the 1st paper feeder. It is a block diagram of the control circuit. It is a figure explaining the reading range of the image reading apparatus. It is a flowchart of the image reading process. It is a flowchart of the abnormal image diagnosis processing. It is a figure explaining the image read by the image reading apparatus. It is a figure explaining the correction method of the abnormal image resulting from the sliding of the original. 3 is a flowchart of image reading processing and copying processing.

Explanation of symbols

10 Printer device (image forming device)
22 Display section (notification means, correction display means, availability information input means)
24 operation unit (notification means, availability information input means)
40 First paper feeding device (image reading device)
41, 42 Paper feed tray (paper placement section, paper placement means)
43 Paper feeding means (paper placing means, paper conveying means)
50 Second paper feeding device 60 Image reading device (image reading means)
62, 63 Document scale 70 Automatic document feeder (ADF (document feeder))
71 Paper discharge tray 101 Image forming unit 102 Image processing unit (image determination unit, image correction unit)
104 Open / close detection unit (open / close detection means)
400 CPU (control means, correction permission means)
D Paper carry-in part (paper transport means)
E1 Paper unloading section (paper transport means)

Claims (10)

Image reading means for reading an image of a document;
Moving means for moving the image reading means;
Control means for controlling the moving means and the image reading means so that the image reading means reads an image of the original while moving along the original on the contact glass;
A paper placement unit comprising a paper placement unit for placing a predetermined paper and an opening / closing mechanism for opening and closing the paper placement unit;
An open / close detecting means for detecting an open / closed state of the open / close mechanism;
Image determination for determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the read image due to the document moving on the contact glass when the open / close mechanism is detected by the open / close detection means during reading of the document. Means,
Image correcting means for correcting the read image when it is determined by the image determining means that an abnormality has occurred in the read image;
An image reading apparatus comprising:   The control unit controls the image reading unit to stop the reading operation and return to the initial position when the open / close mechanism is detected by the open / close detection unit during reading of the image of the document. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1. A document conveying means for placing the document and conveying the document to a predetermined reading position;
The control means reads the image of the document conveyed by the document conveying means by the image reading means, and stops the reading operation when the open / close detecting means detects the open state of the opening / closing mechanism during reading, After the read image is corrected by the image correction unit, the open / close detection unit detects the closed state of the opening / closing mechanism, and when an unread document is placed on the document transport unit, The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image reading unit controls the reading operation to continue.   4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an informing unit that informs an open / closed state of the open / close mechanism based on detection by the open / close detection unit.   The image determination unit determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the read image by comparing an abnormality detection image prepared in advance with a read image read by the image reading unit. The image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The abnormality detection image includes a partial image of a component part of the image reading device, and the part of the component part is within a maximum readable range in the main scanning direction of the image reading unit and the maximum document reading value. The image reading apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image reading apparatus is located outside the range.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a part of the component is an end portion of a document scale for positioning two orthogonal sides of the document on the contact glass.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a correction display unit that displays the read image corrected by the image correction unit. Availability information input means for inputting availability information indicating whether to permit the corrected read image displayed by the correction display means;
Correction permission means for determining whether to permit the corrected read image based on the permission information input by the permission information input means;
The image reading apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: An image reading apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a predetermined sheet based on image information of a document read by the image reading apparatus;
A sheet conveying means for conveying the predetermined sheet placed on the sheet placing portion of the image reading apparatus to the image forming apparatus;
An image forming system comprising:

Images