JP2009212685A - Image reader, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of improving security. <P>SOLUTION: A control part detects that an original is placed on a mounting platform (S11). When a prescribed time elapses after detecting that the original is placed on the mounting platform (S12), the control part determines whether the original is placed on the mounting platform (S13). When the control part determines that the original is placed on the mounting platform (YES in S13), the control part locks an original pressing part in a closed state (S14). The original is set on the mounting platform (S15), and a request for forming an image is received (S16). Then, an original feeder carries the original set on a carrying table to a reading position. An image reading part reads an image of the carried original. The image forming part forms an image on the basis of the read image of the original (S17). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image reading apparatus and an image forming apparatus having a security function.

  Some image forming apparatuses include an image reading apparatus that can read an image of a document. The image reading apparatus includes a placing table on which a document is placed and a document feeding device such as an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) that automatically transports the document.

  An image forming apparatus that reads an image of a document placed on a placement table and an image of a document conveyed by a document feeder at the same position is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-217447 (Patent Document 1). ).

  According to Patent Document 1, the document feeder conveys a document onto a mounting table. As a result, the image forming apparatus reads the image of the document placed on the placement table and the image of the document conveyed by the document feeder at the same position, that is, the placement table.

In recent image forming apparatuses, an image of a document placed on a placement table and an image of a document conveyed by a document feeding device are individually read at different positions. That is, the document feeding device transports the document to a different path without transporting the document onto the mounting table.
JP-A-1-217447

  Here, a case where the user forms an image by placing a document on a placing table will be briefly described. First, the user places a document on a placement table. Then, an image of the original is formed by requesting image formation. Thereafter, the user removes the document placed on the placement table.

  At this time, the user may forget to leave the document placed on the placement table as it is and leave the periphery of the image forming apparatus.

  In this case, when another user tries to form an image using the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, an image is formed unless the misplaced document placed on the placement table is removed. Can not do it. Therefore, another user removes the misplaced document and forms an image.

  Further, a recent image forming apparatus, that is, an image forming apparatus that reads an image of a document placed on a placing table and an image of a document conveyed by a document feeding device individually at different positions, is used. Even when an image is formed, another user may check the presence or absence of a misplaced document placed on the placement table. Then, the misplaced document is noticed and removed, and an image is formed.

  Here, for example, if the misplaced document is a highly confidential document, another user may view the contents of the document when removing the misplaced document. In this case, important information is leaked, and there is a possibility that the security of the document forming the image is not properly maintained.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of improving security.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of improving security.

  An image reading apparatus according to the present invention includes a mounting table on which a document is placed, an openable / closable document pressing member that presses the document placed on the mounting table, a document feeding device that transports the document, and a mounting table An image reading unit that individually reads an image of a document placed on the image and an image of a document conveyed by the document feeder, and a predetermined time after the document is placed on the placement table. And determining means for determining whether or not a document is placed on the placing table, and locking the document presser in a closed state when the judging means determines that the document is placed on the placing table. Locking means.

  Preferably, the determination means includes detection means for detecting that the document is placed on the placement table.

  More preferably, the document feeder conveys the document to the image reading unit through a path that does not include a position where the document on the mounting table can be placed.

  More preferably, a release means for releasing the closed state of the document press locked by the lock means is provided.

  More preferably, the setting means for setting so that a two-page spread document having a page opened as a document is read by the image reading unit and the setting means are disabled when the lock means is activated. And setting control means for controlling the operation.

  More preferably, the lock means includes an electromagnet attached to the document presser.

  In another aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus includes any of the image reading apparatuses described above and an image forming unit that forms an image based on an image of a document read by the image reading apparatus. .

  The image reading device according to the present invention locks the document presser closed when it determines that the document is placed on the placement table after a predetermined time has elapsed since the document was placed on the placement table. To do. Therefore, even if the user forgets to place the document placed on the placing table as it is, by locking the document retainer in the closed state, the risk of the misplaced document being viewed by other users is reduced. be able to. As a result, security can be improved.

  Since the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes the above-described image reading apparatus, security can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral 10 when an image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral 10. Referring to FIG. 1, a digital multifunction peripheral 10 displays a control unit 11 that controls the entire digital multifunction peripheral 10, a DRAM 12 for writing and reading image data and the like, and information that the digital multifunction peripheral 10 has. An operation unit 13 that includes a display screen and serves as an interface with the user in the digital multifunction peripheral 10, an image reading unit 15 that reads an image of a document, and a mounting table 23 on which a document whose image is read by the image reading unit 15 is placed. The document feeder 14 that automatically conveys the document to the image reading unit 15, the image forming unit 16 that forms an image from the document read by the image reading unit 15 and outputs the image, and the image data are stored. Hard disk 17, FAX communication unit 18 connected to public line 20, and network IF (interface) for connecting to network 21. And a face) unit 19.

  The digital multifunction peripheral 10 operates as a copying machine by forming an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data of the original read by the image reading unit 15. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 via the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the personal computer 22 connected to the network 21 through the network IF unit 19, thereby serving as a printer. Operate. Further, the digital multifunction peripheral 10 forms an image in the image forming unit 16 through the DRAM 12 using the image data transmitted from the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18, and also by the image reading unit 15. The image data of the read original is transmitted to the public line 20 through the FAX communication unit 18 to operate as a facsimile machine. That is, the digital multi-function peripheral 10 has a plurality of functions such as a copying (copying) function, a printer function, and a FAX function regarding image processing. Further, each function has functions that can be set in more detail.

  In FIG. 1, thick arrows indicate the flow of image data, and thin arrows indicate the flow of control signals or control data.

  The control unit 11 compresses and writes the image data of the original document supplied from the image reading unit 15 to the DRAM 12, reads the data written to the DRAM 12, decompresses and decodes the data, and outputs it by the image forming unit 16.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the image reading apparatus included in the digital multi-function peripheral 10 as viewed from the side. The image reading apparatus included in the digital multi-function peripheral 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The image reading apparatus is configured to include a placing table 23, a document pressing member 38, a document feeding device 14, and an image reading unit 15.

  The mounting table 23 is made of a transparent platen glass. A document press 38 is provided on the top of the mounting table 23. The document pressing unit 38 prevents the document 37 from being lifted by pressing the document 37 from above when the document 37 is placed on the mounting table 23. The document presser 38 can be opened and closed. Specifically, the document presser 38 is opened to place the document 37 on the mounting table 23, the document presser 38 is closed and the document 37 is pressed from above, and then image reading is started. When the image reading is completed, the document press 38 is opened and the document 37 is removed from the placement table 23.

  The document presser 38 is provided with a locking means for locking the document presser 38 in a closed state. An example of the locking means is an electromagnet. Specifically, an electromagnet is attached to the document presser 38 and the mounting table 23. Then, by increasing the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnet, the document presser 38 is prevented from opening from the mounting table 23 by a magnetic force.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of the document feeder 14. 1 to 3, the document feeder 14 includes a conveyance table 30 on which a document 33 is set, a pickup roller 32 that sequentially supplies the document 33 set on the conveyance table 30, and a document 33 to be read. A separation roller 24 that separates the sheets one by one, conveyance rollers 25, 26, 27a, and 27b that convey the original 33 to the reading position 31 of the image reading unit 15, and a discharge roller 28 that discharges the read original 33 And an upper guide member 29a and a lower guide member 29b for guiding the document 33 conveyed by the conveying roller 25 and the like. The document feeder 14 conveys a plurality of documents 33 set on the conveyance table 30 to the reading position 31 of the image reading unit 15. When the document 33 is transported by the document feeder 14, the document 37 on the mounting table 23 is transported along a path that does not include a position where the document can be placed.

  The image reading unit 15 is provided at a reading position 31 of the document feeder 14 and a lower portion of the mounting table 23. The image reading unit 15 includes a light source (not shown), a plurality of mirrors, a lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. The light source and the like move in the sub-scanning direction, that is, in the direction of arrow A in FIG.

  Here, a case where the image reading unit 15 reads an image of the document 37 placed on the placement table 23 will be described. First, the mounting table 23 is irradiated with light while moving the light source in the sub-scanning direction. The irradiated light hits the document 37 and is reflected. The reflected light is collected by a plurality of mirrors and lenses. By reading this condensed light with a CCD image sensor, an image of the document 37 placed on the placement table 23 is read.

  Further, when the image reading unit 15 reads an image of the document 33 conveyed by the document feeder 14, the reading position 31 is irradiated with light in a fixed state without moving the light source or the like. . Then, the reflected light reflected by the original 33 conveyed to the reading position 31 is read by the CCD image sensor. In this way, the image of the document 33 conveyed by the document feeder 14 is read.

  As described above, the image reading unit 15 reads the image of the document 37 placed on the placing table 23 and the image of the document 33 conveyed by the document feeding device 14 individually at different positions.

  The operation unit 13 includes setting means for setting to read in accordance with the type of document when the image reading unit 15 reads an image of the document. For example, when reading an image of a spread document having a page opened as a document, a setting is made so that the spread document is read. Specifically, a list of document types is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit 13. Then, the spread original is selected from the list and set. As a result, the image reading unit 15 performs a reading operation according to the spread document.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation in a case where an image is formed from the document 33 which is locked with the document presser 38 closed and is conveyed by the document feeder 14. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a description will be given of a case where an image is formed from a document 33 that is locked with the document presser 38 closed and conveyed by the document feeder 14.

  First, the control unit 11 detects that the document 37 has been placed on the placement table 23 (step S11 in FIG. 4 and the following steps are omitted). Here, the control unit 11 operates as detection means.

  When a predetermined time elapses after detecting that the document 37 is placed on the placement table 23 (S12), the control unit 11 determines that the document 37 placed in step 11 is placed on the placement table 23. It is determined whether or not it is placed (S13). Here, the control unit 11 operates as a determination unit.

  If it is determined that the document 37 is placed on the placement table 23 (YES in S13), the document retainer 38 is locked from being opened from the placement table 23, that is, the document retainer 38 is closed (S14). ).

  In step 14, the document 33 is set on the transport table 30 of the document feeder 14 with the document retainer 38 closed and locked (S15), and a request for image formation is received (S16). Then, the document feeder 14 transports the document 33 set on the transport table 30 to the reading position 31. The image reading unit 15 reads an image of the document 33 conveyed to the reading position 31. The image forming unit 16 forms an image based on the image of the document 33 read by the image reading unit 15 (S17).

  In this way, when it is determined that the document 37 is placed on the placement table 23 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the document 37 was placed on the placement table 23, the document retainer 38 is closed. Lock it. Therefore, even if the user forgets to leave the document 37 placed on the placement table 23 as it is, the contents of the document 37 that has been left behind can be viewed by other users by locking the document press 38 in the closed state. The fear can be reduced. As a result, security can be improved.

  Further, since the image forming apparatus includes such an image reading apparatus, security can be improved.

  If it is determined in step 13 that the document 37 is not placed on the placement table 23 (NO in S13), the document retainer 38 is not locked in the closed state.

  If the document retainer 38 is locked in the closed state in step 14, it is released by the release means. Specifically, a release screen for releasing the lock is provided on the display screen of the operation unit 13. When the unlock screen is instructed to release the lock, the lock is released. That is, the closed state of the document presser 38 is released. Specifically, when the lock means is the above-described electromagnet, the lock is released by reducing the magnitude of the current flowing through the electromagnet.

  In step 14, if the document retainer 38 is locked in the closed state, the spread document cannot be placed on the placement table 23. Therefore, the spread document is set from the setting means of the operation unit 13 described above. Disable the setting. Here, the control unit 11 operates as setting control means. As a result, the user can appropriately set the reading.

  In the above-described embodiment, the document 37 is placed on the placement table 23 at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed since it was detected that the document 37 was placed on the placement table 23. Although an example of determining whether or not the document 37 is present has been described, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, whether or not the document 37 is placed on the placement table 23 at a timing when a predetermined time has elapsed after the image formation is completed. It may be judged.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which an electromagnet is used as the locking unit has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other methods that do not open the document presser 38 may be used. For example, a hook may be attached to the document retainer 38 and a hole that allows the hook to be hooked on the mounting table 23 may be provided so that the document retainer 38 cannot be opened by hooking the hook into the hole.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the path for transporting the document 33 by the document feeding device 14 does not include the position where the document 37 on the mounting table 23 can be placed is not limited to this. Only when the document holder 38 is locked in a closed state, the document 33 may be controlled to be conveyed along a path that does not include a position where the document 37 on the placement table 23 can be placed. That is, when the document presser 38 is not locked in the closed state, the path for transporting the document 33 by the document feeder 14 includes a position where the document 37 on the mounting table 23 can be placed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control unit 11 has been described with respect to an example of a configuration provided in the digital multi-function peripheral 10, but is not limited thereto, and may be configured in an image reading apparatus.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described with reference to drawings, this invention is not limited to the thing of embodiment shown in figure. Various modifications and variations can be made to the illustrated embodiment within the same range or equivalent range as the present invention.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral when an image forming apparatus including an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to the digital multifunction peripheral. It is the schematic which looked at the image reading apparatus contained in a digital multifunctional device from the horizontal direction. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating details of a document feeder. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation when an image is formed from a document that is locked with a document pressing member closed and is conveyed by a document feeder.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital multifunction device, 11 Control part, 12 DRAM, 13 Operation part, 14 Document feeder, 15 Image reading part, 16 Image formation part, 17 Hard disk, 18 FAX communication part, 19 Network IF part, 20 Public line, 21 Network , 22 PC, 23 mounting table, 24 separation roller, 25, 26, 27a, 27b transport roller, 28 paper discharge roller, 29a upper guide member, 29b lower guide member, 30 transport table, 31 reading position, 32 pickup roller, 33 , 37 Document, 38 Document holding.

Claims (7)

A mounting table on which a document is placed;
A document presser that is openable and closable and that presses a document placed on the table,
A document feeder for conveying a document;
An image reading unit that individually reads an image of a document placed on the mounting table and an image of a document conveyed by the document feeder;
Determining means for determining whether or not a document is placed on the placement table after a predetermined time has elapsed since the document was placed on the placement table;
An image reading apparatus comprising: a lock unit that locks the document presser in a closed state when the determination unit determines that the document is placed on the table. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit includes a detection unit that detects that the document is placed on the table. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the document feeding device conveys the document to the image reading unit through a path that does not include a position where the document on the mounting table can be placed. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a release unit that releases a closed state of the document presser locked by the lock unit. A setting unit configured to set a spread document having a page opened as a document to be read by the image reading unit;
5. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a setting control unit configured to perform control so that setting by the setting unit is disabled when the locking unit is activated. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lock unit includes an electromagnet attached to the document presser. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming unit that forms an image based on an image of a document read by the image reading apparatus.

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