JP2010041453A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite machine for changing an operation mode to the optimum read mode in accordance with the number of sheets of a document placed on the setting board. <P>SOLUTION: The composite machine 100 includes an automatic document feeding device 104 including the normal read mode for reading the document in the ordinary reading speed and the high-speed read mode for reading the document in the reading speed faster than that of the normal read mode The composite machine 100 is characterized by including: a document sheet computing means 603 for computing the number of sheets of the document placed on the document setting board before reading images of the document; and a read mode change accepting means 606 for receiving the result of selection for changing the normal read mode to the high-speed read mode or not from a user when the number of sheets of document computed by the document sheet computing means 603 exceeds the predetermined number of sheets. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that can be changed to an optimum reading mode in accordance with the number of documents placed on a mounting table.

  In recent years, image forming apparatuses are provided with a plurality of functions that can be provided, and are becoming multifunctional. The functions include a facsimile transmission / reception function, a scan function, a print function, a post-processing function represented by a staple function and a punch function, a power saving function, and the like in addition to a copy function, and various types. Further, along with the diversification of the above functions, an automatic document feeder (ADF) capable of automatically and sequentially feeding documents to be provided with functions has been installed.

  When a user causes the image forming apparatus to read an image of a document using the automatic document feeder, the user places a document on a mounting table (also referred to as a document tray or a document tray) provided in the automatic document feeder. When the start button is pressed, a pick-up roller or the like provided in the automatic document feeder rotates, and the loaded document is conveyed one by one, and the reading unit that reads the image captures the image of the document. read. The document whose image has been read is discharged onto a paper discharge tray.

  By the way, the number of documents to be read and the number of sheets to be output may greatly affect the speed of functions provided by the image forming apparatus. As a technique relating to the number of sheets, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-30770 (Patent Document 1) discloses a sheet bundle that detects the thickness of a sheet bundle in a sheet processing apparatus that processes a plurality of sheets in a bundle. A thickness detecting unit; and a changing unit that changes the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be bundled or the upper limit of the sheet thickness based on the sheet bundle thickness information detected by the sheet bundle thickness detecting unit. A sheet processing apparatus characterized by the above is disclosed.

With the above configuration, the thickness of the sheet bundle to be processed can be detected, and the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be bundled or the sheet thickness can be changed based on the detected thickness of the sheet bundle. According to the thickness, it is possible to perform an optimal bundling process such as a bookbinding process, eliminate wrinkles and bookbinding mistakes in finishing, etc., and perform a bundling process up to the upper limit as much as possible.
JP 2006-30770 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 is a technique exclusively related to a sheet processing apparatus, and cannot be directly applied to image reading of a document.

  For example, when an original is placed on a mounting table, the image forming apparatus includes an automatic document feeder that automatically conveys the original and reads an image of the original. Sheets) are not bundled and processed, so even if the technique described in Patent Document 1 is adopted, the effect of the technique may not be sufficiently exhibited.

  The automatic document feeder has a normal reading mode for reading an image of a document at a normal reading speed and a high-speed reading mode for reading at a reading speed faster than the normal reading speed. Although the mode has the advantage that the image reading speed of the document is high, there is a problem that the resolution of the read image data is lower than the normal reading mode, and the high-speed reading mode cannot be used properly. is there. For this reason, regarding the thickness of the sheet focused by the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a demand for using the two types of modes appropriately in the automatic document feeder, focusing on the thickness of the document.

  Therefore, in an image forming apparatus provided with an automatic document feeder, there has been a craving for the appearance of a technique that can appropriately utilize two types of modes.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and provides an image forming apparatus capable of changing from a normal reading mode to a high-speed reading mode when the number of originals to be read exceeds a predetermined number. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a normal reading mode for reading at a normal reading speed and a high-speed reading mode for reading at a reading speed faster than the normal reading speed. In an image forming apparatus having an automatic document feeder, the document number calculating means for calculating the number of documents placed on the table before reading the image of the document, and the number of documents calculated by the document number calculating means Read mode change accepting means for accepting selection from the user as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high speed reading mode when the predetermined number of sheets is exceeded.

  In the normal reading mode, for example, the conveying roller of the automatic document feeder is rotated at a preset rotation speed (rotation speed), and the moving speed of the reading unit in the sub-scanning direction is set at a preset speed. This is the mode to execute.

  The high-speed reading mode refers to a mode in which an image of a document is read at a reading speed faster than the reading speed in the normal reading mode. For example, the conveyance roller of the automatic document feeder is set to a predetermined rotation speed ( This is a mode in which the rotation speed is doubled with respect to the rotation speed) and the moving speed of the reading unit in the sub-scanning direction is executed at twice the preset speed.

  The method of calculating the number of documents is, for example, a method of calculating the number of documents by detecting the thickness of the document, a method of calculating the number of documents by irradiating the document with light and the intensity of the transmitted light, and conversely A method for calculating the number of documents from the intensity of reflected light is applicable.

  For example, a method for determining whether or not the number of documents exceeds a predetermined number is, for example, a method for determining by comparing the calculated number of documents with a predetermined number of sheets, or whether the calculated number of documents belongs to a predetermined range. For example, a method for determining whether or not is used.

  Any method may be used for accepting selection from the user as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode. For example, a method for displaying and accepting an item corresponding to the high-speed reading mode on the touch panel, This corresponds to a method of providing a hard key corresponding to the high-speed reading mode in the operation unit provided in the image forming apparatus, causing the user to recognize it by lighting or the like, and accepting pressing of the hard key. You may receive from interfaces, such as a personal computer connected to the image forming apparatus.

  In addition, an image reading condition receiving unit that receives conditions related to image reading from a user before reading an image of the document is provided, and the reading mode change receiving unit sets the number of documents calculated by the document number calculating unit to a predetermined number. Among the conditions that are exceeded and received by the image reading condition receiving means, even if the resolution of the image data when read in the high-speed reading mode includes a condition that does not affect the resolution of the output image data, It can be configured to accept a selection from the user as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode.

  The conditions related to image reading include, for example, an image quality mode that is a mode for setting the image quality (for example, resolution) of the read image data, and an output magnification that indicates the magnification of the size of the image data to be output with respect to the size of the original to be read The reading mode is a mode for setting the reading speed of the original image, and the original size, original orientation, print density, contrast, full color mode or monochrome mode may be added or deleted as appropriate. Absent.

  Further, a document number storage means for storing the document characteristics detected when the document number calculation means calculates the number of documents and the number of documents corresponding to the characteristics, and a series of image readings are completed. In addition, the number of read originals is calculated, and the number of originals stored in the original number storage unit is corrected based on the total number of originals and the characteristics of the original detected by the original number calculation unit. Means.

  The characteristics of the original are parameters indicating the characteristics of the original. For example, the thickness of the original placed on the table, the transmitted or reflected light when the original is irradiated with light, the paper quality of the original, and the gloss Presence / absence, surface roughness and the like. Of course, it goes without saying that the number of documents corresponding to the characteristics of the selected document needs to be stored in association with the document number storage means.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, before reading an image of a document, a document number calculating unit that calculates the number of documents placed on the mounting table, and the number of documents calculated by the document number calculating unit is a predetermined number. And a reading mode receiving means for receiving from the user a selection as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode.

  Thus, when the number of originals to be read exceeds a predetermined number, the user can change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode. For this reason, by changing the setting to the high-speed reading mode, it is possible to cause the automatic document feeder to read an image of a document faster than normal image reading. As a result, the MFP can quickly provide a series of functions from image reading of a document to subsequent image formation processing, etc., and even a user who does not know the high-speed reading mode can increase the number of documents. Accordingly, the high-speed reading mode can be appropriately used.

  In addition, an image reading condition receiving unit that receives conditions related to image reading from a user before reading an image of the document is provided, and the reading mode change receiving unit sets the number of documents calculated by the document number calculating unit to a predetermined number. Among the conditions that are exceeded and received by the image reading condition receiving means, even if the resolution of the image data when read in the high-speed reading mode includes a condition that does not affect the resolution of the output image data, It can be configured to accept a selection from the user as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode.

  Thus, for example, when a condition that does not cause a concern about a decrease in resolution of image data in the high-speed reading mode or a deterioration in image quality of the image data is input, the user can select the high-speed reading mode, and the processing proceeds quickly. It becomes possible. On the other hand, if a condition that may cause a decrease in resolution is input, the process proceeds in the normal reading mode as it is without prompting the user to change to the high-speed reading mode, thereby preventing the resolution of the image data from decreasing. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the traces of the rollers generated in the high-speed reading mode. As a result, the image forming apparatus accepts the high-speed reading mode flexibly according to the conditions input by the user, and selects the optimum reading mode for the user according to the number of placed documents. It can be changed.

  Further, the thickness of the document bundle (document characteristics) detected when the document number calculating means calculates the number of documents and the thickness per document (number of documents) corresponding to the characteristics are stored in association with each other. Each time a series of image reading is completed with the document number storage means, the number of read documents is calculated, and the total number of documents and the thickness of the document bundle detected by the document number calculation means (characteristic of the document) Based on the above, it is possible to provide a document number correcting unit that corrects the thickness (number of documents) per document stored in the document number storing unit.

  Thus, each time a series of image reading is completed, the document number correcting means corrects the thickness (number of documents) per document to an appropriate value based on the number of documents actually read. become. Therefore, the number of documents placed on the placing table can be accurately calculated by the document number calculation unit, and hence the high-speed reading mode with high accuracy can be controlled.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

<Image forming apparatus>
In the following, the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a multi-function machine, a digital copying machine, a printer, and the like provided with a printer, a copy, a scanner, a fax, etc., and a copy service, a scanner service, a facsimile service, and a printer service. And the like function as an image forming apparatus including the above.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multifunction machine. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted. As an example, the operation of the image forming apparatus when copying a document using a multifunction machine will be briefly described.

  For example, when a user prints a document using the multifunction peripheral 100, the document is placed on the document table 103 or the mounting table 105 shown in FIG. 1 and printed on the operation unit 200 provided near the document table 103. The instructions are given. When the instruction is given, printing is performed by operating the following units (drive units).

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the present embodiment includes a main body 101 and a platen cover 102 attached above the main body 101. A document table 103 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 101, and the document table 103 is opened and closed by a platen cover 102. The platen cover 102 is provided with an automatic document feeder 104, a placing table 105, and a sheet discharging table 109.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the placing table 105 of the automatic document feeder 104 includes a first regulating plate 210 that is fixed in the vicinity of the upper end of the placing table in a plan view and that regulates the end portion of the document. A second restricting plate 211 is provided in the vicinity of the lower end of the mounting table 105, which is a position facing the restricting plate 210. The second restricting plate 211 is movable in a direction orthogonal to a conveyance direction (hereinafter referred to as F direction) that is a direction in which the document is conveyed. It can be adjusted by the regulation plates 210 and 211.

  The mounting table 105 is further provided with a document presence detection sensor 212 that detects the presence of the document (contact of the document). When the document contacts the document presence detection sensor, the document presence detection sensor detects a signal corresponding to the presence of the document. (ON signal) is transmitted, and it is possible to determine whether or not a document exists on the mounting table 105.

  The automatic document feeder 104 includes a document conveyance path 108 formed in the platen cover 102, a pickup roller 106 and conveyance rollers 107A and 107B provided in the platen cover 102, and the like. The document conveyance path 108 is a document conveyance path that leads from the placement table 105 to the sheet discharge table 109 via a reading position P where reading is performed by the reading unit 110 provided in the main body 101.

  Therefore, the automatic document feeder 104 pulls out each document placed on the placing table 105 into the document conveyance path 108 by the pickup roller 106, and reads the document drawn by the conveyance rollers 107A, 107B and the like at the reading position P. Is discharged and discharged onto the discharge table 109. When the document passes the reading position P, the document is read by the reading unit 110.

  As shown in FIG. 2B1, a lift plate 214, an upper limit sensor 215, and a lower limit sensor 216 are located in the vicinity of the drawing port 213 through which the document is drawn into the document conveyance path 108, in the conveyance direction (F direction) of the mounting table 105. A roller 217 and a pickup roller 106.

  The lift plate 214 is a plate-like member on which a document can be placed, and can be moved up and down in the document stacking direction by a lift plate driving unit 218 provided on a side surface of the lift plate 214. The upper limit sensor 215 is a sensor for stopping the lift plate 214 from rising at a predetermined position, and is constituted by an optical sensor. The upper limit sensor 215 is optically detected and stopped when the lift plate 214 rises and the leading edge of the document on the lift plate 214 pushes up the roller 217 (FIG. 2B2). The lower limit sensor 216 is a sensor for detecting that the lift plate 214 has been lowered to the lowest position (home position).

  The roller 217 is disposed at a distance above the lift plate 214 disposed at the home position, and is positioned at a lower position by its own weight in a free state, but follows the force received from below by the lift plate 214. Thus, it is configured to be movable upward.

  The lift plate driving unit 218 is for moving the lift plate 214 up and down, and includes a stepping motor 219, a rack and pinion mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a rod 220, a tooth material, a gear material 221 and the like) and the like. A bar body 220 is connected to one side surface of the lift plate 214 along the document stacking direction. A gear tooth material (not shown) is provided on the side surface of the bar body 220 and can be engaged with the tooth material. In addition, a stepping motor 219 including a gear member 221 that can freely rotate forward and reverse is provided.

  When the document is placed on the lift plate 214, the stepping motor 219 rotates the gear member 221 in the forward direction, and the rod member 220 having the tooth material engaged with the gear member 221 is raised in the stacking direction. The lift material 214 connected to is raised. Note that when the lift material 214 is moved down to the home position with respect to the loading direction, the stepping motor 219 rotates the gear material 221 in the reverse direction.

  Next, the reading unit 110 is provided below the document table 103 and the automatic document feeder 104, and details thereof are shown in FIG. The reading unit 110 includes a light source 111 that illuminates the document table 103 in the main scanning direction, a slit 116 that selectively allows light from the document table 103 to pass, and a mirror 112 that guides light from the document table 103. One moving carriage 117, a second moving carriage 118 including mirrors 113A and 113B that reflect reflected light from the first moving carriage 117 again, and a lens group 119 that optically corrects the light guided by the mirror. An image sensor 115 that receives light corrected by the lens group 119, and an image data generation unit 114 that converts the light received by the image sensor into an electrical signal and performs correction / correction as necessary. ing.

  When reading a document on the automatic document feeder 104, the light source 111 moves to a position where the reading position P can be irradiated and emits light. Light from the light source 111 is reflected by a document that passes through the document table 103 and passes the reading position P, and is guided to the image sensor 115 by the slit 116, mirrors 112, 113 A, and 113 B, and the lens group 119. The image sensor 115 converts the received light into an electrical signal and transmits it to the image data generation unit 114. The light received by the image sensor 115 is input to the image data generator 114 as analog electrical signals of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), where analog-to-digital conversion is performed. Digitized. Further, the image data generation unit 114 uses the sequentially converted digital signal as unit data, and corrects and corrects the unit data to generate image data including a plurality of unit data.

  The reading unit 110 can read not only the document conveyed by the automatic document feeder 104 but also the document placed on the document table 103. When reading a document placed on the document table 103, the first carriage 112 moves in the sub-scanning direction while emitting light from the light source 111, so that the optical path length from the light source 111 to the image sensor 115 is constant. The second moving carriage 118 moves in the direction of the image sensor 115 at a half speed of the first moving carriage 117.

  The image sensor 115 electrically outputs light from the document placed on the document table 103 based on the light guided to the mirrors 112, 113 </ b> A, 113 </ b> B, as in the case of the document conveyed to the automatic document feeder 104. The signal is converted into a signal, and based on this, the image data generation unit 114 generates image data.

  A printing unit 120 that prints image data is provided below the reading unit 110 of the main body 101. The image data that can be printed by the printing unit 120 is transmitted together with an image formation instruction from the network 202 via the data generated by the image data generation unit 114 as described above or the communication cable 201 connected to the multifunction peripheral 100. Sometimes it is done.

  As a printing method performed by the printing unit 120, an electrophotographic method is used. That is, the photosensitive drum 121 is uniformly charged by the charger 122, and then the photosensitive drum 121 is irradiated by the laser 123 to form a latent image on the photosensitive drum 121, and toner is attached to the latent image by the developing device 124. In this method, a visual image is formed and the visible image is transferred onto a sheet by a transfer roller.

  Note that in the image forming apparatus corresponding to the full-color image, the developing device (rotary developing device) 124 is rotated in the circumferential direction around a rotation axis configured in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. A developing unit in which color toner is stored is disposed at a position facing the photosensitive drum 121. In this state, the latent image on the photosensitive drum 121 is developed with toner stored in the developing device 124 and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125A. The developing device 124 includes four developing units 124 (Y), (C), (M), and yellow (Y), cyan (C), magenta (M), and black (K). (K). By repeating the transfer to the intermediate transfer belt 125A for each color, a full color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 125A.

  The paper on which the visible image is printed is placed on a paper feed tray such as the manual feed tray 131 and the paper feed cassettes 132, 133, and 134.

  When the printing unit 120 performs printing, one sheet of paper is pulled out from any one of the paper feed trays using the pickup roller 135, and the pulled-out paper is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 125 </ b> A by the transport roller 137 or the registration roller 138. Feed between rollers 125B. When pulling out the paper, the paper placed on the manual feed tray 131 may be pulled out by using the manual feed tray pickup roller 136.

  When the visible image on the intermediate transfer belt 125A is transferred onto the sheet fed between the intermediate transfer belt 125A and the transfer roller 125B, the printing unit 120 fixes the visible image on the conveyance belt 126 with a fixing device. Send paper to 127. The fixing device 127 includes a heating roller 128 with a built-in heater and a pressure roller 129 pressed against the heating roller 128 with a predetermined pressure. When the sheet passes between the heating roller 128 and the pressure roller 129, the visible image is fixed to the sheet by heat and the pressing force to the sheet. The printing unit 120 discharges the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 127 to the discharge tray 130.

  The basic copy service processing in the multifunction peripheral 100 has been described above. Note that the multifunction peripheral 100 operates other units such as a facsimile transmission / reception function, a printing function, and the like by appropriately operating the above-described units (the automatic document feeder 104, the reading unit 110, and the printing unit 120) as appropriate. Provides the user with scan functions, post-processing functions, memory functions, etc.

  The means for detecting the presence of a document based on the ON signals of a plurality of document presence detection sensors is a document presence detection means, the means for controlling the lift plate driving unit is a lift movement means, and the user uses the operation unit 200 to The means for receiving an instruction (command, request) for printing or the like performed on the image is an image reading condition receiving means (condition receiving means), and the means for reading an image of a document by the reading unit 100 is an image reading means. Based on the read image data, the means for providing the function is generally referred to as function providing means (described later).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of the operation unit 200 provided in the multifunction peripheral 100. Using the operation unit 200, the user inputs the setting conditions for providing the function as described above, writes write information, or transmits the write information to a predetermined transmission destination. The touch panel 401, the touch pen 402, and the operation keys 403 provided in the operation unit 200 are used when setting conditions are input and execution of each service is started.

  The touch panel 401 has both a function for inputting the above-described conditions and a function for displaying the input setting conditions. That is, by pressing a selection item or the like in the screen displayed on the touch panel 401, a setting condition associated with the selection item or the like is input, and by pressing a key or a transmission destination on a predetermined keyboard screen An instruction related to the function is input. In addition, the pressed selection item, the input instruction, and the like can be visually recognized at any time by displaying on the touch panel 401, for example, by changing the background color from white to gray.

  A touch pen 402 is provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 401. When the user touches the tip of the touch pen 402 to the touch panel 401, a sensor provided below the touch panel 401 detects the touch destination. Therefore, by touching the touch pen 402, it is possible to press a key on the keyboard screen or input predetermined handwritten information. The touch pen 402 may not be provided.

  Further, a predetermined number of operation keys 403 are provided in the vicinity of the touch panel 401. For example, a ten key 404, a start key 405, a clear key 406, a stop key 407, a reset key 408, and a power key 409 are provided. The numeric keypad 404 is used to input specific numbers when setting the number of copies and the magnification.

  Next, the configuration of the control system hardware of the multifunction peripheral 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of control system hardware in the multifunction peripheral 100. However, details of each part not directly related to the present invention are omitted.

  The control circuit of the MFP 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 504, and a driver 505 corresponding to each drive unit. They are connected by a bus 506. The CPU 501 uses, for example, the RAM 503 as a work area, executes a program stored in the ROM 502, the HDD 504, and the like, and sends data and instructions from the driver 505 and the operation unit 200 (not shown) based on the execution result. Further, signals transmitted from the document orientation detection sensor, the upper limit sensor, the lower limit sensor, and the like are transmitted and received, and the operation of each drive unit shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is controlled. In addition to the driving unit, the CPU 501 executes the program to implement each unit. The ROM 502, the HDD 504, and the like store programs and data for realizing each means described below.

<Embodiment of the present invention>
Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 to 7, a description will be given of a procedure in which the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention changes to the optimum reading mode in accordance with the number of documents placed on the placement table. In addition, the detail of each part which is not directly related to embodiment of this invention is abbreviate | omitted. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for illustrating the execution procedure of the embodiment of the present invention.

  For example, when the MFP 100 is in a sleep state in which power consumption during standby is suppressed, when the user places a document on the document table 103 and touches the touch panel 401, the MFP 100 enters the sleep state. The image reading condition accepting unit 601 that accepts a condition relating to image reading from the user displays an initial screen (here, the copy setting screen shown in FIG. 8C) on the touch panel 401. The time point when the image reading condition receiving unit 601 displays the initial screen may be the time point when the user turns on the power to the multifunction peripheral 100. The image reading condition accepting unit 601 also serves as a condition accepting unit that accepts conditions other than image reading (conditions relating to function provision, conditions relating to image formation, etc.) from the user.

  On the initial screen, normal items 801 for setting the copy service (for example, the size of the sheet to be output, the print density at the time of image formation, etc.) and the image quality (for example, resolution) of the read image data are set. An image quality mode 802 (for example, “character”, “mixed text and photo”, “photo”), and an output magnification 803 (for example, a magnification of the size of image data to be output with respect to the size of the original to be read) “Automatic magnification” (100%), “A3 → A4” (70%), “B4 → B5” (70%), “B3 → B5” (50%), “A4 → A3” (141%), etc.) A reading mode 804 that is a mode for setting a reading speed of an image of a document (for example, “normal reading mode that is a reading mode at a normal reading speed”, reading at a reading speed faster than the normal reading mode) Is over de "fast reading mode", launch a program that the user has previously created and stored, a mode for reading images of the document "Applied", etc.) are displayed.

  Among the image quality modes, “character” is selected when a character image is included in the document image. When the “character” is selected, the image reading unit converts the document image into an image having a relatively low resolution. Data is read as data (for example, text indicating simple character data (character string)). “Photo” is selected when a photo image is included in the image of the document. When the “photo” is selected, the image reading unit converts the image of the document into an image having a resolution higher than the resolution of “text”. Read as data. “Mixed text and photo” is selected when the image of the document includes a photo image and a text image. When “Mixed text and photo” is selected, the image reading means causes the image of the document to be scanned. Is read as image data having a resolution between the resolution of “photo” and the resolution of “text”.

  Here, the resolution is a numerical value indicating the density of the pixels in the image data, and corresponds to the fineness of the grid representing the image. For example, 200 dpi (dots per inch) is adopted as the resolution corresponding to “character”, and 600 dpi is adopted as the resolution corresponding to “photo”. As the resolution corresponding to “mixed characters and photos”, for example, a resolution between the resolution of “characters” and the resolution of “photos”, that is, a medium resolution of 300 dpi is employed.

  Further, for example, when “A3 → A4” (70%) is selected from among the output magnifications, the output magnification “70%” corresponding to the “A3 → A4” is displayed in the output magnification column of the initial screen. It is displayed as a numerical value in 805 so that the user can recognize the numerical value of the output magnification.

  By the way, when the state shifts to the usable state, the document presence detection unit 602 drives the document presence detection sensor 212 provided on the mounting table 105 to detect the presence of the document previously placed on the mounting table 105 by the user ( FIG. 7: S101). When the document presence detection unit 602 detects the presence of a document, the document number calculation unit 603 causes the document number calculation unit 603 to calculate the number of documents placed on the table 105.

  The document number calculating means 603 drives the lift moving means 604, and the lift moving means 604 raises the lift plate 214 on which the leading edge of the document is placed in the document stacking direction from the home position. When the leading edge of the document on the lift plate 214 has pushed up the roller 217, the upper limit sensor 215 detects this, and the lift moving means 604 stops the lift plate 214.

  The document number calculating means 603 monitors the lift moving means 604, calculates the amount of rotation of the motor required to raise the lift material 214 from the home position to the current position of the lift material 214, and stores it in the document number storage means 605. Based on the thickness of the original bundle (a plurality of originals) per rotation amount of the motor stored in advance, the thickness of the placed original bundle is calculated. Further, the document number calculation unit 603 calculates the number of documents placed on the basis of the calculated thickness of the document bundle and the thickness per document stored in the document number storage unit 605 in advance. (FIG. 7: S102).

  For example, if the thickness of the document bundle per rotation amount of the motor is 1 mm / rotation amount, the thickness per document is 0.25 mm / sheet, and the rotation amount of the motor is 4 rotations, the document number calculation means 605 Four rotations are multiplied by 1 mm / rotation amount, the thickness of the original bundle is calculated as 4 mm, and 4 mm is divided by 0.25 mm / sheet to calculate the number of originals as 16.

  When the document number calculation means 603 calculates the number of documents “16” placed on the placement table, it transmits “16 sheets” to the reading mode change acceptance means 606.

  Next, while viewing the initial screen displayed on the touch panel 401, the user sets the desired copy setting condition (for example, the image quality mode is “mixed text and photo” 806, and the output magnification is “A3 → A4”. (70%) 807 and the reading mode “normal reading mode” 808) are input, the image reading condition receiving unit 601 receives the condition. Note that the background color of the item pressed by the user is changed from white to gray by the image reading condition receiving unit 601.

  Further, when the user finishes inputting the condition and presses the start key 405, the image reading condition receiving unit 601 determines the received condition and transmits the condition to the reading mode change receiving unit 606 (FIG. 7: S103). ).

  The reading mode change accepting unit 606 receives the number of originals “16” received earlier and the conditions (“mixed text and photo” 806, “A3 → A4” (70%) 807 transmitted from the image reading condition accepting unit 601. Based on “Normal reading mode” 808), the reading mode change table stored in the reading mode change storage means 607 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the reading mode change acceptance screen is displayed (FIG. 7: S104). Note that the reading mode change acceptance screen corresponds to a screen for accepting selection of whether to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode by the user.

  In the reading mode change table 900, as shown in FIG. 9, the number of documents 901 divided into two ranges with a predetermined number as a threshold (for example, “1 to 10 sheets when the predetermined number is“ 10 ”). 902, “11 sheets” to 903), image quality mode (image resolution) 904 (for example, “text” (200 dpi) 905, “mixed text and photo” (300 dpi) 906, “photo” (600 dpi) 907 ) And output magnification 908 divided into two ranges with a predetermined magnification as a threshold (for example, “0 to 80%” 909 and “81% to” 910 when the predetermined magnification is “80%”), A mode 911 (for example, “normal reading mode” 912, “high-speed reading mode” 913) and an item “whether to display a screen” 914 (for example, a reading mode) indicating whether or not to display a reading mode change acceptance screen. Indicating information indicating to display the de change acceptance screen as "OK" 915, and "Fail" 916) indicating information indicating not to display the read mode change acceptance screen is stored in association.

  The predetermined number is, for example, a number determined based on a reading completion time which is a time from the start of image reading of a document placed on the mounting table to completion of image reading of all the documents. The number of sheets corresponds to the number of documents when the difference between the reading completion time in the high-speed reading mode and the reading completion time in the normal reading mode exceeds a predetermined time when the number of documents to be read is increased. The predetermined time is appropriately changed in design according to the speed of the conveyance roller of the automatic document feeder, the reading capability of the reading unit, the processing capability, the sensitivity that the user feels that the reading completion time is long as the waiting time, etc. For example, 4 seconds, 8 seconds, 10 seconds, etc. are adopted.

  For example, when reading the number of documents “10”, the reading completion time in the high-speed reading mode is “8 seconds” (80 sheets / minute), and the reading completion time in the normal reading mode is “12 seconds” (50 sheets / minute). Minutes), the difference between the two is 4 seconds, so the predetermined number is set to “10”.

  Further, the predetermined magnification indicates whether the resolution (input resolution) of the read image data affects the resolution (output resolution) of the reduced image data when the read image data is reduced. A magnification corresponding to the threshold value. The predetermined magnification is appropriately changed in accordance with the change because the resolution of the image data when read in the high-speed reading mode varies depending on the reading capability of the reading unit, the processing capability of the image data, and the like.

  For example, when the reduction process of the output magnification “90%” is performed on the resolution (input resolution) “600 dpi” of the image data read in the normal reading mode, the resolution (output) of the reduced image data is determined according to the specifications of the multifunction peripheral 100. Resolution) is “600 dpi”, and the input resolution and the output resolution are the same (substantially the same) at other input resolutions, and the output resolution is affected depending on the input resolution. Further, when the input resolution “600 dpi” or “300 dpi” is subjected to the reduction process with the output magnification “70%”, both resolutions (output resolutions) of the image data reduced by the reduction process are reduced to “200 dpi”. Suppose that the output resolution is not affected by the input resolution.

  When the resolution (input resolution) of the image data read in the high-speed reading mode is “300 dpi”, the output magnification is less than 90%, and the output resolution is not affected in both the normal reading mode and the high-speed reading mode. In this case, for example, the predetermined magnification is set to “80%”.

  Further, in the reading mode change table 900, small items (for example, “1 to 10 sheets” 902, “11 sheets to”) in the above items (number of documents 901, image quality mode 904, output magnification 908, reading mode 911). 903, “character” 905, “mixed text and photo” 906, “photo” 907, “0-80%” 909, “81%-” 910, “normal reading mode” 911, “high-speed reading mode” 912) , Information “◯” 917 indicating that there is a mutual relationship and information “×” 918 indicating that there is no mutual relationship are stored.

  With the configuration described above, it is possible to determine whether or not to display the reading mode change acceptance screen according to the number of received documents and the conditions relating to image reading.

  The reading mode change accepting unit 606 refers to the number of originals 901 (“1 to 10” 902, “11 to“ 903) in the reading mode change table 900, and the received original number “16” is in which range. Whether they belong to each other is determined by comparison with each other (FIG. 7: S104). Since “16 sheets” belongs to “11 sheets to” 903, the reading mode change accepting unit 606 determines that “16 sheets” is equal to or greater than the predetermined number “11 sheets”, and the image quality associated with “11 sheets to” 903. Reference is made to the mode 904, the output magnification 908, and the reading mode 911 (FIG. 7: S104 YES → S105).

  Since the received “A3 → A4” (70%) belongs to the output magnification “0-80%” 909 of the reading mode change table, the reading mode change accepting unit 606 displays “mixed text and photo” 906 (806). Then, “0” to “80%” 909 and “permitted” 919 of “display availability” 914 associated with “normal reading mode” 912 are acquired from the reading mode change table 900 (FIG. 7: S105 YES).

  When the reading mode change accepting unit 606 acquires “permitted” 919, it is determined that the reading mode change accepting screen needs to be displayed, and the reading mode change accepting screen is displayed on the touch panel 401 (FIG. 7: S106, FIG. 7). 8D).

  On the reading mode change acceptance screen, as shown in FIG. 8D, when the high-speed reading mode is selected, a message 809 indicating that the processing is completed quickly, “If the high-speed reading mode is selected under the current conditions, the processing is completed quickly. "A message 810 prompting the user to select a high-speed reading mode" Please select whether or not to change the reading mode. "And the reading mode" normal reading mode "811 currently selected, A “high-speed reading mode” button 812 that is a button corresponding to the reading mode, a “return” button 813 that is a button for redisplaying the initial screen in order to change the conditions input by the user, and selection of the reading mode. An “OK” button 814, which is a button to be pressed when completed, is displayed.

  While viewing the reading mode change acceptance screen, the user confirms that the high-speed reading mode can complete the processing more quickly, and displays a “high-speed reading mode” button 812 displayed on the reading mode change acceptance screen. When is pressed, the reading mode change accepting unit 606 accepts the high speed reading mode.

  Furthermore, when the user presses an “OK” button 814 displayed on the reading mode change acceptance screen, the reading mode change acceptance unit 606 determines acceptance of the high-speed reading mode, erases the reading mode change acceptance screen, A signal indicating that the high-speed reading mode has been selected is transmitted to the image reading condition receiving means 601.

  In the high-speed reading mode, the image reading condition receiving unit 601 transmits a signal to start reading the document image to the image reading unit 608 based on the condition received from the user, and starts reading the image of the document (FIG. 7: S107).

  When the image reading unit 608 reads an original image, the original image is read in the high-speed reading mode. Specifically, the image reading unit 608 sets the rotation speed (rotation speed) of the transport rollers 107A and 107B of the automatic document feeder 104 to twice the rotation speed of the normal rotation speed, and The moving speed in the sub-scanning direction is increased twice as much as the normal moving speed.

  On the other hand, the resolution (input resolution) of the read image data is lowered by the increase in the moving speed of the reading unit 110 in the sub-scanning direction. For example, the resolution in the normal reading mode is changed from “600 dpi” to “300 dpi”. descend. Further, since the input image quality mode is “mixture of characters and photos” 906 (806), a predetermined resolution decrease (image quality decrease) is further caused. The read image data is subjected to a reduction process at an output magnification of “70%”, and the resolution (output resolution) of the reduced image data is further reduced to “200 dpi”.

  Even if image data having an input resolution “300 dpi” (resolution obtained in the image quality mode “mixed text and photo” 906 (806) in the normal reading mode) is reduced at the output magnification “70%”, Since the resolution of the reduced image data is “200 dpi”, as a result, the resolution of the image data requested by the user (resolution “200 dpi” corresponding to the output magnification “70%”) is satisfied, and a normal image is obtained. Compared to the reading speed, it is possible to read an image quickly.

  Image data read in the high-speed reading mode is sequentially stored in a predetermined memory in the reading order. The stored image data is output as a printed matter by the function providing unit 609 (FIG. 7: S108).

  Here, when the image reading unit 608 reads an image of a document, the document number correcting unit 610 counts the number of documents read by the image reading unit 608. When the image reading unit 608 reads all the images of the placed document, the document number correcting unit 610 calculates the total number of documents, and the total number of documents and the document bundle calculated by the document number calculating unit 603 are calculated. Based on the thickness, the thickness per document is calculated, and the thickness per document stored in the document number storage unit 605 is rewritten to the calculated thickness per document.

  For example, if the number of documents calculated by the document number calculation unit 603 is “16”, but the number of documents counted by the document number correction unit 610 is “15”, the document number correction unit 610 Then, the thickness “4 mm” of the original bundle calculated by the original number calculating means 603 is divided by “15”, and the thickness per original is calculated as “0.267 mm / sheet”, and is stored in the original number storing means 605. The stored “0.25 mm / sheet” is rewritten to “0.267 mm / sheet”.

  With the above configuration, since the image reading unit 608 corrects the thickness per document for each function provision (1 JOB), the document number calculating unit 603 can subsequently document on the document table 105. Can be calculated with high accuracy. The above correction is particularly effective when the paper type (monochrome paper, colored paper, postcard, envelope, business card, etc.), paper quality (quality paper, plain paper, recycled paper, etc.), etc., of the placed document is changed. is there.

  On the other hand, if the reading mode change accepting unit 606 does not receive a condition that does not affect the resolution of the output image data even in the resolution of the image data read in the high-speed reading mode, the following procedure is performed. Then, image reading and function provision are performed.

  When the user places a document on the mounting table 105 and touches the touch panel 401, the MFP 100 is brought into a usable state, and the image reading condition receiving unit 601 displays an initial screen on the touch panel 401.

  When transitioning to a usable state, the document presence detection unit 602 detects the presence of a document based on the document presence detection sensor 212 provided on the table 105, and the document number calculation unit 603 drives the lift movement unit 604. Then, the document can be transported and the rotation amount of the motor is calculated (FIG. 7: S101).

  The document number calculation means 603 calculates the thickness of the placed document bundle based on the thickness of the document bundle per rotation amount of the motor stored in the document number storage means 605. Further, the document number calculation means 603 calculates the number of placed documents based on the calculated thickness of the document bundle and the thickness per document stored in the document number storage means 605 (FIG. 7). : S102).

  For example, when the thickness of the original bundle per rotation amount of the motor is 1 mm / rotation amount, the thickness per original document is 0.267 mm / sheet, and the rotation amount of the motor is 3 rotations, the original number calculation means 605 3 rotations are multiplied by 1 mm / rotation amount, the thickness of the original bundle is calculated as 3 mm, and 3 mm is divided by 0.267 mm / sheet to calculate the number of originals as 11.2. Is rounded off to calculate “11 sheets”.

  When the document number calculation means 603 calculates the number of documents “11”, it transmits “11 sheets” to the reading mode change acceptance means 606.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, the user looks at the initial screen displayed on the touch panel 401 while viewing his / her desired copy setting conditions (for example, “photograph” (600 dpi) 815, “automatic magnification” (100%) 816, “normal reading mode” 808), the image reading condition receiving means 601 receives the condition.

  Further, when the user finishes inputting the condition and presses the start key 405, the image reading condition receiving unit 601 determines the received condition and transmits the condition to the reading mode change receiving unit 606 (FIG. 7: S103). ).

  The reading mode change accepting unit 606 receives the number of originals received “11” and the conditions (“photo” (600 dpi) 815, “automatic magnification” (100%) 816, “ Based on “normal reading mode” 808), it is determined whether or not the reading mode change acceptance screen is displayed by referring to the reading mode change table 900 (FIG. 7: S104).

  The reading mode change accepting unit 606 refers to the document number 901 in the reading mode change table 900, determines that “11 sheets” is equal to or greater than the predetermined number “11 sheets”, and the image quality mode associated with “11 sheets to” 903. Reference is made to 904, output magnification 908, and reading mode 911 (FIG. 7: S104 YES → S105).

  Since the received “automatic magnification” (100%) belongs to the output magnification “81% ˜” 907 of the reading mode change table 900, the reading mode change accepting unit 606 uses “photograph” (600 dpi) 907 and “81% ˜ "No" 920 of "Display availability" 914 associated with "910" and "Normal reading mode" 912 is acquired from the reading mode change table 900.

  When the reading mode change accepting unit 606 obtains “No” 920, it is determined that there is no need to display the reading mode change accepting screen, and the image reading condition accepting unit 601 executes function provision under the input conditions. Is transmitted (FIG. 7: S105 NO → S107).

  The subsequent operation procedures of the image reading condition receiving unit 601, the image reading unit 608, the document number correcting unit 611, and the function providing unit 609 are the same as those described above, and are omitted (FIG. 7: S107 → S108).

  In this way, even when the resolution of image data “300 dpi” when read in the high-speed reading mode does not accept conditions that do not affect the resolution of the output image data, in other words, Since conditions affecting the resolution are accepted (for example, image quality mode “photo” (600 dpi), output magnification “100%”), the image of the original is read in the normal reading mode, and as a result, image data Therefore, it is possible to realize output of high-quality image data without degrading the resolution.

  Next, when the image reading condition receiving unit 601 receives a document number smaller than the predetermined number “10”, image reading and function provision are performed according to the following procedure.

  When the user places a plurality of originals on the placement table 105 and touches the touch panel 401, the multifunction apparatus 100 shifts to a usable state, and the image reading condition reception unit 601 displays an initial screen on the touch panel 401. .

  When transitioning to a usable state, the document presence detection unit 602 detects the presence of a document based on the document presence detection sensor 212, and the document number calculation unit 603 can drive the lift moving unit 604 to convey the document. And the amount of rotation of the motor is calculated (FIG. 7: S101).

  The document number calculation means 603 calculates the thickness of the document bundle based on the thickness of the document bundle (a plurality of documents) per rotation amount of the motor. Further, the document number calculating means 603 calculates the number of documents based on the thickness of the document bundle and the thickness per document (FIG. 7: S102).

  For example, when the thickness of the original bundle per rotation amount of the motor is 1 mm / rotation amount, the thickness per original document is 0.245 mm / sheet, and the rotation amount of the motor is 2 rotations, the original number calculation means 603 Multiplying 2 rotations by 1 mm / rotation amount, the thickness of the original bundle is calculated as 2 mm, and further, 2 mm is divided by 0.245 mm / sheet to calculate the number of originals as 8.16. Is rounded off to calculate “8”.

  When the document number calculating unit 603 calculates the number of documents “8”, it transmits “8” to the reading mode change accepting unit 606.

  As shown in FIG. 8C, while viewing the initial screen displayed on the touch panel 401, the user can select the desired copy setting conditions (for example, “character” (200 dpi) 817, “B3 → B5” (50% ) 818, “normal reading mode” 808) is input, the image reading condition receiving unit 601 receives the condition.

  Further, when the user presses the start key 405, the image reading condition receiving unit 601 determines the received condition and transmits the condition to the reading mode change receiving unit 606 (FIG. 7: S103).

  The reading mode change accepting unit 606 receives the number of originals received “8” and the conditions (“character” (200 dpi) 817, “B3 → B5” (50%) 818, transmitted from the image reading condition accepting unit 601. Based on the “normal reading mode” 808), the reading mode change table 900 is referred to and it is determined whether or not the reading mode change acceptance screen is displayed (FIG. 7: S104).

  The reading mode change accepting unit 606 refers to the document number 901 in the reading mode table 900, determines that “8” is less than the predetermined number “11”, and the image quality mode associated with “1 to 10” 902. Reference is made to 904, output magnification 908, and reading mode 911.

  In the reading mode change table 900, if it is determined that the number of originals is less than the predetermined number “11”, any of the image quality mode 904, the output magnification 908, and the reading mode 911 indicates “no display on screen” 914 "921" is stored in association with each other, and the reading mode change accepting unit 606 acquires "No" 921 from the reading mode change table 900.

  When the reading mode change accepting unit 606 obtains “No”, it is determined that it is not necessary to display the reading mode change accepting screen, and the image reading condition accepting unit 601 performs function provision under the input conditions. A signal is transmitted (FIG. 7: S104 NO → S107).

  The subsequent operation procedures of the image reading condition receiving unit 601, the image reading unit 608, the document number correcting unit 611, and the function providing unit 609 are the same as those described above, and are omitted (FIG. 7: S107 → S108).

  As described above, even when the resolution of the image data “300 dpi” when read in the high-speed reading mode, there is a condition (“character” (200 dpi), “50%”) that does not affect the resolution of the output image data. Although accepted, the number of placed documents is “8” which is smaller than the predetermined number of “11”, so that the reading is completed in both the high-speed reading mode and the normal reading mode. There is almost no effect on time.

  For this reason, the display of the reading mode change acceptance screen is omitted, and the image data read in the normal reading mode is output as a printed matter. As a result, it is possible to provide a quick function provision.

  When the reading mode change accepting unit 606 receives “high-speed reading mode” as the reading mode, the reading mode change table 900 includes a “screen” in any of the number of documents 901, the image quality mode 904, and the output magnification 908. Since “No” of “Displayability” 914 is stored in association with each other, the display of the reading mode change acceptance screen is omitted, and the image data read in the high-speed reading mode is output as a printed matter. As a result, It is possible to realize quick function provision.

  As described above, when the document number calculating means for calculating the number of documents placed on the mounting table and the number of documents calculated by the document number calculating means exceed a predetermined number before reading the image of the document, Reading mode reception means for receiving selection from the user as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode.

  Thus, when the number of originals to be read exceeds a predetermined number, the user can change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode. For this reason, by changing the setting to the high-speed reading mode, it is possible to cause the automatic document feeder to read an image of a document faster than normal image reading. As a result, the MFP can quickly provide a series of functions from image reading of a document to subsequent image formation processing, etc., and even a user who does not know the high-speed reading mode can increase the number of documents. Accordingly, the high-speed reading mode can be appropriately used.

  In addition, an image reading condition receiving unit that receives conditions related to image reading from a user before reading an image of the document is provided, and the reading mode change receiving unit sets the number of documents calculated by the document number calculating unit to a predetermined number. Among the conditions that are exceeded and received by the image reading condition receiving means, even if the resolution of the image data when read in the high-speed reading mode includes a condition that does not affect the resolution of the output image data, It can be configured to accept a selection from the user as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode.

  Thus, for example, when a condition that does not cause a concern about a decrease in resolution of image data in the high-speed reading mode or a deterioration in image quality of the image data is input, the user can select the high-speed reading mode, and the processing proceeds quickly. It becomes possible. On the other hand, if a condition that may cause a decrease in resolution is input, the process proceeds in the normal reading mode as it is without prompting the user to change to the high-speed reading mode, thereby preventing the resolution of the image data from decreasing. At the same time, it is possible to prevent the traces of the rollers generated in the high-speed reading mode. As a result, the image forming apparatus accepts the high-speed reading mode flexibly according to the conditions input by the user, and selects the optimum reading mode for the user according to the number of placed documents. It can be changed.

  Further, the thickness of the document bundle (document characteristics) detected when the document number calculating means calculates the number of documents and the thickness per document (number of documents) corresponding to the characteristics are stored in association with each other. Each time a series of image reading is completed with the document number storage means, the number of read documents is calculated, and the total number of documents and the thickness of the document bundle detected by the document number calculation means (characteristic of the document) Based on the above, it is possible to provide a document number correcting unit that corrects the thickness (number of documents) per document stored in the document number storing unit.

  Thus, each time a series of image reading is completed, the document number correcting means corrects the thickness (number of documents) per document to an appropriate value based on the number of documents actually read. become. Therefore, the number of documents placed on the placing table can be accurately calculated by the document number calculation unit, and hence the high-speed reading mode with high accuracy can be controlled.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, every time a series of image reading is completed, the document number correcting unit per document based on the total number of previous documents and the thickness of the previous document bundle. Although the thickness is corrected, for example, the number of originals, the thickness of the original bundle at that number, and the thickness (per original) are stored in sequence, and stored when the original number correcting means corrects them. A statistical value such as an average value, a mode value, or a median value may be extracted from the number of originals and the thickness of the original bundle, and may be corrected based on the extracted values.

  In the reading mode change table according to the embodiment of the present invention, the number of documents, the image quality mode, the output magnification, and the reading mode are associated with each other. However, the document size (A3, A4, A5, etc.) and the document orientation ( (Longitudinal direction in which the short side is parallel to the main scanning direction of the reading unit and horizontal direction in which the long side is parallel to the main scanning direction of the reading unit) are added and associated with the item. You may comprise. With the above configuration, it is possible to prompt the user to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode in an appropriate manner corresponding to the conditions input by the user.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, items corresponding to conditions that do not affect the resolution of the output image data (image quality mode, output magnification, etc.) even in the resolution of the image data read in the high-speed reading mode. Although they are configured to be equivalent to each other, for example, each item is given a priority according to the degree of influence, and the reading mode change accepting unit displays the reading mode change accepting screen corresponding to the priority. It may be configured to determine whether or not it is necessary to display.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the reading mode change storage means stores the number of documents, the image quality mode, the output magnification, the reading mode, and information indicating whether to display the reading mode change acceptance screen. Although stored in association with a format, the format is not limited to this format as long as the items can be associated with each other.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP is configured to include each unit. However, a program that realizes each unit may be stored in a storage medium, and the storage medium may be provided. In the above-described configuration, the above-described program is read by the multi-function peripheral, and the multi-function peripheral implements the above-described units. In that case, the program itself read from the recording medium exhibits the effects of the present invention. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a storage method for storing the steps executed by each means in a hard disk.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the processing with the copy function is adopted. However, for example, the processing can be employed for processing such as a scanning function, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a printing function, a network scanning function, a post-processing function, and a memory function.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is useful for a copying machine, a printer, a multifunction machine, and the like, and can be changed to an optimum reading mode according to the number of originals placed on the mounting table. It is effective as an image forming apparatus.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an overall configuration inside a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a mounting table of the automatic document feeder according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an automatic document feeder according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is an external view which shows the operation part which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the control system hardware of the invention which concerns on embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart for showing the execution procedure of embodiment of this invention. It is a 1st figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the touchscreen of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the reading mode change table which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP 601 Image reading condition receiving means (condition receiving means)
602 Document presence detection means 603 Document number calculation means 604 Lift movement means 605 Document number storage means 606 Reading mode change acceptance means 607 Reading mode change storage means 608 Image reading means 609 Function provision means 610 Document number correction means 900 Reading mode change table 900

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus comprising an automatic document feeder having a normal reading mode for reading at a normal reading speed and a high-speed reading mode for reading at a reading speed faster than the normal reading speed,
A document number calculating means for calculating the number of documents placed on the placement table before reading an image of the document;
And a reading mode change accepting means for accepting selection from the user as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high speed reading mode when the number of originals calculated by the original number calculating means exceeds a predetermined number. Image forming apparatus. An image reading condition receiving means for receiving a condition related to image reading from a user before reading an image of a document;
The reading mode change accepting means has the number of originals calculated by the original number calculating means exceeding a predetermined number, and among the conditions accepted by the image reading condition accepting means, the resolution of the image data when read in the high-speed reading mode is also used. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when a condition that does not affect the resolution of the output image data is included, a selection as to whether or not to change from the normal reading mode to the high-speed reading mode is received from the user. The image forming apparatus described. Further, document number storage means for storing the document characteristics detected when the document number calculation means calculates the number of documents and the number of documents corresponding to the characteristics in association with each other;
Each time a series of image reading is completed, the number of read originals is calculated, and the original stored in the original number storage unit is calculated based on the total number of originals and the characteristics of the original detected by the original number calculation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a document number correcting unit that corrects the number of documents.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the document characteristic detected by the document number calculating means is a thickness of the document placed on the placing table.

Images